This Denim Trend Is Guaranteed to Make Your Outfit Look More Expensive

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(Image credit: @claradyrhauge)

With the focus on quiet luxury reaching such great heights as of late, it's confirmation that I'm not the only one looking for ways to infuse an expensive-looking air into my current rotation of outfits. My looks rely heavily on jeans, so I am laser-focused on finding any denim styling tip or trick to achieve that elevated feel I aim for—the easier, the better. Imagine my excitement when I spotted a new denim trend percolating that manages to instantly make your outfit look more expensive: dark-wash jeans.

With a quick scroll through my Instagram feed and the latest street style photos from fashion month, it became glaringly clear that dark denim is about to have a major moment, and for good reason. The darker, moodier washes give jeans a more polished feel that reads dressier than the rest, so you can wear the denim style with any top or shoe style and get that expensive-looking boost. Sure, you could argue that black denim does the same, but something about a darker blue wash feels richer and fresher at the moment.

For the stylish proof, keep scrolling to check out 11 chic denim outfit ideas that incorporate dark-wash jeans, and shop each look plus more of my top picks to consider in a variety of styles.

1.

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Sylvie Mus pairs a sleeveless cream turtleneck knit with slightly flared dark-wash jeans and black buckled kitten heels.

2.

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Anouk Yve is casual chic in a plaid jacket, dark ankle-length jeans, and trendy neutral Adidas sneakers.

3.

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(Image credit: @abimarvel)

Abisola Omole takes on this season's biggest color, pairing her chic red coat with dark-wash wide-leg jeans.

4.

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(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

Julie is the epitome of French chic with a classic blue button-down and dark high-waisted, wide-leg jeans.

5.

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(Image credit: @lucywillliams02)

Lucy Williams gives her dark-wash denim the London treatment with a cool leather jacket, a striped sweater, and black patent loafers.

6.

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Sasha Mei gave her dark jeans a preppy twist with classic loafers and a denim jacket.

7.

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(Image credit: @claradyrhauge)

Clara Dyrhauge wears an example of quiet-luxury style with a simple black sweater, belted dark-wash denim, and pointed-toe heels.

8.

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(Image credit: @styledumonde)

Danish models turned jewelry designers Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard Nielsen have been frequently spotted in dark-wash jeans. Wear yours with a white button-down and wrap belt to re-create this chic look.

9.

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(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

Brittany Bathgate paired her dark cuffed jeans with a navy coat, a navy sweater, a simple neck scarf, and cool black boots.

10.

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

Claire Most turned her dark straight-leg jeans into a casual-cool look with a white button-down shirt and trendy black slide sandals.

11.

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(Image credit: @alexisforeman)

Alexis Foreman is known for her minimalist looks. Here, she wears a pair of dark-wash jeans with an oversize black blazer and Western-inspired boots.

More Dark-Wash Denim Styles to Shop Now

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

Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.