If you’ve been wearing denim long enough to remember pretty much every jeans style – from bell bottoms to bootcuts – you’ll know one truth: jeans never go out of style, but the way we wear them does. This fall’s denim is, of course, about jeans – but also dresses, skirts, blouses, and jackets. There is denim that is polished, wearable, and versatile enough for coffee runs, date nights, or the office. Let’s get into how to wear denim for fall.
Some of the stylish denim trends from the catwalks
Below, you’ll see our favorite denim clothes that we’ve found in stores this season. There’s also a stylish capsule featuring those denim looks. Before we get into that, here’s what we’ve been inspired by:
Tailored denim
Denim isn’t just for jeans. This season’s tailored denim shirts, blazers, and dresses have structure and polish without feeling too formal.
Colored denim
Don’t just stick to blue or black. For fall, there are beautiful autumnal and earthy shades to choose from – look out for burgundy, any shade of brown from caramel to dark chocolate, olive green, and terracotta.
Wide legs (again)
It did seem during the summer that skinny jeans were going to have a revival, but the consensus from designers on the fall runways was definitely for baggier pairs – look for wide legs, bootcuts, crop flares, or straight legs. Unless, of course, you love wearing your skinnies – in which case, stick with them. You can always add a floaty denim shirt.
You’ll find more ideas in our article on how to wear jeans over 40.
Adaline @adalineanyway above opts for double denim, which is very much on trend again. She adds leopard print shoes, which are having another revival for fall – showing that if you are thinking about how to wear denim for fall, you can always look trendy in your favorite items that you may already have in your closet.
Recreate her outfit with this similar denim shirt, jeans, slingback flats. handbag and belt.
Jona @the50plusgirl above also opts for a double denim look – this time with a denim midi skirt – and she adds suede boots, which are perfect for fall.
Check out this similar shirt, jacket, skirt, boots, handbag, belt and sunglasses.
Brands we’re loving for denim options this season
If you are choosing new denim pieces for the new season, these are some of our favorite places to look:
Denim pieces in stores now
Okay, now that you’re thinking about denim trends for the fall season, let’s go into a denim capsule closet with our favorite denim clothes and accessories.
tops
While a crisp denim shirt remains a timeless staple, designers are reimagining the fabric in more tailored, grown-up shapes – think fitted waistcoats or structured waisted tops that create definition. At the other end of the spectrum, opt for a flowy denim tunic for a top that works perfectly over slim pants or leggings.
COS Tie-side Denim Overshirt – J.Crew Garçon Classic Chambray Shirt – COS Denim Peplum Top – Rails Portola Denim Vest
Kimba @kimbalikes above wears a denim tunic over her straight jeans for a stylish, casual look.
Steal her look with this similar denim top (another option here), jeans, sneakers, bag and sunglasses.
Denim coats and jackets
Denim jackets are stepping well beyond their classic trucker roots this season. Choose tailored denim blazers to elevate your denim look, prints, two-tone designs, and experiment with different colors.
Cinq à Sept Holly Puff-Sleeve Denim Jacket – Damson Madder Francie Tie Waist Denim Blazer – CITY BLUES Two-Tone Denim Blazer – CITY BLUES Stripe Denim Jacket
Cinq à Sept Holly Puff-Sleeve Denim Jacket – Theory Crushed Satin Midi Skirt – Donald Pliner Avera Knee High Boots – Kate Spade New York Do It All Fine Grain Leather Tote – Jennifer Zeuner Anine Wavy Drop Earrings
jeans
This fall, jeans in wider, more-relaxed silhouettes are the on-trend choice. Look for straight or wide leg, or even slight flares. Along with rich indigo, opt for rich colors like burgundy and warm camel to add depth to your seasonal wardrobe. Subtle prints can also add interest without overwhelming the rest of your outfit.
Wit & Wisdom Sam High Waist Wide Leg Jeans – PAIGE Anessa High Rise Wide Leg Crop Jeans – rag & bone Logan Textured Wide Leg Jeans – Madewell Garment Dye Patch Pocket Raw Hem Crop Flare Wide Leg Jeans
Damson Madder Francie Tie Waist Denim Blazer – Nordstrom Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt – rag & bone Logan Textured Wide Leg Jeans – New Balance Classics 327 Sneakers – Oryany Lottie Denim Crossbody Bag – Nordstrom Demi Fine Baroque Pearl Pendant Necklace –
Dresses and skirts
Denim dresses and skirts show that this casual material can also look super stylish in more structured silhouettes. Look for dresses nipped at the waist, and midi or maxi skirts that flow.
Veronica Beard Haydon Denim Shirtdress – Rails Beverly Long Sleeve Denim Shirtdress – Cinq à Sept Esther Denim Pleated Midi-Dress – Cinq à Sept Zelda Denim Asymmetric Midi Skirt
Cathy @themiddlepageblog above chooses a structured denim dress and adds a denim jacket in a paler shade as a cover-up. She keeps her footwear neutral, which creates a leg-lengthening effect.
Check out this similar dress (another option here), jacket, shoulder bag, sandals, bangle, earrings and sunglasses.
Denim accessories
Of course, if you want to add a little denim to your outfits, you could do that with your handbag rather than your clothes. The perfect way to achieve an instant update.
Vince Camuto Orla Denim Tote – Oryany Lottie Denim Crossbody Bag – Kurt Geiger London Large Kensington Denim Shoulder Bag – DKNY Nicole Bucket Bag
Rails Portola Denim Vest – Wit & Wisdom Sam ‘Ab’Solution High Waist Wide Leg Jeans – Cole Haan Go-to Jocelyn Slingback Pumps – Vince Camuto Orla Denim Tote – Lele Sadoughi Aegean Faux Pearl Drop Earrings
What to wear with your denim
You can, of course, opt for double denim, which is very much on trend at the moment. But you’ll want other options too. Team your quality basics with your denim – your t-shirts, blazers, and black trousers. Another stylish way to wear your denim is to combine a material like satin or silk for an elevated, chic look.
Clothes to go with your denim
Nordstrom Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt – Favorite Daughter The Favorite Blazer – Wit & Wisdom Sam ‘Ab’Solution High Waist Wide Leg Jeans – Theory Crushed Satin Midi Skirt
Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above wears her bomber jacket with her denim skirt, and adds pops of yellow.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top, jacket, skirt (another option here), boots, handbag and earrings.
Shoes to go with your denim
When thinking about how to wear denim for fall, make sure you can wear your denim casually or for more formal occasions. Low heels, sneakers and boots of different lengths should see you through fall.
Cole Haan Go-to Jocelyn Slingback Pumps – New Balance Classics 327 Sneakers – MICHAEL Michael Kors Nash Booties – Donald Pliner Avera Knee High Boots
Yvonne @funkyforty above teams her denim waistcoat with terracotta pants and heels.
How to wear denim for fall – accessories
Below are some beautiful accessories you could team with your denim – add a fall color like olive with your handbag. And, don’t forget statement jewelry to finish your look.
Kate Spade New York Do It All Fine Grain Leather Tote – Nordstrom Demi Fine Baroque Pearl Pendant Necklace – Nordstrom Pavé Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings – Lele Sadoughi Aegean Faux Pearl Drop Earrings – Jennifer Zeuner Anine Wavy Drop Earrings
Favorite Daughter The Favorite Blazer – Cinq à Sept Esther Denim Pleated Midi-Dress – MICHAEL Michael Kors Nash Booties – Kurt Geiger London Large Kensington Denim Shoulder Bag – Lele Sadoughi Aegean Faux Pearl Drop Earrings
Your fall denim looks together in one capsule
Below, you can see the outfits from above together in one capsule, showcasing how versatile denim is for the fall season. You could easily opt for denim on both your top and bottom. Or mix and match the different clothes, coats, and shoes to create various looks. For example, the denim waistcoat would go well with any of the bottoms, including the satin skirt, you could wear the floaty denim shirt with the burgundy jeans, or the striped jacket with the black pants.
How will you be wearing denim this fall? Let us know in the comments below
Continue reading:
- Not just for jeans! All the denim outfits and trends you need to know this year
- How to wear jeans over 40 – guidelines and lots of ideas
- All the best sneakers for fall – and what to wear with them
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Feature image by Jona @the50plusgirl
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