Whether you like it or not, denim has become a crucial part of summer dressing. From Valentino’s couture variation made of thousands of microscopic indigo-dyed beads to replicate the cotton weave to the endless spotings of Khaite’s Danielle style on off-duty celebrities, there’s something about the temperature hitting above 20°C that has us slipping into our trusty jeans.
Don’t believe me? Just look at the endless jean sightings on the spring/summer 2025 runways. Prior to the announcement of Denma at Gucci, the Italian luxuriate’s design studio sent wafty white jeans down the runway. (A trend quickly co-signed by Kylie Jenner at Coachella.) Stella McCartney emblazoned hers with sparkling crystals while Chanel dusted the hems of their mid-rise iteration in a scattering of sequins.
(Image credit: Launch Metrics)
It’s not just designers showing how stylish jeans can be during hot weather. In Kaia Gerber’s sensual librarian chic uniform, the supermodel and nascent actor often pairs classic straight legs with floaty tops and preppy ballet flats.
Another SoCal socialite, Kylie Jenner, has recently been sporting the bohemian top and structured jean combination. Case in point: her Dôen blouse and Levi jeans ensemble worn while celebrating her 26th birthday in Italy.
Still, wearing jeans in summer is nothing new. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Birkin would reach for jeans when moseying about the city on a sun-kissed morning or heading to glamorous beach towns like Malibu or Saint Tropez.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
So, how to make this outfit feel modern for this season? You match them back with the biggest summer trends to wear with jeans, of course. From chunky jewellery to It-girl layering hacks and unexpected footwear choices, there are a number of burgeoning styles that can elevate your balmy denim silhouettes.
To save you the task of riffling through recent collections and latest street style forays, I’ve compiled the seven most stylish summer trends to wear with jeans. Open up your windows to let the cool breeze in, pour yourself an Aperol Spritz and uncover them all ahead.
The 7 Summer Trends to Wear With Jeans in 2025
1. Clear Shoes
Style Notes: Take it from Carrie Bradshaw—if there's one way to enhance an outfit, it's with footwear. This year has seen so many shoe styles reign supreme, from the suede ballet flats to elegant flip flops and rope sandals. Yet when it comes to the summer of 2025, the most considered trend is the actually quite inconspicuous. Indeed, invisible, transparent and clear shoes are having their moment in the sun. From sequin mesh flats to translucent jelly styles, consider this movement an invite to show of your summer pedicure.
THE ROW
Sock Leather-Trimmed Mesh Flats
The most effortlessly chic shoes I've ever seen.
COS
Jelly Fisherman Sandals
I adore how clear shoes trick the eye to focus more on your outfit.
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Iro Pvc Ballet Flats
This is the beach shoe of 2025.
2. Romantic Blouses
Style Notes: Thanks to Chloé's creative director Chemena Kamali and a wave of boho-ites like Sienna Miller, romantic motifs have emerged as one of the most prominent blouse trends for 2025. The femininity and softness inherent to these styles bring an element of intrigue and contrast to structured denim looks. Consider this trend this year's answer to ‘jeans and a nice top'. Unsure where to start? Look to waisted tops, broderie anglaise blouses or ruffled shirts.
If you tuned into Who What Wear's latest Live Shopping instalment, you would know that this RIXO top is the top of our editor's wish lists.
DÔEN
Henri Ruffled Pintucked Lace Blouse
If a romantic blouse is the brief, Dôen is our first point of call. I adore the sheer lace fabric and scalloped hemline.
Milkmaid styles and empire waist tops also make for a charming top.
3. Scarf Accents
Style: Initially, the idea of wearing a scarf with your summer jeans outfitmade me think of two distinctly different aesthetics—the prim and proper ‘ladies who lunch' set à la Lee Radziwell or the 2000s fashion stylings like handkerchief tops. But rather than accenting the top half of your look, scarf details are now being applied to your jeans. Simply wrap around your favourite silk square like a belt et voilà! If it's good enough for Alexa Chung…
GUCCI
Printed Silk-Twill Scarf
This scarf is near identical to the one Alexa Chung wore.
Toteme – INT
Signature Monogram Silk Scarf Crème
ZARA
Scarf With a Polka-Dot Print
Polka dots are the year's biggest print trend, so why not inject this pattern into your outfits in this small but effective way.
4. Bandeau Tops
Style Notes: It's not the case that everything old is new again, but that some nostalgic silhouettes have certainly been given a contemporary update. That's the case for bandeau tops, one of the chicest summer trends to wear with jeans. The silhouette has moved on from the body-conscious jersey styles and is now rendered in longline shapes that cinch in at the midsection. The perfect offset to baggy denim styles like tapered jeans.
FAITHFULL
Strapless Striped Linen Top
Nobodys Child
White Bandeau Polka Dot Felicity Top
ZARA
Satin Strapless Tie Top
This split-hem satin style is the definition of sophistication.
5. Beaded Necklaces
Style Notes: From the moment Bottega Veneta's tear drop earrings reached cult status, we should've anticipated chunky beaded jewellery to be the next big trend. The vibrant hues and eye-catching shapes of these pieces make them a great alternative to quieter gold or silver metals. And in a season when all you want to do is spend as little time as possible putting together an outfit, throwing on a statement necklace like this makes you look well thought out and put together.
JIA JIA
Gold Opal Necklace
This gorgeous style is made from hand-picked pink opals.
This wooden version is slightly more sculptural.
Mejuri
14k Yellow Gold / Pearl / 16-18 Inches
Of course, a stunning row of pearls never goes astray.
6. Leather Bags
Style Notes: Leather is a fabric typically associated with winter months. From braided leather gloves and The Matrix-style trench coats used to shield yourself from the brisk elements during cold snaps, it's rare that leather is given the same treatment during hot days. (Save for leather sandals.) That's part of the appeal of leather bags. They juxtapose lighter materials and airy shapes with a sturdiness that's just so alluring. From well-crafted woven leather bags to giant totes, these bags will be on the shoulders of every fashion person this summer.
MANGO
Braided Leather Shoulder Bag
So perfect for dressing up monochromatic black or white denim outfits.
This plum colour complements lighter washes so well.
7. Studded Belts
Style Notes: The studded bag trend may have usurped suede accessories as the style du jour. But if lugging around the extra weight isn't for you—nor can we blame you, summer is a period for spontaneity—elevate your jeans by adding a studded belt. There are plenty of great options, from expensive-looking high street pieces to styles at a designer price point. (Of course, you could skip the summer trend altogether and just go straight to studded jeans like the Reformation Cary Jeans in Chesapeake Studs!)
(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)
KHAITE
The Benny Studded Leather Belt
Khaite's Benny belt is the definitive studded style to shop.
Massimo Dutti
Studded Nappa Leather Belt
Stud-Mbellished Belt | 80
I'm so intrigued by this snakeskin style from Dries Van Noten.
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