How to Wear and Accessorize a Denim Dress

One of the hottest looks for women this fall is the denim dress. Put away all thoughts of overalls and jumpers, the play clothes of our youth. Denim is a great look that can be easily and inexpensively accessorized with.

The Dress

My favorite denim dress is this great ruffled one from Dillards that looks great on almost any body type. At first glance, $69 might seem like a steep price to pay, it's actually a great investment in a fabric that doesn't easily stain, rip, or tear, and will last for years. The only worry with denim is the chance that it will fade, but as long as it doesn't turn completely white, fade denim is still a very fashionable look.

The Accessories

The great thing about denim is that literally almost everything looks great with it. The only color to stay away from is blue (unless you actually enjoy looking like a blueberry). Other than that, it's up to you. With a short dress like that one above, the best accessories are enamel bracelets and earrings in fun, bright colors. Since denim dresses tend to be collared, I would stay away from necklaces, even chokers. Instead, go with larger hoop earrings in a bright red or yellow and a matching bangle bracelet. Avoid over-accessorizing and stay away from broaches, pins, and hats. If you're uncomfortable with a shorter dress, pair it with leggings (as long as they're not denim as well) and add a cute purse to complete the outfit.

The Shoes

Again, because denim dresses are so versatile, almost everything looks great with them. This goes double for shoes, as the shoes are what makes the dress look perfect for every occasion. If you're wearing it for a night on the town, go with heels. If you're wearing it during the day, go with flats or even sneakers or tennis shoes. Again, stay away from blues, but I would also caution against wearing anything too over the top, as they would overshadow the dress. If you're going for a super casual look, get a great pair of sandals, but I would caution against flip flops, as the combination of a denim dress and flip flops looks too childish and not unlike the Osh-Kosh B'Gosh ensembles of our youth.