Celebrity Denim Style: Best and Worst Outfits From the 2013 StyleWatch Denim Party

The 2013 People StyleWatch Denim Party remains one of the most memorable celebrity denim showcases of the early 2010s. Held at Palihouse in Los Angeles, this event offered a fascinating glimpse into the denim trends, footwear choices, and casual-chic styling that defined that era.

From bold-colored pumps to platform sandals, many stars delivered standout looks that continue to inspire today’s denim lovers. Below, we break down the best (and not-so-best) celebrity outfits, with a special focus on their shoe pairings.

It was a parade of jeans in the hottest washes, jackets with the most perfect distressing, and shirts in the newest styles, and the celebrity attendees were more than happy to show them off.

Please scroll below to see our top nine favorite looks and seven least favorite looks from the 2013 People StyleWatch denim party, which was held at the Palihouse in LA on September 19, 2013.

Denim Done Right: The Best-Dressed Stars Who Nailed Casual Chic

These celebrities showed us how to rock denim confidently and stylishly, from perfect fits to daring denim combinations. Jamie Chung, Nikki Reed, and Emmanuelle Chriqui led the charge, proving that casual can still be runway-worthy.

Jamie Chung’s Forest Green Leatherette Jeans and White Blazer with Black Pumps

Jamie Chung continues her winning style streak. The deep forest green paired with black creates an unexpected contrast, while her pointed black Manolo Blahnik Pacha pumps help elongate her 5ft 5in (165.1 cm) frame. The crisp white blazer ties the look together, balancing the darker tones. She wears a US shoe size 8 (US).

Jamie Chung stuns at the People StyleWatch Denim Party in Citizens of Humanity Black Rocket High Rise Skinny Jeans in Coated Leatherette Denim, a crisp white blazer, and Manolo Blahnik Pacha Clear PVC-Patent Pumps, accessorized with a statement clutch (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Nikki Reed’s Distressed Denim Jacket with Fuchsia Pumps That Elongate Her Petite Frame

Color also plays a role in Nikki Reed’s outfit, as her fuchsia pink lipstick and matching pointed-toe pumps not only add a bold pop of color but also help elongate her 5ft 4in (162.6 cm) frame, creating a sleek contrast against the black pieces and distressed American Eagle Outfitters jean jacket. She wears a US shoe size 8.5 (US).

Nikki Reed adds a bold pop of color with fuchsia pumps and lipstick, pairing them with a distressed denim jacket, sheer black blouse, and skinny jeans

Analeigh Tipton’s Tomboy Denim Romper Styled with Nude Ankle-Strap Sandals

Analeigh Tipton, standing 5ft 9 ½ (176.5 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 9.5, made the short jumpsuit look effortlessly natural in her tomboy style by pairing it with a graphic T-shirt and tousled hair that complemented her statuesque frame.

Analeigh Tipton keeps it casual in a light denim romper layered over a graphic tee, finishing the look with nude ankle-strap sandals that subtly elongate her legs

While Analeigh Tipton’s exact short 6-pocket denim romper is now sold out, you can browse more stylish denim rompers currently available at Nordstrom. Her rustic, softly faded version featured long sleeves for a chic, utilitarian cover-all effect.

Joe’s Jeans Shirtall Denim Romper, $235

Emmanuelle Chriqui’s Scrunched Skinny Jeans with Nude Pointed-Toe Heels

Can Emmanuelle Chriqui, standing 5ft 3 (160 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 7.5, be any more beautiful? We love how she scrunched her skinny jeans at the ankles — it balances out their sexy fit and subtly elongates her petite frame.

Emmanuelle Chriqui balances her scrunched skinny jeans with nude pointed-toe pumps that lengthen her legs, pairing them with a flowy cream blouse and statement necklace at the People StyleWatch Denim Party

Jeannie Mai’s Diesel Denim Shirt Styled with Beaded Yumi Kim Skirt and Lace-Up Heels

Of course, the “How Do I Look?” fashion expert, standing 5ft 3 (160 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 7, would get it right. Jeannie Mai opened up a Diesel denim shirt to reveal one of her favorite picks for fall: a gorgeous beaded skirt by Yumi Kim.

Jeannie Mai layers a Diesel denim shirt over a white tank and a beaded Yumi Kim mini skirt, finishing the look with tan lace-up heels that add height and elongate her legs

Noureen DeWulf’s Gray Skinny Jeans with Metallic Pumps and Draped Neutral Top

Going against the grain, Noureen DeWulf, standing 5ft 3 (160 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 8, was a goddess in gray. A unique draped-neck tee and shiny silver accessories dressed up her distressed gray jeans.

Noureen DeWulf elevates her distressed gray skinny jeans with pointed metallic pumps that visually lengthen her legs, pairing them with a draped neutral top and silver accessories

While Noureen DeWulf’s exact gray skinny jeans are now sold out, you can shop for similar styles currently available at Revolve. Her pair featured a distressed finish and flattering cropped fit.

Siwy Jeans “Hannah” Cropped Skinny Jeans in Tainted Love, $184

Sherri Saum’s ’70s-Inspired Flared Jeans with Platform Sandals and Big Curls

We’re sold on Sherri Saum’s ’70s-style vibe at the party. Standing 5ft 7 (170.2 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 9, she rocked big curly hair, a tribal necklace, flared jeans, and platform sandals—she could’ve worn a costume buckle belt, too, and we would’ve let it slide.

Sherri Saum channels ’70s vibes in flared black jeans and platform sandals that add height, pairing them with a light chambray button-down, bold tribal necklace, and voluminous curls

Taylor Spreitler’s Double Denim Look with Oversized Blazer and Ankle-Strap Heels

With an oversized blazer balancing out the proportions of her itty-bitty shorts and ankle-strap heels, Taylor Spreitler, standing 5ft 2 ¼ (158.1 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 6.5, got the fashion blogger look down pat.

Taylor Spreitler masters the double denim look with an oversized blazer and ankle-strap heels at the People StyleWatch Denim Party, September 19, 2013, at Palihouse in West Hollywood, California(Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Mehcad Brooks’ Perfectly Tailored G-Star Denim Shirt and Jeans

Yes, Mehcad Brooks, standing 6ft 2 ½ (189.2 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 14, is wearing a shredded T-shirt here, but his G-Star Raw denim shirt and jeans are so great-fitting that we can’t even hate them. How can we, really, with that gorgeous smile?

Mehcad Brooks’s G-Star Raw denim shirt and jeans fit perfectly, complemented by his signature smile at the People StyleWatch Denim Party, September 19, 2013, at Palihouse in West Hollywood, California (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Explore More Celebrity Denim Styles From 2013

For readers eager to delve deeper into celebrity denim styles from 2013, consider exploring these articles:

• How to Wear Ankle Booties with Skinny Jeans Like Hayden Panettiere – Discover how Hayden Panettiere styled dark skinny jeans with ankle booties at the 2013 PaleyFest Panel.
• Karlie Kloss’s Retro Flared Jeans at New York Fashion Week – Learn how Karlie Kloss brought back retro vibes with perfectly styled flared jeans at the Donna Karan show.
• Bar Refaeli’s Model-Off-Duty Look Featuring Snakeskin Jeans – See Bar Refaeli rock snakeskin-printed skinny jeans for an effortlessly chic street-style outfit in Milan.
• Miranda Kerr’s Best Denim Looks of 2013 – Explore Miranda Kerr’s top denim outfits that showcase her signature polished and casual style.
• Debby Ryan’s Palm Tree Print Skinny Jeans at NYLON’s Young Hollywood Party – Get inspired by Debby Ryan’s playful and bold take on printed skinny jeans.

These articles provide a deeper look into how your favorite celebrities styled denim in 2013, offering inspiration, trends, and expert tips on rocking jeans for any occasion.

Denim Don’ts: The Looks That Missed the Mark

While denim is versatile, some celebrities struggled to strike the right balance between casual and chic. Overdone details, awkward proportions, and mismatched pieces left these outfits slightly off the mark.

Maria Menounos Overdresses in Velvet Flared Jeans and a Jeweled Cape Top

A “denim party” event is usually an opportunity to keep things stylish yet casual.

However, Maria Menounos, standing 5ft 7 (170.2 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 10, took a different approach, opting for a formal jeweled cape top paired with velvet flared jeans and a dramatic beehive hairdo. This ensemble felt more suited for a red-carpet awards show than a relaxed denim-themed gathering.

TV Personality Maria Menounos pairs an elegant embellished blouse with flared black pants, complemented by a bold beehive updo, at the People StyleWatch 3rd Annual Denim Issue Party at Palihouse on September 19, 2013, in West Hollywood, California (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

If you want to explore more of Maria Menounos’s denim styles, check out our article on her effortless look in Topshop jeans and red pumps at the ‘Sing’ premiere. Additionally, her appearance in black ripped jeans paired with Christian Dior crinkled lambskin canvas pumps at DirecTV’s ‘Super Saturday Night’ concert showcases another notable denim ensemble.

Joy Bryant’s Confused Mix of Boho Accessories and Formal Tailoring

Joy Bryant, standing 5ft 9 (175.3 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 8, clearly aimed for a bohemian vibe, and we can appreciate the bead necklace, fringe bag, and fisherman-pants-style jeans. However, the stiffly tailored, orchestra-conductor-style blazer completely disrupted the relaxed aesthetic.

Joy Bryant mixes boho and tailored elements with fisherman-style wide-leg jeans, a white tank, navy blazer, layered tribal necklaces, and leopard-print flats

Jennette McCurdy’s Overloaded Look with Peplum Top and Studded Sneakers

There isn’t anything inherently wrong with Jennette McCurdy’s outfit. Still, standing 5ft 1 (154.9 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 7.5, we feel like the distressed jeans and the studded leather wedge sneakers are too bulky for her top, which already has enough volume from the peplum.

American actress Jennette McCurdy sports a chic black leather peplum top paired with distressed skinny jeans and edgy studded sneakers (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Astrid McGuire’s Over-the-Top Sheer Blouse with Lace and Gray Skinny Jeans

Sheer styles can be elegant when done tastefully, but this wasn’t one of those moments. The lace detail peeking out from the top of Astrid McGuire’s shirt feels excessive, overpowering an already bold see-through design.

While her exact height and shoe size are unknown, the proportions of this look feel unbalanced — sometimes, less is more.

Astrid McGuire pairs a bold sheer black blouse with lace detailing and gray skinny jeans, finishing the look with neutral peep-toe heels that add subtle height

Vanessa Marano’s Heavy Leather Jacket with Tall Platform Boots

A leather jacket, tall platform boots, thick eyebrows, and dark eyeshadow? Vanessa Marano, standing 5ft 2 ½ (158.8 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 6.5, just got a little too heavy-handed with her look.

Vanessa Marano showcases a bold patchwork leather jacket in shades of black and navy, paired with fitted blue jeans and knee-high black boots (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Emile Hirsch’s Poor Fit in Relaxed Jeans and Leather Jacket

This is what we mean when we say Mehcad Brooks nailed the proportions. In contrast, Emile Hirsch, standing 5ft 5 (165.1 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 10, chose an outfit—a neutral V-neck T-shirt, leather jacket, jeans, and sneakers—that suffers from poor fit and awkward combinations, giving him a short and stocky appearance.

Emile Hirsch keeps it casual yet stylish in a classic black leather jacket layered over a white T-shirt, paired with relaxed blue jeans and black sneakers, striking a balance between laid-back and cool (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Clifton Collins Jr. Takes Casual Too Far with Double Denim and Worn Shoes

It’s one thing to look casual; it’s another thing to look like you just rolled out of bed. Clifton Collins Jr., standing 5ft 7 ½ (171.5 cm) tall and wearing a US shoe size 10.5, definitely leaned a bit too far into the relaxed vibe with this look.

Clifton Collins Jr. embraces a rugged double-denim look, pairing a classic denim shirt with distressed jeans, accessorized with layered bracelets and worn leather shoes (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Explore More Denim Inspiration and Celebrity Fashion Trends

For readers interested in exploring more denim-related content, our comprehensive guide on the different types of jeans every woman should know offers valuable insights into various styles and how to wear them. Additionally, our article on the top denim styles dominating the scene provides a closer look at current trends and styling tips.

Our women’s jeans size chart conversion guide is essential for those seeking guidance on finding the perfect fit. If you’re curious about the denim brands favored by celebrities, our feature on the favorite jean brands of top celebrities offers an in-depth look. Lastly, for styling inspiration, our piece on how to wear metallic jeans showcases creative outfit ideas.