Spring is already here, and fashion trends show that denim-on-denim shows no signs of slowing down.
Celebrities we’ve featured wearing double denim include Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani, Kim Kardashian, Ashley Greene, Amber Heard, Rita Ora, Camila Cabello, and Kelly Brook. If you still haven’t dipped your fingers into this trend, we’ve got the perfect guide to get you started:
1. Opt for Darker Wash Jeans on the Bottom
This doesn’t mean you should altogether avoid lighter-washed bottoms. However, for denim-on-denim beginners, developing an eye for color coordination is essential to prevent mismatched denim hues.
Ashley Greene and Rihanna showcase successful denim-on-denim looks, while Heidi Klum’s outfit demonstrates a less flattering combination (Credit: WENN)
Our examples of Ashley Greene and Rihanna look great, but if you invert the hues, the outfit may be harder to pull off. On the other hand, Heidi Klum looks good in pretty much anything she wears, including the outfit below, but her outfit choice is not for everyone.
For fail-proof denim-on-denim pairings, go for the darker bottoms and start to experiment from there.
2. Avoid the Trap of Matching Denim Washes
Figuring out which washes complement each other can be tricky, so sticking with a consistent hue throughout the outfit might seem like a safe bet.
However, this method isn’t foolproof, as the wrong fit and proportions can quickly undermine your denim-on-denim look.
It’s crucial to maintain balance in torso-leg proportions and ensure the right mix of looseness and tightness. We often recommend pairing an oversized top with skinny jeans and accessorizing to add a personal touch.
Kylie Minogue nails the denim-on-denim look with her sleek and well-fitted ensemble, while Ellie Goulding and Kourtney Kardashian’s outfits miss the mark with poor fit and proportions (Credit: WENN)
You can also go the skintight route a la Kylie Minogue, but we strongly advise against Ellie Goulding’s loose pairing. It is not flattering at all, even with her brusque Doc Martens trying to pull the outfit together.
We are also not fans of Kourtney Kardashian’s tucked-out but still too-short top, which clashes horribly with her ill-fitting jeans and takes attention away from her gorgeous boots.
3. Reconsider Breaking Up Your Denim Look
If you decide to break up your denim-on-denim look by wearing a tee and leaving your denim top unbuttoned, it’s important to be mindful of how you mix the elements together. Pay attention to the usual suspects: wash pairing, fit, and proportions.
Joanna Krupa and January Jones achieve chic denim-on-denim looks with well-coordinated pieces, while Katie Holmes’ outfit lacks cohesion and proper fit (Credit: WENN)
Joanna Krupa shows us a lovely example of picking out items that fit perfectly (not too loose or tight). On the other hand, Kate Bosworth focuses more on being playful by donning an ombré chambray top, which she paired with dark skinnies and brown boots.
Katie Holmes, however, left us unenthusiastic with her oversized jacket, jeans that flared awkwardly to the ankles, and her combination of bright blue and gray denim.
4. Use Silhouettes to Enhance Your Denim Style
Sometimes, a well-executed outfit silhouette can elevate a denim-on-denim look. Experiment with waist cinching, rolling up sleeves, cuffing jeans, and adding the right accessories to accentuate your natural assets.
Case in point, Rita Ora’s choice of dark blue and gray denim actually work because of her genius balance of fit – she created symmetry by lowering her neckline to echo her skirt slit, cinched the outfit beautifully at the waist, wore rounded sunglasses to soften the corners in her look, and finally added a pop of color and texture with her pointed toe pumps.
Then we have Katie Holmes in an almost identical set of denim-on-denim outfits, except one fits her impeccably while the other has us raising our eyebrows.
Katie Holmes’ fitted denim shirt and skinny jeans work well, whereas her baggy jeans and layers don’t, while Rita Ora nails the look with a stylish denim skirt and top (Credit: WENN)
5. Incorporate Patterns Thoughtfully
The typical error with denim-on-denim outfits is not knowing how to gracefully break up the look so you don’t look like you’re drowning in denim.
One way of adding variety is by inserting patterns for texture which, again, won’t work automatically just by randomly piling on the next leopard or floral piece you see.
Cara Delevingne and Myleene Klass skillfully incorporate patterns into their denim-on-denim looks, while Sarah Jessica Parker’s floral trench and denim pairing falls short (Credit: WENN)
Case in point: Sarah Jessica Parker’s floral trench paired with clumsily cuffed jeans creates the illusion of an unbalanced 50-50 body proportion, which is not ideal, especially if you’re trying to lengthen the appearance of your legs.
We love how Cara Delevingne and Myleene Klass played with layers and colors to insert patterns without disrupting the entire jean look.
6. Reserve Cowgirl Boots for Western-Themed Outfits
We love pairing boots with jeans, but when going full-on denim, it’s best to leave the studded leather footwear to the cowgirls.
Reese Witherspoon and Emmy Rossum rock their denim-on-denim looks, while Demi Lovato’s studded boots miss the mark (Credit: WENN)
We’re not saying to abolish the denim-on-denim-with-boots look completely, but rather to be more picky with the kind of footwear you choose.
Choose plain leather ones like Reese Witherspoon instead of studded scalloped ones like Demi Lovato’s. Also, you can go a little younger with the look and opt for high cut sneakers instead. You can get away with studs on them, too.
7. Choose Black Denim When Unsure
Black denim is the perfect base for any color, making it a versatile and stylish choice. It pairs seamlessly with almost any wash of denim and looks great with a chambray shirt, whether layered over a tee or worn on its own. Plus, black denim effortlessly complements any footwear choice.
Just be careful not to disregard the fit and proportions; you’ve created a tireless denim-on-denim look.
Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, and Zac Efron demonstrate how black denim pairs effortlessly with denim tops for a sleek, stylish look (Credit: WENN)
We especially love how Selena Gomez’s dark hair complements her jeans and how Hilary Duff balances her blonde hair with brown suede boots and a belt.
The look works well for men, too – take it from our favorite golden boy, Zac Efron, who looks stellar in a denim-on-denim number as his airport outfit of choice.