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There are rare pieces in our wardrobe that exist without the constraints of a trend cycle, and denim is one of them. Denim is a personal matter – the type of jeans you like often depends on the style, cut and wash, and this varies from person to person. No particular style or wash is “better” than the next (yes, even skinny jeans count here). For this reason, jeans are an irreplaceable part of our wardrobe that helps us maintain our personal style. Some styles can serve as a statement piece of a look, while others are the kind of effortless bottoms you throw on with a sweatshirt on a day off. You can create an entire outfit out of a pair of jeans and by simply adding a sweater, t-shirt or button-down you can get a complete look that doesn’t feel like it needs anything else. Jeans make getting dressed so easy.
That doesn’t mean denim can’t be trendy. While a simple pair of straight jeans will always last through the trend cycle, the barrel-leg versions of 2024 scream, “I’m live-streaming Fashion Week.” This year’s denim styles are here to adorn your lower half, with deep, luxe ones Washes, exaggerated maximalist styles and polished, sophisticated classics to add to your arsenal.
Christine Chung, president of sales and marketing at Just Black Denim, agrees that low-rise styles will be a big trend all year long, especially in the “baggy, flare and straight silhouettes.” Chung also notes that she expects “vintage” styles (think Levi’s ’90s 501s) to dominate all year long. These are the styles you should expect to see in 2024 and are 100 percent worth your coin.
Jeans that feel like sweatpants? Register with us. Oversized baggy denim has proven to be a Gen-Z favorite for its comfort, with the relaxed styles featured at Loewe and Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2024 shows. These styles “pop” up the leg, creating an effortlessly relaxed feel that can be dressed up with a pointed toe heel or worn with sneakers for casual wear. Chung recommends styling them with a neutral baby tee and sneakers.
Deep indigo washes provide an abundance of color (no pun intended), which is why this wash is popular with those who love the calm luxe aesthetic. While light wash jeans can appear more casual, indigo washes are ideal for the workplace and occasions where a consistent fit is important. This season, try pairing darker wash denim with a cozy knit or camel coat. You’ll be surprised at how versatile the deep shade can be, yet still a little more sophisticated than your medium wash options.
Minimalist ’90s styles are back for good reason: They’re incredibly chic. Muses like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Cindy Crawford favored straight-leg styles that clung to the leg throughout and accentuated the waist without being too tight. These silhouettes were featured prominently on the Spring/Summer 2024 runways at Proenza Schouler, Ganni, and more. Although the fit is a current trend, ’90s straight-leg jeans will never go out of style thanks to their versatility and effortless styling options.
The hottest denim trend of 2024 may be the barrel leg. The barrel jean (also known as horseshoe jean) seen at Bottega and Alaïa has a high waist and an exaggerated leg, giving the leg an exaggerated, circular shape that resembles – you guessed it – the shape of a horseshoe. It’s an interesting shape that will undoubtedly make you think. Although the style seems rather experimental, they are a statement piece that can add intrigue to even a simple jeans and t-shirt look.
Just as exaggerated and relaxed baggy jeans are trending, long, baggy denim shorts will also be making a big appearance this year. Longer shorts that hit just above the knee may be hard to swallow at first glance, but they have a comfort-first approach that shorter pairs couldn’t dream of. They also add an elevated, chic essence to a look, making denim shorts actually feel wearable.