In all honesty, I didn't realize until this year what wonders owning a variety of pants could do for my wardrobe. Until recently, I only owned two pairs of jeans - one black, one blue. Of these I pretty much only ever wore black, unless the black pair was in the wash, in which case I reluctantly donned the other.

I confess: I washed them only rarely. Don't judge - if you haven't yet been there, you probably will at some point in your life.

That's beside the point, however. I'm here to tell you that, if you, like my past self, only own two simple pairs of skinny jeans, you're throwing endless outfit possibilities out the window. Half of every outfit you make is limited to one of those two choices. I've been there, done that, and I am thoroughly done with it (so long as my wallet allows, anyway). Welcome...embellished jeans!

Free People Jeans

The reason we wear jeans all the time is because they go with everything. Now add some embellishment, and suddenly you have jeans that are both a fashion statement and match with most of your wardrobe! It's a formula for success.

I've had my eye on this pair from Free People for a while. The embellishment makes them effortlessly fashion-forward, and I could see them either worn with flats (as pictured) and a white t-shirt, or dressed up with casual heels and a sweater!

Ragged Priest Jeans (similar)

Now this pair has a more 90's grunge feel, and I love them equally much. Of course, being a college student, I identify strongly with the sentiment expressed by the embroidery on the knees. With these, I'd break out the flannel! They're perfect for the fall weather, when it's too chilly to wear shorts, but warm enough that the holes at the knees are much appreciated.

Pacsun Jeans

And, of course, here we have a third species of embellished jean: floral-embroidered! Honestly, I'm ready to embrace floral embroidery on almost anything. It's hard to get wrong. In this case especially, the embroidery is simply lovely, and very neutral in shades of blue. Being basically variations on the color of the jeans themselves, the embroidery matches with whatever the denim would match with! Which, as stated before, is almost anything.

So, thus inspired, I encourage you to go out and explore the wide array of embellished denim available! May your wardrobe thrive.