Figuring out how to style a denim skirt should be easy; after all, you wear jeans all the time. But in reality, getting it right can take some serious trial and error—and that’s where we come in. We’re fans of denim here at Glamour, and our editors have been collecting outfit inspiration around the all-American staple for years.
Denim skirts are very much on trend for 2024, with fashion insiders and celebrities like Gisele Bündchen, Taylor Swift, and Anne Hathaway giving them a shot in recent months. That’s not to say they aren’t timeless, though; no matter your length or wash of choice, jean skirts have always projected a relaxed elegance (when they’re styled correctly, that is).
When in doubt, pair the skirts with everything you’d wear alongside wide-leg jeans or high-waist denim: hardworking basics like white T-shirts, leather loafers, tank tops, and white sneakers. But as we’re about to show you, there’s plenty of room to get more creative with cardigans, jerseys, and matching denim. Here’s how to style a denim skirt 10 ways, according to style editors.
1. Denim skirt + button-down
Need an easy, high-impact outfit you can throw on in seconds? Just reach for the wardrobe essentials you already wear on the regular. All you need here is a white button-down and any ballet flats; if you want to take your layering game to another level, add a tank top and crew socks for a preppy, low-key look. Done!
2. Denim skirt + jersey
While you can totally use any regular T-shirt up top, we especially love a jersey-denim skirt moment—it feels now. Keep the off-duty athletic vibes going with a pair of yellow kicks from Adidas (the sneaker brand of the moment) and a charm necklace. All of a sudden you’ve become a living Pinterest board.
3. Denim skirt + blazer
Mixing the professional polish of an oversized blazer with the summery charm of a denim mini shouldn’t work—but it totally does. Turn to this outfit the next time you need to dress for a warm day that’ll turn into a chilly evening. Black ballet flats are a great pick, but we prefer switching up the color palette with some raffia flats, which are having a big moment right now.
4. Denim skirt + denim shirt
Despite the taste a certain infamous VMAs look left in the culture’s mouth, denim on denim can absolutely be chic. We love two worn-in pieces right on top of each other; the look stands out in just the right way. Lean into the Americana vibes with a Western shirt (which you can immediately rewear with straight-leg jeans). A simple black belt offers some shape and a welcome break from blue.
5. Denim skirt + denim jacket
Another all-denim look? Yep! That jean jacket you’ve previously worn only with your spring dresses would look amazing with a denim skirt in a matching wash. Keep everything else relatively simple; we love a white tee and sporty sneaker.
6. Denim skirt + off-the-shoulder top
Don’t let sweltering temperatures get in the way of a good look; just reach for chic staples that also happen to be great at keeping sweat at bay. An off-the-shoulder top and a high-slit denim skirt—both in shades of white—offer plenty of airflow, while strappy sandals offer the same luxury to your feet (and a needed pop of color). Sleek, vintage-inspired sunnies, meanwhile, elevate this outfit to more than the sum of its parts.
7. Denim skirt + moto jacket
We’re fans of simple pleasures, including the most basic color palette there is: black and white. Add some texture to white denim with a leather moto jacket, a perfect layering piece for transitional weather. Cool-girl finishes like a boatneck tee and retro sunglasses make this outfit feel more refined, even if it took only minutes to put together.
8. Denim skirt + sweater
When coziness is your top priority, pair a favorite sweater with a denim skirt; you’ll look like a real-deal Parisian. Tone down this outfit’s over-the-top finishes with a fitted cashmere sweater and a denim skirt that’s still flared but at a more manageable length. Refinement and ease, all at once.
9. Denim skirt + statement top
Whether you’re going out with the girls or headed to a date, denim skirts lend themselves nicely to nighttime looks. Pair a black number with an eye-catching top, then layer on sculptural accessories like drippy silver hoops and an architectural bags. Nothing here costs more than $100, but you’ll look—forgive the cliché—like a million bucks.
10. Denim skirt + layered knit
Dress for the cusp of spring and summer with a white denim mini, a striped button-down, and a light cardigan for extra warmth. It’s an Ivy-inspired formula that’s perfect for walking around a vacation town or heading out to dinner with friends—and a great pair of walking sandals adds to the OOO vibe.