Ripped jeans are back. The wardrobe staple has found its way back into our hearts, and we’re not letting it go anytime soon. The good thing is that everyone can wear this trend. It’s all about finding your sweet spot on the “ripped” scale. There are different levels of ripped denim on different jean silhouettes, from frayed raw-edge hems to fully shredded rips on straight-leg, pencil, bootcut, and baggy fit.
Once you’ve found the right jeans for you, up next is to think about what to wear with them. If T-shirts, sneakers, and other urban looks are the only pairings that crossed your mind, hold on. You might be surprised to learn that intentionally damaged denim is more than casual. It can look even polished when paired with the right pieces.
Below, we show you how to reinvent the ripped jeans to get super stylish looks that take you from basic to iconic.
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How to Style Ripped Jeans
Here you go:
Jacket + Ripped Jeans
This pairing is inspired by Jonathan Anderson’s Dior 2027 Cruise show, where ripped denim jeans were paired with the reimagined Dior signature Bar jacket. The outfit can take you to a first date, a museum peruse, and even work, if your workplace permits.
Replicate the look: Dress up your ripped denim for smarter scenarios by pairing it with a tailored blazer and neat heels. Depending on your workplace dress code, it’s advisable to keep the ripped level low. Stick to one or two tears with minimal fraying to avoid being labelled inappropriate.
Grunge Look
Ripped denim exudes a rugged, tough vibe. Lean into this aesthetic by wearing yours with a leather jacket. For extra warmth and style points, try layering a hoodie underneath. Then finish off the look with boots for that cowgirl vibe or sneakers for an active look.
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Polo Knit & Ripped Jeans Combo
Polo knits are a great companion for ripped denim. They’re like lightweight sweaters with collars. With a myriad of polo knit styles to choose from, best believe you can’t run out of options for your jeans.
Sweater Pairing
A cozy sweater or cardigan will keep you comfortable with ripped denim. To keep the fit intentional and add more contrast, complete the look with Mary Janes, sneakers, or ballet flats.
Graphic Tee & Ripped Jeans
Ripped jeans paired with a graphic tee are a classic. Ditch the skinny jeans with an extremely oversized tee combo and try a relaxed pair of jeans with a fitted graphic tee instead. Then complete the look with a car coat or suede jacket, and add loafers or heels for a polished touch.
Ripped Jeans + Button-Down
Wearing dark wash shades is an easy way to smarten up ripped denim. A deep navy or almost-black shade exudes more sophistication than a true blue or light wash hue. Pair it with a button-down shirt and finish off with pumps. And tada! You’re ready to steal the show.
Cute Top + Ripped Denim
Jeans and a nice top are a fail-safe outfit formula, and they work for ripped denim too. Try any style of top, from crop tops to high-lows to full-length. Experiment with necklines as you’d like too.
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