Trends are not a one-season thing any more. They can last five years, and often even longer. A fringe trend is one that hasn’t quite gone mainstream. This season there is lots of trendy variety in silhouettes and washes for those who are bored with their denim looks. Extended sizes are available, but not as widespread as I’d like to see.
I’ve narrowed down the trends to the five silhouettes that I believe are the easiest to fit, style and wear. The common design detail is a high or very high rise. The point is to showcase the length of the rise with a tucked or semi-tucked top, or shorter untucked top. Choose a shorter high rise if you’re short in the waist and rise. If you are long in the rise and torso, the rises won’t feel that high. Some of the styles have a button fly, and there’s lots of nodding back to the ‘80s and ‘90s.
1. High-Rise Straight Jeans
At the moment, a fringe trend and an acquired taste — give yourself time to get used to the look if it’s not instant affection. The silhouette is NOT tight or skinny in the slightest. The thigh and lower leg fit are fluid, and some styles are more fluid than others. Some styles have carpenter detailing. Hems are cropped or regular length to accommodate booties, oxfords, loafers, sneakers or shooties. You’ll probably need to roll the hems for high-shaft booties, or have them hemmed shorter. The Levi’s Wedgie is a good style to try, but note that the fits across the washes are different.
2. High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Think skinny jeans that are TIGHT to the ankle with a very high rise, and that’s the look. They’ve been on-trend for a while and are completely mainstream. The look is tailored or body-con, and there is no getting away from that. Lengths vary, but ankle length and cropped to a few inches above the ankle is common. They’re a good style to tuck into tall boots for rain, ice or snow. Personally, I prefer the silhouette with Summer shoes like loafers, ballet flats, oxfords and sandals because I like the skin exposure on the ankle with a very narrow hem, so I don’t wear these with booties. (I prefer booties with a roomier and straight hem). I’d wear the high-rise skinny with tall boots though, because that’s classic equestrian.
3. High-Rise Classic or Ankle Jeans
This is what the industry has called “Mom Jeans” and I cringe at the description. They’re a little roomier in the thighs than High-Rise Straight Jeans (#1), and more tapered on the lower leg. Full lengths are common, and a good item to find in a vintage consignment store. A fringe trend.
4. High-Rise Bootcut Jeans
These will take you back to the ‘70s because of the high rise. The versions in the late ’90s and ‘00s were much lower in the rise, and to my eye look dated now unless you cover the rise and waist with an untucked top. Bootcuts are fitted on the hips and thighs, and flare out on the lower leg. They are a lot more tailored than wide legs. Some bootcut hems flare out more than others. They are FULL LENGTH, and completely mainstream. The trendy way to wear them is with sneakers and substantial flats. Of course, they look classically perfect and elegant with a pointy-toe heeled bootie or pump at the right length (almost skimming the surface of the ground).
5. High-Rise Wide Crops
These have been on-trend for a while, are a version of culottes, and completely mainstream. Fitted on the waist and hips, and wide through to the hem from the thighs down. If you style them similarly to the way you would a flared midi skirt, it’s an easy silhouette to wear. I prefer to wear these in the Summer months with warm-weather footwear, but they work well with booties, oxfords, tall boots and pumps too.
I’m into these silhouettes, and have all but the Mom Jeans and high-waisted bootcuts represented in my wardrobe. I’ve had the wide crops for years, but added the high-rise straights and high-rise skinnies this year. I’m leaving the high-rise bootcut jeans for Spring, although I recently bought high-rise chino bootcuts that I wear with chunky white sneakers and adore the vibe.
What do you think of the new silhouettes, and will you be refreshing your jeans capsule with any of them?
