Even if you know nothing about fashion, chances are you know it exists in a never-ending cycle. Trends once deemed "over" just a few years ago are suddenly back in style, while the others that dominated pop culture have slowly disappeared into the background. Therefore, when a trend fades, it's usually a matter of when (not if) it will resurge in broader culture again. In the case of the denim skirt, the time is now. For those old enough to remember, denim skirts didn't become a part of mainstream fashion until the early aughts. Although seemingly ubiquitous now, they were first deemed "controversial" in their early days because they were worn with, well, "ugly" pieces. At the time, it wasn't uncommon to see stars styling low-rise denim mini skirts with a bedazzled baby tee, trucker hat, and even UGG boots (which weren't exactly flattering if we're being honest). While some of us may cringe thinking back to how we wore denim skirts then, collective opinions about them shifted over time.
You could blame nostalgia. After all, who could forget the now-infamous denim skirt outfits worn by Destiny's Child or Brittany Spears? But if we're being honest, the continued allure of this trend has more to do with how it's changed in more recent history rather than its role in the past. In the last few years, denim skirts have evolved so much that they've come back in style. But make no mistake: these aren't the denim skirts we saw dominate the '00s. It's not that the core shape or construction has drastically changed, but rather how we wear them in our daily lives. Denim skirts are no longer associated with a specific season or even the Y2K aesthetic; they've become a universal staple in their own right. That shift has been driven by a new generation of women around the globe who have single-handedly brought this "dated" trend back from the dead.
It's not just that they've adopted this trend in droves, but have shown that with creative styling, they've demonstrated that denim skirts can be, dare we say, quite chic. Not convinced? Ahead, we're making the case for this trend's comeback by sharing examples of how to wear a denim skirt. Keep scrolling for our curation of denim skirt outfits, styling tips, and shopping suggestions that will prove this piece's continued permanence.
Tip #1: Style Your Denim Skirt with Trendy Items
WEAR: Tinted Sunglasses + Chunky Necklace + Waistcoat + Shoulder Bag + Denim Skirt + Sneakers
Styling Tip: Lean into the chill energy this staple exudes by styling it with trend-forward pieces—e.g., a tailored waistcoat, a chunky necklace, and retro sneakers. Doing so will make your denim skirt look infinitely cooler.
Tip #2: Wear Contrasting Shoes
WEAR: Sunglasses + Tank Top + Belt + Denim Maxi Skirt + Shoulder Bag + Mesh Flats
Styling Tip: Nothing beats the pragmatism of the tank top and denim skirt combo during the warmer months of the year. However, if you want to make this fail-proof outfit formula feel even more fashionable, consider styling it with a pair of shoes in a contrasting color. It will give you an easy way to incorporate recent trends into your ensemble without overdoing it.
Tip #3: Keep it Simple
WEAR: Sunglasses + Earrings + Cardigan + Cropped T-Shirt + Denim Skirt + Shoulder Bag + Mules
Styling Tip: When in doubt, the easiest way to style a denim skirt is to keep your approach straightforward. You can't go wrong pairing this piece with a cropped shirt, a tied cardigan, and heeled mules. Sure, it's a "simple" outfit, but it looks sophisticated every single time.
Tip #4: Embrace Double-Denim
WEAR: Headband + Earrings + Denim Jacket + Denim Skirt + Stacked Rings + Loafers + Suede Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: When unsure what to wear with a denim skirt, look no further than other denim pieces. After all, nothing matches this beloved separate quite like a matching jean jacket! But if you think wearing double-denim feels "dated," take notes from above by incorporating more trend-forward items (such as a suede handbag, stacked jewelry, chunky loafers, or even studded denim) into your look.
Tip #5: Wear Contrasting Denim Washes
WEAR: Sunglasses + Denim Shirt + Belt + Denim Midi Skirt + Knee-High Boots + Oversize Bag
Styling Tip: Another way to make double-denim feel a bit more daring is by styling different washes together. For example, try styling a dark-wash denim midi-skirt with a light-wash button-down shirt and black accessories, like shown above. It's the perfect way to make this piece pop.
Tip #6: Lean Into a Theme
WEAR: Bandana + Varsity Jacket + White T-Shirt + Denim Mini Skirt + Sneakers + Quilted Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: Not into double-denim? We get it. You can still create a cohesive outfit (sans extra denim) simply by adopting a theme. It might seem cheesy, but allowing a fashion aesthetic to be the blueprint for your outfit makes it clear what to pair with your skirt. For instance, if you're a fan of the preppy trend, then you only need to pair your denim mini skirt with the critical pieces from that aesthetic—e.g., a varsity jacket, polo, or sneakers. No matter the aesthetic, styling with this logic works every single time.
Tip #7: Go Monochrome
WEAR: White T-Shirt + Gray Sweater + Gray Denim Maxi Skirt + Black Ankle Boots + Black Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: If embracing an entire aesthetic in a single ensemble feels like putting on a costume, consider other ways to align your outfit's tone. More specifically, try sticking to a color theme over a sartorial one. By choosing to go the route of wearing a monochromatic denim skirt ensemble (like the one above), you'll still look put together without putting too much emphasis on a particular trending aesthetic.
Tip #8: Incorporate a Statement Shade
WEAR: Sunglasses + Oversize Scarf + Oversize Blazer + Crewneck Sweater + Belt + Denim Skirt + Ankle Boots + Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: While monochrome outfits always make a great impression, they can sometimes feel stale in the colder months of the year. When you need a dose of color, consider incorporating at least one statement shade into your outfit (like above). Pairing your denim skirt with a mix of separates in traditional and trendier colors will not only make this staple stand out but perk up your spirits, too.
Tip #9: Add Subtle Pops of Color
WEAR: Gray Peacoat + Gray Sweater + Denim Mini Skirt + Red Socks + Mary Jane Flats + Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: For those who may not be color enthusiasts, there's an easier way to slowly dip your toes into styling your denim skirt with non-neutral shades. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wear a bunch of vibrantly-colored pieces; just start with one item (as shown above). You can still wear your denim mini skirt with your beloved navy, gray, or black pieces, but try to add color through accessories such as socks, bags, or hats. It will break up your outfit without bringing you too out of your comfort zone.
Tip #10: Embrace Neutral Colors
WEAR: Leather Bomber Jacket + White T-Shirt + White Denim Skirt + Knee-High Boots + Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: When you can't be bothered testing out new colors, you can still make your beloved neutrals come to life. The key to making neutrals stand out as much as any other shade is to be creative and intentional with which colors you styling with your denim skirt. For example, you can bring out the dark hue of your jean skirt by pairing it with a darker brown leather coat and knee-high boots (as shown above). Ultimately, it's all about choosing neutral colors that not only complement the wash color of your denim skirt but make it feel relevant to the current season.
Tip #11: Add Light Layers
WEAR: Black Cardigan + White T-Shirt + Denim Mini Skirt + White Socks + Ballet Flats + Handbag
Styling Tip: Beyond playing with colors, there's another way to make your denim skirt a year-round staple—ahem, layering. Pairing your denim skirt with light layers during those transitional periods between seasons can make it far more practical (see above as proof). Whether it's the late fall or early spring, a denim mini skirt becomes far more weather-appropriate when worn with a cardigan tied around the shoulders and extra-long socks (or tights).
Tip #13: Embrace Texture
WEAR: Long Sleeve Sweater + Shearling Jacket + Denim Maxi Skirt + Knee-High Boots
Styling Tip: In addition to wearing light layers, another way to make this staple seasonless is to embrace texture. After all, there's no better way to make any item more winter-proof than by pairing it with heavier textures—think chunky knitwear or shearling jackets. By styling your denim skirt with these more winter-friendly items, you'll be able to get more wear out of it.
Tip #13: Dress Up Your Denim Skirt
WEAR: Sunglasses + Cardigan + White Button-Down Shirt + Belt + Denim Skirt + Slingback Heels + Shoulder Bag
Styling Tip: While it's understandable to worry about how to wear a denim skirt year-round, navigating seasonality isn't the only challenge regarding this item. If we're being honest, this staple can sometimes feel too casual for some settings, but there are ways around that problem. You can dress up your denim skirt for office or other occasions by pairing it with formal pieces such as a button-down shirt, cardigan, shoulder bag, and slingback heels. It's a simple way to make this staple work for every situation.
Tip #14: Wear Denim Skirts Year-Round
WEAR: Faux Fur Jacket + White T-shirt + Denim Maxi Skirt + Tights + Pointed Pumps
Styling Tip: By now, we've hopefully proven that you can make this staple work for any situation—albeit occasion, season, or sartorial perspective. But if you take nothing else from this story, let it be the following: you can wear denim skirts year-round. While it might seem easier to style this type of skirt in the fall or spring, creative swaps can make denim skirts work even in the dead of winter (see above for proof). Whether you play with layers, colors, or accessories in your outfit, finding ways to wear denim skirts year-round is a surefire way to embrace your inner stylist.
