5 Summer Denim Outfits We Currently Can't Live Without

Denim easily makes it into every fashion girls' top five, if not top three, wardrobe essentials list. The fabric has been around for over 100 years after all, but that doesn't begin to scratch the surface of why we buy it over and over again in every style and color imaginable. What we really love about denim is how easy it is to build an outfit around, it's day-to-night versatility, and that it is seasonless (and therefore always a wise investment).

Since it's summer at the moment, we think it's only fair to share our favorite warm-weather denim outfits. Not all denim is created equal, though: In fact, our editors swear by choosing 100% cotton denim skirts, shorts, jackets, and jeans, and not only because they're a bit more rigid in that awesome vintage kind of way. Below, five of our Who What Wear editors share the denim styles they're most excited about for summer and their favorite low-maintenance outfit they're styling around each piece.

"I think I’ve worn some iteration of this outfit every summer since the beginning of time. I love Hawaiian shirts for their whole fun-meets-effortless-tailoring vibe, but most vintage finds are made of decidedly non-summer-friendly fabrics. This Wales Bonner bowling shirt is such a win: a not-too-aggressive floral print and super enjoyable experience to wear since it’s made from cotton and actually breathes. In other news, I've transitioned to more "grown-up” iterations of denim shorts, and this high-rise, loose-fit style by Citizens of Humanity (that I discovered while browsing + Net Sustain) is particularly good thanks to its stiffer fabric that helps keep the integrity of the silhouette."

"My uniform year-round is simple: denim, a cute top, gold jewelry, and sandals (except for the few days of winter we get here in Los Angeles). And even though most of my time is spent inside these days, that lineup hasn’t really changed. The pieces I’m currently rotating in and out of my wardrobe are super comfortable (including jeans that are so cozy, they might as well be sweats) yet keep me feeling chic even during these months working from home."

"This one denim-shorts outfit effortlessly sneaks in five of my favorite summer trends: rope details, ribbed tanks, square-toe sandals, bucket hats, and candy-colored jewelry. It’s quite practical, too, in terms of being both comfortable and casual. Plus, it's something I’d gladly spend an entire summer day in no matter what I’m doing (or not doing)."

"I live in this outfit all year long. There's nothing quite like pairing a high-waisted denim skirt with a cropped top, be it a tank or a sweater. This summer, my (rather large) collection of white tops has on-trend knit options like this scoop-neck tank, which makes any denim summer outfit feel comfy and casual. I like dressing up simple neutral basics with more intricately detailed accessories, like these woven leather slides, '90s cat-eye sunglasses, and colorful gingham bracelet."

"Summer is looking a little different this year, as are my outfits. Typically, you’d find me living in dresses and skirts, but since I’ve been home way more than usual, I’ve been forcing myself to wear jeans, only because I need proof that they still fit me… I’m not mad about it, though. I love a good pair of vintage-inspired jeans, especially when they’re as comfortable as these. Pair 'em with a lightweight bodysuit, cardigan, casual sandals, and an anklet, and you’ve got the perfect summer outfit formula in my eyes."

Return to The Summer Issue.