12 Ways to Wear Denim When It's So Hot Out

Ask anyone in the Who What Wear office and they’ll tell you: I love wearing jeans. Whether it’s 90° out or 9°, I will find a way to pull off my go-to cropped flares—because for me, nothing says comfort like formfitting denim, and as I like to say, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Recently, however, it was brought to my attention during a roundtable that not everyone feels the same way about jeans as I do. They claim they’re not as seasonless as I seem to think they are and that they are actually not suitable for sweltering summer days. Naturally, I’ve since set out to prove them wrong. So after spending the last few weeks gathering ammunition in the form of street style, I bring you today’s post, where I’ve rounded up 12 next-level ways to wear jeans—no matter how hot it is. See the looks for yourself below, and then of course continue on to shop my summer denim picks!

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(Image credit: All the Pretty Birds)

Try pairing your jeans with a one-shoulder top that’s light in both fabric and color.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

For a casual weekend look, white jeans will help you beat the heat. 

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(Image credit: The Chronicles of Her)

In addition to opting for loose-fitting jeans, wearing a side-tie top will help you stay cool.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Take your off-the-shoulder top to the next level by tying it, too.

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Style your denim with a barely there bodysuit and light wrap jacket for a street style–inspired look.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Add standout accessories to a tee and jeans to make a comfortable look feel special.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Bring back your Birkenstocks for the weekend!

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Make a loose (and breezy) button-down feel like a fashion top by tying the front and pairing it with high-waisted jeans.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

When in doubt, opt for the crop top.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Make white jeans feel extra special by pairing them with a cool graphic tee.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Exaggerated sleeves are one of those trends that just happen to make summer office dressing so much easier.

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(Image credit: A Love Is Blind)

Pair your go-to jeans a tee with a loose, kimono-like jacket for a third piece that’s stylish without weighing you down.

Shop our favorite jeans:

Opening Image: We the People

This post was originally published on August 1, 2016.

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2020, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch 90 Day Fiancé.