It seems somewhat redundant to say “blue jeans” when describing your denim because when you imagine a pair of jeans, blue is the first color you think of. And, while jeans now come in every color in the rainbow, the great thing about blue denim is its versatility and neutrality. They go with everything else in your closet. This article has all the best blue jeans for women over 40. Take a look and pick your favorite pair.
Why are most jeans blue?
Jeans have been worn for centuries, but why were they originally blue? Initially, the blue came from an indigo dye, chosen mainly because of the way it interacted with the denim. During each wash, a little of the dye and fibers are lost, giving blue jeans a softer, more lived-in look as time goes on.
What to consider when choosing your blue jeans
So, when you’re looking for the perfect pair of blue jeans, what should you take into account?
1. Take inspiration from our popular jeans article
Look at our guidelines on wearing jeans over 40 for plenty of tips to help you choose your jeans. All of those guidelines apply to choosing any color of jeans.
2. Consider the shade of your blue jeans
When choosing blue jeans in particular, you will want to consider the exact shade of blue that you want. Darker blue tends to be more flattering, slimming, and easier to wear for work or dinner with a special top. Lighter blue usually looks more casual.
Also, think about how the color of your jeans will work for your figure. For instance, if you have a pear-shaped body, darker jeans will help slim and balance your hips and thighs. Meanwhile, if you have an inverted triangle shape, lighter blue can make your bottom half look more in balance with your broad shoulders.
Karen @styledbykaren above opts for an on-trend pair of high-waisted, wide-leg blue jeans with a raw hem. High-waisted styles look great with your top tucked in or with a shorter top or sweater that ends at the waistline.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top (another option here), jeans and sandals.
3. The shape of your jeans
Wider jeans and bootcuts are particularly on trend right now. But, if you love your skinnies and they suit your figure, they can still look great with tunic tops. Think about what suits you, rather than what suits the fashion industry.
4. Do you want contrast stitching
Look at the jeans you already have in your closet. Do they have contrast stitching? High contrast stitching can make jeans look more casual or Western, while jeans that are stitched with a color close to the hue of the rest of the denim will look smarter.
What is the best brand of blue jeans?
Some brands we love include PAIGE, KUT from the Kloth, and NYDJ. That’s because they are all designed with women’s figures in mind rather than for the teenage market, so you’ll find our favorite brands feature heavily in our round-up of the best blue jeans for women over 40 and below.
The best blue jeans for women we’ve seen this season
Now, let’s look at some of our favorite blue jeans. Below, you’ll find some of the jeans we already have in our closets at 40+ style, as well as those we have our eyes on.
Bootcuts
Bootcut jeans have been a part of fashion history for decades and are still on trend this year. They’re one of the most flattering choices for all figures, thanks to figure-hugging thighs and flared hems that create a leg-lengthening effect.
PAIGE is one of our all-time favorite jeans brands, and we love the flared bootcut jeans (below) which strikes the perfect balance between smart and casual.
PAIGE Laurel Canyon High Waist Flare Jeans
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Website)
Wit & Wisdom’s Itty Bitty bootcuts are another great choice that is available season after season. The dark wash makes them super versatile for most occasions.
Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans
Fonda @savvysouthernchic above chooses a mid-wash pair of blue bootcuts, and tucks her blouse in for a leg-lengthening look.
Check out this similar blouse, leather jacket (another option here), bootcut jeans, booties, bag and earrings.
wide leg
Wide legs are particularly on trend right now. So, if you don’t already have a pair of blue wide leg jeans in your closet, now is definitely the time to add one.
Boden’s high-rise jeans (below) combine casual contrast stitching with a more formal cut usually associated with wide-leg trousers. We love the flattering dark blue shade.
Boden High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
For a smart choice to wear to work, choosing a pair of jeans with a crease that makes them look like trousers like the J.Crew jeans (below) is a great choice.
flare
Let’s move onto blue flares now. Flare jeans are fabulous to mirror your curves, or give you some. The Mother jeans (below) with their fading around the knees and thighs are more casual and akin to 70s jeans stylish. Ideal if you have a bohemian style personality.
Mother The Weekender Flare Jeans
(Saks Fifth Avenue / Website)
For a smarter look, choose a pair of darker denim flares. The Hudson Jeans flares (below) feature subtle whiskering at the hips, which gives them just the right amount of lived-in appeal.
Hudson Jeans Holly High-Rise Flared Jeans
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Saks Fifth Avenue / Website)
Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above opts for dark denim with pockets at the front, and tucks her sweater in.
Steal her look with this similar sweater, jeans, booties, handbag and necklace.
straight leg
Straight leg styles manage to be modern while having vintage appeal. They look great in high-waisted styles like the Levi’s Ribcage jeans (below). They come in a good choice of blue shades so you can go as light or dark as you want. Reviewers say the fit is flattering with evident attention to good tailoring.
Levi’s Ribcage High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Website)
For a more classic look when it comes to your straight jeans, look at NYDJ’s Marilyn denim, which are usually available season after season. These come in a choice of blue colors and have lift, tuck technology to shape the rear.
NYDJ Marilyn Straight Jeans
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Website)
Skinnies
Skinny jeans fell out of favor for a while, but are slowly making another comeback. We spotted lots of skinnies on the fashion catwalks for 2024. Perfect to wear with your longer tops and tunics and boots or ballet flats.
Good American Good Legs Crop Skinny Jeans
(Saks Fifth Avenue / Website
The NYDJ skinnies (below) shouldn’t lose their shape as they feature elastin to give them some stretch. Plus, they have been especially designed to lift, shape and tuck everything in.
NYDJ Ami Skinny Jeans In Sure Stretch® Denim
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Website)
Tanasha @letsrecreatethelook above opts for a classic choice of skinny jeans and a bright blazer with matching ballet flats.
Get her look with this similar top, blazer, jeans, flats, bag, belt and scarf.
trouser jeans
If you want to wear your jeans for work, then a good rule of thumb is to choose a dark shade of blue. To up the smartness level, choose a pair of trouser style jeans with a crease in the middle. FRAME’S trouser jeans have a triple banded waist, so are great with your blouses and tops tucked in.
FRAME Triple Binding Le Slim Palazzo Jeans
(Nordstrom / Saks Fifth Avenue)
Joe’s trouser jeans are another smart, 70s-inspired choice. Just be aware if you are choosing a pair of trouser jeans with a turned up hem, that the hem will ‘cut’ a visual line along your ankles which can make your legs look shorter. Of course, perhaps you already have long legs and you don’t mind. Or, you can always add a pair of heels underneath to counteract that effect.
Joe’s Jeans Madison High-Rise Trouser Jeans
(Dillard’s / Website)
boyfriend
Blue boyfriend jeans are the ultimate casual denim style. So, of course, you can wear it with your sneakers and T-shirts or sweaters. But we love to mix formal and wear with a blazer and heels. The KUT from the Kloth jeans (below) comes in a good choice of blue shades, and reviewers say they are good for curvy figures.
KUT from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend Jeans
(Amazon / Website)
The Levi’s boyfriend jeans (below) also come in a fantastic range of blues. Wear them turned up or down at the hem, depending on what looks best for you. Some reviewers say you should size down as they run a bit big.
Levi’s New Boyfriend Jeans
(Amazon / Website)
Carmen @carmen_gimeno above dresses up her boyfriend jeans with her blazer, designer bag and shiny red flats.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top, blazer, jeans, patent shoes, bag and brooch.
plus size
For the perfect pair of plus size blue jeans, we love the NYDJ straight legs (below). The high waist tucks everything in, and lift tuck technology helps to lift and slim.
NYDJ Marilyn Hollywood High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
(Nordstrom / Amazon / Website)
The Lee jeans (below) are also well reviewed by thousands of plus size wearers who say they hug in all the right places, and don’t pull down and expose anything when you sit or bend down. They come in a wide choice of blue colors from light to dark.
Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean
petite
If you’re petite, finding a pair of jeans that fit just right can be tricky. We love the Joe’s Jeans boocuts (below) with their subtle, lived in whiskering and fading.
Joe’s Jeans The Provocateur Stephaney Bootcut Jeans
(Nordstrom / Website)
The NYDJ Barbara bootcuts are one of our favorite styles from the denim designer, and they come in regular and petite
NYDJ Barbara Bootcut Jeans
(Nordstrom / Website)
Abi @stealmystyle40 above chooses a pair of casual cropped blue jeans and adds a touch of more formal chic with her loafers.
Steal her look with this similar cardigan, jeans, loafers and tote.
Trendy jeans
There are lots of timeless styles for you above, but if you want to try a pair of blue jeans that are particularly on trend this season, take a look below.
Cargo styles of jeans are ideal if you want to add casual flair, or you want to make your bottom half look larger in relation to your top half. Good for inverted triangles and to add curves for rectangles.
Hudson Jeans Wide-Leg Cargo Jeans
(Nordstrom / Saks Fifth Avenue)
The barrel leg cut like the Pistola jeans (below) has been taking the fashion world by storm recently. But, what is it, and should you wear it? They fit well as the waist, taper out in the legs, and then back in at the ankle. They’re a bit like mom jeans but tend to have a slimmer fit. Because they’re a curvy shape, they can flatter your curves and help to give the illusion of curves if you don’t have any.
Pistola Eli Ankle Barrel Leg Jeans
To add a little glamour to your blue jeans, add some embellishment. The crystal embellished jeans (below) will add a point of difference to your denim.
Endless Rose Crystal Embellished High Waist Rigid Straight Leg Jeans
What are your favorite blue jeans brands? What is the most flattering pair of blue jeans you own? Let us know you own best blue jeans for women in the comments below
shop the best blue jeans for women here:
Continue reading:
- How To Wear Jeans Over 40 – Guidelines And Lots Of Ideas
- The Best White Jeans For Women Over 40 – Our Top Picks
- The Best Fitting Jeans For Women: Choose The Best Jeans For Your Body Type
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Feature image by Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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