Colored Denim

Colored jeans are a fun and trendy way to mix up your classic denim looks without too much effort. However, knowing how to wear fashion-forward colored denim can be tricky if blue jeans are all you’ve ever worn. While there are many ways to wear them, matching colored jeans with the wrong top can look too flashy or unbalanced. For a simple option, stick with neutral-colored tops and accessories. For a bolder look, experiment with blocking contrasting colors. Once you have some basic color combinations, you can easily dress colored jeans up for work settings and more formal occasions. Of course, they’re always a great casual option!

Pairing Colorful Jeans with Neutrals for an Easy Win

Build your outfit from your colored jeans. Neutral tops pair well with nearly all colored jeans, so you can choose any color pant to serve as the base of your look. For a more subtle option, try a dark or muted hue, such as a plummy purple, faded olive green, or mustard yellow. Neon colors and saturated primary hues, on the other hand, are a fun, easy way to create a bolder look. Try a cherry red, lime green, or bright turquoise jean to really stand out.

• The easiest way to start incorporating colored jeans into your wardrobe is to select a colored version of your everyday cut. Although skinny-leg colored jeans may be the most popular, you can find nearly any cut in a colored version.

Add in a coordinating neutral top. A crisp white button down or tee shirt make fool-proof partners for colored denim. Heather grey, cream, tan, and chambray are also good options. Consider the underlying color tone of your jeans when selecting the right neutral: blue-toned colors work well with cool-toned neutrals like black, gray, silver, and white, while red-toned colors are best with warm-toned neutrals like brown, gold, and cream.^[2]

• Although it’s a neutral color, black can be more difficult to pair with colored jeans since it can appear too saturated, especially in contrast to light pastel hues. If the black isn’t working for you, try a dark grey or navy instead.
• Pastel jeans and deep tones work best with conservative blouses or a button-down shirt. A light mint green jean will pair well with a traditional denim button-down shirt, or a deep olive green might look nice with lacy off-white blouse.
• A bright jean color matches well with bolder style shirts. Funky necklines, peplum tops, and embellishments such as ruffles or sequins can hold their own against bright jeans.

Finish with a neutral-hued shoe. To keep your look easy and understated, opt for flats, sandals, or loafers in a neutral color such as brown, tan, or nude. For a slightly more unexpected look, consider a pair of metallic flats or pumps. Rose gold, silver, and bronze are still neutral colors so will pair well with most colored jeans.

Creating a Bold Outfit with Contrasting Hues

Opt for brightly colored jeans. Bold colors work best for a color blocked look, where you pair two solid-colored pieces together to emphasize the contrast. For an impactful look, choose pants in a highly saturated hue such as cyan, hot pink, or kelly green.

Select a top in a complementary color. Complementary colors are those that are opposite from one another on the color wheel, where red is opposite from green, blue from orange, and yellow from purple. These pairs provide the most contrast and will really make both colors pop.

• For example, if you have bright orange pants, try pairing them with a cornflower blue top.
• Although red and green are technically complementary colors, be careful wearing them together around the holidays. Unless you’re aiming for a particularly festive look, opt for muted versions of both colors, such as olive green and pinky peach.

Amp it up with similarly colorful shoes. If you’d like to create a particularly bold look, select a colorful pair of shoes with plenty of surface area to draw the eye. Sneakers, mules, and loafers are all good bets depending on the cut of your jeans. Choose a color similar to either your pants or your top, but be careful not to get the exact same hue or you’ll look too matchy-matchy. For example, if your pants are bright purple, you could try a light lavender-hued mule. I always say what’s wrong with matchy-matchy as I’m a fan as you know! However, in the fashion world, it’s frowned upon. Wear what you love and you’ll look and feel amazing!

• If you’d prefer a slightly more understated look, choose a neutral-colored shoe instead. A basic tan sandal or simple grey ballet flat will keep the emphasis on the rest of your look.

Dressing up Your Colored Denim for a Fancier Look

Wear your colored jeans with a silk top and leather jacket for a date night. Colored pants are an easy way to take your date night outfit from boring to memorable— while also highlighting your legs. Dress up your jeans of choice with a silky tank top and cool leather jacket, both in neutral colors. A pair of dangly earrings and nude colored pumps will help complete this casual but sophisticated look.

• Darker pants tend to be more evening-appropriate, but faded shades such as millennial pink or light mustard can also be fun options depending on the date location.

Create a romantic look with a dark colored jeans and a moody floral top. Start with slim-cut jeans in a darker color such as plum, maroon, burgundy, or deep emerald. Then add in a flowy top with a dark floral print. Cotton tee shirt styles are great for daytime looks, but a silk or chiffon option will dress things up a bit more. Finish the look with some pumps or heeled booties.

• Select a densely packed floral print for a more slimming look.

Pair pastel pants with a shear or lacy blouse for a flirty option. Lace or sheer blouses are a fun, sexy way to top off a pair of pastel-colored jeans. Look for pants in hues such as pistachio, lavender, baby pink, or faded yellow. These lighter colors will generally pair best with nude, tan, or cream-colored tops.

• For a more modest look, layer a nude camisole under your top. Alternatively, you can amp up the peek-a-boo effect of a sheer or lacy top by letting a brightly-colored bra or bralette peek through. I’ve been on the hunt for a bralette for fuller chested gals like myself so if you’re aware of a good brand do tell!

SHOP COLORED JEANS

Styling Denim Jackets

A denim jacket is an essential in your wardrobe no matter what the season. But it’s especially the perfect layering piece for the spring, whether worn by itself or under a warmer coat. It is versatile and can be the finishing touch for almost any outfit. Pair it with your best dress or go super causal by adding more denim (yes! denim on denim is a thing) and a t-shirt.

If you really want to make a jean jacket stand out, you can opt for a colorful one. Dozens of brands are upping their denim jacket game by offering them in green, pink, and even purple. You can opt for a shade more appropriate for the season, so for summer go with a white one, and in the fall, try orange. Dare to be different!

SHOP JEAN JACKETS

Let’s Chat

Hopefully you’ve gotten some styling tips and ideas on wearing colored denim jeans and jackets! How do you like to style your colored denim? Leave us a comment! We love to hear from you!

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This post contains affiliate links, meaning when you click on an item or purchase an item, I may receive a very small commission for the click or purchase. These picks are NOT sponsored, are selected solely by me, and opinions are entirely my own.

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