Denim pant trends may be all over the place right now, but denim dresses have never been better! And I just love denim dresses for spring. They’re the perfect transitional piece because they pair well with both booties and sandals. In fact, before we jump into the best denim dresses available right now, let’s discuss how to style a denim dress for all the various seasons…
How To Style A Denim Dress
Footwear: When styling a denim dress, the best footwear is a leather chunk-heel, almond-toe bootie, a modern wedge, or a medium casual sandal — this means not too dressy, and not flip-flops. Leather, espadrilles, cork, or raffia sandals all look great with a denim dress. As for sneakers, they are not the most flattering option unless they’re being paired with a mini denim dress. Come fall and winter, you can also pair a shorter denim dress with taller boots, like I did here.
Outerwear: To keep yourself warm, my favorite outerwear for a denim dress is a knee-length trench coat.
Layering: If you need a bit more warmth come fall and winter, most denim dresses look amazing with a skin-tight turtleneck underneath. If you just want to layer for the look — and not the warmth — use a snug-fitting sleeveless mock neck top, like this one.
Jewelry: When accessorizing your denim dress, make sure to match your jewelry tone to any metal on the dress. For example, if you have bronzy buttons, wear bronzy jewelry like the Julie Vos Havana hoop. If your denim dress has silver accouterments, wear a brushed silver like Madewell’s Light Silver Ox drop earrings.
Handbag: Go with a leather or canvas bag that feels a bit utilitarian like a canvas tote bag, or a leather camera bag. You can also go with a woven or rattan bag. Basically anything that feels a bit rougher, earthy, or architectural. The juxtaposition with the denim will be delicious.
Best Denim Dresses Right Now
Below are all the best denim dresses I’ve come across when shopping for myself and my clients. There’s a range of styles from mini denim dresses to midi options, dresses with sleeves and without. I’ll continue to update this post as I come across more flattering options…
BLANKNYC Denim Dress
Available at Revolve, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: Available in XS-L. Runs true to size, but you must be 5’4″ or shorter as the skirt is VERY short.
Material: 100% cotton
Good American Fit for Success Sleeveless Mini Dress
This denim dress is super stretchy and feels amazing, but the arm holes are a bit large. You may want to take them in like I did. Stay tuned for my next Daily Look post to see this dress in action.
Available at Good American and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XS-5XL. Runs true to size.
Material: 82% cotton, 5% recycled cotton, 5% recycled polyester, 4% elastomultiester, 4% elastane
Alice + Olivia Diana Structured Denim Midi Dress
Available at Revolve, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Alice + Olivia.
Sizing: Available in 0-14. Runs true to size.
Material: self: 62% cotton, 38% lyocell; lining: 98% polyester, 2% elastane
Avec Les Filles Topstitch Sleeveless Denim Midi Dress
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XS-S. Runs small.
Material: 85% cotton, 13% polyester, 2% spandex
SIMKHAI Manson Sleeveless Belted Midi Dress
Available at Revolve, NET-A-PORTER, Bergdorf Goodman, and SIMKHAI.
Sizing: Available in 00-14.
Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Madewell Seamed Denim Flare Midi Dress
Available at Nordstrom and Madewell.
Sizing: Available in 00-8. Runs a bit big, order your true size and a size down to compare.
Material: 85% cotton, 14% lyocell, 1% elastane
Reformation Ellison Denim Midi Dress
Available at Reformation.
Sizing: Available in 0-14. Runs true to size.
Material: 100% Regenerative Cotton
Good American Fit for Success Mini Dress
Available at Good American.
Sizing: Available in XS-5XL.
Material: 81.5% cotton, 5% recycled cotton, 4.5% elasterl-P, 5% recycled polyester, and 4% elastane
Staud Mini Wells Dress
Available at Shopbop and Neiman Marcus.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 99% cotton and 1% spandex
Veronica Beard Evelyn Chambray Dress
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Revolve.
Sizing: Available in 00-16. Runs large, order a size down.
Material: 100% cotton
Alice + Olivia Miranda Sleeveless Denim Mini Dress
Available at The Outnet and Revolve.
Sizing: Available in 0-14.
Material: 100% cotton
Veronica Beard Ruben Cotton Chambray Shirtdress
Available at Veronica Beard, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: Available in 00-16. Runs true to size.
Material: 100% Cotton
Rails Malibu Dress
As I stated in InStyle, denim is a great option to go braless in, and this dress is a perfect contender.
Available at Saks Off 5th and in a white wash at Rails.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL. Runs true to size.
Material: 40% recycled cotton, 42% lyocell, 17% cotton, and 1% elastane
Veronica Beard Hensley Ruched Chambray Dress
Available at The Outnet and My Theresa.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 100% cotton
PAIGE Mayslie Dress
Available at The Outnet.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.
Material: 98% cotton and 2% elastane
Best Denim Dresses from Years Past
I originally wrote this post on the best denim dresses years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
7 For All Mankind Seamed Denim Midi Dress
Midi dresses are a happy medium between short dresses and maxi dresses. For more midi dresses that aren’t just denim, check out my post on the best midi dresses.
Available at 7 For All Mankind, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Off 5th.
Sizing: XS-XL
Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane
rag & bone Soraya Ultra Featherweight Dress
Available at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Sizing: XS-L
Material: 60% cotton, 40% lyocell
Free People Amber Denim Dress
Available at Free People.
Sizing: Available in 0-14. Runs slightly small.
Material: 93% cotton, 6% polyester, and 1% elastane
Ramy Brook Mack Denim Dress
Available at Nordstrom, Ramy Brook, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus.
Sizing: Available in 23-32. Runs true to size.
Material: 98% cotton and 2% polyurethane
Retrofête Gigi Dress
Available at Retrofête and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XXL.
Material: 100% cotton
Anthropologie Maeve Button-Front Corset Denim Dress
Available at Anthropologie.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane; viscose lining
Madewell Denim Button-Front Tank Dress
I adore this Madewell Denim Button-Front Tank Dress. You can wear it as is or with a tight tee or turtleneck underneath.
Available at Poshmark (another size).
Sizing: Available in 0 and 12. Runs true to size.
Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane
Madewell Denim Structured Shirtdress
I am so into the long sleeve denim dresses out there right now. This Madewell Denim Structured Shirtdress is a great example of a light wash style.
Available at Poshmark.
Sizing: Available in 8. Runs true to size.
Material: 96% cotton, 1% elastane
