Can You Wear Jeans in Summer?
Don't pack your denim away just yet.
One good thing about living in the UK is that we don’t have a huge need for seasonal wardrobes. Sure, we have the odd heatwave (although they seem to be more regular this year…) and a lot of us are lucky enough to be able to head further south in summer, so we need those pieces that will work in hotter climes.
But back home, our summers are dotted with days that aren’t dissimilar to those we have in spring or autumn. Days when the temperature gauge hovers around 19°C and maybe the sun is out, maybe it’s straining through a film of cloud. And while I love a bit of heat and more distinction between seasons, I love these days too, in part because we can get more wear out of the pieces in our wardrobes, rather than feeling as though we have to pack them away. Like jeans.
I’ll be honest, there was a long period of time when I wasn’t really a jeans person. They were pretty much all I wore as a teen. First, they were big and baggy and worn with a studded belt, à la Avril Lavigne, then skinny jeans exploded onto the scene and Topshop’s Jamie jeans barely left my body.
But in my 20s, my style shifted as my lifestyle changed and my career in the fashion industry introduced me to so many styles, shapes and fabrics outside the failsafe denim (I’ve written more on that here). Jeans took a backseat.
Now in my mid-30s, I’ve had a bit of a denim reawakening. I’ve gone full circle — and the loose-fitting jeans I wore 20 years ago are back (although they’re definitely not as baggy, and they’re in a much better state). Because what I’ve realised is that it wasn’t that I didn’t like jeans as an item, but that I never found the right fit. It’s like with any piece of clothing, if you don’t like how it fits or feels, you won’t like wearing it.
There are four pairs of jeans I’ve added to my wardrobe this year that I can attribute to my newfound denim love, and fortunately for me, it turns out they work just as well on those kind-of-warm-but-not-really summer days, as they did in spring and likely will in autumn too (I’ll get back to you about winter). Why? They all have three common traits, and it comes down to:
Fit. For me, loose and unrestrictive jeans feel more like “me”. I’ll take my denim without a side of button digging in, thanks.
Colour. I love black at any time of year, but light blue washes and ecru give jeans a more summery spin.
Fabric. Stiff, heavy denim may work in winter when you need something a little more hardy, but softer, more lightweight fabric feels a lot more comfortable at this time of year.
The summer-friendly jeans in question
1. Toast wide-leg denim trousers
These jeans have a relaxed fit and wide leg, so, crucially, they don’t sit tightly against the body, which suits my style and summer days when you don’t want something that’s going to warm the body up too much. There are two large pockets on the back in a nod to workwear, and the ecru shade feels nice and fresh for summer and will look just as good with jumpers and boots in a few months. I sized down one, but if you want a lower/baggier fit, go for your usual size.
I’ve paired these jeans with a soft merino wool vest (I chose my usual size) that I’ll use as a layer over long sleeves in autumn and winter. On warmer days, I’d pick a linen shirt or a simple T-shirt (I’ve listed my favourites here).
2. Beyond Nine ‘Blair’ jeans
These jeans are so comfy, they don’t really feel like jeans at all. In true Beyond Nine fashion, they’ve made sure the waistband is as flexible as possible, so while the front is a classic zip and button-up, the back is elasticated. The denim is lightweight, and the wide leg (similar to the brand’s ‘Bobbi’ trousers, which I wear a lot) makes them nice and airy for summer days.
I’ve paired them with a trusty linen tank and sandals I’ve had for years here, but come autumn, I’ll be wearing these with flat black boots and long sleeves. And maybe popping thermal leggings on underneath once it gets really cold.
3. James Street ‘90s baggy jeans
These jeans are exactly like those ‘90s jeans that always looked the coolest: baggy, with a fitted waist and a slight taper at the ankle. I have to turn them up because, at 5’4”, even the shortest length is a bit long on me — but I like the turn-ups. I took the advice from the product description and sized down one, but if you want a lower rise, I suggest going for your usual size.
The classic blue wash makes them great for pairing with whites and creams now for a summer(ish) look, while the relatively thick denim makes them perfect for wearing beyond summer, too. I’ve regularly worn them with this navy oversized cotton knit and trainers on cooler days.
4. Frame ‘The Narrow’ jeans
When I got these jeans, I went for my usual size, but when they arrived, they were much bigger around the waist than I expected. At first, I was flummoxed… I’d have to send them back.
But I tried them on anyway and realised that instead of the advertised high-waist fit, I could wear them low and slightly baggy instead. I liked the casual and comfy fit, and they’ve since become one of my favourite pairs of jeans. A little reminder to myself to try different fits and styles, even if it’s not something I would automatically go for. This loose and easy fit makes them perfect for warm(ish) summer days too, especially when paired with an oversized linen shirt (this is actually the one I wore to my city hall wedding ceremony a few weeks ago) and flip-flops.
Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
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You look amazing in the Beyond Nine ‘Blair’ jeans. Added to cart instantly, thanks for sharing!
Love you for this! I abandon almost all my jeans in the summer bc it’s too hot BUT I do love the idea of bringing some of them back for evenings when it cools down- so this was a fab reminder to do that!