I’ve shared before that while I’ve always enjoyed fashion and shopping, putting it all together didn’t exactly come easily to me. It took a lot of trial and error and analyzing how stylish women do it to hone my personal style and get to the point that I feel like the best version of myself as I go about my daily activities.
Along the way, I’ve learned lots of tips and tricks that I’ve shared in roundup posts like how to look classy on any budget and 13 easy ways to elevate your style, but my very favorite and most reliable style hack for making simple outfits look chic and interesting is to incorporate some element of juxtaposition within each look.
ribbed tank (S) // FRAME denim (similar on sale) (29) // Birks (39) // sling bag c/o
While the concept of juxtaposition when it comes to creating interesting outfits is not new or groundbreaking, it’s a simple tweak that can easily be overlooked. If you find yourself wondering how stylish women make simple outfits look super chic and start analyzing their looks, I think you’ll notice that juxtaposition is almost always present.
It wasn’t until I started playing around with this outfit-making strategy that I really started to come into my own and feel confident in my personal style.
Take for example, this very simple outfit with straight ankle jeans, a sleeveless sweater, and luxe suede slingback pumps. The sweater and shoes are both classy and tailored with a business-casual level of formality, while the light wash jeans with subtle distressed details have more of an edgy vibe and are much more casual. It all works together to be a lot more interesting than if I had worn a pair of tailored trousers or a skirt, for example.
sleeveless sweater (S) // Pistola jeans (29) // suede slingbacks (8) // shoulder bag // sunnies
This outfit contrasts a tailored black button-up shirt with faded raw hem gaucho jeans that have more of a boho vibe.
black button-up shirt c/o Frank & Eileen (S) // gaucho jeans c/o Frank & Eileen (29) // silver sandals (7.5) (on sale)
Speaking of faded denim, I think one reason I’ve loved jean jackets for so long is that they’re an easy way to add juxtaposition to a dressier outfit. Not only do they help vary the levels of formality, they can also create contrast in color and vibrancy. For example, this faded denim jacket with these bright pink linen pants, and I also love this light wash fray hem denim jacket with the rust printed skirt.
denim jacket (S) // white tee (M) // linen pants (6) // flip flops (8) // Naghedi tote // denim jacket (M) // white tank (S) // printed skirt (S) // gold sandals (8) // similar raffia bag
Sometimes the juxtaposition can be as simple as wearing heeled sandals with jeans rather than casual flats. I pulled this outfit together a few weeks ago, and I was going to wear my trusty Birks, but at the last minute, I grabbed these Vince crossover sandals instead.
The Birks and light wash flares both have a casual boho vibe, especially when worn together, but the luxe leather sandals with the low heel elevated the entire look and made it just a little more interesting.
Madewell linen top (S) // FRAME denim (similar on sale) (29) // Vince sandals (8) (on sale) // AllSaints bag (on sale)
Wearing sporty sneakers with a feminine dress or a luxe sweater achieves a similar effect.
linen dress (M) (more sizes) // similar sneakers (39) (on sale)
You can also create juxtaposition with contrasting textures. For example, knitwear and leather is always a pleasing combination. I think this is why I love wearing a leather jacket over a cashmere sweater.
Plus the luxe formality of the sweater juxtaposes the toughness of the leather, and in this outfit, the faded raw hem jeans also add to the edgy vibe, which is a contrast to the dressier leather pointed toe boots. This outfit is one of my all-time favorites, and a formula that I use over and over.
old ribbed sweater // leather bomber (S) // AG jeans (29) (on sale) // leather boots
I also like to pair more luxe fabrics with denim for a similar effect. In the two outfits below, I’m wearing jeans and boots with a casual top, and my natural inclination would be to wear a quilted jacket in a matching level of formality and style.
Instead, I topped it all off with a luxe wool/cashmere car coat. Not only does the coat juxtapose the jeans in level of formality, the luxe fabric creates a pleasing contrast against the more rigid denim.
I especially love the color combination in the outfit on the right. I wouldn’t normally think to wear grey and tan together, but with the light wash jeans and light top, it all works.
wool coat (S) // PAIGE denim (29) // black boots (8) // FRAME denim (29) // tan boots (8) – all on sale
When we talk about juxtaposition in terms of fashion, it’s often a juxtaposition of styles, like edgy and classic, sporty and preppy, feminine and masculine, and these are all great combinations that add interest to an outfit.
But lately I’ve noticed that juxtaposition also comes into play when you pair a sleeveless top with full length jeans, or conversely, a long sleeve sweatshirt with shorts. Since having this realization, I’ve been doing this with almost every outfit because it makes these very simple outfits look more stylish and interesting to my eye.
Like this short sleeve sweater and full length flare jeans…
tie dye sweater (S) // MOTHER Weekender (29) (similar on sale) // Birks (39)
In fact, now that I think about it, a short-sleeve sweater is an example of juxtaposition in and of itself. That’s probably one reason why I’m drawn to them. I also like how they elevate a look without resorting to a woven fabric like a blouse. I generally prefer knits over wovens for both comfort and flattery purposes.
This is a similar but more casual look with a graphic tee and Birks. In this case, I feel like the each piece is fairly consistent in style and formality, but the short sleeves with jeans is slightly less expected than pairing the same graphic tee with shorts.
graphic tee (S) // MOTHER Weekender (29) (similar on sale) // Birks (39) // AllSaints bag
I also like how this feminine eyelet-embellished top contrasts with the more relaxed wide leg jeans.
yellow top (6) // MOTHER denim (29) // brown sandals (7.5)
A sleeveless top heightens the contrast with full length pants, making the juxtaposition even more dramatic and fun. For that reason, this is one of my go-to summer “date night” looks.
Below are two examples with black tops, one more dressed-up with heels and a straw clutch, and the other more casual with Birkenstocks and a trendy metallic sling bag.
sleeveless sweater (S) // MOTHER jeans (29) (on sale) // sandals (8) // straw clutch // ribbed tank (S) // FRAME denim (similar on sale) (29) // Birks (39) // sling bag c/o
Wearing a long sleeve top with shorts achieves a similar effect of a somewhat unexpected combination. A few weeks ago, I paired a denim button-up with white cut-off shorts.
Not only does this outfit give you the long sleeve top + shorts combo, but leather flip flops, much like a short sleeve sweater, add another subtle element of juxtaposition into the mix. Flip flops are traditionally those flimsy plastic thongs that hang on the walls of Old Navy and are often sold in bulk, but these beek flip flops are made of a quality leather and even have some subtle arch support.
denim shirt c/o Frank & Eileen (S) // old white shorts // leather flip flops (8) // raffia hoops
And I love these white shorts with various long sleeve pullovers. I wore a variation on this outfit multiple times when we were in Maine last week.
blue pullover (S) // white sneakers (8) // green pullover (S) // similar white shorts (6) // Birks (39)
It reminds me of this sweater + shorts combo I wore on repeat a few summers ago. I finally passed that sweater on, but I kind of wish I still had it.
I’d love to hear what you think. Is juxtaposition a style hack you use to create more interest in your outfits?
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29 Responses
Nice post, very interesting and love the examples and commentary to understand how to do it.
Never really thought about all that and it should help me kinda like the rule of 3’s. ☺️Thanks!
Great post! Thanks for pointing out and sharing this style hack, it really does make a difference.
This was an awesome post, probably one of my favorites. It will really help when trying to put together an outfit!! Thank you for sharing.
This is an interesting topic. I think I’ve been doing juxtaposition all along but haven’t given it a label. I was just doing what I usually do. My favorite is wearing light wash jeans, sometimes with distressing, and pairing it with a silky top and heels. I also wear sleeveless tops with full length pants, but I don’t tend to mix sweaters with shorts because if my top half needs warmth, my bottom half tends to as well. I will keep in mind the concept of juxtaposition in the future!
Great post with thorough commentary, as always! This is a rule/style I always try to follow to look like my true self and to look my best. I especially love shorts with a long sleeved shirt, and full length jeans with a sleeveless top…and sweaters with leather!!!
Great post, thank you. I’m drawn to it as well and your detail and examples help to clarify. 💜
Will the half moon leather bag transition into winter?
Definitely. I’ll carry it this winter. It’s a light color but it’s leather so I feel like it will be a nice way to incorporate something a tad unexpected but still seasonally appropriate.
Thanks again, Jo-Lynne! You always seem to post something that I’ve been pondering and you nailed it today!
Thank you for putting your finger on this phenomenon! I think it was the missing link for me. Sometimes I achieved it accidentally and couldn’t explain it or replicate it. Now that you’ve articulated it so clearly, I will use it moving forward.
I need to work on using juxtaposition to make my outfits interesting instead of being simple.
This was a great post, thank you! I feel like I do some of these things, but I never gave it a name. Will be incorporating some of the other ideas into my style as well
Awesome post Jo-Lynne! I love wearing shorts with a long sleeved top (light sweatshirt or sweater) in a cool summer morning or evening. Also a dressy top with edgy jeans and boots! Your examples were excellent!
My favorite ways to create juxtaposition is a feminine blouse (such as Swiss dot or baby doll) with heels and a pair of frayed hem jeans, or dressy pants with platform sneakers! I also enjoy a feminine flowy dress with a sophisticated/edgy boot or clean white sneakers. I love how juxtaposition gives slightly “precious” pieces an edge or an edgy outfit a bit of femininity!
Oh my! Shorts paired with a long sleeve blouse has always been a favorite of mine. It is so good to find out why! I will definitely use your recommendations for more juxtaposition. Thank you for the great post, I am always looking forward to your posts!
I love juxtaposition! When I took my original image consulting training in ’04, we learned about the principle of harmony. It was early in the days when we were first wearing denim with dressy tops. When I suggested this in the class one day, the instructor was absolutely appalled, LOL! Juxtaposition is more interesting and gives outfits a modern edge! (Of course that’s just one example–you did a great job breaking it all down.)
Great post. I never knew this word until you talked about it way back when. lol I think I do this sometimes without knowing I do, but don’t think about it when getting dressed. I struggle with the long sleeve and shorts because if it’s cool enough for long sleeves then it’s too cool for me to have shorts on or I never buy short sleeve or sleeveless sweaters because if it’s hot enough to wear short sleeves or sleeveless than it’s too hot for sweater material. lol …… maybe it’s just me. But, I love the concept of all you said.
Very interesting post! I never thought of all of this! Thank you!
Awesome, Jo-Lynne, thank you! We truly appreciate your explanation, insights and care in writing this post. You’re the best & that’s why we follow you!
Such a great post and one that we can all do with what we have in our closets. Might not have the same wow factor as a Frank and Eileen item or those adorable flip flops (can I even all them that?), but we can wish. haha
Great post! I love shorts with long sleeve tops! I roll up the sleeves.
Great idea!!! I think I have done it occasionally, but not truly intentionally. Will have to put it into more conscious practice.
PS: I never thought of the idea of a short sleeve or sleeveless sweater as being a type of juxtaposition in itself, but that makes sense. I just picked up a sleeveless sweater from Evereve, a first purchase there for me. My friend was the one who spotted it. When I tried it on, I instantly loved it, so it came home with me. I would wear it with short, slacks, or jeans, equally. 🙂
“Summer sweaters” with shorts always remind me of the Kennedy clan and Cape Cod. It is always a favorite look. But not practical in Texas’ summers! Thank you for so many great ideas.
Ah, yes, I can see that! ☺️ Maybe in spring or fall?
Great topic! You did a great job of explaining why some outfits just seem to be the next level up. I was curious about the checkered handbag that you are wearing with the denim shirt and white denim shorts. I didn’t see a link to it. Thanks!
It’s the Louis Vuitton Graceful PM. 🥰
I really enjoyed this post and all of the examples I’ve shared. I often incorporate many of these combinations but never realized or thought about it in this way.
Finally understand the concept of juxtaposition! I’m a slow learner😀. Great post with good ideas.