I've scoured the high street - here are 15 of the most stylish tops to wear with jeans this season

Stylish tops to wear with jeans are quite easily the most relied upon wardrobe staple. Perfect for creating last-minute, smart-casual outfits, the tops you choose to pair with your favourite denim jeans can make or break an outfit, which is why I've rounded up the very best styles.

When the sun appears, styling becomes a lot lighter and brighter, meaning that fabric, cut and colour are all essential factors to consider when shopping for stylish tops to add to your spring capsule wardrobe. Breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton should be a top priority to ensure you stay cool in the heat. In terms of shades, it's worth considering airy, light pastels such as butter yellow, dusty pink and soft blues, as well as more pigmented trending tones including fire engine red and cobalt blue.

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 blouses or fitted knits 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 to offset the slim-fitting bottom half and vice versa.

Stylish tops to wear with jeans as chosen by a fashion editor 

1. Stylish tops to wear with straight jeans

Characterised by a neat leg shape 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. You can lean into the streamlined silhouette and wear something more fitted on your top half, like a neat knit or simple fitted t-shirt.

Or add volume to your top half, to balance out the fitted nature of their straight leg; you can afford to lean into more voluminous blouses or shirts. This time of year, there are so many beautiful printed or billowy blouses that look so chic tucked into 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 to balance out the skinny leg. For everyday outfits, try oversized shirts or relaxed t-shirts, and for more of a polished feel, try blouses with added volume in the sleeves or body.

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.

3. Stylish tops to wear with wide-leg jeans

The best wide-leg jeans will have more volume than straighter leg silhouettes, meaning that how you wear them really counts. For a balanced, well-proportioned silhouette, tops that are fitted or those you can tuck into your waist will help to create a balanced look.

However, if you're a fan of the oversized look, you can certainly lean into looser, more relaxed silhouettes, such as button-up shirts or baggy t-shirts. However, I would reccomend accessorising with a belt and tucking in half your shirt to reveal part of your waist.

4. 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, we'd reccomend 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. However, this doesn't mean you can't add subtle amounts of volume with floaty or ruffled blouses – just ensure you tuck in your blouse to highlight your waist.

5. Stylish tops to wear with barrel-leg jeans

Barrel-leg jeans are defined by their slightly fuller leg shape coupled with a tapered, curved 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 wearing a peplum top, or 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.

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.