The 5 Denim Trends Defining The Season

From brightly colored denim to printed and embellished patterns, the chicest way to update your rotation right now is with a pair of statement jeans. At Chloé, color-pop pants in red, cobalt and purple were sent down the runway with plaid shirts and over-the-knee boots for a fresh take on the modern prairie look. Elsewhere, Versace and Polo Ralph Lauren leaned into the trend for ornate embellishment, decorating straight-leg jeans with sequins and golden embroidery, respectively. And while statement jeans work for day and night, we think there’s something especially chic about pairing Frame’s sparkling ‘The Embellished Saturday’ jeans with a leather jacket and bold jewelry for the office holiday party.

While white jeans dominated our feeds throughout the summer, styles in darker indigo washes are the denim update we’re backing for fall/winter 2026 and beyond. These inky-toned designs arrive in every shape imaginable, from Alaïa’s exaggerated horseshoe silhouette to Bottega Veneta’s tapered style. Often crafted from more rigid, harder-wearing denim, they’re the most polished pair of jeans you can own. Take your cue from Alexa Chung and style yours with a chic pussy-bow blouse and sleek pumps to effortlessly transition from desk to dinner.

It’s official: the bootcut is back. We’ve spotted the street-style set in London and Paris reviving the early ’00s fit-to-flare silhouette, wearing it with everything from sharp tailoring to boho accessories. The beauty of bootcut jeans is their universally flattering, leg-lengthening shape, which flares out at the hem in varying degrees of width. For anyone with a penchant for more put-together denim, Khaite’s ‘Conforti’ mid-rise jeans are a highlight from the fall/winter 2026 runway, while Mother’s ‘Bookie’ jeans will give any outfit a ’70s vibe thanks to their split-hemmed, two-toned design and twisted seams. Whichever you choose, don’t be misled by the boot in the name – they’ll look just as good paired with flats or heels.

For a lived-in look borrowed from menswear, the boyfriend jean is the fail-safe fit. This season, the slouchy silhouette arrives with upturned cuffs and distressed detailing reminiscent of a great vintage piece found at the back of your other half’s closet. Consider Mother’s ‘The Mid Rise Maven Sneak’, which are ripped at the knees, or Nili Lotan’s perfectly faded ‘Mitchell’ to bring an air of insouciance to your edit. When worn with relaxed knitwear and loafers, you’ll have a weekend look favored by fashion editors. Alternatively, style boyfriend jeans with a crisp shirt and tailoring to strike the perfect balance between relaxed and refined.

The ultimate staple to have in your denim drawer, the straight-leg is the silhouette you’ll reach for year after year. A firm favorite since the ’90s, this shape is a true classic that continues to transcend trends, even as the pendulum has swung from skinny to wide-leg styles of late. Every denim brand has its own variation of the straight-leg, but cult LA-based label Citizens of Humanity’s ‘90s French’ high-rise design is a reliable choice that goes with everything. If you prefer a pair that’s a bit more relaxed with raw-edge hems, Guest In Residence’s aptly named ‘Weekender’ is the go-to for a nonchalant model-off-duty look.