Our 5 Favourite Tops To Sew To Wear With Jeans

Sometime when I wasn’t looking, I turned into a jeans person.

I love that you can wear jeans with your favourite daggy t-shirt one day, then slip into something like the Lyrical Puff Sleeve Shirt the next and feel completely different.

Whilst I’m not much of a fashion formula person (there are far too many fabulous things to discover for that), I do try every top pattern I design with jeans. It’s become a bit of a test. If I can throw it on with my favourite jeans and love the combination, we’re off to a good start.

So, here are 5 tops you can sew that pass the jeans test with flying colours.

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On Repeat Woven T-shirt

This pattern is the ultimate bridge between a basic tee and a polished look. Reimagined for beautiful woven fabrics like fluid rayons or breezy linens, it gives you that effortless "throw on" feel while instantly dressing up your favourite denim.

• Why it passes the jeans test: It features two distinct silhouettes (cropped/boxy or slightly flared) and a massive six neckline choices. It’s fast to cut, easy to sew, and literally designed to be made on repeat.

See the On Repeat Woven Tee pattern →

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About Town Popover Top

If you love the structure of a classic button-down shirt but hate sewing buttonholes, this is your holy grail. The popover design delivers a fresh, modern aesthetic with zero fuss—no buttons required!

• Why it passes the jeans test: It strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and elevated. You can keep it ultra-casual with the simple collar style, or add the cool optional epaulettes and sharp wide hem to make your everyday jeans look incredibly intentional and put-together.

See the About Town Popover pattern →

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Lyrical Shirt

This is where we bring in that "quiet drama" and romance. Designed for soft, drapey fabrics, it features a stunning, softly gathered puff sleeve with a frill detail and a gorgeous statement tie neckline.

• Why it passes the jeans test: This is the ultimate "jeans and a nice top" pattern. Pairing the soft, romantic flow of the tie neck and puff sleeves with the structured, casual edge of denim creates a beautiful contrast that makes you feel completely dressed up without trying too hard.

See the Lyrical Shirt pattern →

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Spill The Tea Tie Neck Top

Think of this as a modern, effortlessly cool take on the classic pussy-bow blouse. Because it’s a popover style, you get all the elevated, feminine polish of a dramatic neckline with absolutely zero buttons or fuss to sew!

• Why it passes the jeans test: The true hero here is the gorgeous, wide tapered neck tie. You can leave it hanging loose for a relaxed, urban look that downplays a structured pair of jeans, or tie it into a big, romantic bow when you want to take your denim out for dinner. Paired with the minimal cap sleeve or the softly flared elastic-wrist sleeve, it strikes the perfect casual-meets-elegant balance.

See the Spill The Tea Popover pattern →

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All In Shirt

The ultimate "easy-fit" classic button-down shirt that bridges the gap between structured tailoring and casual everyday comfort. It features gently shaped side seams, a relaxed shoulder line, and an integrated all-in-one placket that completely eliminates complex separate placket pieces.

• Why it passes the jeans test: It is the absolute ultimate staple for a half-tuck or wearing open as a casual summer shacket over a cami. With options for a classic shirt collar (with stand) or a laid-back camp/Cuban collar, you can completely customise how casual or smart your outfit feels. The curved hemline is perfectly proportioned to sit beautifully over the hips of your favourite jeans.

See the All In Shirt pattern →