Denim Shirt

Woman who is wearing a denim shirt
Photo: Popcorner/Shutterstock
Q: I bought a denim shirt, but now I realize the only good pants I have are denim too. Is it okay to wear jeans with a denim shirt? Can I combine a denim shirt with my skirts?
 
A: Absolutely! Denim-on-denim is a timeless look. The key is creating enough contrast so your outfit looks intentional rather than like a uniform.
 
If your denim shirt and jeans are the exact same shade of blue and made from a similar-weight fabric, you'll want to break up the look. An easy way to do this is by wearing a white or colored T-shirt, turtleneck, or camisole underneath and leaving the denim shirt unbuttoned like a lightweight jacket. Keeping the shirt untucked also helps create a more relaxed, layered outfit. You can finish the look with a belt, colorful shoes, or accessories to add more visual interest.
 
If your shirt is lighter or darker than your jeans - or if it's made from a softer, lighter-weight denim - you can simply wear it as you would any other shirt. Mixing different washes, such as a light chambray-style shirt with dark indigo jeans, creates contrast and makes the outfit feel balanced.
 
The same guidelines apply when pairing a denim shirt with skirts. If your skirt is made from denim that's similar in color and weight, add a contrasting camisole, turtleneck or T-shirt underneath and wear the shirt open, or accessorize with a belt or jewelry to break up the look. If the skirt is a different wash or fabric weight, you can wear the shirt buttoned up and treat it just like a light blue blouse.
 
Different types of denim
 
Because denim acts almost like a neutral, it's easy to dress up or down depending on your shoes and accessories. With a few styling tweaks, a denim shirt can quickly become one of the best pieces in your wardrobe.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Choosing outfit colors
 
How to wear buttoned blouses
 
Same jeans, different looks