Basics: Jeans

Denim is the uniform of the working man, and while chambray has been almost universally embraced by the fashion world, you would be hard pressed to find a picture of denim jeans on the runway. Despite this, denim is something almost all of us have in our closets, usually a favourite pair that we love to put on when there is not other inspiration waiting for us, or for me at least, around this time of year when the weather takes a turn for the worst after a couple days of spring dresses.

But today lets take a look at new ways to wear the jeans we have to make the standard seem unexpected.

Class.

Leave it to Karla (right) to turn even standard denim into something remarkably high class looking. Both of these stylings make use of a seemingly pedestrian look, white shirt and denim jeans, but manage to elevate them. The chic sunglasses and tall heels can turn almost any ensemble elegant, but what I think is important is to not how accessories can really change an outfit. 

Left, she uses an amazing hat to add a level of drama that is easily the most interesting part of the look, and jeans can let her hat actually take front and center. Plus, I know for me at least, clutches require a level of attention that I have trouble dealing with. I mean, I can barely complete my daily tasks with two hands, and now I have to give one of them up to look fabulous?! But think of it like this: you are wearing jeans, so you have to suck it up and pick up the slack somewhere else, why not in a leather bag?

Outdoors!

Okay, yes you can wear jeans outdoors. But also you can wear them with patterns. Like crazy patterns. This lady on the right is rocking two different sweater patterns, and the jeans just sort of act like an anchor. You think, "Oh, she isn't a crazy person, because she has on jeans." Or at least I do.

If you are anything like me, I hope you aren't because I am sorry, but you probably have some things from thrift stores with patterns that bring new meaning to busy. And you wear them with jeans. Just do it, because jeans are the only thing that are so basic and wonderful that nothing really looks bad with them. Even more jeans.

Short.

I know you have that one pair of jeans in your closet that you have worn for the last 5 years and you love them to death but they are sort of grungy and you have that hole in the knee from the seat on the bus that you got caught on that keeps getting bigger and bigger but you still wear them.

Well, cut them. Just do it. I recently did this with a pair I got from Banana Republic my sophomore year of high school. And while it is sad that I still have them, now I have a brand new pair of shorts, that look fabulous. Or if you aren't a shorts person, just do a little DIY magic and make a skirt.

Jeans are perfect, they make you feel good when you wear them, blue is a wonderful color, and you can get them in whatever style or fit that you feel best in. So wear your jeans proudly and with a touch of style.

*I am sorry I don't have sources for these pictures but they are from my massive and poorly indexed inspiration folder on my computer and probably from street style blogs...