Light blue jeans are a style challenge. Get the fit right and pair them with something cool and you’ve got the perfect outfit for a summer day. Take a wrong turn, however, and you risk looking like your dad when he brings out an old pair to do the gardening.
In this article, we’ll look at everything guys should know about wearing light-wash denim, as well as show 14 light blue jean outfit examples to inspire your next fits.
How to Wear Light Blue Jeans?
The key to styling light blue jeans—and light wash jeans in general—is not to get too ambitious. Stick to wearing them with casual outfits, rather than dressing them up. Leave blazers, shirts, and shoes for your dark blue denim or chinos.
Light colors are typically most popular during the warmer months, and the same is true with denim. Summer and spring is the perfect time to wear these jeans. In fact, I think my favorite way to wear light blue jeans is also the most simple, just pair them with a t-shirt, canvas shoes, and a casual jacket if necessary.
What Color Shirt Goes With Light Blue Jeans?
When it comes to your upper half, you have less room for maneuvering with light denim than dark. You want to stick to lighter shades; a white shirt is a classic look, but you can also choose greys, olives, and shades of pastel. Also, don’t be afraid of a bit of color. Lighter denim can be particularly forgiving of brighter hues, and we’ve seen great outfits that prove this theory.
Here are some colors that go well with light blue jeans 🎨
- Gray
- White/off-white
- Navy
- Maroon
- Green
- Brown
- Black (used sparingly)
- Yellow
Keep scrolling to see examples of light blue jeans outfits featuring these colors.
What Shoes to Wear With Light Blue Jeans?
Your safest bet when it comes to shoes is sneakers and canvas shoes. Keep the colors light like the denim: think white or pastel colors rather than black. If you want to go a little smarter you do have options. Suede shoes (or even boots) in lighter shades are a good place to start.
If you really want to push things, you may get away with light brown derby shoes or brogues. Can you wear shoes or black boots with light blue jeans? I would never tell you not to wear something if it looks good, but you’ll be taking a huge risk. Better ensure the rest of your outfit is on point.
14 Light Blue Jeans Outfits for Men
Next up we’ve got 14 easy and stylish light blue jeans outfits. Either copy these fits entirely or use them to inspire your own fits with the clothes in your wardrobe.
Outfit 1: With Canvas Sneakers and a Striped Breton Shirt
Why it Works: This is a classic light blue jeans outfit for summer. The striped Breton shirt is light enough not to clash with the jeans, while the stripes keep the outfit from being boring. The shoes and the yellow laces add a little bit of color to the ensemble.
Outfit 2: With a Grey Jumper and Brown Suede Shoes
Why it Works: The shoes are the standout feature of this outfit. The derby shape is quite dressy, but the light brown color and suede material means they come accross as quite casual. The grey jumper is perfect for warm weather and goes well with the lighter jeans.
Outfit 3: With a White Jumper and Brown Casual Shoes
Why it Works: White jumper and light jeans is a simple combination that always works. This outfit gets its edge from the quite aggressive fade and tears on the jeans, and the color of the shoes. This brown is almost too much, but the on-trend wallabee style and suede material ensures it works.
Outfit 4: With a Light Blazer and Shirt
Why it Works: The oxford shirt and blazer combo smartens up the inherently casual vibe of the ripped, light blue denim. Little details like the untucked shirt, undone buttons, and folded hem of the jeans, on the other hand, keep the laidback element alive in the outfit. Finished off with white sneakers, this look is as cool as it can get.
Outfit 5: With a White T-Shirt and Black Canvas Shoes
Why it Works: We mentioned above that dark shoes typically don’t work with lighter jeans. However, these do as the white sole, laces, and embellishments mean they aren’t too dark. They work in a similar way to the striped Breton shirt in outfit one.
The oversized fit t-shirt keeps the outfit casual, and the black logo/white shirt combination fits well with the black and white design of the shoes.
Outfit 6: With a Gray T-Shirt
Why it works: Light blue jeans and a light gray t-shirt is perhaps the easiest outfit you’ll ever put together. But it works because the colors complement each other so well. This outfit adds a twist to the classic combination thanks to the maroon belt and the white stripes.
Outfit 7: With a Light Shirt, Denim Jacket, and White Sneakers
Why it Works: Double denim can be dangerous with lighter shades of jeans. It works in this outfit as the color of the jacket is darker than the very light wash of the jeans. The denim is also broken up nicely by the white sweater underneath. The plain white sneakers are low-key and ensure the focus of the outfit is on the denim jacket.
Outfit 8: With a White T-shirt and Wool Overcoat
Dressing down a wool overcoat is super simple. Pair it with light blue denim and a basic tee for an impeccable fusion of trimmed and laid-back style.
For some additional flair in the fit, make the collar stand-up if your coat allows (if it’s structured enough). Finish off the look with sneakers or boots that match the coat.
Outfit 9: With a Pastel Shirt and White Sneakers
Why it Works: The yellow pastel shirt with sky blue pattern in this outfit is the perfect color pairing for light jeans. The chunky white sneakers work well with the overall baggier fit. Meanwhile, the white color keeps them low-key and ensures the focus is on the shirt and the fit.
Outfit 10: With a Check Shirt and Brown Leather Shoes
Why it Works: The brown leather shoes are the standout part of this outfit. They work as the colors in the rest of the outfit are pretty low-key. The formal shoes are matched with a smart shirt.
While there is a check pattern on the shirt, it is kept low-key which ensures it isn’t fighting with the shoes for attention. Despite the shirt and shoes, the model keeps things casual by rolling up the sleeves and pant hems.
Outfit 11: With a Grey Pattern Jumper and White Sneakers
Why it Works: The vertical stripes are the main feature of this outfit. While the stripes are dark the background is light grey which works well with the skinny jeans. The white sneakers are the perfect addition to this outfit. Meanwhile, the ripped jeans ensure that the vertical stripes aren’t the only feature.
Outfit 12: With a Leather Jacket
Why it works: Leather jackets are a timeless classic and paired with ripped denim, they make one hell of a hot combination. Cool pieces like a pair of light blue jeans offset the wildly tough appeal of the leather jacket. Formal boots like leather chelseas add the perfect finishing touch for an outdoorsy fit.
Outfit 13: With a Plain T-Shirt and Canvas Sneakers
Why it Works: Back to keeping things simple with an outfit that shows all the basic rules of wearing light blue jeans. By keeping the color of the sneakers and t-shirt light, the model has a good looking template that can be worn again and again. At least, until the weather starts to cool.
Outfit 14: With a Long Overcoat and Boots
Why it Works: So far, we’ve mostly looked at summer outfits as this season is perfectly suited to lighter shades. But this fit shows that you can wear light blue jeans in winter too. The light brown coat is key to the look.
While a black or navy coat might contrast too sharply with the jeans, the brown chimes well with the light blue. The issue is that these two colors both fight for attention, so the designer kept all other colors in the fit the same so it doesn’t become too much.
