Do you own black jeans? I kind of chuckle every time I think of life before black jeans because before I bought them, I thought they couldn’t possibly add much value to my wardrobe. I mean, they aren’t that different than a pair of dark-wash blue denim, right? Wrong. They really do make outfits feel different!
Black jeans work in several different seasons, including spring! So, if you were tempted to stash them away once winter was over, keep them around. Today I’m sharing 5 outfit formulas you can use to create outfits with black jeans for spring to help you continue getting some wear out of them!
Black Jeans Recommendations
I own a few different pairs of black jeans (which I know is silly, and I don’t need them—I just have them from doing collaborations with different brands). My go-to pair has been the Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution skinnies because they are stretchy throughout the legs AND have an elastic strip in the waistband which makes them a lot more comfortable. However, I bought my pair several years ago, so I’m not sure if the material has changed a bit. Mine are very soft and softened up more and more over time. Check them out HERE. They have also faded after all these years, which I actually like the look of, but sometimes I do need a fully black pair of jeans. Which brings me to another pair…
I got the Liverpool Abby Eco-Friendly Ankle Skinny Jeans with exposed buttons during a recent collaboration with Liverpool. When I first wore them, I thought they were good, but now that I’ve worn them a few more times, I like them even more. They’re stretchy and pretty comfy, and they’re softening up even more with each wear. They don’t have the elastic strip in the waistband, but the waistband does have a little give. I really like the exposed buttons! Check them out HERE.
In the widget below, I rounded up a few more black jeans at different price points. I haven’t tried them all personally, but I have tried other denim from those same brands over the years. I made notes under each pair of what I know of the brands in general.
More Black Jeans at Different Price Points
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Outfits With Black Jeans
1. Printed Tee + Denim Jacket + Slip On Sneakers
Here’s a casual outfit that’s actually one of my go-to combos for spring AND early fall (since fall is warm where I live). I also do this in the summer, but with black linen pants instead of jeans!
You can do this with a black and white striped tee or any other graphic print tee. (Find some great striped tees in the widget below!) One thing that adds extra cohesion is that this tee has black in the print, which allows the jeans to echo that and tie things together. So, if you want extra cohesion, choose a printed tee with black in it, whether it’s a neutral colored tee with black in the print or a colorful tee with black in the print. They’ll work just the same!
Then, if you need another layer, throw on a denim jacket. This is my favorite denim jacket, which is more expensive than I was ever willing to pay for a denim jacket, but it is SO SOFT and COMFY and STRETCHY. Also, it comes in several washes, but this particular color is often on sale for about 40% off its original price, bringing it to a much more reasonable price, given how comfortable this thing is.
One note is that it doesn’t have pockets. I THOUGHT that was going to be a deal breaker, but it turns out I haven’t missed them at all in the two years I’ve had this jacket. My phone would be too big for them and I would have to use my jeans pockets anyway.
Find this denim jacket in the color I’m wearing HERE. Check out all the other colors HERE.
Shop The Outfit:
Top: H&M (similar, similar, similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M, more colors, similar)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 6, similar)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
2. Yellow Tee
Here’s another version of the outfit above, just using a colorful tee instead of a striped one. I love how you can rotate through a lot of different tees with this formula!
I got this tee from Etsy, and while I wish it draped better, it is comfy. It’s super soft. It just kinda clings more than it drapes, and y’all know I prefer a good drape. 😄 But, I appreciate having a colorful tee to wear every once in a while! Check it out HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Etsy (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M, more colors, similar)
Jeans: c/o Liverpool (exact—wearing size 6, similar—I wear size 6, similar—I wear size 4)
Shoes: Nordstrom (super similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
3. Black and White Top + Pop of Color
You can also do a super classic look with a black and white printed top and a pop of color. I went with a black cardigan, but you can add a black blazer on top of this to make it fit for a relaxed business casual look, or you can throw on a denim jacket for a really casual vibe. Whatever completer piece you choose, the black/white/pop of color combo will work year after year!
The top I’m wearing is an affordable Amazon find that’s great for workwear and nicer casual outfits. You can dress it down with jeans like I did here, or pair it with slacks for work. It comes in LOTS of colors and prints in addition to crewneck versions and v-neck versions. And, it’s only $19! I’m wearing the color Black Ivory Polka Dot in size 6. Check it out HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Amazon (exact—wearing size 6)
Cardigan: Old Navy (exact—I wear size S, similar)
Jeans: c/o Liverpool (exact—I wear size 6 similar—I wear size 6, similar—I wear size 4)
Shoes: Amazon (exact—I wear size 9)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (updated version—wearing size M)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar)
4. Light-Colored Sweater or Sweatshirt + Sneakers + (Utility Jacket)
During the spring, we sometimes get some chillier days where I live, so sweaters and sweatshirts are still very much part of my spring wardrobe alongside my short-sleeved tops. I like to use a lighter color to create a slightly springier vibe with black jeans. To top if off, I added leopard print sneakers to make a bit more of a statement, since both the black jeans and cream sweater are basics.
These are Rothy’s sneakers, which I got about a year ago and have become one of the main shoes I’ve worn. They’re super pricey, but I got them with credit. If you wanna check my review to see if I think they’re worth it, you can read all about it HERE!
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M)
Jeans: c/o Liverpool (exact—wearing size 6, similar—I wear size 6, similar—I wear size 4)
Shoes: Rothy’s (exact, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
5. Colorful Printed Top
Black jeans work great with a colorful printed top, too! The key to a cohesive look, like I mentioned in #1 above, is to work with a print that has some black in it. This top has a bit of black which ties in the black jeans and helps pull together the pieces. I personally love pops of color, so I went with red flats again, but you can totally wear black shoes instead.
This top is another great Amazon find! It’s really lightweight, is nice and flowy and drapes well, and has pretty details at the shoulders. This is another great top that works in nicer casual outfits as well as workwear. It comes in 3 prints and 3 solid colors (cream, black, navy). It kind of reminds me of LOFT tops, and it’s only $30. Check them out HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Amazon (exact—wearing size S)
Jeans: c/o Liverpool (exact—wearing size 6, similar—I wear size 6, similar—I wear size 4)
Shoes: Amazon (exact—I wear size 9)
Tote: Sole Society (similar in Dark Grey, similar in Grey)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (updated version—wearing size M)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Also, if you’d like some help creating a spring wardrobe, check out one of the Spring Starter Kit Wardrobe Guides! You’ll be guided through how to create a small mix-and-match wardrobe, learn the strategy for how to slowly expand to a bigger wardrobe when you’re ready, and see how to turn just 9-15 items into 15-30+ outfits! There’s one guide available for CASUAL style and another for BUSINESS CASUAL style. Check them out HERE!
And psst, the casual Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide uses black jeans, so you can learn how to build your wardrobe with a pair and turn them into more outfits!
