If there’s one garment that a majority of people consistently rely on to get dressed almost every day, it’s denim.
Just about everyone wears jeans, whether they’re a piece of your workwear, what you grab to throw on with a T-shirt and sneakers, or part of a tailored blazer, blouse, and chic pair of boots look.
Jeans are an essential closet staple as well as subject to reinterpretation and trends.
This year, denim trends lean into unexpected washes and reimagined proportions that are a mix of modern, edgy, and sophisticated. Sure, you can rock a great outfit with old favorites like skinny jeans or vintage-inspired cuts, but if you’re in the market to revamp your jean style, here are a few trends to consider.
First up, deep, dark denim for a more elevated way to do jeans this season. Think ultra-dark indigo or black-rinsed denim that leans more towards dressy looks. A pair like Levi’s Ribcage Wide-Leg Linen+ Denim Women’s Jeans in dark wash are sleek enough to wear with sharp tailoring, yet still laidback when paired with a sweatshirt and sneakers. I definitely like the outfit formula of a plain tee and jacket combo with these jeans. You can take that base and switch things up with colorful bags, leather belts, pendant necklaces, and boots. Deep, dark jeans with an oversized blazer, a long silk scarf, and slouchy boots like Nine West’s Slouch Dress Booties in dark pink or metallic blue create a refined look with a pop of color that reads effortlessly chic.
Next up are medium-washed high-waisted jeans, preferably with a flared or looser leg. This trend gives a more worn-in, lived-in feeling that comes across as unintentionally cool. If you find a more distressed wash, then you can give a nod to the grunge era, but with a more elevated feel. Check out Old Navy’s High-Waisted Wow Flare Jeans or their High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans, both in medium wash, to bring some dimension to a basic sweater and flats outfit. Other combinations to try are plaid button-downs and hiking boots for a weekend coffee run. A leather jacket, printed blouse, and pointed-toe heels for a laidback, yet polished evening out. I also like the idea of a tough take on this trend by matching up this jean with a medium-wash denim jacket, black boots, and a studded bag, like Target’s Oversized Clutch from New Day or Topshop’s Studded Faux Leather Studded Bag from Nordstrom. You can further toughen things up with a leather newsboy-style cap.
A third denim trend to consider is long, loose silhouettes, regardless of wash. Think relaxed, but not sloppy, striking a balance between cool and nonchalant. These sweeping styles are designed to give an elongated effect that feels more modern than cropped or skinny styles. Lands’ End’s Tall High Rise Wide Leg Denim Jeans elevate a long-sleeve t-shirt or henley-style shirt and chunky sneakers, especially when paired with a structured bag and a bomber jacket. For more of an investment piece, try Good American’s Soft Tech Good Waist Palazzo Jeans from Shopbop. This pair also plays into the dark-wash denim trend above and goes very sleek when worn with a long leather jacket and pointy-toed boots. For a more romantic take, try a longer, looser jean with a lace-trimmed cami and cardigan combo. Finish this with an oversized leather bag and western-style boot, such as Crown Vintage’s Sury Cowboy Boot in Bordeaux, available at DSW. Word of warning: Stay clear of any low-slung options for longer and looser silhouettes. They aren’t as flattering and harder to pull off compared to mid-waist and high-waist styles.
The point of these updated denim trends is to strike a balance between effortlessness and style, so that they can easily slip into your everyday wardrobe while still feeling intentional. That might seem like an intricate place to land, outfit-wise, but these trends (or any jeans for that matter) shouldn’t be overly complicated or intimidating to wear. Any jean, regardless of the wash or silhouette, should be inherently versatile. It’s about finding the fit that works best for you. The best jeans can seamlessly work with sneakers and a polo-style sweater as well as a heel and crisp button-down. Think of jeans as a foundational piece that quietly complements the rest of your outfit.
