Charlie Bell
Finding stylish tops to wear with jeans is a warm-weather must. The idea of jeans and a nice top has become something of a wardrobe staple and can make even your most well-loved denim feel fresh for the season ahead.
This season, it's all about lightweight layers and easy silhouettes. Think linen shirts, comfy t-shirts, and floaty floral blouses. We've made shopping for the most stylish tops to wear with jeans easy, so that after you've found the best jeans for your body type, you can breeze through styling them.
Something to consider is that the cut of your denim also plays a key role in choosing what tops work with your jeans. The best wide leg jeans look great with tucked-in shirts and t-shirts to help highlight your waist and show off your shape.
However, if you’re a devoted skinny jean-er, you can go oversized with your top half with an oversized shirt or slouchy tee to offset the slim-fitting bottom half and vice-versa. When it comes to baggy jeans, keep your top half more fitted to balance the proportions.
Stylish tops to wear with jeans as chosen by a fashion editor
With heaps of designs out there, plus an array of different cuts of jeans, we’re seriously spoilt for choice. Whether you’re looking to invest in new jeans and top outfit ideas or looking to experiment with new spring/summer fashion trends 2025, I’ve scoured the cyber shelves for the most stylish tops to wear with jeans for the easiest weekend looks.
1. Stylish tops to wear with straight jeans
Characterised by their fitted waist and leg shape that drops straight from hip to ankle, straight leg jeans are ideal for those who want a streamlined silhouette without the overly fitted style of skinny jeans.
When it comes to how to style straight leg jeans, the options are pretty much endless.
While you'll want some element of fit on your top half, whether that's at the waist or baring your arms, to help balance your proportions, you can afford to be playful, as the slimmer leg shape will stop you from looking overwhelmed by fabric.
This boxy-style shirt will complement the relaxed fit of straight-leg jeans. Plus, it’s crafted from a lightweight organic and recycled cotton blend for breathability.
Get spring-ready with this bold floral print blouse. The puff sleeves offer a flattering finish. Dress up with heeled mules for a date-night look.
A Breton top is a wardrobe essential, and this particular pick has playful striped detailing on the sleeves. The relaxed fit leans into the laid-back vibe of the straight-leg jeans.
2. Stylish tops to wear with skinny jeans
When it comes to styling tops with skinny jeans, you can afford to play with volume here, as the skinny leg helps to show off your shape and stops you from looking overwhelmed with fabric. You can even wear tunic-style tops with skinny jeans, taking advantage of their slender fit. Alternatively, go big and bold and experiment with oversized shirts, blouses, or blazers.
The best skinny jeans are a wardrobe hero and can be a great switch out for straight jeans or even leggings. And skinny jeans are a timeless, classic cut that is also super flattering, making them some of the best jeans for women over 50.
Characterised by their bodycon fit, there are, of course, levels of skinny jeans, with some more figure-hugging than others. The most rigid pairs will be made from 100% cotton, with no elastane, although if you're looking for skinny jeans to also be the best slimming jeans, elasticated pairs often feature lifting and shaping technology to help sculpt your frame.
Look to frills and ruffles to add volume to your top half when going slim on the bottom, as this will balance your proportions. Feminine and playful, this blouse is your answer if you were wondering what is boho style? and how to wear this trend.
When in doubt, a wrap blouse will always be flattering, as it cinches you in at the waist. The puff sleeves give shoulder volume, whilst the bright white keeps it a forever classic.
Every wardrobe needs a linen shirt, and the subtle striped neutral hue feels elevated and luxurious. The oversized fit will pair perfectly with figure-hugging skinnies.
3. Stylish tops to wear with bootcut jeans
Because of the slightly more voluminous leg shape around the lower calf, when it comes to stylish tops to wear with jeans with a bootcut, you want to keep your waistline fitted. This can be as simple as tucking or half-tucking tops in to narrow yourself in the middle and balance the leg shape. You can still, however, opt for puff or statement shoulders, as the volume around your collar area will help to balance the fuller leg shape.
Bootcut jean styles go in and out of fashion, but this easy, everyday style can be extremely flattering. Plus, they are great for dressing up for an evening out or a special occasion with the right stylish top and heels.
Lean into the retro aesthetic of the bootcut jeans with a pussybow blouse. The leopard print design ensures this beauty will never go out of style. Tuck into your jeans and finish with a leather belt.
Details such as the delicate embroidery and puff sleeves balance the bootcut silhouette and give this blouse a high-end finish that feels super chic.
This sage green blouse will look excellent as part of a white jeans outfit or teamed with some dark wash indigo jeans. Add some western-inspired cowboy boots to finish.
4. Stylish tops to wear with high-waisted jeans
The best high-waisted jeans are some of our favourites and can come in any leg shape, so as a general rule, your choice of tops to wear with your high-waisted jeans will be dictated by the leg silhouette you choose.
Having said that, high-waisted jeans are great for sculpting your middle, and many high-waisted jeans offer built-in technology to do this to maximum effect. With high-waisted jeans, you can wear any top, but you'll often want to tuck these styles in to avoid the bulk of your jeans showing underneath your top. You can also try a half-tuck if you'd like a little more fabric coverage around your middle.
High-waisted jeans are perfect paired with cropped tops, showing off your shape while offering extra coverage. This boxy yellow shirt is a spring staple that works well into summer.
Pull out all the stops with this asymmetrical red top. Guaranteed to elevate your everyday jeans, it has a bow finish on one shoulder. Swap your jeans for an ecru skirt in the warmer months.
If you want to highlight your waist, opt for a slim-fit top you can easily tuck into your high-waisted jeans. This pared-back piece has a draped neckline that feels elevated and luxurious.
5. Stylish tops to wear with flared jeans
Flared jeans are a flattering shape on all body types, and the level of flare you opt for is on a sliding scale, so don't feel you need to go full '70s. When it comes to how to style flared jeans, the extra fabric at the bottom of your jeans will need to be balanced out by your stylish top.
This generally means keeping your top half fitted and contoured to your frame so that the eye is drawn down and along your body, elongating your silhouette in the process. For taller silhouettes, you can add a little volume to your top half through sleeve or shoulder detail, providing you tuck in your top at the waist to create definition.
COS has nailed it with this elegant design. The champagne colour will go with everything, whilst the subtle print feels unique and playful, perfect for tucking into denim flares.
The plunging neckline and wrap-over style make this top ultra-flattering and perfect for pairing with your flared denim. Layer on top some gold jewellery for a refined finish.
Flared jeans will help lengthen legs, so if you want to accentuate that height through your torso, choose a high-waisted pair and tuck in a short-sleeve blouse.
6. Stylish tops to wear with baggy jeans
Laid-back baggy jeans can be intimidating, as the oversized leg and slouchy leg can feel overwhelming, and can conceal your natural contour. This is where stylish tops come in.
Although your bottom half will have more fabric and be fuller thanks to the baggy leg shape, there are levels of bagginess. A Girlfriend or Boyfriend jean is ideal for those who want less volume than a full-on '90s-inspired pair of baggy jeans but still want a more relaxed silhouette.
Keep your top half fitted and tuck in the waist of your top to help bring shape back to your silhouette and avoid drowning in fabric. As the baggy jean is pretty casual, you can opt for t-shirt styles to reflect this mood.
American clothing brand J Crew is masterful when it comes to brilliant basics, and this long-sleeve polo is an example of that. Wear tucked-in, allowing the slim style to balance out a baggier jean.
This vibrant crimson top ticks all the boxes, thanks to its modern ruched detailing and flattering fit. The draped detailing across the body is perfect for shaping your figure.
This classic knitted vest will render your baggy jeans summer-ready. Crafted from 100% linen, layer under a blazer and add some leather sandals for extra polish.
7. Stylish tops to wear with barrel jeans
Barrel jeans are one of the newest kids on the denim trend block and are notable by their slightly fuller leg shape coupled with a tapered hem, giving, as the name suggests, an almost barrel-like appearance. Because of this, it's really important to balance out the fullness of the shape to help define your proportions, and when it comes to stylish tops to wear with jeans, you'll want to make sure your waist is somehow defined. This could be as simple as tucking in or half-tucking a top, ensuring that your top sits around your middle, rather than a tunic-length hem. A V-neckline will also elongate your frame, drawing the eye along and down your frame.
Barrel jeans feature a wide leg that tapers at the ankle, so this figure-hugging body will help offset the relaxed silhouette and fuller leg shape. The draped neckline has a flattering shape on the bust, too.
This cotton sweater has a comfortable knit and intricate diamond pointelle stitching. It features fringe details along the hem and comes in either a vibrant green or a warm sesame.
Thanks to the tapered leg, barrel jeans offer a smarter alternative to baggy jeans, making them perfect for dressing up with fancier tops such as this polka-dot design. Finish your outfit with some slip–on mules.
8. Stylish tops to wear with kick flare jeans
Kick flare jeans are a modern shape that is often given a cropped silhouette making them ideal for petites. With a mini flared shape, the hem of the jeans kicks out - hence the name- and is usually ankle-skimming, ensuring they work with everything from the best white trainers to a pair of loafers.
Due to their relatively slimline footprint, the kick flare can be treated similarly to a straight pair of jeans, so when it comes to stylish tops to wear with jeans with a kick flare, you can go for fitted or slightly more relaxed styles. For the most waist definition, tuck your top in, or use a half tuck to give a glimpse of your curves. You can also choose a more statement shoulder to balance out the kick flare hem.
Add more bang to your blouse collection with this orange floral shirt. Kick-flare jeans tend to be high-waisted and cropped in length, so tuck this blouse in for the ultimate impact.
Elevate your jean outfits with this draped top. The slim-fit will complement a high-waist kick-flare, helping to cinch you in at the middle and create an hourglass shape.
You won’t regret adding this printed silk blouse to your wardrobe. Crafted from silk and featuring pretty pink detailing, this blouse looks and feels super indulgent.
FAQS
How to wear jeans and look classy?
Our woman&home Digital Fashion Eccomerce Editor Caroline Parr advises, "When looking to elevate jeans, collared shirts will always make denim feel sharper, or a one-shoulder shape adds just the right amount of sophistication for evening. Try balancing out proportions - for example, if you're wearing baggy barrel leg jeans, try a fitted top, or with skinny jeans, opt for a looser silhouette.
Later, saying "It's always fun to choose a print or a pop of colour to make jeans a bit more joyful too. Go for a chic enough top, and you can play it safe and comfy with shoes, whether that's trainers, ballet flats, or heels if you want".
What tops to wear with jeans?
The beauty of jeans is that they are incredibly versatile because they work with just about anything, and are an excellent vehicle for trend-led tops too. The key to figuring out which jeans and a nice top outfits will work for you is to experiment, but do also consider the cut of the jeans you wear most.
Play with proportions; for example, pair straight leg or skinny jeans with a relaxed, loose top, including button-up poplin shirts or a ruffled blouse. And with wider, more relaxed styles, pair them with something more fitted on the top, or tuck in blouses, t-shirts, or tops to balance your silhouette.
