January Blues: Five Looks with Six Favorite Denim Pieces for 2015

January is one of those months that can be a little tough: back to work and school; festivities over for the time being; a zillion articles on how to lose weight, dry out or get in shape for the new year. While you yourself are getting healthy, why not also get your closet in shape for 2015? The latest “new neutral,” denim, is making a major splash on the runways this spring. Here are a few of my favorite looks that give a fresh perspective to this closet staple.

As much as I love my leather shorts and wear them year round, these Chloe denim shorts are a chic alternative that will be perfect for spring. The cotton denim is clean and sleek, making them refined yet playful. Dress them up with the simple lines of this Zara silk blouse adorned with the gorgeous Gabriele Frantzen Sparkling Feathers Necklace—a total standout piece. You can certainly go bare legged while wearing the Paul Green Bellini Peep Toe Bootie, or pull on a pair of black over the knee socks. Go for a pale pink understated look with Butter London’s Kerfluffle, and then add the Bobbi Brown The Rowans Cat Eye Sunglasses in Pink Cream to carry the look through.

Current/Elliott’s Cropped Buddy Trousers are one of spring’s silhouettes that show cropped pants with a wider width in the leg. It is a perfect match to Theory’s Modern Silk Georgette Sweater. I love this Japanese crepe Wilfred Montesson Jacket from Aritzia—a biker jacket with a softer side. You can keep it punchy with metallic shoes, and the Dieppa Restrepo Lagos Silver Leon Flats have the perfect edge. (These shoes are incredible in person, by the way. Photos do no justice.) I love the look of piled-on jewelry, so I was very taken with the Saint Laurent Silvertone Multi-Chain Choker Necklace, which is both elegant and a bit street. Backpacks continue to the perfect accessory, and this black Alice Noon Bucket Bag by Seattle designer Tiffany Eley is the ultimate cool bag.

The return of the long denim skirt was prevalent on runways from Stella McCartney to Kenzo, sweeping in with a sophisticated style that is a far cry from the “prairie skirt” days of the late 1980s. Chloe’s Denim Skirt with its patch pockets and higher waist is among my favorites. I would wear it with this Topshop Daisy Paisley Shirt tucked in so that the skirt’s front is emphasized. My friend Monica has this chevron print faux fur jacket from H&M and I love it for its cool pattern and shorter style. The rag & bone Kent Printed High Tops are a great update of the iconic sneaker style. Grab the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Waverly Crossbody to keep you hands free while you strut your stuff. I am always on the lookout for original jewelry pieces and was lucky enough to get a vintage Chanel button ring from my friend Kacy at a holiday gift exchange. Chanel buttons can also be reinvented into a very covetable pair of earrings. I found these on Etsy and loved them.

Frayed, distressed, patched and destroyed denim is also on the must-have list this year. Marques’Almeida has cool, contemporary designs that are perfectly on point. Their grey denim jacket has frayed edges that give a nod to the 90s and a current body style that is boxy yet fitted. The COS jersey skirt is designed with clean raw cut edges and the technical coating on the fabric gives it a sporty vibe. The not-so-basic Vince color block tee is a great little piece to add to your look, especially with the femininity of the Franco Ferrari scarf in a pretty burst of floral. Tie it loose so you don’t hide the frayed details on the neck of the jacket. I love mixing in animal prints, and French handbag designer Jerome Dreyfuss is spot on with this grey Momo Leopard Print Crossbody. Mules are back from the 90s, joining the host of shoes that are actually comfortable and have been updated with cool details. The Madewell Loeffler Randall Linette Perforated Slip-On Sneakers are so versatile, you will live in them.

Maybe nothing used to come between you and your Calvins, but once you try Frame Denim’s Le Color Rip Skinny Jeansyou won’t want to wear anything else. The AllSaints Mesa Sweater will keep you cozy under this R13 Trucker Wool-lined denim piece—the coolest version of a cape I have come across of late. Be still my heart. And if you are up for making a further statement, look no further than these Phillip Lim 3.1 Snake Embossed Open Front boots. The Dogeared Good Energy Evil Eye Pendant evil-eye pendant will keep your energy positive and keep you looking glam in the new year.

Many designers have worked fresh approaches to denim into their collections this coming season. What does that mean for the consumer? Whether you want sleek and sophisticated, distressed, retro, or colored pieces, let denim be the starting point of your look this season. Choosing a great piece that shows style and originality of design will increase the likelihood of its wearability right now and into the warmer months. It is the perfect way to kick those January blues away and give your closet a fresh 2015 update.