After discussing the new season’s colours, and vibes and silhouettes, it’s on to denim. We are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to jeans these days. The assortment is sublime, and my suggestion is to milk it, if you enjoy wearing jeans.
Fits and widths are wider, and rises are higher. Mid-rise jeans are present, but harder to find. There is only ONE skinny in the mix because trends have moved away from the silhouette. Regular skinny jeans are classics.
These are the most important new on-trend jeans silhouettes to my eye, which are fab in any wash of blue denim, another neutral, or a colour. Some of the silhouettes are brand new, some have been fringe trending for a while, and others have gone mainstream. Flies are zip-through, button-through, or exposed. You’ll see a lot of ‘80s and ‘90s revival here, which is why some of the styles are referred to as vintage jeans.
1. High-Rise Skinny
The high-rise skinny is the only trendy skinny silhouette, and has been mainstream for a while. The idea is to showcase the high rise by tucking or semi-tucking a top, or wearing a short top that highlights the waist. Lengths are cropped or full-length. A little scrunch on the hems is good too.
2. High-Rise Relaxed Straight
This takes me straight to the early ‘90s. It’s the Mom jean – (I loathe that description) – and about to go mainstream. It’s cut high on the rise and is straight through the leg. It is NOT skinny like the cropped straights of five years ago. It’s more relaxed on the leg, wider on the hem, and higher in the rise. Lengths are usually cropped, although full-lengths are coming through.
3. Wide Crop
Wide crops are wide all the way down to the hem, and mainstream. Their widths and lengths can vary. Some pairs are streamlined, and others dramatically wide. Lengths can finish at the calf or a couple of inches above the ankle. Some cover the ankle, but not the foot. These can make you feel and look wider, and are an acquired taste. Remember though, that you don’t need to feel and look streamlined and narrow in something to be fabulous.
4. Broad Cuff
Jeans with broad cuffs at the hem are relatively new and very fringe, especially in relaxed, flared and slouchy cuts. Some of the lengths are cropped, while others graze the top of the foot or the ankle bone. The dark washes create a high-contrast cuff, while the low-contrast cuffs on light washes are more subtle.
5. High-Rise Bootcut
Bootcuts that are twenty years old are low rise, which is not today’s trend. The trendy version is with a high rise or relatively high mid-rise, which has not gone mainstream yet. Leg fits are streamlined till after the knee and flare out to the hem. Hem widths can be subtle or more flared. These look classically great with a pair of pointy-toe heeled boots and hems that skim the surface of the ground. The trendier version is to wear them with chunky or flat-form sneakers. Most of my clients who have bought bootcuts recently are wearing them with sneakers. Awfully fab to wear full-length jeans again.
6. Paper bag and Pleated Waist
A mega ‘80s flashback if ever there was one, and very much a fringe trend. These jeans are high or very high in the rise, and often pleated on the midsection. Sometimes though, the paper bag waist and belt is sans pleats. Leg silhouettes range from straight to wide, or baggy in the thighs but tapered on the hems. Lengths vary too. This looks best on a long rise and waist.
7. Carpenter and Cargo
Jeans with carpenter and cargo detailing have been fringe trending for a couple of seasons, and are still very fringe. Silhouettes range from the relaxed straight, wide crop and bootcut, to jogger and boyfriend cuts.
8. Pattern
Printed jeans are mainstream and vary in silhouette and length. There’s a wider assortment of patterns each year, so take your pick. Patterned jeans are a good way to break up the monotony of a long Winter.
9. Slim Boyfriend or Girlfriend
These are different to the versions of ten years ago that were slouchy and low rise. Today’s boyfriend and girlfriend jeans trend is higher in the rise, fitted on the seat, tapered at the hem, and relaxed on the leg. Hems can be gently cuffed. They are still quite fringe.
10. Ribbon and Tuxedo Stripe
Jeans with tuxedo stripes and ribbon detailing on the side seams have been around for a while and are about to go mainstream. Silhouettes are usually high-rise skinnies, high-rise relaxed straight legs or cropped flares.
11. Jogger
Jeans with track pant design detailing are very fringe, and likely to stay that way. Some have structured waistbands, while others have elastic waists. Hems are tapered and ribbed or elasticated too. It can be fun to pull up the hems to create textured scrunch.
12. Cropped Flare
Cropped flares are mainstream and have been around for at least five seasons. They are also known as cropped bootcuts or demi legs. They are mid or high-rise, streamlined on the leg, and flare out on the hem like a short pair of bootcuts. They are still going strong, and not a classic yet.
13. Crossover Front
The crossover jean crosses over in the front at the waist creating a diagonal line from waist to crotch point. It’s probably the most acquired taste and the most fringe trend of the lot. They’ve been around for a while but are quite exclusive. Fits are generally relaxed or slouchy.
I love the jeans trends. Jeans are where my style is trendy, so I’ve been steadily adding trendy jeans to my capsule as they come out and tickle my fancy. Here’s my current jeans collection. I’ve got the high-rise skinny, high-rise relaxed straight, wide crop, high-rise bootcut, broad cuff, carpenter, pattern, tuxedo stripe, and cropped flare covered. Next up is some sort of pleated jean or another bright colour in a relaxed fit.
Over to you. Which denim trends tickle your fancy?
