“How can you not wear jeans?” This was easily the most common question I was asked in the early years of my career when—yes, you guessed it—I did not wear jeans. Looking back, I put it down to having never really having found the perfect pair. This was a time during which skinny jeans reigned and before straight-leg styles were as commonplace as they are now (if you can believe it!). Fast-forward eight years or so, and now I live in jeans; I’d say six out of the seven days in the week, you’ll find me wearing a pair, and I’m always on the lookout for new ways to get my denim fix.
That’s the beauty of the jeans world as it is now; there are just so many options to choose from. Some might say even too many. Between classic pairs such as Levi’s 501s and Re/Done’s Stove Pipe jeans to the arguably more polarising styles that have resurged thanks to the enduring Y2K aesthetic—here’s looking at you, low-risers—the denim market has never been quite so booming or, depending on how you look at it, daunting.
You’ll have found yourself here via two avenues: 1) the headline piqued your interest as you scrolled social media/Apple News or 2) you googled “jeans trends 2023.” I know many of you will have done so by way of the latter, so you’ll be please to know I’m here to do just that: show you the best and most noteworthy jeans trends of 2023. From pairs that began trending last year that are still major contenders to the styles that feel brand-new and fresh, scroll on for my list of the nine jeans trends that are set to dominate the next six months at least.
Style Notes: Puddle hemlines were one of the biggest trouser trends for last year—now, they’re taking over the 2023 jeans scene.
These high-street jeans keep selling out.
Jeans like this look especially good worn with heels, but chunky sandals also work.
Style Notes: Although straight-leg jeans will never go out of style, if you’re looking for a subtle way to make your denim feel more current, the barrel-leg silhouette will help you do just that.
What’s not to love?
Choose from a white wash denim, black or a deeper true-blue.
Style Notes: Flares were a predominant feature on the autumn/winter runways, but their influence on jeans is now being truly felt. I’m also into the idea of a white pair.
So chic.
You can always count on River Island to deliver on flared jeans.
Style Notes: Cargoes are another vital trend offshoot from the Y2K aesthetic; right now, I’m seeing more denim iterations than ever.
I expect this raey pair will be hanging in every influencer’s wardrobe by the end of the year.
I like Monki’s easy interpretation of the cargo jeans trend.
Style Notes: You’ll notice that brightly coloured or fun printed jeans haven’t yet started to crop up (watch this space), but ombré? It’s very much a thing.
These are currently on sale and too good to miss.
A baggier fit makes these feel even more current.
Style Notes: Split-hem leggings have hit their popularity peak, so it makes sense that jeans are now boasting the detail, too.
Jeans you can easily dress up with heels or down with Converse.
*Adds to basket*
Style Notes: While some might look at this denim trend and think “patchwork,” the linear contrast panels feel significantly more polished. It’s important to make the difference clear.
These are just so cool.
If you’re a straight-leg devotee like I am, this is a great way to upgrade your collection.
Style Notes: If you invested in a pair of trending wide-leg jeans last year, rest assured this is no flash-in-the-pan buy; wide-leg denim is here to stay for 2023.
The clue is in the name.
Look for classic shades of blue to make this silhouette feel its most refined.
Style Notes: Black jeans are never a bad investment, but light-wash grey pairs certainly feel fresher as we head into a new season.
Note the addition of the puddle hemline.
These come in waist sizes 24-40.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.