Hi, friends! Yesterday I launched Fall Trends Week here on the blog, with my Fall Fashion Trends Forecast! Today we’re taking a deep dive into the most asked-about wardrobe category of all and discussing the Top Denim Trends for Fall 2024.
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This may well be the most polarizing topic we discuss in this community! After all, each woman has a unique body and a unique set of lifestyle needs, so no one denim silhouette is perfect for everyone all the time.
Women also vary in how much we value being on trend. Some of us love to try new things and enjoy staying on top of the latest styles and silhouettes. Others work hard to find the denim styles that work best for their bodies and lifestyles, and they’re going to stick with those no matter what the trend reports say.
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The good news is, pretty much everything goes right now. You can look fashionable in just about any denim silhouette, as long as you style them with other modern pieces and wear them with confidence. And, of course, good fit and proportion is key to any stylish ensemble.
All that to say, these posts on fall trends are simply meant to be informative. It’s up to you to figure out if you want to wear them… or not.
What Jeans are in Style for 2024?
Before dive in, I want to mention that I worked very hard to find a feature photo for each style or trend that represents the exact look I’m trying to describe. I especially paid attention to the length of the jeans as worn by the model, as well as the shoe pairings and the overall styling of the outfit. I hope this helps you see how each trend might be styled in a way that looks current and relevant to the everyday woman.
The widgets at the end of each section provide more examples of each trend for your shopping convenience, and I tried to include a variety of retailers and price points. You can click through on those for more details. As always, I appreciate it when you support my work by shopping through my links!
#1. Darker Washes
photo credit: Evereve
Light and medium washes still look current, but darker washes are coming in strong this fall, from the deep indigo to dark rinse. These look the most fresh and modern to my eye, but I plan to have a variety of shades in my closet.
Dark denim washes are available in all pant silhouettes, so anyone can participate in this trend, no matter style of jeans you prefer, and it’s a quick and easy way to update your look!
As far as footwear pairings go, I see dark wash denim paired with black shoes and boots quite a lot, but I love how it looks with shades of brown, especially chocolate brown and chestnut. It also looks great with leopard print.
#2. Wide Leg Silhouettes
photo credit: Anthropologie
As I said yesterday in my Fall Fashion Forecast, wide leg silhouettes continue to dominate the denim departments at most of the mainstream retailers. The fit is relaxed through the hip and widens through to the hem. Some are more exaggerated than others, so experiment and find the style you prefer.
These can be a tricky style to wear, especially after we got so accustomed to the skinny jean look, so it’s taken a while to gain momentum, but this year it’s definitely hit the mainstream. The key is to define the waist. You do this by tucking your top, wearing a short or fitted top, or adding a structured blazer or jacket.
STYLE TIP: If the wide leg intimidates you, try a relaxed flare such as the MOTHER Hustler Roller Skimp Flare (splurge) or LOFT High Rise Relaxed Flare (save). Because these fit closer to the hips and thighs, they can be easier to style.
Raw hems and traditional finished hems are both out there, in all denim silhouettes, but I’m leaning into the finished hems this season for a more polished look. I’m also noticing more full length styles arriving on the scene for fall, although cropped and ankle lengths are still relevant.
Shoe pairings with wide leg jeans are all over the place, from chunky platforms to sneakers to ladylike pointy toe slingback pumps and Mary Jane flats. Wide leg jeans will also pair beautifully with ankle boots when the weather cools down.
#3. Flare Leg Silhouettes
photo credit: Nordstrom
Flares are my personal favorite style of denim, and they flatter almost every body type. The fit is slim and straight through the hips and thighs, and then it widens from knee to ankle, usually with a leg opening of 20″ or more.
As with wide leg styles, some flares are more dramatic than others, so wear what aligns most with your personal style. Typically a leg opening smaller than 20″ is considered a bootcut, but you will see the terms bootcut and flare used interchangeably on many retailer websites. (You can read more about Denim Measurements here if you need more guidance on figuring that out.)
We’re still seeing all lengths in flares right now, from the traditional floor-grazing style to cropped lengths, but just like with wide leg jeans, I feel like full-lengths are where the trends are headed.
Shoe pairings, again, are all over the map. While heels are often touted as the best option, these days it’s quite trendy to pair flares with flats or even sneakers. (See the picture above.)
You can also be a little more creative with the length these days, since ankle and crop lengths are trending. Gone are the days when you would buy two pairs of the same jeans and hem one for heels and one for flats! Feel free to wear the same pair of flare leg jeans with flats (for a full-length look) and heels (for an ankle-length look).
#4. Straight Leg Jeans
photo credit: Evereve
Straight leg jeans aren’t the most fashion-forward look, but they’re still relevant, and can be styled in a current way. The fit is streamlined from hip to hem. They can be cropped, ankle-length, or full length; but the longer, relaxed styles are more on trend for fall 2024.
Word on the street is that “cigarette jeans” and even skinny jeans are making a comeback, but it will be a few seasons before they make their way back around to the mainstream stores. Most of us are still getting used to more relaxed silhouettes, and that’s what I see being featured most prominently at the stores were I shop. That said, a slim straight or cigarette leg is a classic style, and if that’s your preference, you can certainly wear them in a way that looks current.
You can wear all types of shoes and heel heights with straight leg jeans; it all depends on the length and silhouette of the jeans and the overall vibe you’re going for. The possibilities here are virtually endless, although I will say, I find ankle boots hard to wear with them. I tend to wear my straight leg jeans with loafers, flats, sandals, and sneakers; and save my ankle boots for flares and wide leg jeans.
#5. Barrel Jeans
photo credit: Evereve
Barrel leg jeans are a version of straight leg jeans. The fit is loose in the thighs and tapered to the ankle, and they’re usually cropped or ankle-length. This silhouette is being touted by some as “the fit of the moment,” but I stand by my assertion that wide leg styles are more prominent right now. Either way, they’re worthy of a mention in this post.
This is more trend-driven look, so it won’t appeal to everyone, but it’s definitely a great way to update your denim wardrobe. And if you want a more subtle version of this look, the Agolde Bowed Straight (splurge) or Pistola Lexi Bowed Straight (spend) are good options. If you know of a “save” version, please let me know! I couldn’t find one.
I feel like barrel leg jeans look best with form-fitting tops, or a front tuck that helps define the waist, and I see them styled mostly with flats and sneakers.
#6. Cuffed Jeans
photo credit: Evereve (more sizes available at KUT from the Kloth)
Cuffs are a micro trend that can apply to any denim silhouette. This is definitely more of a dramatic look that will not resonate with every woman, but it’s a fun way to inject personality into your fall outfits.
#7. Seaming Details
photo credit: Nordstrom
This is another micro trend that is popping up on all denim styles and washes. It’s just another way to add interest and dimension to your outfits, if it appeals to you.
#8. Denim Skirts
photo credit: Gap Factory
Denim skirts are all the rage right now, so I figured I’d include them in my denim trends post. All lengths are trending, but mini skirts or midi and maxi lengths are most trendy. Some have raw hems, some have extra seaming details. Long front slits are popular on midi and maxi lengths.
As far as footwear goes, you can dress them down with sneakers or flats, and the longer lengths will look great with knee-high boots this fall and winter.
Petite Denim Options
MOTHER Lil Roller Fray Petite
One quick word about petite denim. As you know, if you’re shorter than 5’3″, jeans can be a bit of a struggle. Happily, several premium denim brands are coming out with petite lines, including FRAME (also at Nordstrom) and MOTHER (also available at Nordstrom and Evereve)! If you prefer more budget-friendly brands, LOFT, Madewell, and Gap all have a good selection of petite denim options.
Are skinny jeans coming back in style for 2024?
I’m sure you will notice that skinny jeans are NOT on this list. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them in stores, but my friend who works at LOFT tells me that they are not moving. She says the women coming in are asking for wide leg jeans and flares, so I think that’s quite telling about where the trends are right now. LOFT is about as mainstream as it gets!
You will hear trend reports staying that low rise skinny jeans are coming back, and I read somewhere that the Fall 2024 runway styles were featuring more sleek silhouettes and cigarette leg pants, so the pendulum is starting to swing. Just remember, the runway styles won’t hit the mainstream stores where everyday women shop for several years.
That’s not to say you can’t get ahead of the curve, or if you never gave up your skinny jeans and still enjoy wearing them, rock on! You do you. But at the moment, wide leg silhouettes, flares, relaxed straight, and barrel leg styles are dominating at the mainstream retailers.
In Conclusion
As always, take this list of Denim Trends for Fall 2024 with a grain of salt, but don’t write them all off just because you don’t like them at first. Part of staying current and not getting stuck in a style rut is being open to trying new things. That doesn’t mean we should all jump on every trend that comes down the pike, either, so be selective and wear what feels authentic to you.
The most important thing is to have fun with fashion, and wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident!
