Denim is a wardrobe staple, but it can start to feel boring when you wear it day after day, season after season. The beauty of denim, though, is that it’s constantly evolving, so there’s always a reason to refresh your denim collection with something new. And as an editor with a background in apparel and fashion history, I’m personally a big proponent of more is more with jeans because if you hold onto your starting-to-fade-out-of-style jeans long enough, the trend is sure to come back around.
Ultimately, wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident, but if you want to stay ahead of the trends this fall, you may want to skip the oversized wide-leg and heavily distressed styles. Instead, check the boxes in your attic—some of your old denim favorites are officially back in fashion.
Basic bootcut
They’re back. After years of super wide-legged styles, we’re having a bootcut jean renaissance. It comes hand-in-hand with the re-emergence of the “Yoplait mom who listens to Ingrid Michaelson and wears dangly earrings” aesthetic, and it’s a celebrity favorite. The style almost has an hourglass shape—hugging the thighs to the knee where it flares out slightly over the shoe—so it’s not too tight or wide but still flatters your natural shape. Like the name implies, this style pairs perfectly with a pair of fall boots but also looks great with a kitten heel peeping out.
Slouchy style
You may have seen barrel jeans popping up last winter but were afraid to give them a try. The good news is they’re not really going anywhere, so there’s still plenty of time to delve into the slouchy style. Barrel jeans are cut with a curve, adding fullness to the outer leg especially, but they’re more polished than a typical baggy wide-leg jean, since they taper back in towards the ankle and have a defined silhouette. I love leaning into the rounded look by pairing them with oversized tops, like a too-big blazer, but they also dress up nicely with a tucked button-down shirt.
Dazzling denim
As a maximalist who can’t go a day without some sort of sparkly sequin, bead, or gem incorporated into my look, the trend of embellished jeans really speaks to me. Designers are putting forth heavily embellished pairs covered in brooch-like accents, but an easy way to dip your toe into the trend is with a rivet or rhinestone. These simpler styles look just like your favorite pair of jeans but with a sparkly twist. Small rivets lining the pockets and side seams add a western flair, while a bit of bedazzling is subtle but sure-fire way to grab attention.
Chic cigarette
For those who have had enough of the last six years of wide-leg jeans and are ready for something slimmer, meet the cigarette jean. It’s not quite a skinny jean (don’t worry!) but not quite a straight jean, either. It has a chic, structured look and hits at the ankle, so it works well for showing off a pair of ballet flats or a cute heel. This is one of the simpler denim trends of the year and has staying power, so if you’re hesitant to wear something out-of-the-box, this is an easy one to try if you're ready for a slimmer silhouette.
Contrasting cuffs
After years of relaxed, looser-fitting jeans, brands are finally getting creative with the style. It may be a subtle difference, but a noticeable cuff is such a cool and intentional upgrade. All it takes is one flip of the hem to achieve the look, and these pre-cuffed styles stay in place without needing constant readjustment. Dark denim is particularly fashion-forward because there’s a clearer contrast to highlight the cuff. I’m hoping to see more extreme cuffs as more people embrace the trend, such as cuffs with embroidery (like the American Eagle pick), fun fabrics, or bejeweled designs.
