5 Denim Trends That Will be Huge This Year (& 1 to Leave Behind)

I won’t lie, I doubted the longevity of this trend when it first popped up last year, but turns out I was wrong. The bow-legged silhouette has only been growing in popularity and is definitely the top jeans trend of the year. And while it may seem like a tricky style to wear, it’s not as complicated as you may fear, even for petites. According to Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida, the key is all in balancing a more voluminous bottom with a fitted or skin-baring top.

Baggy skater jeans and Kate Middleton-inspired puddle pants are being replaced by a different wide-leg silhouette this summer, one that’s decidedly more posh. High-waist ‘70s wide legs are reigning supreme as a flare or loose-leg alternative. These jeans are fitted around the hips and waist and have a more structured vibe, almost like a pair of pressed trousers, often with a seam down the front (fabulous for lengthening the look of your legs). As for styling, I highly suggest pairing them with other polished pieces to keep that upscale vibe going.

Indigo denim, that also has more of a trouser vibe than classic blue-wash jeans, is a great way to work denim into a more formal wardrobe. The super-deep hue gives the utilitarian fabric a posh lift that looks fabulous with tailored blazers, office-appropriate blouses and pointy-toe heels. Expect to see these ultra-rich washes in just about every silhouette, but especially wide-leg, flare and straight-leg cuts.

I know that even just hearing the phrase “low-rise jeans” tends to strike panic into the hearts of millennials and Gen Xers, but these are not the “inseams so low they require a bikini wax” jeans of the early aughts. The 2025 version of low-rise jeans fit much more like a mid rise, and only feel low in comparison to the ultra-high rises that dominated the years preceding the pandemic. People also aren’t styling them in the same ways, despite the continuing Y2K fashion revival—gone are the curve-hugging baby tees exposing half your stomach and in are the baggy, full-length T-shirts and tailored jackets. They’re more relaxed than previous iterations, giving your torso space to breathe. They certainly won’t replace high-waist designs, but prepare to see many more low- and mid-rise options in the coming months.

OK, so this isn’t strictly a “jeans” trend, but it is a major denim trend for the year that can be worn in much the same way as your favorite pair of pants. Straight silhouettes, in both midi and maxi lengths, are definitely the most prevalent at the moment, but I’ve started to see an uptick in A-line cuts recently too, and expect that to continue as we head into summer. As for how to style this jeans alternative, pair them with knee-high boots for spring (for maximum warmth around your legs), then have some fun with loafers, flats and strappy sandals once temperatures start to rise.

I’ve started to see this 2010s-era trend slowly making a comeback, but don’t buy into the hype. These uber-distressed styles may have a moment this summer, but it will be only a blip, this is not a lasting trend. The truth is that these jeans literally don’t last as long as cleaner washes, and are also much harder to wear once temperatures start to drop. If you want something with a worn-in vibe, skip the shredded pairs and instead look for jeans with cuts at the knee or a sun-washed bleaching effect.