The Best Ways to Mix Denim

31, Aspiring Writer-Actress

Trend Alert
Unlike last season's printed jeans—which had the unfortunate effect of making big areas look bigger—Mari-Ange's indigo-on-indigo Lucky Brand jeans do the opposite: The subtle pattern looks almost like vertical stripes, with the same slimming effect. "This was very prairie-looking, but I enjoyed trying something different. I could also see mixing the shirt with leather pants or the jeans with a crisp white top."

Jeans, Lucky Brand Jeans, $119. Shirt, Chico's, $79. Belt, Brave Leather. Boots, N.D.C. Made By Hand.

From top down:

American Eagle Outfitters, $60; ae.com

Guess, $128; bloomingdales.com

MiH Jeans, $233; mih-jeans.com

Closed, $208, E Street Denim; 847-433-8388

Vigoss, $79; vigossusa.com

JAG Jeans, $84; jagjeans.com

Dittos, $118; urbanoutfitters.com

Splurge (left column)
Rag & Bone, $253; ragandbone.com for stores

Tory Burch, $195; toryburch.com

Tip: Tie-dyed details visually slim your legs.

Steal (right column)
H&M, $50; hm.com for stores.

This shirt looks supercute with white jeans.

Jones New York Jeans, $79; macys.com

• When wearing a denim top and bottom, make one significantly darker than the other to avoid the "Texas tuxedo" effect.
  
  
• Bright prints are not your thighs’ best friends—blue-on-blue patterns are much more wearable.

Next: The best jeans for every body type