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.
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.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Women’s Pant Styles and Hem Lengths Demystified
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
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!
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32 Responses
Good informative post. Even Marshall’s can’t get rid of skinny jeans. I see wide legs and the next week they are gone but the skinnies are still there. Good riddance. I’m never going to wear them again now that I can buy other styles. I see many teenagers wearing looser jeans. I read an article that said Gen Z rebeled against skinny jeans and brought on the wider and looser jeans styles. I think the title was why millennials can’t give up skinny jeans. As a boomer I laughed and thought I must have something in common with Gen Z. My granddaughter is Gen Z and we’re very close.
Terri this made me laugh! I’m a millennial and happy to see skinnies go! But I did wear them and love them for many years. I think it’s because we grew up in the 90s with wide legs, then wore flares in the early 2000s (high school years for me). Skinnies trended so long that we wore them most of our adult lives; I think for many it was hard to embrace styles that we wore as kids/teens but have been considered “out of style” for most of our adult lives. That said, I’m happy to part ways with my skinnies! Even when they are trending, they’re not the most flattering look on most people, and they’re not comfortable! I’d forgotten when it was like to be comfy in jeans! Hopefully if or when skinnies come back, it will just be the cigarette style. I’d wear those again but probably not “jeggings”!
Interesting, I don’t even know what I am, lol. I’m 52. I know I’m not a boomer or Gen Z but that’s about it. I lovvvvved bootcut jeans in the late 90s/early aughts, and I lovvvvved skinny jeans in the 2010s. I was happy to embrace flares again in the past couple years, they remind me of the bootcut styles I loved when my kids were little, but wide leg jeans have taken some getting used to.
You are like me – Gen X!
By the way, you mentioned what to tell tailor when getting jeans hemmed (I’m petite and could not pass up a pair of jeans that are too long). I have looked for that recommendation but cannot find it.
You want to tell them to retain the original hem.
This was a great post! Thank you for mentioning the shoe options for each jean style as I struggle with this. It looked like a couple of the models were wearing clogs. Are they still in style? I have a comfortable pair that look good with the longer styles of jeans.
I have seen mules mentioned on a few fall trend lists, but not clogs, but they are a type of mule. I think it’s because more streamlined styles and flats are where the trends are going, not as much the platforms and chunky looks, which clogs tend to be. But I would wear them, if they work with the outfit and not feel dated.
I’ve tried on the wider widths but they make me look bigger so I’m going to stick with straight or bootcut. I find the barrel leg makes everyone look bow legged, even on slender influencers. I’m going to pass on that way.
My daughter never gave up her skinnies so I see the appeal to some but I donated all of mine. I don’t think I’ll go back but would opt for a cigarette profile instead.
Thank you for the jean update and how best to wear them in 2024.
Loving all the variety of denim right now. I especially like the seaming details, I seem to lean toward a little edgy and “different” especially since I have so many pairs of traditional denim. Good reporting, Jo-Lynne! I am down here in Myrtle Beach, in the middle of Hurricane Debby, and am glad I brought a few pairs of cropped denim and cozy sweatshirts. I need them!
Yikes, stay safe!
I love all of the looks! I don’t have a skirt because I don’t really have a place to wear one. I have Kut cuffed jeans, which are my favorite right now. I do like the Gap seamed jeans. I’m intrigued by the barrel jeans! I need to try on a pair and see what I think. I’m covered in all of the other categories.
As for saying “never” I quit saying that when it comes to jeans. When bootcut were in years ago I said never to skinnies, then I had hard time giving them up. I feel best in straight crop with my height 5’3”, but it’s fine for Spring and Summer with sandals and tennishoes and Fall for same plus clogs but then comes boot season and I struggle. I’m glad to see you posted the Itty Bitty bootcut by Wit n Wisdom. I have those and like them on me, but have yet to wear them. Can’t get use to the darker denim. Plus shoe paring. I’m in a boot now for sore foot from swollen ankle joints in the ball of my foot so they said no narrow toe shoes right now or heels. Both the boots I bought at the NSALE are more narrow toe box. So waiting now. 🙁 They are black and do you like black with dark denim? Oh the Jean shoe pairing saga. lol Great post. I like to keep up on the latest. You know just the right jean shoe pairings for you and have great choices in your closet.
Black works with dark denim and creates a cohesive look, but for some reason, I like to see a little contrast, which is why I like it better with shades of medium and dark brown. But I see it paired with black a lot, so maybe it’s just me, lol.
Another great post filled with very helpful information on denim trends. I am one that will not go back to skinny jeans because I just didn’t find them comfortable, especially when I would stand up and have to tug the legs back down. I’m proud to be a 67+ woman and I have no desire to wear what teenagers are wearing.
My favorite Jean of the new styles are flares. I have tried wide leg and felt like it added too much visual weight which I don’t need whereas flares seem to balance out my shape. Glad to hear that pretty much any length Jean works with any shoe. I hemmed my flares for a taller heel but find I don’t wear them as much as I’d like if I had more shoe choices. Thinking about hemming them shorter to get more cost per wear.
Wit & Wisdom is another good brand for petite sizes.
Oh, yes! I forgot that one.
So glad to see dark denim back on scene! I find that it lends itself to dressing up so much better than medium or might wash. And you’re right, it looks great with the browns that are trending! I’ll keep a couple of slim straights in a medium wash for the simple purpose of wearing with tshirts and tennis shoes on casual days at work, but I’m looking forward to wide leg and flares. Here’s my question: as a petite, it’s hard not to let wide legs overwhelm. Back in the day, there was a “trouser” cut. Its defining feature was the trouser waist, but it was also a great streamlined cut. Slim through the thigh line a flare, but without going in at the knee. I loved it because it didn’t overwhelm my frame like wide legs, but made me look taller than flares. Trouser waist aside, have you seen this more slimmed down version of the wide leg silhouette? (Thanks btw for all the research that went into this, much appreciated!)
There are definitely some “slim wide leg” jeans. The KUT Meg is flattering on a lot of women, and the FRAME Le Slim Palazzo in the Pixie (petite) is worth a try.
Megan yesterday QVC had a jean exactly as you described. It was the today’s special value. It was available in petite but on wait-list for small sizes like 2 and 4. I didn’t order because QVC clothes run big. I find petite wide leg jeans from Loft don’t overwhelm me. I also like Gap factory.
Thank you for all your wonderful blog posts. I always enjoy reading your helpful style ideas and clothing recommendations.
This recent focus on denim was especially useful. I liked seeing all the current trends.
Question: Due to surgery in my abdominal area, I am currently unable to wear jeans with button and zipper closures. They are too restrictive. Can you recommend any stylish pull on jeans that would work for me? Thank you!
Frank & Eileen does some, but they are quite spendy. Spanx does too. Other than those, I’m not sure, but maybe someone else can chime in with a suggestion.
Janis I think a blogger named Tania styled jeans with a wide elastic waist that were stylish from either Chico’s or J.Jill. I can’t remember. Wishing you healing. I had gyn surgery and I had to deal with a bloated stomach for weeks.
Janis,
Look at Liverpool jeans! I have both a pair of white denim shorts and a pair of full length jeans which are pull on. They have a “fake” button fly so they definitely present more as traditional jeans vs elastic waist pants. They are very cute! They might still be a little constricting for you but they are worth a try.
Be gracious and patient with yourself, our daughter had post-pregnancy abdominal surgery and it took almost a year for her swelling to completely go away!
Thank you for your recommendations and encouragement.
For me, straight, bootcut, skinny. Regardless of trends. When it comes to denim, I stick with what silhouettes look good on me.
Thank you for such a great post! Love it! I like the darker wash jeans maybe because I am pear shaped and feel self conscious sometimes in light colored jeans-lol:) despite trying to wear a shirt/blouse with v neck, etc to draw the eye up and not focused on my jeans. Lots of great options here.
I expected to see patch pockets listed as a micro trend.
Great post! Thank you so much!
What do you recommend for those of us with a menopause belly? Tucking in a blouse/shirt when wearing jeans is not flattering but leaving it untucked doesn’t look good either, especially with these wide leg styles. Any suggestions?
It’s a tricky situation, no doubt. I feel like figuring out your ideal shirt length is really crucial, and also wearing styles have some structure through the waist but don’t cling, so you can leave them untucked. Tucking is definitely going to bring attention to a bigger belly.
I don’t like jeans. Any suggestions for an alternative ? Thank you.