Denim is the fabric that has lasted through every decade, trend, weather forecast, and occasion. The everyday material is an obvious go-to—while you may love your jeans, you may also have taken them for granted. It can be difficult to reinvent a piece that feels so solidified in your wardrobe, especially when there are so many aesthetic directions you can go in with styling. If you’re feeling stuck, no worries—our editors have compiled our favorite men’s denim outfits to act as outfit inspiration.
If you’re looking to update or upgrade your style, using jeans as a base is a great place to start. First and foremost, you should make sure the jeans you’re wearing on a day-to-day basis fit well and make you feel great. An easy way to test this is to try on all of your jeans with a crisp white T-shirt (no, I’m not talking about that old one with holes in it). When you’re wearing a great pair of jeans, this outfit combination is strong on its own.
From there, you can experiment with layering. Maybe you have a collection of special occasion blazers that can be dressed down to wear with jeans. Or maybe you have a bomber jacket you typically wear for outdoor adventures that can be re-styled with jeans and boots. The possibilities go on and on, it’s up to you to dig deep in your closet (or on your favorite retailer’s website) and make the magic happen.
Read on for the men’s denim outfits our editorial team is loving right now.
“Primary colors are bold and an effective way to make a statement, even when paired with something casual like jeans. This outfit combo would turn my head! It can also be easily recreated with neutral tones and still have a strong impact.” –Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“This look works really well because of all these surprise elements. The bright blue vest, the belted waist, the sunglasses all take a standard preppy look and turn it into something that’s a less traditional version of sophisticated.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
“Okay, something about this styling took my breath away. I love the way the denim is relaxed and soft, and the wide leg drapes beautifully. Contrasted with the cropped puffer and the red hood bunched up around the neck, the loose jeans add an airiness to the look.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
“A trick to creating a stand-out outfit is to mix high and low pieces. Combining a casual grey hoodie and a crisp black blazer strikes an eye-catching balance. This is a look I frequently see men wear in New York City, and I love it every time.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“A simple white tank top is a classic item that is having a trendy moment right now. This is the ultimate wardrobe staple if you want to show off your arms or have a knack for accessorizing. Pair a white tank with funky jeans (as pictured), sneakers, and shades to complete the look.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“If you’re looking for a good wardrobe investment, go for a Canadian tuxedo (tone-on-tone denim). You can wear the pieces separately or rock them together for a cool, timeless outfit. Whether you’re headed to fashion week or the local bar, this is a winning outfit combo.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“Once again, it’s great to remember the obvious: that blue jeans are blue. I love that this look incorporates both warm and cool toned blues and in shades of all values.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
“If a fun striped T-shirt has no fans, I’m dead. I have personally purchased probably a dozen striped T-shirts for my boyfriend because it is my absolute favorite thing to see him wear. This is a great outfit for a first date, weekend festivities, or a casual day at the office.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“Keep this in mind for fall and winter outfit inspo. A bomber jacket will always look effortlessly cool and it’s actually functional in terms of warmth and durability. You can’t go wrong with look.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“If you aren’t sure what to wear, I always suggest going back to a ‘uniform.’ This classic formula of a blazer, white T-shirt, and jeans is foolproof and will make you feel stylish and confident.” —Olivia Marcus, Fashion Writer
“A pair of baggy jeans and a tight little sweater…oh it’s Christian Girl Autumn. I love the styling on these low-waisted jeans and the V-neck cardigan. I’m also really into the idea of cuffing jeans, and I know they went out of style a bit, but I’m feeling inspired to do that again.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
“Something I really love that’s being done here is this green, red, and blue color scheme. It’s not so overt because the green is a dull sage, the red is a striped red and white tee, and the blue is just medium wash blue jeans, but they really balance each other out and end up creating a really vibrant look.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
“There’s nothing more elite than a red, yellow, and blue color story. A pair of jeans is a great base to execute this because sometimes they’re a neutral wardrobe staple, but other times, they get to be a punchy blue in a color story. I love this look with the red shoes and the warm yellow vest.” —Aamina Khan, Fashion Writer
