In today's landscape, there's just as much room for quiet luxury and understated dressing as there is for maximalism and statement dressing. It's even better when the two worlds collide. The art of styling contrasting pieces that unexpectedly go well together results in a head-turning personal style. Whether you're wearing a leather jacket with a poplin skirt or your tried-and-true distressed jeans with a modest blouse, an odd pairing makes for a way more interesting outfit. Plus, some of the most fashionable people you know use style tension as a creative tool for getting dressed every day. According to our editors, spring styling is simple: Start with grunge denim, layer on a clean jacket for contrast, add an element of prep, and finish with personalized touches that allow you to showcase what you love in ways others wouldn't. Levi's® new arrivals for spring do just that.
Inspired by style tension, the collection features looser silhouettes, grungy washes, preppy tops, and denim that feels a bit rugged, yet polished. Tara Gonzalez, senior fashion and social editor, and Lauren Eggertsen, executive editorial and style director, took the streets of L.A. to show off their own takes on the collection's juxtaposing nature. Their approaches to this idea can be separated into unique archetypes: Tara is The Mover, whose personal style blends strength and softness. Her styles leans edgy with feminine touches creating a eye-catching contrast as she moves throughout her day in the city. Lauren is The Creative, whose wardrobe reflects both polish and edge. Keep scrolling to see style tension in action.
"For me, mixing feminine and masculine within these looks felt so entirely me. I really love the baggy fit of the intentionally scuffed-up jeans. Shape is a fun way to play up a more standard look, and it's why I'm drawn to bigger silhouettes. I think these jeans are a great counterpoint to a tighter, or in this instance, more buttoned-up, top. The intentionally worn-in look of the jeans balances out the formality of the button-down. That duality is so extremely compelling to me, and I think it represents what's so fun about fashion. You think you know what works together, but so many things can work together. There's no right way to wear jeans! These are the kind of looks I can wear anywhere—from going out to dinner with friends to walking my dog to bopping around the city—without compromising comfort. They have a street-savvy sensibility, perfect for someone who is often on the move but doesn't want to look like they're always in a rush." — Tara Gonzalez, senior fashion and social editor
"A grungy-prep look is the perfect way to dip your toes into something new for spring, because it combines two entirely different looks that seem so wrong together that they're actually right. It's the classic mixing of strength with softness, which I find deeply compelling. This contrast unlocks styling potential you didn't even realize you had. The intensity of the black denim is brightened by the colors of the rugby shirt, and the ballet flats add needed daintiness to this look. Rugby shirts are such an iconic staple that's been overlooked, in my opinion. Punks have worn them! Preps have worn them! Rugby shirts are for everybody. It's really fun to wear something that's for a specific activity and has such a storied history, because wearing it outside those contexts adds richness to your outfit. Sure, I don't know anything about rugby, but I'm still wearing the hell out of this shirt in a way that makes sense regardless!" — Tara Gonzalez, senior fashion and social editor
"As someone who works in a creative field, I am always striving for a sense of style that strikes the perfect balance between polish and edge. I never want to box myself in too much style-wise, which is why incorporating a blend of the later always feels just right as a creative. When incorporating style tension into my wardrobe, I'm reaching for those staple edgy pieces first, like darker denim or a hardware-adorned belt. I feel like those items are what transform my preppier looks into a perfectly balanced, polished yet edgy look. This look was where I let my edgy side shine. I wore the Loose Boot Jeans and a trench coat trimmed with corduroy, buttoned to the top (IYKYK). While a trench coat is a traditionally preppier outerwear style, this one from Levi's® has a corduroy trim for a touch of edge which pairs perfectly with the looser, baggier jeans. To add in a bit of my polished side, I finished the look with black pointed-toe kitten heels and a sleek black shoulder bag. The last-minute addition of the sunglasses instantly elevated and completed the look. This trench is officially one of my new wardrobe workhorses. Whether you style it open or closed as I did, the silhouette always feels just right and proves to be the best addition to any outfit time and time again." — Lauren Eggertsen, executive editorial and style director
"This look was a play on denim on denim, featuring the gorgeous khaki shade from Levi's®. I wore a coordinating jacket-and-jeans look styled with a perfect white tee, white heeled flip-flops, and the perfect preppy adornment—a pale yellow cardigan draped around my shoulders. I would wear this look to the office, to lunch on the weekends, or even just to run errands. It reads casual but still intentionally put-together, which is always the goal. I can't stop thinking about the khaki denim shade. It instantly makes the look a standout since it's a wash we don't typically see, especially when styled together like this. They are seasonless, unique, yet perfectly classic—a few of my favorite things." — Lauren Eggertsen, executive editorial and style director
