7 Trendier Basics That Fashion People Are Wearing With Jeans Now

denim outfit with button down shirt and belt

(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

Trends may come and go, but denim is forever. As style people, we wear our classic blue jeans multiple times a week and tend to lean on them whenever we can't think of something else to wear. Of course, they never really go out of style, but it doesn't take an expert eye to see they've taken a back seat to other items like tailored trousers and maxi skirts in recent months.

All that is to say I wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself in a rut when deciding what to wear with jeans to make them feel up to date. Naturally, I have a few ideas to make them feel fresh and, dare I say it, even on-trend for 2024. It all comes down to styling them with a few key items. Simple choices like accessories or shoes can make a world of difference. But don't just take my word for it. Keep scrolling to see proof.

Ahead, I'm sharing seven trendier items and styling ideas that solve the mystery of how to make jeans feel cool in 2024.

Scarf-Coats

denim styled with a scarf coat

(Image credit: @symphonyofsilk)

Scarf-coats are the coats of the colder seasons, so pairing one with jeans naturally makes for a very 2024 vibe.

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Ballet Flats With Socks

jeans styled with ballet flats

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

While ankle boots may be your first instinct to pair with jeans, ballet flats lend a French-inspired touch to the staple. To dress them up a tad more, layering a pair of socks or sheer tights is a fresh way to do it.

Shop ballet flats and socks:

Sweaters Over Tees

jeans styled with sweaters and a t-shirt

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

If a sweater and jeans is your go-to formula this time of year, adding a white T-shirt underneath your knit is an easy way to add interest and dimension to the look while keeping it casual.

Shop sweaters and tees:

Skinny Belts

jeans styled with a white shirt

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

A quick way to add instant polish? Adding a classic leather belt. It's such a simple addition, but it really pulls a look together in seconds flat. Fashion people are wearing skinny belts more than any other kind, and they lend a refined feel to denim.

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Fitted-Waist Blazers

jeans styled with a blazer

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

A blazer and jeans is a combination that will go in the history books. It's as timeless as ever. That's why fashion people are freshening it up by opting for fitted-waist blazers that create an elegant silhouette.

Shop fitted-waist blazers:

Burgundy Knits

jeans styled with a burgundy sweater

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

If you're going to reach for a pop of color, why not try something that feels especially fresh, like burgundy? Try an easy basic like a sweater to do so, whether you wear it as is or drape it over your shoulders.

Shop burgundy knits:

Crisp Shirting

jeans styled with a crisp shirt

(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

Jeans, especially darker washes, feel more polished when you pair them with a business-casual element like a button-down shirt. It's also the perfect outfit to wear to the office (if jeans are allowed at yours).

Shop shirting:

This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.