If there’s one item of clothing that I’m asked to help women with more than any other, it’s jeans. With so many fits, lengths, waistlines and washes to contend with, not to mention the endless variations across different brands, it’s a style minefield. And once you’ve found your perfect jean (and want to buy it in every colour) we need to think of different ways to wear them to change the look for different occasions as well as updating each season.
I recently went behind the scenes of George’s Which Jean Are You? video shoot showcasing ways to wear jeans for different occasions in a day in the life of a busy mum. I got in on the action with the filming and offered some denim styling tips in the Behind The Scenes video below.
Watch the Which Jean are you? one-take video itself here
To demonstrate more ways to wear some of the key jeans styles mentioned in the video I’ve put together some outfits showcasing dressed-up and dressed-down ways to wear denim.
Skinny jeans
The skinny jean is a modern classic, a wardrobe staple if you will, so for this post I’ve styled up a white pair as we’re on the verge of sunnier weather (we hope) and these ones are a great length on me (I’m 5’5″) and a decent denim which has good stretch yet is thick enough not to show anything through. I can vouch for this as I have other white jeans which you can see varicose veins through, not a good look!
Jacket (above), top and jeans, c/o George | Shoes (past season)
Style tips
- Bright colours will make white denim really pop.
- With a bright top and white jeans, choose a light neutral tones for accessories.
- This top works from day to night and work to weekend so it will add colour to every summer occasion.
T-shirt and jeans, c/o George | Necklace, Dorothy Perkins | Watch, Apple | Trainers (past season)
Style tips
- With a skinny jean you can get away with a more voluminous top half creating a silhouette that works well for apple shapes to disguise a rounder tummy.
- The raglan sleeve of this top (look for the diagonal shoulder seam) and v neckline flatters a strawberry shape’s broader shoulders.
- This top also comes in a few different colours, I will definitely be stocking up on this inexpensive and versatile tee with it’s silky front and jersey back.
- Grey and white will look effortless for casual wear but add interest with a statement shoe. Lace-up ankle detail, a metallic finish or embellishment will all do the trick.
Jacket, top, jeans, bag, sandals, all George
Flared and bootcut jeans
Incase you hadn’t noticed, flares are back on the scene as an extension to the 70s trend that’s been hanging around for a while now. Keep your heels on and look for a length which sits around 3/4 way down your heel. Too long and they’ll start shredding at the hem (so early 00’s), too short and you’ll look like you couldn’t decide between the cropped kick flare (seen here) and THE flare. Yes, it is a fine line but stick to the 3/4 way down your heel rule and you’ll be OK, promise.
Jacket, top and jeans, c/o George | Necklace, Dorothy Perkins | Watch, Apple | Shoes, Zara
Style tips
- Update nautical stripes by teaming with orange, not red.
- Don’t be afraid to clash colours, in this case the top and shoes.
- A long pendant is all that’s needed to accessorise, sometimes less is more.
T-shirt and jeans, c/o George | Necklace, Dorothy Perkins | Sandals (past season)
Style tips
- Even a relaxed fit tee can be smartened up when paired with deep indigo denim.
- A light-coloured shoe lifts the look and brings it into Spring/Summer.
- A flash of foot actually helps elongate legs.
Style tips
- Tucking in a shirt not only smartens up your denim look but also serves to elongate your legs and create curves on a rhubarb (straight up and down) figure, enhance an hourglass and showcase the waist of a pear shape.
Mac, shirt, jeans, bag, sandals, all George
Boyfriend jeans
With distressed, slouchy boyfriend jeans the key is to keep your turn-up rough, nothing too neat or it won’t look right with the rest of the leg. You’re after a nonchalant ‘I just threw these on’ look that stops just above the ankle.
Floral shirt and jeans, c/o George | Shoes, Zara
The most figure-flattering way to style your top half (for most of us) is to do a simple front tuck of a shirt. It shows some shape to your figure but balances the loose fit of the jean. Keep your top layer (aka jacket or blazer) tailored and shorter in length to smarten up a relaxed jean.
Floral shirt and jeans, c/o George | Shoes, Zara | Watch, Apple
