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Almost every person has that one favorite pair of jeans they wear constantly. My favorite pair of jeans is the Treasure & Bond Charity high-waisted jeans from Nordstrom. I love them so much that I bought the same style in three different washes: a light acid wash, a standard medium denim wash, and an ashy black wash. Unfortunately, not all the washes are sold anymore, but Nordstrom Rack still has the ankle skinny jeans in a dark denim wash ($30). If you’re short like me and have issues finding the right pair, I highly recommend these ones. As a petite person, standing at only 4’11,” a high-waisted pair of jeans is my go-to.
Just like every pair of jeans, they’re so versatile and can be styled a ton of ways—whether I wear them with a nice blazer for work or paired with a crop top to go out with friends. Because jeans are a such a sturdy clothing staple, it’s so easy to want to wear the same pair every single day (I know I do). But if you don’t want to look like an outfit repeater, here are my best tips for styling jeans to make one pair look entirely different with each outfit.
- Cuff ’em
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Cuffing the hem of your jeans is the easiest way to change the look of your outfit. Showing off a little more of your ankle can really elongate your look, and it draws attention to whatever statement pair of sandals or platform sneakers you decide to wear them with.
I’m feeling so inspired by blogger Fallon Johnakin and how she cuffs the hems of her distressed, light wash jeans to leave some length between the denim and her Fila sneakers. This styling trick provides the chicest little touch to the outfit.
- Distract with an oversized top
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Wearing an oversized t-shirt, sweater, or jacket takes the focus away from whatever bottoms you’re wearing. Pairing an oversized top with your favorite pair of jeans allows you to sneakily wear the same pair you wore the other day. No one will notice. Trust me.
In this pic, Her Campus editor Edel Rimando makes sure that her coat takes over the entire outfit, showing just a peek of the jeans. The focus is the coat, so very little attention is on the pants she’s wearing. This Sleeveless Utility Duster Coat from Nordstrom ($100) is a statement piece that can help hide your twice-worn jeans and put all the focus on the bomb Topshop coat.
- Tuck It
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Whether your jeans are high-waisted or not, tucking in a simple shirt or blouse totally changes your outfit game. (Shout out to our genius and hero Tan France for this bit of advice!) You can either do a subtle French tuck (just in the front) or go all the way around. No matter what you do, everyone will be too distracted by your chic styling tricks to notice you’re wearing the same pair of jeans…again.
My favorite fashion Youtuber Jenn Im sucessfully does two of these styling tricks in one. She tucks a plain white tee into her jeans and wears a super cute, cropped puffy jacket to draw our eyes away from her (equally cute) black high-waisted skinny jeans. These Stradivarius Super High Waist Skinny Jeans from ASOS ($30) are equally as chic, and they come in a basic wash that can be worn with everything.
- Accessorize with a belt
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Putting on any accessory, even if it’s a small and simple one, will take any denim look one step further. Don’t underestimate the power of a belt. Whether you’re wearing a dupe of the $350 Gucci belt everyone seems to have these days, or one that’s more fun and original with some pattern or color, you can take any bottom from drab to fab real quick.
Instagram influencer Ellen V Lora (another one of my favorites) does it just right by pairing a cute, funky, black belt with her white tee, light-wash jeans and matching jacket. A triple denim whammy, if I do say so myself.
The large buckle is super on-trend, but if you’re looking for something a bit more pared-back, I suggest this Austin Western Belt from Topshop ($30). The buckle is just big enough to give an outfit an extra oomph, but it’s also casual enough for everyday wear.
- Make the boots the focal point of your ‘fit
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If you want to wear the same pair of jeans multiple days in a row, wearing statement boots with at least one of your outfits can help hide the fact that your jeans are on day five. Since boots sit higher up on your leg, the focus of the outfit isn’t on your pants but the shoes you’re wearing. The higher the boot, the less attention to your jeans.
Keighla Exum’s boots are almost halfway up her thigh, and they definitely make a statement. If you’re a college student on a budget like me, ASOS has a great selection for under $100. The ASOS Design Kaska Studded Thigh High Boots ($36) are a great price (perfect for that broke college student life) and great if you want knee-highs that fit to your leg.
We all want to be comfortable, and sometimes comfortable means wearing one pair of jeans for a week. Honestly, it can be a great time saver, but if you’re worried about getting in a style rut, these tips will gave you some inspiration for new ways to style your favorite pants.
The more you play around with different styling combinations and experiment with new tips and tricks, the more you can find new looks to wear. Just changing one part of the outfit can make the whole ensemble feel completely different. And don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone! Everything involves trial and error, so if something doesn’t look right, scrap it and start over until you find a look that makes you feel comfy, cute, and confident.