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How to Wear Skinny Jeans in 2023 (Without Looking Like a Fashion “DON’T”)

Are skinny jeans out of style in 2023?

While Gen-Z seems to say so, I know a lot of women still really want to wear skinny jeans. And if you want to, you should!

Skinny jeans are a classic wardrobe staple. The way us Millenials styled them, however, has definitely evolved.

how to wear skinny jeans in 2023

If you want to learn more about how to update your Millennial outfit formula so you can wear skinny jeans in 2023, keep reading as you’ll find plenty of tips and outfit inspo in this post!

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Skinny Jean Styling Tips

Balance Out the Look with Oversized Tops

Skinny jeans used to be styled with tight tops. Not anymore. The easiest way to wear skinny jeans in 2023 is to style them with oversized, voluminous tops (and no, I don’t mean tunics).

Today, it’s all about balancing the top to the bottom. Like this voluminous sweatshirt that has a half-tuck at the waist.

It’s not as shapeless as a tunic since we’re defining the waist here, but the proportions are balanced out.

A boxy fit t-shirt, cropped cardigan or a classic button-down are all modern ways to give your look proportions.

You do not have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, we’re talking about simple style swaps here.

Sorry, ladies. The waterfall cardigan + skinny jean look is out!

This outfit, for example, was shot circa 2019. If I wanted to update this look for 2023, I’d simply swap out the waterfall cardigan for an oversized blazer.

Layering with On-Trend Pieces

Layering is another way to modernize your skinny jean look. Adding a blazer over the top of your boxy tee creates an effortlessly-chic look.

Again, you don’t need to invest in a whole new wardrobe for this. I wore grey skinny jeans, booties + a cropped sequin blazer in 2020 and it was right on trend.

To modernize the look, I could simply swap out the sequin blazer for an oversize, boxier blazer like the look on the right.

Same jeans, boots, bag, top and I could still do the belt, too.

A long, wool coat is another on-trend piece that is both functional and stylish to wear throughout the colder months of the year.

RELATED: 30 Winter Outfit Ideas that are Easy to Recreate

Avoid Pairing Outdated Pieces with Skinny Jeans

Though oversized tops are a modern way to style skinny jeans, tunics aren’t the way to achieve that modernized look.

You also want to swap the riding boots you were wearing 15 years ago, and replace them with an updated shoe.

Options with chunky lug soles, Western-inspired details or low, sleek heels are all contemporary ways to wear your boots with skinny jeans.

Timeless Outfits Still Work

Classic pairings still work. A silk blouse with pointy-toe heels and skinny jeans is a beautiful combination as long as the top isn’t too tight.

Likewise, a button-down with skinny jeans is another classic outfit that will never go out of style. Update the look for 2023 by playing with how you tuck in the button-down and looking for a bit more of a looser fit.

Cardigans with skinny jeans is another timeless outfit that we’ve probably all worn for many years. Modernize the look with a cropped cardigan to bring balance and sophistication to the overall outfit idea.

Skinny Jean Outfit Ideas

Oversized Blazers and Coats to Wear With Skinny Jeans

As a general rule of thumb, keep the rest of your pieces oversized and loose-fitting when styling skinny jeans.

Your oversized coats and blazers paired with your tight jeans make the perfect combination for a balanced look.

This oversize wool coat finishes off her boots with jeans outfit perfectly. The lug sole boots bring this outfit into 2023.

RELATED: How to Wear Ankle Boots with Jeans

Pull out your longest coats to pair with your skinny jeans for a well-rounded look. This striped turtleneck sweater is a classic piece you may already have in your wardrobe!

Wearing a boxy, roomy coat with an interesting element such as a waist tie is a great way to elevate any pair of skinny jeans in the colder months.

White skinny jeans can be styled with other neutral loose-fitting items and a fun pair of sneakersfor an updated look.

This is a great outfit to transition to spring fashion.

Shop Oversized Coats and Blazers

Tops and Sweaters to Wear With Skinny Jeans

When deciding on what to tops to pair with your slim-fit jeans, grab your modern items with looser fits and boxy silhouettes.

Black jeans work well with mules and other oversized pieces like a chunky knit sweater and a crossbody bag.

Straight-leg jeans still go well with your pointy, low heels and flats, as long as you continue to add oversized, roomier items up top.

One of the easiest ways to style skinny jeans is to add an oversized button-down shirt with a looser fit and your best boots for a casual look.

Black skinny jeans with high tops, your favorite oversized sweater, and a collared button-down will give you a classic look.

Yes, you can still wear a cardigan with skinny jeans. But rather than a long waterfall cardigan like the one I was wearing above, look for a shorter, cropped cardigan that can be tucked in to accentuate the waist.

This brings the look right into 2023, styled with some mules, of course.

Shop Oversized Tops and Sweaters

What Kind of Shoes to Wear with Skinny Jeans in 2023?

When considering which shoe style to pair with your skinny and straight-leg jeans, there are a number of options to consider.

Styling combat boots with jeans is an easy way to instantly make your skinny jeans look more modern.


RELATED: HOW TO WEAR COMBAT BOOTS IN 2023


Black skinny jeans always go well with a pair of black, chunky loafers and an oversized sweater for a timeless, high-end look.

For casual wear on a bad weather day, pair slim-fit jeans with a trench coat and sneakers. This is great for a day out running errands, too!

White skinny jeans and white sneakers pair well with your other neutrals for the warmer months. This is another excellent outfit for transitioning to spring fashion!

Mules and slides are the easiest way to complete your straight-leg denim looks.

Shop Shoes

More Dos and Don’ts of Wearing Skinny Jeans in 2023

Instead of flat riding boots…..

Instead of round-toe ballet flats….

Instead of long cardigans…

Instead of long tunics and tees…

Instead of tight-fitting tops

Instead of a cropped leather jacket…

Try combat boots or lug-sole boots!

Try Mary Jane’s, mules or pointy-toe flats

Try a cropped cardigan worn as a top

Try a cropped or boxy T-shirt

Try voluminous tops & accent the waist

Try a long wool coat or oversize blazer

More Skinny Jean Outfit Ideas for 2023

This neutral look is definitely timeless.

Now is the time to add a statement piece such as bold earrings.

There are so many ways to potentially style your skinny jeans to keep them modern and up to date, so don’t lose hope on them!

The best way to approach styling your skinny jeans in 2023 is to remember to balance out the look with big, oversized, roomy, boxy, and chunky items.

Shop Accessories

I hope these fashion tips helps you feel more confident with wearing your skinny jeans in 2023!

Are you still wearing skinny jeans? Let me know how you like to style them in the comments below!

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11 Comments

  1. Loved this article! I love the wide leg look on other people, but it’s really hard to pull off for my figure. I love these suggestions:)

  2. If I don’t want to roll skinny jeans this year, can I slash the bottom of the leg, so they fit over the Chelsea’s? Front, back or side slash? Or not a good idea?

    1. Hi, Wendy! Right, in 2023 we aren’t cuffing the jeans anymore. What do you mean by “slash” the bottom of the leg? Like a split leg? I will say, split leg jeans are very in right now, but they are almost more of a flared style.

  3. This is the only post I’ve read on this topic that hits the mark. I haven’t worn skinny jeans for 2.5 years, but the other day I found the perfect pair of VERY slim fitted jeans that in 2016 would have been straight legged, but in 2023 read as skinny. They looked so good on that I had to buy them. I didn’t realize how much I missed jeans that cling to me a little, but wearing them definitely feels like some kind of millennial statement. Thanks for these great ideas for how to style a slimmer legged jean to still look relevant, I feel like I can have my jeans and wear them too. 🙂

  4. I am interested in the sweaters (especially first brown sweatshirt and the white button up cardigan) that the models are wearing? do you have links for them?

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