how to style distressed denim… (10 picks under $100!!!)

Distressed denim has been a closet staple for quite a few years for me.  Seeing as I wear jeans nearly everyday, I like to add a little variety to the selection I wear and distressed denim does just that for me.  I love that it adds a little texture and a lot of "the devil may care" attitude to any look.  It's perfect for weekend looks and even better for Monday or Tuesday looks when you wish it was the weekend.

But let's be honest… distressed jeans are well, you know, distressed.  So no one wants to fork out big bucks for jeans with holes in them. I get that.  I will say that distressed denim LATELY seems to be much better quality than the pairs I used to buy 5+ years ago.  They seem more 'sturdy' now… if that makes sense. And even with rips, tears and holes they seem to hold up.  If you don't want to buy ripped jeans that can potentially rip further look for "ripped and repaired" in the product description.  A lot of times these will have stitching to reinforce the rips to insure they don't rip further.

Tips for styling distressed denim: 

1. Pair your distressed jeans with overly feminine pieces like a bold necklace, delicate & beautiful shoes or a beautiful blouse.
2. Wear neutrals like stripes, grey, black or white with your distressed jeans to avoid over complicating the look.  Avoid heavy patterns.
3. Add a structured piece or two like a blazer or structured handbag to elevate the look.

Here are 10 distressed jeans that I kind of sort of mostly LOVE… and they are all under $100.  Plus, I threw in a little distressed jeans eye candy to get the creative juices flowing for styling up for your awesome new pair of ripped jeans this fall!  What is your favorite way to style distressed denim!?!?

one, two, three, four, five (I own this pair and love them, the denim is so soft!), six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Or scroll through the pieces and shop them below...

my everyday style: greys!

Grey is what I wear when I don't know what to wear. It's the default for when you just need something to wear and you can't or won't be able to put a lot of thought into it. But it never fails that I end up being happy with the look.  You just can't go wrong with grey, friends. Here I paired two grey hues together for a monochromatic grey look that I loved.  It was easy and comfortable and the light weight layers worked great together.  Especially since the weather here thinks it's fall one minute and summer the next.  

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Outfit Details:

Grey Cardigan, Gap (or I love this longer one, or this one for cooler days!)

Grey Tank, Old Navy (similar or similar)

Destroyed Denim, Gap (old, but similar or similar)

Shoes, Dolce Vita (similar or similar or similar less expensive)

Necklace, J.Crew (similar or similar)

Bag, Deux Lux (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, RayBan (similar less expensive)

Or shop the look below (keep in mind some thumbnails below will show other color options… click through to see colors featured here!)

my everyday style: the first of fall!

We've definitely gotten our first feel of fall here in West Michigan with a few very chilly mornings lately! Brrrrr! I'm still in denial that bathing suits and flip flops aren't in our normal repertoire of clothing anymore… so I still sneak in a few sandal wears here and there.  Usually I am sneaking in jeans & sweatshirts in August… but this year it was the other way around.  The summer was just too too short.

There are a few things about fall I sure do love though…
- dark nail polish again
- dark hair again (just got the summer sun taken out of my hair and it feels so fresh!)
- optional leg shaving
- cozy scarf wearing
- quiet afternoons at home while my kids are at school
- cider and donut indulging, which I have plans to do this weekend!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Scarf, H&M (old but similar, similar or similar)

Sweater, Banana Republic - 40% off today!!!!

Jeans, Gap (old but similar, similar or similar) - 25% off today!

Sandals, Sole Society "Nancie"

Bag, J.Crew - arguably the best leather bag available for the price. I adore this bag.

Sunglasses, Ray Ban