"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.
1. Puddle
Style Notes: Puddle hemlines were one of the biggest trouser trends for last year—now, they're taking over the 2023 jeans scene.
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These high-street jeans keep selling out.
Jeans like this look especially good worn with heels, but chunky sandals also work.
2. Barrel-Leg
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.
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What's not to love?
Choose from a white wash denim, black or a deeper true-blue.
3. Flare
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.
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So chic.
You can always count on River Island to deliver on flared jeans.
4. Cargo
Style Notes: Cargoes are another vital trend offshoot from the Y2K aesthetic; right now, I'm seeing more denim iterations than ever.
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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.
5. Ombré
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.
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These are currently on sale and too good to miss.
A baggier fit makes these feel even more current.
6. Split-Hem
Style Notes: Split-hem leggings have hit their popularity peak, so it makes sense that jeans are now boasting the detail, too.
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Jeans you can easily dress up with heels or down with Converse.
*Adds to basket*
7. Two-Tone
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.
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These are just so cool.
If you're a straight-leg devotee like I am, this is a great way to upgrade your collection.
8. Wide-Leg
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.
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The clue is in the name.
Look for classic shades of blue to make this silhouette feel its most refined.
9. Faded Grey
Style Notes: Black jeans are never a bad investment, but light-wash grey pairs certainly feel fresher as we head into a new season.
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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.
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