The Only 5 Denim Trends You Need to Know this Fall—& One Surprising Style That’s Already Out

I won’t lie, I doubted the longevity of this trend when it first popped up, 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. And while you may automatically want to default to a high-waist silhouette, a mid or even low rise may create more even proportions for those with a short torso or long legs.

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.

Halfway between a skinny jean and a straight leg lies the cigarette, sometimes also referred to as stovepipe jeans (see Julia Robert’s recent Versace ensemble). While wider and baggier silhouettes have pretty much dominated our wardrobes for the past few years, the time has come for us to swing back in the opposite direction. Skinny jeans have already been creeping back into the zeitgeist, but for those not quite ready to commit to wrapping their legs in skin-tight denim, the cigarette jean is a fabulous alternative. It tucks just as easily into knee-high boots but flows much better over ankle booties or loafers than a traditional skinny. Play up a balance of proportions with your cigarette jeans and pair them with oversize blazers or chunkier knits.

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 fit much more like a mid rise, and only feel low in comparison to the ultra-high rises that reigned supreme in 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.

Double the denim, double the fun—this seems to be the mantra of so many style icons this fall, and I, for one, absolutely love it. Denim shirts, skirts, dresses and jackets of all styles, not just traditional trucker cuts, are every bit as trendy as the jeans listed above. Even more so if you double up, wearing at least two (if not more) denim pieces at once. For those who are less enamored with the look of a Canadian tuxedo, you could also opt for some denim boots or a denim shoulder bag to switch things up. And don’t stress about trying to make an exact match, it’s more than ok to mix multiple washes into one look.

It really feels like these ankle-grazing silhouettes, alongside maxis of other fabrics too, were just at the top of trend lists for the year. But fashion is often more fickle than we might like, and it appears the wave of midi and maxi denim skirts has already come and gone.

That’s not to say you’ll look totally off if you do still wear the skirt you bought last fall. The best way to reinvent the 2024 staple is with other pieces that feel more “of the moment” like a sporty rugby shirt or asymmetrical blouse. P.S. If you have the space, I’d stick your midi and maxi skirts in storage for now, rather than donating them. There’s a real possibility this trend will swing back around in the not too distant future.