How to Style a Denim Shirt Like a Fashion Editor This Spring

Figuring out how to style a denim shirt should, in theory, be easy. Denim is the fabric we reach for more than almost anything else, yet the second it’s not in jeans form, it can suddenly feel a bit daunting. Is it a jacket? A shirt? Something you only wear when you’re committing to full double denim? The answer, helpfully, is all of the above.

While you might only think of denim shirts as cowboy-ready Westernwear – a valid association – that’s not the whole picture. Lightweight chambray shirts are breathable and great for layering, and they’re a cornerstone of preppy style, which is gaining momentum this season. Proper denim tops, meanwhile, are now available in classic shirting silhouettes, which look surprisingly put-together paired with trouser jeans or leather trousers. And you can even wear a denim jacket as a shirt on chillier days, making layering a breeze.

Figuring out how to style a denim shirt takes some trial and error. Why? We all know our way around and denim skirts, but the ubiquitous blue fabric gets a little trickier to figure out as soon as it jumps somewhere else – especially to our tops. It’s worth putting in a little extra effort on this front, though: One of SS26’s biggest denim trends is the Canadian tuxedo, meaning you’ll get plenty of mileage out of a denim shirt in the months ahead. After all, it’s the perfect way to layer up whilst your winter coats are in hibernation.

Here’s how to style a denim shirt this summer, according to our fashion editors.

As a dress

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images