I Ditched My Beloved Jeans For These Effortless Denim Dresses – And I’m Not Going Back

Thanks in part to the revival of Western and bohemian styles, we've seen plenty of well-dressed women embracing denim in every form. This summer, Dua Lipa has been spotted in frayed-edge denim shorts, while free-spirited, tiered denim midi skirts have surged in popularity, often paired with cowboy or biker-style boots. But, there is one denim stalwart that continues to reign supreme, not just through summer but well into that tricky transitional period between seasons, and that is the denim dress.

Injected with retro charm, denim dresses have been a favourite since the '80s and '90s. For 2025, the style continues to be reimagined as designers take a more contemporary approach, moving away from the familiar mini apron styles in favour of modern silhouettes. The spring/summer 2025 runway shows featured denim dresses in an array of designs: Marques’Almeida championed layered frocks with balloon-sleeve styles with cinched waistlines, while Schiaparelli sent down indigo blue maxi dresses with plunging necklines and metal zip and button embellishments.

Naturally, the high street has followed suit, with labels such as Nobody’s Child and Abercrombie & Fitch offering denim dresses in equally stylish silhouettes. Here at Grazia, however, we have developed a particular soft spot for Aligne’s denim dress selection, and one frock in particular has secured a spot on our summer and transitional season moodboards. The dress in question? The Luella Mini Denim Dress: a cropped blue mini with rancher-style charm, thanks to its silver metal button embellishments. Unsurprisingly, it has warranted plenty of fanfare among the fashion set, and who can blame them? It even comes with pockets, a rare and welcome find.

Other Aligne highlights include the Keri Western Pocket Dress, which quickly soared in popularity and became a must-have, but is now sadly out of stock. Meanwhile, the Grace Denim Pocket Mini Dress has emerged as a fan favourite among cool-girls, who style it effortlessly with black leather ankle boots and sleek black bags for a corresponding touch. I've seen plenty of women wearing the dark blue iteration, but you can also shop the Grace dress in a washed black, as well as leopard print.

While we could continue waxing lyrical about Aligne's denim dresses, we think it's best to turn our attention to some other trusted cotton frocks. Whether you're planning on taking them on a last-minute trip to the Mediterranean or gearing up with layering essentials for the in-between season, our best denim dress edit has got you covered. There’s nothing quite like a wardrobe staple that nails style and stands up to whatever the forecast has in store. Shop them below.

Shop: The Best Denim Dresses

Image credit: Instagram/ @ninacachia, @ginagets, @brooke_schul, @cmcoving and @emmanuellek_

Emma Richardson is a fashion commerce writer for Grazia. She was previously a fashion and beauty commerce writer for Heat and Closer, and has contributed digital content for a variety of lifestyle brands. Emma finds much of her inspiration in celebrity style, with Sienna Miller often being a major influence, and loves a pair of ballet pumps and a trusted trench coat.