Colored Denim! (And ways to wear it…)

This month my Five Tips for the Denver Post are about colored denim- it’s a hot trend this spring so I wanted to share some ways of wearing it. Check out the brief article in the Denver Post and then come back here to read more and see lots of outfits! Enjoy! (And please click the “Subscribe” link on the top right of your screen to receive blog posts with style tips every month!)

Five tips: (Click to see the article) Today’s Denver Post Five Tips: “How to best wear colorful spring denim”

More tips…

It may be spring, but if your weather is anything like Colorado, you know not to put away your jeans just yet. And good news – the delightfully exuberant colored-denim trend has been a great way to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring, and remains a fun alternative to regular blue jeans as the weather warms up. The head-to-toe bright color blocking that’s everywhere in spring magazines may seem intimidating, but done right, colored denim is a deceptively easy trend to wear: keeping the look sophisticated by using soft shades and tonal color blocking is the key. With options in every hue of the neutral, pastel, and bright rainbows, you’ll no doubt find a color (or three) that flatters you. Be prepared to hear a lot more of, “I love your outfit! I wish I could wear that.”

Colored denim jeans paired with patterns

Neutrals. These are the perfect starting point for the trend-wary. Not only do they play well with every color already in your closet, but color blocked with other muted shades like cinnamon or mauve, neutral jeans offer the same casual elegance as a monochromatic outfit.

Speaking of playing well together, camel denim also offers a great opportunity to incorporate coral into your outfit – spring’s hottest shade. A classic blazer and printed scarf in this juicy hue give your black staples the boot until next fall.

Pastels. Easter-egg hues are a fresh alternative to white. Complement buttery yellow cropped jeans with a stone-colored wrap cardigan, gold jewelry, and a smart structured wooden clutch. Or top peach denim with a frothy tiered lace tank top under an oatmeal cardigan – more creative tonal color blocking.

Brights. Not for the timid, neons and brights borrowed from the 1980s are the boldest choice for colored denim. Tomato-red jeans add punch to a soft peach tie-neck blouse, while navy and turquoise tops perfectly complement cool ocean-hued bottoms. Channel lush flower fields in bloom with a purple-and-lavender ensemble, or go pretty in pink with head-to-toe magenta and deep rose. To avoid a little too much ’80s nostalgia when accessorizing your brights, forgo black and instead go with modern neutrals and metallics.

Pattern. For a chic alternative to tonal color blocking, pair bright jeans with a pattern in an unexpected dark neutral, like bright pink with a nautical navy-and-white striped knit top, to keep the denim grounded. Keep the look pulled together with accessories that match one of the contrasting hues – a mixed-print polka-dot and striped scarf in the same navy and white will instantly add that extra little something to your outfit.

Keep in mind…Colored denim deliberately brings attention to your bottom half. If that’s not your favorite feature, this is a good trend to skip. However, for the adventurous, a deep jewel tone like eggplant or teal will still slim and flatter your hips – nobody can tell you not to have fun!

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