A small, simplified wardrobe can still be versatile and give you plenty of outfit options. In today’s post, I’m sharing an example of how a small wardrobe can be worn in a variety of ways by showing you 10 examples of how to wear black jeans.
And the best part is these 10 different outfits, ranging from casual to business casual, are all made using only 10 items, including clothing and shoes!
If you want to learn how to make the most out of your wardrobe and see how a small wardrobe can still give you plenty of options – this post is for you!
This post contains affiliate links and is in partnership with Nordgreen Watches. Read our full disclosure policy here.

A bigger wardrobe isn’t always better
Most people think if you want to have more outfit options in your wardrobe, you need to have a bigger wardrobe. A bigger wardrobe means more options, right?
Not necessarily!
How often have you stood in your closet looking at all your clothes and thought – “I have nothing to wear!”? You don’t always need more clothes to make getting dressed easier and make you feel like you always have something to wear.
When it comes to your clothes, there are 2 important things that make getting dressed easy and help you avoid feeling like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. Those two things are:
- Versatility: clothes that can be worn in a variety of ways, mixed and matched easily with each other and pair well together
- Flattering clothes: getting dressed is easier when you only have clothes in your wardrobe that look good, feel good and fit well
A smaller wardrobe can still give you plenty of options
When you have versatile and flattering clothes in your wardrobe, not only will getting dressed become easier. But you can also simplify your wardrobe and get rid of the filler pieces you don’t wear often or love. Instead, just keeping the clothes you love and can wear in a variety of ways.
A small wardrobe doesn’t mean you’ll have limited outfit options or end up wearing the same outfits all the time. In fact, when you have a small wardrobe of versatile pieces you love, look and feel great in and are easy to mix and match with each other, you can still have plenty of outfit options!
How to wear black jeans
In today’s post, I’m sharing one example of how a small wardrobe can be versatile and give you plenty of options by sharing 10 examples of how to wear black jeans.
I chose black jeans for this post because they are a great example of a versatile item of clothing.
Black jeans are easy to mix and match and pair with a variety of different tops to create lots of outfit options. And they are easy to dress up or down so you can wear them in a variety of ways. As you’ll see in this post, the outfit options range from super casual to business casual and dressier outfits.
How to wear black jeans: 10 items, 10 outfits
In fact, for this example of how to wear black jeans, I put together 10 different outfit ideas using only 10 items of clothing, including shoes!
Again, this is a great way to show you that you don’t need a huge wardrobe to give yourself options. Instead, by building your wardrobe around key pieces that you love, feel great in and are easy to mix and match, you’ll still have options and a versatile wardrobe.
And you won’t have to deal with a closet that’s bursting at the seams. Or always spending money on new clothes, but still feeling like you don’t have anything to wear!
Apply this idea to any item of clothing in your wardrobe
Although this post is using the example of how to wear black jeans, it can be applied to any item of clothing in your wardrobe.
It’s not about the specific items in this post. Instead, it’s showing you how to build a versatile wardrobe that can be used in a variety of ways, without needing a bunch of different pieces.
You can use this concept with any and every item in your wardrobe. Find ways to mix and match each item in a variety of ways.
If you’re decluttering and simplifying your wardrobe, a great place to start is getting rid of items that don’t mix and match well, or you struggle coming up with outfit ideas for.
Aim to keep the items that work well with the rest of your wardrobe and let you wear them in a variety of different outfits.
And keep this concept in mind when you’re buying or adding new items to your wardrobe as well.
Make sure anything you’re adding to your wardrobe will work well with what you already own. Try to think of at least 3 or 4 different ways you can wear the item with your existing clothes before adding it to your wardrobe.
How to wear black jeans: the 10 items
Here are the 10 items for today’s example of how to wear black jeans.
I’ve included links to each of the items or something similar in case you’re looking for similar items. But remember, it’s not about these clothes specifically. Instead, it’s about building a versatile wardrobe that’s easy to mix and match and wear in a variety of different ways.

Adding accessories for even more variety
Another easy way to make your wardrobe even more versatile is by adding accessories that are easy to mix and match with your outfits as well.
For this example, I have only included a limited number of accessories. I want the focus of this post to be on building a wardrobe of versatile clothes, more than the power of accessories to make your wardrobe work harder. Although you can read more about what accessories can do for your wardrobe here.
However, I have included a few examples of how using accessories can finish off and add more variety to your wardrobe.

Choose versatile accessories as well
Just like with your clothes, try to choose versatile accessories as well.
Look for accessories that pair well with your clothes and other accessories. And can be mixed and matched easily with your clothes and outfits. As well as accessories that can be worn in different ways to dress an outfit up or down.
A great example of very versatile accessories, especially when you’re aiming for a small, simplified wardrobe, are Nordgreen watches.
Not only do Nordgreen watches come in minimalist and timeless designs. But they also have interchangeable watch straps, which make it easy to change the look of the watch and better accessorize your wardrobe without needing multiple watches.
Nordgreen watch straps come in a variety of materials and finishes, from sporty nylon, rubber, classic leather, modern metal mesh, fun colored leather and vegan leather options as well.
The scarf is another good example of a versatile accessory. It includes multiple colors, making it easy to mix, match and pair with a variety of clothes and outfits.
10 items, 10 outfits, 10 ways to wear black jeans
Here we go! Here are 10 outfits showing how to wear black jeans, using only 10 items of clothing and shoes, plus a few accessories!
Outfit #1

Starting with a classic, casual outfit with jeans and a t-shirt. Wearing a t-shirt with a little visual interest (in this case a knotted front) is a great way to make a simple outfit look a little more put together.
Outfit #2

Adding a jacket and switching the sneakers to ankle boots is an easy way to switch up a casual outfit that’s easy to wear and looks good.
Outfit #3

Switching the jacket for a cardigan and adding a scarf changes the look of the outfit while still using the same foundation pieces used in the last 2 outfits.
Outfit #4

Another classic outfit – jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. The scarf adds warmth and interest.
Outfit #5

Switching the shoes and adding a jacket easily changes the look of the outfit again.
Outfit #6

Trading the denim jacket for a blazer and the boots for dressier shoes is an easy way to dress up a simple outfit.
Outfit #7

Another classic outfit, using layers to add interest, while still keeping it casual.
Outfit #8

Again, switching the denim jacket for a blazer and adding a dressier pair of flats, dresses up the outfit easily.
Outfit #9

Another classic, easy to wear outfit with a long-sleeved shirt and a cardigan.
Outfit #10

Changing the t-shirt under the cardigan changes the look of the outfit quickly and easily.
Making a small, versatile wardrobe work for you!
A small wardrobe can be stretched and work hard for you when you build it with versatile pieces you love and feel great in!
A smaller wardrobe doesn’t mean fewer outfit options or wearing the same few outfits over and over. And a big wardrobe doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll make getting dressed easier or give you more outfit options!
A wardrobe that works hard for you and makes getting dressed easier is less about the amount of clothing you have and more about what kind of items are in your wardrobe.
The key is to aim for a wardrobe that includes versatile items you love wearing, look and feel good in, are easy to pair together and mix and match with each other.
I hope this post not only gives you some ideas about how to wear black jeans. But also inspires you to start building a versatile wardrobe that will make getting dressed a lot easier and less stressful!
Do you have a wardrobe that’s easy to mix and match? Or do you often find yourself standing in your closet full of clothes but feeling like you have nothing to wear? I’d love to hear what you think of building a small, but versatile wardrobe. Leave a comment below and let me know!

Annamaria
Sunday 3rd of May 2020
Thank you, Melissa, for your helpful hints. I imagine,too, that having a plan like this, would help me recognise the best places to source items for my wardrobe. This would minimise the time, energy and angst I experience when shopping for wardrobe items. Thank you, again, Melissa, for your helpful words.
Simple Lionheart Life
Sunday 3rd of May 2020
Yes! That's a great point and I absolutely agree. It can help simplify deciding what to wear and shopping for new clothes. Thanks for reading and sharing this great insight with us :)
Elizabeth
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
These outfits are so cute! I agree, having versatile pieces like this can really make a difference in your closet, and make picking out outfits so much easier! It's about having more outfits, not necessarily more clothes ;)
Simple Lionheart Life
Wednesday 18th of December 2019
Thanks, Elizabeth! And yes, you said it perfectly - aim for more outfits, not always more clothes! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts :)