How to wear a denim shirt 21 different ways

Learning how to wear a denim shirt is one style trick you can use to create a versatile wardrobe.

A denim shirt is often on lists of “classic pieces you must own”. Because of this, I’ve found many women already have a denim shirt in their closet—perhaps you do too. However, even though this shirt is versatile it often sits unused in closets because it can be hard to choose a bottom to go with it.

That’s why we’re going to go though 21 options of how to wear a denim shirt, focusing specifically the bottoms to pair it with.

I hope this gets your mind fired up and thinking about different ways you can wear what you already own in different and interesting ways.

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How to wear a denim shirt with…

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1. dark jeans

Pair dark jeans with a light coloured denim shirt and a crystal necklace.

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2. light jeans

Pair light jeans with a denim shirt at least two shades darker.

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3. black jeans

Black jeans can be worn with any shade of denim shirt for a rockstar look.

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4. white jeans

White jeans with any colour denim shirt looks relaxed and is easy-to-wear.

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5. skinny khakis

Skinny khakis are easier to pull off than wide leg khakis and look modern paired with a denim shirt.

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6. a tulle skirt

This is a funky look that juxtaposes an über feminine tulle skirt with a classic shirt for an overall creative look.

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7. an animal print skirt

A bold animal print skirt is a sophisticated way to make a denim shirt more sexy.

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8. a floral skirt

Another feminine, classic combination a floral print skirt looks amazing with a denim shirt.

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9. a black pencil skirt

A black pencil skirt + a denim shirt… two classics = a right!

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10. a midi skirt

A denim shirt tucked into a bold midi skirt is both playful and sophisticated.

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11. cotton shorts

An easy-to-wear spring look, any colour and any length cotton short with any colour denim shirt.

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12. a dress

How to wear a denim shirt with a dress? Tie your shirt over a light-weight dress for a pulled together casual look and a bit of extra warmth.

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13. skinny joggers

One of my favourite pairings, skinny joggers and a denim shirt is one way to wear sweats out of the house and still feel like yourself. (I would be wearing flats rather than heels personally, but both work well.)

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14. leather leggings

Like the black jeans, a denim shirt with sexy leather leggings has a rockstar feel to it—the combo makes you look like you care, and you don’t care, all at the same time.

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15. cotton leggings

Cotton leggings with a denim shirt, funky necklace and your favourite boots might become your go-to casual uniform because it is oh-so-comfy!

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16. dress pants

Mix it up on with a denim shirt and dress pants—an awesome idea for casual Fridays at work.

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17. as a bathing suit cover up

I love the idea of wearing a denim shirt tied around a one- or two-piece swimsuit with the sleeves rolled up. You could also roll them down for extra sun coverage when needed.

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18. any bottom—denim shirt tied around your waist

This look reminds me of my youth but still feels grown-up. I picture this look mostly with pants or shorts or a dress or a pencil skirt, but you could try it with a full a-line skirt too.

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19. any bottom—under a sweater

When your denim shirt is worn under a beautiful sweater virtually any bottom will do because the colour of the shirt is mostly hidden.

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20. any bottom—under a blazer

Like a sweater, a well-fitted blazer really breaks up the colour of the denim shirt, so pretty much any bottom will work when you wear your shirt like this.

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21. all of the above—open like a jean jacket

If you know how to wear a denim shirt, you might not need a jean jacket in your closet. Just open up your favourite denim shirt and wear it like a jacket.

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Now that you’ve seen a few ideas on how to wear a denim shirt, which of these combinations can you easily try with the pieces already in your closet?

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