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Your Go-To Guide to Types of Denim Washes & How to Wear Them

Expert Advice

Your Go-To Guide to Types of Denim Washes & How to Wear Them

Jul 25, 2024

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Jeans are the best. You can wear them for work, school or play. Dress them up with a button-down shirt, or dress them down with a graphic tee or jersey. 

But no two pairs of jeans are exactly the same. Denim comes in all shades, or as they are called by jeans junkies: denim washes. Aside from being able to find all the different washes of jeans on the market, you’ll want to find the style and wash right for you.

Light-Wash Jeans

Light-Wash Jeans

Love a good fade? Light-wash denim offers that more lived-in aesthetic. They’re light — but still darker than acid-washed and bleached jeans: Think faded, soft, summery blues. This type of denim wash is a favorite for shirts and jackets too.

Quick Styling Tips:

  • Select a light-wash with distressed elements — tears, patches or raw edges.
  • Double down on your denim and pair your light-wash jeans with a dark-wash denim jacket. The ’90s and early 2000s called, and that means the Canadian Tuxedo is poised for a comeback.
  • Pair your light-wash denim with neutrals.
  • Go with a slimmer fit for more of an A-list look.

Styles We Love: 

White Denim

White Denim

If you want a classic look that gives you the durability of denim with the versatility of color, look no further than a pair of white denim shorts or pants. Choose a white wash style to achieve a tailored look, or add some edge with frayed hems and graphic patches.

Quick Styling Tips:

  • Create a look perfect for the runway or a date by wearing tapered white jeans, slightly cuffed, a neutral tee and a fitted utility jacket.
  • Try a looser fit with an oversized Jordan shirt or a colorful graphic tee.
  • Do a tucked-in look with white denim shorts, a classic polo or button-up and a pair of Ray-Bans.

Styles We Love: 

Medium-Wash

Medium-wash jeans are a good middle ground between light and dark washes. When it comes to different types of jeans, this denim has been through the washer and dryer to achieve the intended mid-fade, but not nearly as much as the lighter tones. Medium-wash jeans are easily the most versatile, and they’re definitely essential for every closet.


Quick Styling Tips:

  • Go for simple, minimal outfits, like a plain white tee paired with medium-wash denim shorts or cuffed denim pants.
  • For a whole ’90s skater vibe, pair your mid-wash denim with an oversized shirt and longer board-style jorts/jean shorts.
  • For something a little more eye-catching up top, wear a chunky sweater or a graphic tee.

Styles We Love: 

Acid-Wash Jeans

Acid-Wash Jeans

Did you know that an acid wash is achieved through a mix of chlorine and water? This offers a distinctive retro twist to any pair of pants or shorts. In addition to throwing it back to the ’80s and ’90s, this type of denim wash offers a lived-in, casual look, perfect for hanging out with friends.

Quick Styling Tips:

  • Select wider-leg pants to wear with Vans and a vintage band shirt.
  • Choose slimmer-fit jeans and a fitted dark T-shirt, and throw on an oversized flannel jacket or shirt.
  • Go full-on retro with a windbreaker and a pair of straight-leg acid-wash jeans or shorts. Add on a fanny pack for good measure.

Styles We Love: 

Dark-Wash Jeans

This darkest type of denim wash is considered “unwashed” or “raw.” Whereas the other washes get faded from multiple spins in the washer and dryer, therefore softening the fabric, a dark-wash jean tends to be a little stiffer and much more saturated with dyes.

Quick Styling Tips:

  • Dark wash is more forgiving, so if you want to create a slimmer silhouette, this wash is your go-to.
  • Choose a tailored dark-wash denim short or pants for a more formal yet still casual look.
  • Because they are stiffer and more sturdy, dark-wash jeans are often worn as work pants in bootcut style.

Styles We Love: 

Black Denim

Black Denim

Black jeans get their look through the use of dye. Like white washes, black jeans are exceptionally versatile. You can wear them to the office, to class, for a presentation or to a sporting event.

Quick Styling Tips:

  • Streamline your silhouette with slim-fitting black denim pants.
  • Go simple with a white tank or plain white tee and black shorts.
  • Create a sophisticated style with a black button-up, black jeans and gold jewelry.

Styles We Love:

At Hibbett, we’ve got a full range of different types of jeans and washes, both in store and online. Browse our selections, and explore our Unboxed Blog for tips on caring for your denim and how to wear women’s denim.

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