Deepest Denim
Happy Wednesday, ladies. As the weather warms up, I love the casual vibe of lighter wash jeans. But when it’s cold, and the days are short, I’m most attracted to deeper wash denim and it doesn’t get darker than jet black.
I discovered that black denim is not for everyone and some women actively dislike it. One reader told me she thinks they look cheap. Okaay…luckily there are options for all of us and we should wear what makes us feel confident.
Some black denim begins to fade the first time you wash them and you end up with a softer, grayed version, which I like. These are new so I don’t know how they will retain their color. If you want yours to stay as black as the day you bought them, through repeated washing, I highly recommend this high-waist option by Talbots, which never fades. These never-fade black jeans are great and also available in tall. My jeans come in sizes 24-32, I am wearing a 27 so they run a bit large.
I topped my black jeans with this knit jacket that’s as cozy as can be. It’s a very soft oatmeal shade with a waterfall collar and front opening with turn-back cuffs. The collar and inside appear black, but it’s a very deep shade of charcoal. I love jackets like this because you can just fold the sleeves to the length you need. It’s available in regular and petite, sizes XS-XXL(16W), I am wearing a regular in small. I find Nic+Zoe tops run generously so you could size down.
The leopard print wrap blouse is pewter so it blends seamlessly with the jacket. I hate wrap tops that gape in front so was happy to find this has a snap in the center to maintain your modesty. It has a blousy shape with a high-low hem which is 23″ long in the front and 27″ long in the back so it looks like you’ve tucked the front in. It comes in sizes XXS-XXL, I am wearing a small.
These booties have gotten much more wear than I would have expected when I bought them a few years ago. They seem to go with everything because black with ivory/white appears gray. Gray is such an easy neutral for me so perhaps that’s why I’ve worn them so much. The heel is low and the toe box is wide so I can get a nice pair of socks in them without squishing my toes.
I could have added a necklace but decided earrings and my stack of bracelets were enough detail with the leopard blouse and snake print boots.
more black denim
Are you a fan of black jeans?
I’m in the group that doesn’t favor black denim, in particular black denim with white stitching. Our preferences are why brands get to sell a variety of options. So, you black denim gals, enjoy!
Luckily we have options and brand provide options for all of us.
Not a look for me. Hope other women enjoy it.
I also love and wear black jeans in the cold weather seasons. My issue is the bleeding of black dye on my hands, handbags, etc. even after the denim has been washed. Same problem with very dark blue jeans. I’ve tried solutions to “set” the color, as in the vinegar wash mentioned by another reader, but have not found that those solved the problem. Any ideas?
I love black jeans. I think they look dressy and I sometimes use them as slacks. I wash them inside out but my friend used to have them dry cleaned. Your outfit looks really great and comfortable.
Love black denim!! Looks a bit more dressy and always slimming… found this pair on Amazon and have purchased several pair and they have maintained their color. (and the price was right too!) https://shopstyle.it/l/bC8uu
I like black jeans, and my favorite (and only) pair is rather faded. Still love them, almost more, since the softer black seems to work with more of my winter sweater colors. I like your outfit, the jacket is really cozy looking. Not sure I’m on board with the shoes, but I’m a one-animal-at-a-time girl so there’s that. I’ll have to look at some of your previous posts now! Thanks.
I hear you ! One animal at a time is the way most women would style their looks.
Ha, ha ! My sister in law calls those events That are just slightly dressier āblack jeansā events ! Each to their own, but I really like your outfit, well put together !
Good morning. I have two pairs of black jeans. One is a pair of Old Navy Always Warm (or something like that) Rockstar jeans that are fleecy on the inside and oh so cozy! I love them. I agree I do prefer black jeans to stay super dark. I recently read a tip to add 1/2 a cup of white vinegar to the first wash to set the dye in dark jeans. It’s still cold enough here in the great northwest to get a lot of wear out of the warmer jeans. I also have a black cigarette jean from Banana Republic for the rest of the year. Black jeans are a classic, in my opinion. They look great with a denim jacket without looking like you’re wearing a Texas tuxedo! (that’s what we called it when I went to high school in Canada!)
Oh my gosh, Julia. It is so weird how we mock others without even thinking about it. In Burlington, Me, where there is kind of a love-hate relationship with our northern neighbors, an all blue jean-denim look is called a Canadian tuxedo, or at least it was when my son went to college there. I wonder if they have a name for it in Texas?
Burlington, Vermont (not Maine)
I find that I wear my black jeans quite often in the winter. I seem to have more sweaters and heavier tops that go with my black jeans but gravitate more to blue denim during the warmer months when I wear more navy and lighter colors. I, too, highly recommend Talbots jeans for maintaining their dark color.
I agree Barb. I like black jeans for winter, too. Mine from Chicos have never faded either.
Love black jeans. I actually like a little fade. I have pets and the hair shoes less on faded jeans.
Thatās a great point! I love my faded ones too š
I love black jeans and to me, they always seem a little dressier than blue denim. My favorites are a pair of NYDJ ones that must be close to 10 years old and still going strong. They have faded just slightly but they have held their shape well and they always look great.
I LOVE black jeans, they elevate the most casual outfit. I tend to wear them as much as blue demin, I even have my husband wearing them now. Love your outfit from head to toe!
Iāve been on the hunt for black jeans for my husband too but he is tall so a hard fit.
I love black jeans! Super black that don’t fade! I am on the lookout for everyday black pants(retirement uniform) that don’t fade. I have worn and have a love/hate relationship with Women with Control brand ankle pants from QVC. The only thing I hate is how they fade.
Black denim looks great! It can easily be casual or dressed up. I only wash when necessary, inside out, cold water, small amount of detergent and always hang to dry. Works for me and the black stays black. I found the perfect pair at Lands End.
My problem with black jeans is that they have always faded immediately. Highly annoying. These no-fade black jeans may be the ticket.
My Talbot jeans are still as black as the day I bought them.
I love my Chicoās black jeans, whatās not to like? Everything matches black! I liked the fit of their Platinum jeans but they had to change it up, why? So finding a good Chicoās fit is harder; Iāll wear these until they disintegrate!
If you want to wear a jean that basically disappears and lets your sweater or jacket be the focus, then these gorgeous black jeans fit the bill! Personally, I do prefer the softer black.
Just wondering, are you letting your hair grow out a bit? It looks so soft and natural and would be very versatile for styling this summer.
Love your blog Jennifer! Itās my favorite way to start my day on a positive note.
Thank you. I just got a trim yesterday. My stylist had COVID so I was a few weeks late. I do want to grow it out a bit but am keeping it shorter until all the highlights are all cut off.
This is a great outfit and looks wonderful on you. I have had a pair of those Talbots black jeans for quite a while and they have not faded, so you should be able to enjoy their blackness for a long time. While I wear black jeans, I do not wear black near my face any more, sorry to say.
I have to bump up my lipstick a lot when I wear black near my face, now. But I still wear it:)
I love black jeans. I agree that the colder, the darker the jeans. This entire outfit looks great on you. I know what I’m wearing today!
I happen to love my older Ann Taylor black jeans! Love them equally to my darker wash blues ! I canāt imagine anyone calling them cheap looking āwhere I see them as casually sophisticated, paired with my beautiful black silk shirt, boots (or ballet flats) and the right jewelry ( either gold or silver) looks truly Lovely! I do think wearing black is an easy urban look. Add a scarf or belt in animal print and voila! Never cheap. Just donāt see it.
My thoughts exactly. But we all have a mindset about particular fabric or colors, so I get it. I am not a fan of the fake suede jackets because it reminds me of what an old high school teacher of mine used to wear and that bias has followed me for the 40 years I’ve been out of high school! So to each her own.
I agree! But each to her own.