“Jeans and a nice top”: will it ever go out of style? 

Autumn is peak “jeans and a nice top” season. It’s an ideal layering foundation for daytime and it’s a cute but practical combo for colder evenings. It’s easy to see why this style staple is a pretty perennial feature of our wardrobes. But that doesn’t make it immune to change. Like all other styles, this look evolves and reflects the trends of the season. So while we don’t think that the classic “jeans and a nice top” will ever go out of style, we do think there’s a specific way to wear it for 2023.

Trending jeans for 2023

This autumn, jeans are still echoing nineties fashion trends… with a little mid-noughties flash for good measure! Grey denims are a specific trend to look out for if you fancy something a little different. But the great news is there’s heaps of variability, so almost anything goes.

Wide Leg

From bootcut flares to wide leg boyfriend styles, these long lines can be really flattering. Choose a high waist style with a long leg and pair with heels to really benefit from that lengthening of the leg. 

Skinny Leg

There’s been a bit of a resurgence of the skinny jean this season. It makes practical sense for colder, wetter weather actually as your hemlines won’t become sodden in puddles! Go for the mid noughties look of jeans tucked into knee high boots for ultimate throwback elegance.

Feature

Jeans that are more than just jeans are everywhere this autumn. Anything from patchworking, distressed sections, embroidery and sparkle, or ribbed textures. This is great for making you feel that bit more dressed up for evening looks.

What makes a nice top in 2023

While double denim is a strong trend this year, it doesn’t work for everyone’s tastes! So don’t force it if you don’t fancy it. If you do, optimise featured denim to stop the look from appearing too flat. Lines are short for tops. Not quite the full cropped top that we saw in spring. However, tops that hit the waist are bang on trend, so pack away all those long line tops until they cycle back! 

Day

Casual daytime looks are all about oversized shirts and classic t’s. Baggier tops go best with skinnier legs, so layer an open shirt with a waist length T if you’re in wider legged jeans. Throw on an oversized knit sweater with your skinniest jeans for the ultimate in cosy comfort that still looks super cute.

Night

Go full glamour with sweeping off the shoulder looks. These necklines are super flattering, but can make breast support tricky. Try a corset style for waist and breast support that’s structured and reliable. Ruched fabrics are still everywhere, which is such a flattering feature when it comes to your silhouette. Gothic features like ribbons and lace will team beautifully with a grey structured jean. On a similar style bent, peplum tops give a bit of romance to your evening look. 

Best shapewear for Jeans and a nice top

One key thing for most “jeans and a nice top” outfits is that they’re fairly structured. This means that they look best on top of a firmer silhouette. Start with shapewear, then, to make maximum impact with this look. Here are the best pieces to go for. 

Control briefs

These are the most practical, versatile and comfortable pieces of shapewear for daily wear. If you’re tucking your top into your jeans, go for a high waist to benefit from waist cinching control. This is a great basis for layering a top and shirt, for example.

Shaping shorts

Control that focuses on your bum and thighs is great for wide leg jeans. This foundation structure will allow the leg line to float across your thighs and hang from your hips in a super sexy way. 

Corset

The great thing about corsets is that they can be worn as a visible style feature. Try layering a sheer or lace blouse on top for a day to evening look. A corset will shape your waist and smooth top of your hips to help to hang wide leg jeans. Then with support around your back and boobs, you can wear an off the shoulder top in comfort.