After years of light and medium denim washes dominating the fashion space, dark wash jeans are making a comeback this fall! While dark wash denim is a classic choice that always looks polished and sophisticated, it can be tricky to style. In fact, I daresay, it can even feel a bit stuffy at times.
It took me a while to get reacclimatized to wearing darker denim, but now I really like the variety it offers to my everyday looks. So with all that said, here’s what I’m wearing with dark wash jeans this fall! I also rounded up a bunch of dark wash denim options to shop at the end of this post.
cowl neck top (S) (option) // MOTHER Weekend Flare Jeans (30) (option) (petite option) // leopard slingbacks (8) // bag // similar belt
First, let’s define our terms. I assume most people know what I mean by dark wash jeans, but there are a few different terms that get tossed around when talking about darker denim washes. Usually you will just see “dark wash” but sometimes you may see terms like “dark rinse” or “rinse wash” and I also see “dark indigo” in some descriptions. What does all that mean?
What’s the difference between rinse wash and dark wash jeans?
rinse wash denim // dark indigo wash
Rinse wash jeans are darker and keep that crisp, inky indigo color because they’ve been minimally treated. They’re perfect when you want a clean, polished look that works for everything from the office to a night out.
Dark wash jeans, on the other hand, go through a bit more processing, so they tend to have a softer feel with subtle fading or whiskering. This gives them a slightly more lived-in vibe, which makes them ideal for a casual, everyday style that still feels put together.
I have some of each in my closet, but I tend to gravitate to the dark wash styles with some whiskering and fading because I prefer a more relaxed vibe. Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s discuss what to wear with all of the darker washes we’re seeing in stores these days!
What Color Shoes to Wear with Dark Wash Jeans
outfit #1 // outfit #2
You can really wear any color shoe with dark wash denim; it just depends on the look you’re going for. I tend to prefer darker colors, for a more cohesive look.
I’ve added a few dark brown shoes and boots to my closet this fall, and I tend to reach for those or my black shoes with my darker denim washes, depending on what I’m wearing on top. Sometimes I’ll wear a cognac or caramel color or my leopard pumps, again, depending on the rest of the outfit. Bold, saturated colors such as red, burgundy, and teal also work well with dark wash jeans.
Lighter colors like taupe or white create a high contrast, which can shorten the line of the leg and draw attention to your feet. See the comparison below, for an example of how the same dark wash jeans look with white sneakers vs. brown flats. I much prefer the look on the right.
outfit #1 // outfit #2
Dark Wash Denim Outfits To Wear This Fall
Dark wash jeans look amazing paired with shades of brown, especially chocolate brown. They’re both rich, saturated colors that work well with other colors and neutrals. In this look, I paired a chocolate brown corduroy jacket with slim bootcut jeans in a dark rinse wash. I wore an ivory sweater tank to add an element of contrast that still keeps the look neutral and sophisticated, and then I added a few lighter shades of brown with cognac suede boots and a caramel glazed leather handbag.
KUT from the Kloth Zinnia Corduoroy Jacket (S) // The Reset Too Good Tank (S) (option) // Wit & Wisdom Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans (8) // similar belt // Dolce Vita Azalea Bootie (8) // HOBO Render Crossbody // Jenny Bird hoops // Victoria Emerson bracelet // sunnies (option)
Here’s a similar look with a bomber jacket in an even deeper shade of chocolate brown top over a cowl neck top in a similar brown tone. (Style tip: Pairing a jacket and top in the same color is a chic and easy outfit formula that works with almost any color bottom in your closet.)
To create a mostly monochromatic look, my shoes, belt, and bag are all similar shades of chocolate brown. And this time, I wore my MOTHER Weekend flares in a dark indigo wash with a whiskered and sanded finish for a lived-in look.
bomber jacket (S) // cowl neck top (S) (option) // MOTHER Weekend Flare Jeans (30) (option) (petite option) // Schutz sandals (8) // suede hobo (sale option) // similar belt // similar hoops
I also love to wear green with dark wash jeans. This ribbed mock neck top is such a pretty shade of leafy green, and I often wear it with the MOTHER Weekenders. In this outfit, the leopard print pumps add a nice bit of pattern and texture in contrasting warm neutral tones, and I added a handbag in a cognac brown that relates to the shoes.
Michael Stars Nara Mockneck (M) // MOTHER Weekend Flare Jeans (30) (option) (petite option) // Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Pumps (8.5) // love knot earrings // JW PEI handbag // Tom Ford sunnies (option)
Here’s another look with an army green utility jacket. These wide leg jeans in the Lisbon Blue are more of a mid-indigo wash, but the Madrid Blue is darker and would certainly work with this outfit. Once again, I went with a cognac belt, bag, and shoes for a warm contrast.
KUT from the Kloth Amanda (S) // AllSaints Stevie Tee (M) // Hint of Blu Wide Leg Jeans (29) // Blondo Emmalyn Waterproof Boots (8.5) // similar belt // JW PEI handbag
This look is similar, but with a wool jacket and a grey tee, and the KUT From The Kloth Meg Patch Pocket Wide Leg Jeans are ankle-length rather than full-length. I wanted to include both outfits to show a different silhouette.
Rails Easton Wool Blend Crop Jacket (S) // AllSaints Stevie Tee (M) // KUT From The Kloth Meg Patch Pocket Wide Leg Jeans (6) // Blondo Emmalyn Waterproof Bootie (8.5) // similar belt // JW PEI shoulder bag
Dark wash jeans also pair well with lighter shades of blue, like this Vince shaker stitch v-neck sweater. These MOTHER Rider Slim Straight Leg Jeans have an inky midnight blue wash with no fading to speak of. In certain lights, they look black, but they’re really a deep navy blue. In a rare departure from my typical dark shoes with dark wash jeans pairings, I wore silver loafer mules. For some reason, I really like these with the light blue sweater.
Vince Shaker Stitch V-Neck Wool & Cashmere Sweater (S) // MOTHER Rider Slim Straight Leg Jeans (29) // silver mules (7.5) // silver hoops
I also wore those same jeans with a colorblock sweater with shades of magenta, rust, and navy blue. This time, I wore brown ballet flats. Again, I love chocolate brown with dark wash denim. Plus, the shade of brown in the shoes is similar to the rust in the sweater, which pulls it all together.
LOFT Colorblock Ribtrim Flare Sleeve Sweater (S) // MOTHER Rider Slim Straight Leg Jeans (29) // Schutz Arissa Square Toe Ballet Flat (8) // JW PEI handbag // Tom Ford sunnies (option) // silver earrings
Burgundy and shades of red also looks great with dark wash jeans. This is an outfit I wore last summer, and the top is sold out, but there are tons of burgundy tops available right now, or you may have one in your closet. These are those same MOTHER Rider Slim Straight Leg Jeans in the deep inky blue wash, and the black espadrilles are in keeping with the dark color palette without being too matchy.
burgundy top // MOTHER Rider Slim Straight Leg Jeans (29) // similar espadrilles
In this last outfit, I wore dark wash wide leg crop jeans with a red coated denim jacket, and I added a black top and black mules to tie it all together.
KUT from the Kloth Julia coated denim jacket (M) // Treasure & Bond sweater (M) // KUT from the Kloth Meg Wide Leg Jeans (6) // similar belt // Matisse McCarthy Mules (8.5) // sunglasses (option) // similar crossbody
I hope this post inspires you to add some dark wash jeans to your closet this fall. I’ll link up some options at various price points below.
