Hello gorgeous, grab your coffee, a snack, wine, whatever you like, and get comfortable. We might be here for a little while.
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I don’t know about you but I have absolutely been loving black denim lately and I’ve been searching for a perfect pair. I just don’t feel like I’ve seen a ton of black denim outfit ideas out there, so I thought I’d put some together! I was going to, and could have, come up with more than 15 outfits, but I was tired and, well, toddlers… And 15 is a lot of outfits! I definitely broke a sweat taking all of the pictures. But we aren’t here to talk about how out of shape I am.
When I buy clothes, I have to consider their versatility. Is the piece I’m looking at something that I can wear to work or is it just for play? Being a teacher means that I need to keep my daily attire pretty modest. I do have a very relaxed dress code, for which I’m very thankful, because it gives me the freedom to express myself through my wardrobe. That being said, I’m more than willing to spend more money on a quality staple piece that will get a lot of use. Things that I can’t wear to work, I generally want to spend less on. For several reasons… One, I’m a mom to two toddler boys. Two, I pretty much come home and jump right into leggings and a hoodie, because I’m not wearing my germs around my house that I’ve brought home from my classroom. Three, who would rather wear their work clothes than some comfies?!
With the Nordstrom Anniversary hype, I grabbed a pair of Madewell black skinny jeans with a raw hem. (You’ll actually see them below because I took a picture with them and didn’t even realize until I was working on this post.) I absolutely adore them and did get a great deal on them. However, I can’t justify the price. They’re great, they really are, but so are the pair that I’m going to talk about later that I got for only $10 on sale at Old Navy. Even full price, the Old Navy pair is only $30. I paid double that for the sale price of the Madewell pair. The Madewell pair may have been just a hair softer than the other, but honestly, I was just paying for the name. Madewell denim is great denim and if you can make them work in your budget then get some! I really loved them, just couldn’t justify the price at this very moment. The only difference between the two was that the Old Navy pair didn’t have a raw hem. I’m 5’4” and generally a regular length denim is slightly too long on me. This worked out perfectly for me, because I just cut the bottom off of the Old Navy pair and now they have the raw hem I was looking for!
So my three pairs include a pair from Old Navy which is the darkest black and most work appropriate, a Free People pair that is slightly more faded and I can wear to work, or for relaxing, and a pair from JCPenney that is distressed and not work appropriate.
As I was working on the outfits for this post, I put together so many options for work and quite a few that are great for the weekend!
I’ve done my best to find similar options for each of the items I’m talking about. Some of them are still current and any that are I will link directly. Otherwise, I’ll link some similar options that would give you a similar look!
For most of the looks, you can switch the denim to dress up or down more. I’ve actually done that with some of them already. You definitely don’t need three different pairs of black denim. I think Honestly, in total I have less than $40 spent on all three pairs of mine.
Let’s start with the casual looks shall we?!
Outfit 1
I love the look of black skinnies with a graphic tee and sneakers. You’re comfy, you look cute, win win. Of course you don’t have to have a specific graphic tee or leopard sneakers. Any sneaker would work and so would any graphic tee!
Shirt: Sandcloud
Jeans: JCPenney – Similar: Here
Sneakers: Jules & James Boutique – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Outfit 2
Can you ever go wrong with a flannel? I mean they’re comfy, they’re cozy, they’re adorable, they come in literally every color combination under the sun! I threw this look together with a super comfortable loafer, but you could easily pair it with sneakers or sandals. I also put a tee and a tank, because either of them would have worked perfectly. The tee is more of a cream color and matched just fine.
Flannel: JCPenney (Old) – Similar: Here
Tank: Old Navy
Denim: JCPenney – Similar: Here
Loafers: I believe Payless (They’re old but seriously still so comfortable!) Similar – Here
Outfit 3
I know, you saw the last outfit and thought, “Sam, it was 95 degrees today… I couldn’t be thinking less about fall fashion if I tried.” You’re right so here’s a slightly more summery outfit. A basic tank and a wrap that you can wear as a wrap, as a scarf, or not at all!
Wrap: Loft
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Free People (no longer available) – Similar: Here
Sandals: American Eagle
Outfit 4
This is just a combo of all of my favorite things! A perfectly soft green button down, an Old Navy Luxe Swing Tank, black denim, leopard sneakers. What could make this outfit better?
Button Front Shirt: Old Navy – Similar: Here
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Free People – Similar: Here
Sneakers: Jules and James Boutique – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Outfit 5
Camo never fails. Throw on a camo Tee, a denim jacket, and pretty much any shoes and you’re good to go! These sandals are so cute and I get so many compliments on them! The best part is they are super affordable and from Amazon!
Denim Jacket: Old Navy
Camo Tee: JCPenney
Denim: Free People – Similar: Here
Sandals: Amazon
Outfit 6
Sticking with my denim jacket and dressing things up a little bit more here. Any striped tee or sweater would work with this outfit! I couldn’t decide which shoe I liked better, so I tried it with both and loved them both, of course.
Denim Jacket: Old Navy
Striped Top: Old Navy Similar: Here
Black Denim (left to right): Old Navy, JCPenney – Similar: Here, Free People – Similar: Here
Leopard Mules: Nordstrom *VERY limited sizes– Similar: Here, Here, Here
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Outfit 7
For the next outfit, I decided to change things up and show different levels of dressiness. Two of these ways I can wear this to work. The other would be for a weekend shopping trip or lunch with a friend. I absolutely love this sweater from loft. So much so, that I have it in two colors. This one I sized up to a medium for a more oversized look. Both sizes work great, and I love that its lightweight enough to wear now and into the fall and winter.
Sweater: Loft
Denim (left to right): Free People, Old Navy, JCPenney
Leopard Mules: Nordstrom *VERY limited sizes– Similar: Here, Here, Here
Loafers: I believe Payless (They’re old but seriously still so comfortable!) Similar – Here
Sneakers: Jules and James Boutique – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Outfit 8
I’m not sure if blazers will ever go out of style. They’re classy, clean, professional, and you can dress them down too! My husband got this blazer for me a few years ago, and I get so many compliments when I wear it. Its definitely a distinct piece, so its not something I wear on a weekly basis. But I do break it out every fall. I mean tell me this isn’t the perfect color for fall!
I feel like these items were made for each other. I grabbed this tank on sale at Old Navy the other day, when I was picking my denim up, and I am in love. The length is great and its perfect for now and into the fall!
Blazer: The Limited – Similar: Here, Here
Tank: Old Navy
Denim: Old Navy
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Outfit 9
This top was a major clearance find last year at JCPenney. It’s actually a size up from my normal size but still fits great. I love that its flowy, comfortable, and looks great with just about any bottom I pair it with. When I was wearing it I decided to try swapping the shoes, just to show a different way to wear it.
Obviously you could pair just about any flowy top with these jeans and booties. Green was what I had in my closet, but there are a ton of cute options out there!
Top: JCPenney – Similar: Here
Denim: Old Navy
Booties: Target – Similar: Here
Outfit 10
I decided to do my take on a menswear style. I love this top, it pairs so well with everything! Its longer, so I can dress it down with leggings for the weekend if I want. This outfit just looks so put together, polished, and professional. But you have that little bit of edginess with the raw hem on the denim. I love how it turned out!
Top: Old Navy – Similar: Here, Here
Denim: Old Navy
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Outfit 11
This outfit is a bit more casual when paired with the sandals, but you could easily throw on flats and you’ve got a work appropriate outfit. I absolutely love the printed cardigan and plain tank. If its warmer, you can wear just the tank and denim with the sandals. If its cooler, throw on the cardigan This would work with literally any cardigan! This would also work with a tee.
Cardigan: Jules and James Boutique – Similar: Here
Tank: Old Navy
Denim: Old Navy
Sandals: Target
Outfit 12
Another great fall colored top, which ironically, was also purchased for me by my husband. He must have been on an orange kick that day, and I’m not mad about it. Its funny, because I rarely buy orange. It just doesn’t speak to me the way other colors do. It is perfect for fall though, so these items are coming in handy now.
Top: The Limited (This top is old, and I struggled to find similar options, but you can easily achieve this look with a cami under a sweater.)
Denim: Madewell (The ones I mentioned that I sent back earlier. In the outfit picture I’m actually wearing the Old Navy pair.)
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Leopard Mules: Nordstrom *VERY limited sizes– Similar: Here, Here, Here
Outfit 13
An oversized black tee with a camo jacket to break up the monochromatic look of the all black outfit. Although, I see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing all black. Black is flattering, looks great on everyone, matches literally everything.. You can’t go wrong with black.
This would also be amazing with a leopard jacket. They’re trending majorly right now and I’m dying to find a good one for a great price! Nordstrom has one as a part of the Anniversary Sale for around $50 and that’s not bad. But you know I want to find you ladies a great deal!
Camo Jacket: Jules and James Boutique – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Tee: TJMaxx – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Denim: Old Navy
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Outfit 14
This outfit is almost exactly the same as the last one, but I swapped the camo jacket for a chunky cardigan. You could swap the mules for boots when it gets really cold. I said I was ready for fall, not winter! Slow down there, speedracer. I love all cardigans. I don’t discriminate against any of them. They all have their purpose and they all look great when paired with the right outfits. This cardigan is no exception. Its so cozy, doesn’t shed, and has some of my favorite colors! It is definitely oversized, because it was a clearance item and the small was out of stock. But I couldn’t pass up the price!
Cardigan: Chicory Lane Boutique – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Tee: TJMaxx – Similar: Here, Here, Here
Denim: Denim: Old Navy
Black Mules: Dillard’s – Similar – Here, Here, Here
Outfit 15
The final outfit I have to share with you today is this perfect pairing of closet staple pieces. Every woman should have a great white tank top, a utility jacket, black denim (hello, that’s why we are all here, isn’t it?) and leopard mules or flats. These pieces are pieces that you might be willing to spend a little bit more on, because they’re so versatile and work with anything! That doesn’t mean you HAVE to spend a ton. The only high-end item in this outfit is this amazing pair of leopard mules that I snagged in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They are still pricey at almost $70. BUT I know that I WILL wear them, so it was worth it to me.
Jacket: JCPenney
Tank: Old Navy
Denim: Old Navy
Leopard Mules: Nordstrom *VERY limited sizes– Similar: Here, Here, Here
If you made it all the way through the entire post, I’m dying to know… what is your favorite way of styling black denim? Do you prefer a cleaner look with no distressing or do you prefer a little bit of an edgy look with some rips and tears? Let’s Chat!
XOXO
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