All Your Burning Denim Questions Answered

We went straight to the pros (and tapped our own style staffers!) to find out everything from the best shoes to wear with your jeans to how often you should be washing them

There’s nothing more classic than “blue jeans and a white T-shirt” (said in TikTok trending voice). And while denim is a wardrobe staple, it can also be a daunting category to shop and care for.

We tapped top stylist Dani Michelle (who works with some of the industry’s biggest 'It Girls' including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, and earlier this year, was named creative director of Joe's Jeans) to answer all our denim questions, from finding the perfect fit to preserving the wash to tailoring.

And since this is what we do for a living as well, we crowdsourced additional tips from our own staffers, to be sure none of your denim despair goes unaddressed. Below, find nine tips, tricks and hacks that will have you feeling like a jean queen.

What are the best shoes to wear with different denim lengths?

Choosing the right jeans is half the battle. Because finding the perfect shoes to complement them can be just as confusing, Michelle offered her tips for different jean styles.

For bootcut jeans, the stylist (who likes Joe's Frankie bootcut style) suggests a square or rounded toe.

Cropped jeans are Michelle's personal favorite, not least for their versatility: "A pair of loafers, ballet flats, or kitten heels are all great with a cropped jean!" she says.

When it comes to styling jeans with sneakers, Michelle suggests a crop ankle or straight leg style. "The key thing to make sure is the length doesn’t get tangled in the toe of the shoe," she says.

Similarly, Michelle says a flare jean "really calls for a shoe that allows the flare to fall smooth and straight and not get caught in the shoe," recommending a block heel boot.

Lastly, with skinny jeans (yes we can still wear skinny jeans!) Michelle recommends a skinny heel.

"You want to make sure the line narrows all the way down and doesn't feel too heavy at the bottom," she says. "If you are doing a flat or boot, you have more freedom as a skinny jean will fit nicely into the boot!"

Can I really wear jeans tucked into boots?

You probably saw the "Diana Tuck" trending on your FYP recently. Popularized by forever style muse Princess Diana in the late '80s and early '90s, the trend consists of simply tucking your jeans or trousers into your boots.

And while this photo of Princess Diana is one of the most-Pinned outfit inspo looks on the Internet, Michelle cautions it's a "hard look" to pull off," though "it's all about wearing it with confidence."

True style pros may be able to pull of the more balloon-y trousers Diana popularized, but for a modern (and more accessible) look, pick a slimmer pair, advises Michelle.

"To strike the right balance, I like to pair a straight leg jean (so it’s as streamlined as can be) with a fitted T-shirt or tank and knee high boots," she shares. "Adding an oversized blazer to this look also adds some fun shape! You have to feel secure that it’s not going to be symmetrical. The vibe is that it’s effortless."

What’s the best way to store my jeans?

There's nothing wrong with hanging your jeans, but Michelle prefers to fold her denim.

"I fold my jeans by style," she says. "Vintage, fitted, and color jeans, I kind of know what’s what by their wash. Every pair of jeans just has its own feel and look."

Hannah Yokoji, Head of Marketing at The Laundress, adds that folding jeans also helps keep the denim's integrity intact.

"Jeans are one of the simplest items to store folded since they tend to hold their shape well, staying tidy on a shelf or inside drawers," Yokoji tells PEOPLE.

However, Yokoji notes that hanging your jeans won't add wear and tear if done properly. "To hang jeans, simply fold them neatly over a hanger," she explains. "We recommend hanging very lightweight denim and denim blended with synthetic fabrics, as these tend to crease more easily when stored folded."

What's the best brand for extended sizing?

Michelle says that Good American is her "go-to" for extended denim sizing. The range, founded by Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede, offers sizes 00-32, and holds open castings each year to source new faces for the #GoodSquad to maintain their diverse size representation.

"So much of what happens, especially in the fashion industry, is performative or it's seasonal, right? It's like, we'll do it now because everybody's watching and when they're not, we'll quiet it back down," Grede told PEOPLE in January 2024.

The brand offers an extensive "Always Fits" collection, designed with styles covering up to 4 size ranges: 00-4, 6-12, 14-18, 20-26 and 28-32. Good American also recently expanded the range of its one-size-fits-four denim silhouettes, now offering everything from bootcut to skinny styles to flares, covering all the trending denim categories.

Universal Standard is a People StyleWatch editor favorite, following the launch of its Fit Liberty initiative in April.

Fit Liberty is a complimentary size exchange with the goal to "eliminate the stress of size fluctuation from the shopping experience."

If your size changes, customers can replace their used garment with a new piece in an updated size for free within a year of purchase and all returns will then be donated to Dress for Success.

"This was an amazing program for me on my postpartum journey," PEOPLE's Deputy Style Director Brittany Talarico shares. "I was able to stock up on a few key essentials for my return to office that I loved, and swap sizes when my weight fluctuation tapered. I still wear those same pieces."

What are some tips for pulling off a denim-on-denim look?

Michelle is not one to stray away from denim-on-denim. She's styled both herself and her clients in the monochromatic look.

To create an elevated and "purposeful" feel, she recommends both top and bottom washes of denim match.

"Denim on denim is great in any style jean, I just love to make sure the tones of the denim match," she shares.

She also notes to use hardware as a guide when accessorizing.

"The easy trick in accessorizing denim is to use the button hardware as a key to which tone you should wear, silver or gold for the bronze," Michelle notes, adding, "But truthfully don't get so worried — think mixing metals is very cool!"

Does the 'waistband around the neck' trick actually work to find my size?

You may have spotted the "waistband trick" going viral on social media. The so-called hack involves wrapping the waistband of a pair of jeans around your neck; if it fits comfortably, then theoretically that pair of jeans should fit you.

While Michelle says this is a "great way to get an idea" of your denim sizing, it's not always reliable. "You cant swear by it," she explains. "Every company has their own shapes, and you've really just got to try them on to know!"

What's an easy (and quick) way to tailor my jeans?

If your jeans need a quick fix, try this stitch gun by Tucky, which has an extra-fine needle that allows you to make fast, temporary adjustments by inserting a stitch into the fabric; you can pull it to remove, similar to how you would take out a plastic clothing tag.

PEOPLE's style writer, Catherine Santino, gifted her husband Mark a Stitchy for last-minute alterations, and he turns to it to cuff his jeans. "Some days you might want a cuff and others to just be straight-legged," Mark says. "This allows you to hold the cuff but also easily remove it when you want to undo it."

For permanent fixes like hemming or taking in the waistband, read reviews for local tailors to find one you like. Many mall stores, such as Nordstrom and Banana Republic, also offer free alterations with purchases for store cardholders.

"It is really important to have great fitting jeans," Michelle says. "I would always recommend getting good quality jeans professionally tailored if needed. I'm sure there is a local dry cleaner that has a tailor that can help you."

How do you wash and care for denim?

Yokoji tells PEOPLE that she recommends washing jeans every two to three wears but notes that "this can vary greatly with your level of exertion, personal preference, and any staining that has occurred during wear."

To keep jeans feeling their freshest, Yokoji also recommends steaming them in between wears and letting them fully dry before storing in the closet.

Properly washing denim, she explains, begins with "investing in a detergent designed for laundering rich colors" (she likes The Laundress Darks Detergent).

Before throwing your denim in the wash, Yokoji recommends treating any stains with something like the brand's Stain Solution. "Focus on pretreating stain-susceptible areas such as the pant hem and waistline too, to treat buildup that can accumulate over time," she says. "Use a Stain Brush to work the solution into the fabric. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first before applying to stains, especially on garment-dyed denim."

Next, zip any zippers and fasten buttons, to prevent snags and tears. For extra protection, place clothing inside of a large mesh bag. Select a delicate cycle with cold water and add detergent.

Yokoji recommends air-drying jeans to minimize damage, but if you need to machine dry, select a no-heat setting and toss in a set of wool dryer balls to help reduce static.

Related: 18 Clothing Care Tips Straight from the TikTok Experts

What celebrity-inspired looks should I try for fall?

While in Paris in February 2022, Jenner stepped out in a pair of dark wash jeans with a brown leather jacket and coordinating brown boots — the perfect casual-chic look.

"The dark cool wash denim pairs perfectly with this cooler brown tone threaded throughout the outfit," Michelle says.

Bieber rocked an equally trendy look while out and about in April 2023. The model and Rhode founder paired low-waisted, wide-legged leans with a fitted gray tee and oversize blue jacket.

"Such a cool-girl fit!" Michelle says. "A baggy oversized jean with a fitted top is the perfect balance. The cap and oversized jacket makes the outfit more casual, with the loafers dressing it up a little more! Hailey is the ultimate when it comes to the perfect baggy jean."

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