Julie Diana

American Denim and Why Everyone Loves It

Updated: Jun 23

Hat: Scala / Silk scarf: Amazon / Tee: Amazon Essentials (XS-2X) / Skirt: Allegra K (XS-3X) / Bag: Oak Leathers

Silk bandana: Amazon / Denim dress: Universal Thread (sizes 00-30) / Tee: Amazon Essentials (XS-2X) / Underskirt: Grace Karin (S-XXL) / Boots: Amazon

"I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, [...] simplicity - all that I hope for in my clothes." - Yves Saint Laurent

We Americans know how to do casual. We do casual almost every day. Our unassuming, practical clothes reflect our values. We prefer to be inclusive, humble, approachable, and low-key.

What do you get when you bundle all of those qualities into one single fabric? Denim.

Whenever my cousins from England come to visit the USA, their top priority is clothes shopping. And denim is at the very top of the priority list.

Keep reading to discover a handful of modest, hard-working denim pieces. They are chic, affordable, and size-inclusive.

Let's begin with a quick styling video.

Continue for outfit details and similar garments. Scroll to the bottom for close-ups of the headwear, boots, and bag.

Look 1: The denim dress

Silk bandana: Amazon / Denim dress: Universal Thread (sizes 00-30) / Tee: Amazon Essentials (XS-2X) / Underskirt: Grace Karin (S-XXL) / Boots: Amazon

In the spirit of American inclusivity, this denim halter dress comes in sizes 00 to 30. The distressed wash and chest pockets create a the relaxed feel.

The dress is by Target brand Universal Thread. It's such affordable fun!

If you like more traditional overall dresses, check out the options below.

Misses sizes

Plus sizes

The stretch denim skirt

Hat: Scala / Silk scarf: Amazon / Tee: Amazon Essentials (XS-2X) / Skirt: Allegra K (XS-3X) / Bag: Oak Leathers / Boots: Amazon

Skirt: Allegra K (XS-3X)

The first blue jeans were made by Levi Strauss in the mid-1800s. His rugged customers may never have found precious metals in the California Gold Rush. They did, however, strike gold in the form of Strauss' durable, comfortable denim workwear.

This denim midi skirt by Allegra K continues the legacy. Its added stretch makes it comfortable for the modern woman, and the frayed hem adds a playful finish.

The fresh white tee

T-shirt: Amazon Essentials (XS-2X)

This cotton-modal puff-sleeve tee is impressively smooth. I love how resilient the stretch is. Its medium weight makes it useful year-round.

The simple tee has gathered sleeve caps at the shoulders, and elastic smocking at the sleeve hems. The neckline was too low for me, so I put in elastic cord to raise it. You can watch my quick video tutorial here.

The tee comes in sizes XS-XXL, in eight wearable colors.

The boots & bag

Boots: Amazon / Bag: Oak Leathers

These Western-inspired boots were another pleasant surprise! I generally (correction: only) wear comfort brands like Vionic, Born, and Brooks. But these uber-affordable faux leather boots are comfortable enough to wear all day.

The leather phone bag is by Oak Leathers. It has a detachable, adjustable strap to wear it as a crossbody.

The bag's craftsmanship is excellent given how affordable it is. It comes in 11 other colors, all with a casual, rugged feel.

As fashion designer Hardy Amies noted, "The best-dressed woman is one whose clothes wouldn't look too strange in the country."