I don't know about you, but for me, jeans [1] in the summer are a hard pass. A denim skirt? For sure. Cut-off shorts? Occasionally. But not jeans. Maybe it's because I tend towards rigid pairs with fitted high waists, but I can barely think about tight-fitting jeans without spontaneously bursting into flames. OK, fine, breaking into an anxiety-induced sweat. But you feel me, right? Jeans in the summer are downright suffocating! But, like you, I love denim and am saddened to part with the category for the three or so months out of the year that are blazing. So, what's the move?
My newfound answer is the feminine denim trend — a look that's been around for a bit and bubbling up more in the form of puffy-sleeve tops [2], ruffled or bow-adorned dresses, flippy skirts, scalloped shorts, and bustier silhouettes both in dress and top form. In other words, denim sans the pants part which is kind of a cheat as far as jeans are concerned, but if you don't want to quit denim and, like me, can't bear a full-blown jean in the heat, then feminine denim is for you.
And don't despair if your style isn't exactly sweet. The lighter weight alternative ranges from frilled pieces to streamlined takes defined by clean lines and cool top stitching (another big denim trend right now). These subtler styles still fall into the feminine category because a dress, top, or skirt is obviously more ladylike than a pair of pants.
If your jeans are about to see a summer reprieve like mine, ahead, shop the feminine denim trend from tops to skirts and dresses, starting at just $27 thanks to new denim arrivals from the POPSUGAR at Kohl's collection [3].
POPSUGAR Belted Denim Dress
POPSUGAR Belted Denim Dress [4] ($38, originally $64)
Madewell x Karen Walker Raw-Edged Denim Trianon Top
Madewell x Karen Walker Raw-Edged Denim Trianon Top [5] ($30, originally $78)
La Vie Drapey Denim V-Neck Dress
La Vie Drapey Denim V-Neck Dress [6] ($375)
SEA Dakota Scalloped Denim Shorts
SEA Dakota Scalloped Denim Shorts [7] ($250)
Self-Portrait x Lee One-Shoulder Denim Mini Dress
Self-Portrait x Lee One-Shoulder Denim Mini Dress [8] ($350)
L.F. Markey Maximillion Top Chambray
L.F. Markey Maximillion Top Chambray [9] ($120)
POPSUGAR Button-Front Denim Mini Skirt
POPSUGAR Button-Front Denim Mini Skirt [10] ($37, originally $50)
Jean Atelier Agnes Denim Maxi Dress
Jean Atelier Agnes Denim Maxi Dress [11] ($795)
See By Chloé Button Down Puff Sleeve Denim Blouse
See By Chloé Button Down Puff Sleeve Denim Blouse [12] ($230)
Nanushka Alma Belted Denim Midi Skirt
Nanushka Alma Belted Denim Midi Skirt [13] ($355)
Ulla Johnson Poppy Dress
Ulla Johnson Poppy Dress [14] ($350)
POPSUGAR V-neck Cami
POPSUGAR V-neck Cami [15] ($27, originally $36)
Wilfred Free Pasha Tank Cropped Denim Tank Top
Wilfred Free Pasha Tank Cropped Denim Tank Top
[16] ($60)
Agolde Ingrid All In One Bralette Jumpsuit
Agolde Ingrid All In One Bralette Jumpsuit [17] ($428)
Reformtion Roxanna Dress
Reformtion Roxanna Dress [18] ($148)
POPSUGAR Button-Front Denim Mini Skirt
POPSUGAR Button-Front Denim Mini Skirt [19] ($37, originally $50)
Batsheva Empire Dress
Batsheva Empire Dress [20] ($414)
RE/DONE Denim Bustier Top
RE/DONE Denim Bustier Top [21] ($295)
FRAME Cali Romper
FRAME Cali Romper [22] ($300)
Rosie Assoulin Scoop Denim Peplum Top
Rosie Assoulin Scoop Denim Peplum Top [23] ($895)
7 For All Mankind Double Tie Dress
7 For All Mankind Double Tie Dress [24] ($259)
AMUR Sammy Dress
AMUR Sammy Dress [25] ($348)
Alexander McQueen Pleated Denim Mini Skirt
Alexander McQueen Pleated Denim Mini Skirt [26] ($780)
Arias One-Shoulder Dress with Ribbon
Arias One-Shoulder Dress with Ribbon [27] ($795)