The Hottest Denim Trends Of 2026 Demand A Spot In Your Closet

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Denim trends have changed a lot over the past few years. Though ripped jeans were once the height of fashion, they were officially dubbed outdated in 2025. Then there are ultra-high-rise pieces, which once ruled our bottom halves but equally fell victim to going out of style as 2025's most outdated denim rise. So if your head is spinning as to what's in and what's out, don't worry. 2026 has its denim forecast, and you might have some of these pieces in your closet.

"The biggest influence on 2026 denim is the shift toward wearability," Cynthia Kennedy, personal stylist, image consultant, and creator of Your Style Transformation academy, exclusively tells Women. "We want jeans that actually fit our lifestyles, feel good, and work on real women, not just the models on the runway or influencers posing in front of a camera ... Women are also thinking of longevity, and in this economy they're asking themselves if their jeans will still feel great next year, not just for the rest of the season," she adds. But don't be fooled into thinking this year is all about substance and no style. While it's a great idea to lean into comfort and sustainability when shopping for denim pieces, there's still plenty of room to make a trendy yet practical fashion statement.

Ultra-high-rise jeans may be long out of style, but that doesn't mean our denim can't still sit a little higher. As much as trendsetters like Tate McRae and Dua Lipa have been rocking low-rise bottoms in recent months, Cynthia Kennedy assures us that mid- to regular high-rise denim will still have a place in 2026. "Low-rise jeans had their moment on the runway this year, but are much less practical for most of us. If you love them, great, but they aren't going to be the new default," she says to Women, exclusively.

Not only are mid- to high-rise bottoms flattering on a wider range of body types, but they're far more practical than divisive low-slung bottoms. By bringing the waistline closer to your belly button, you won't have to worry about your pants accidentally slipping down and showing a little more skin than you bargained for. Plus, they can be worn with a wider array of tops (think everything from crop tops to bodysuits). Kennedy recommends pairing your mid- to high-rise jeans with a silk blouse, like the LilySilk Silk Blouse or the HOTOUCH Silk Button Down, or a structured blazer during the day. Then change it up at night by draping a leather-look jacket over your shoulders.

Dramatic barrel leg jeans were everywhere in 2025 amid the ranch revival denim trend, but 2026 isn't lassoing the unique silhouette into present day. Instead, relaxed straight-leg and stovepipe shapes are taking over. "Stovepipe jeans are having a moment right now because they balance the body well, feel modern, and are really easy to style. [They] are often misunderstood, because they're closer to a straight-leg jean rather than a skinny, skimming over the leg instead of hugging it," Cynthia Kennedy exclusively tells us. She adds, "These silhouettes offer the best of both worlds, comfort and ease while still looking structured." Kennedy recommends pairing this jean shape with a fitted knit tank top and a tailored blazer.

If you're not ready to banish barrel jeans from your wardrobe yet, though, that's okay. Kennedy tells us the silhouette can still work in 2026 if you reach for a softer pair without such an intense shape. A soft barrel jean — like Aeropostale's Mid-Rise Barrel Leg Jean or Sidefeel's Barrel Jeans — offers the comfort and some of the structure of the barrel style without looking outdated.

We've seen a lot of dark-wash denim dominating trends in winter 2025/2026, like when Kate Hudson wowed in a dark, long denim skirt on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in December. But, as chic as she looked, that trend has already evolved, and dark washes are being replaced by lighter, classic shades. Cynthia Kennedy exclusively tells us, "Well-known high-end brands like Dior, Celine, and Chanel wanted to shake things up with really light, icy, almost gray-blue denim this season, and obviously trying to challenge the dominance of dark wash." However, she doesn't recommend throwing out all your black and dark grey garments in favor of super light pieces, as icy, super bright shades aren't always the most flattering (or practical) in everyday life.

Instead, Kennedy recommends focusing on richer blues when choosing your new denim pieces. "Mid-blue to darker indigo washes [are] the most wearable and forgiving. They transition smoothly from casual to polished and can be literally worn with anything, and they don't confine you to a specific trend," she shares. 

For a practical alternative to black denim that will transition from season to season, try Levi's Flynn Western Core Dress in the shade A New York Moment, which can be worn alone in spring/summer or with hosiery and boots in fall/winter. Equally, the Loose Fit Denim Overalls from ANRABESS in Washed Deep Indigo can be super practical. Denim overalls can be dressed down for around the house or paired with a turtleneck sweater and heels for a more polished vibe.

We've seen a lot of cropped denim on the streets over the past few months — remember when cropped flares came back in 2025? But, as Cynthia Kennedy exclusively notes, "Cropped denim isn't going anywhere, but full-length jeans are clearly back." That's largely due to 2026's hottest shoe trends, which don't all naturally lend themselves to shorter garments. "The longer lines feel more elevated and go great with the shoes we're wearing right now, like loafers, ballet flats, sneakers, and low-profile boots," Kennedy says. Just don't go too long. "A clean break or a slight stack is a chic look; dragging hems are not," she reminds us.

Of course, it's still okay to go cropped when you need to (in hot weather, it's not worth it to sweat it out in full-length jeans), but to safely embrace the long pants trend, it's vital you think about denim thickness. If you're looking to wear longer pants in warmer temperatures, opt for thinner, baggier denim that will keep you cooler by leaving more room for air to circulate. Think the ONESO Mid-Low Rise Baggy Jeans or Cake The Label's Wide Leg Baggy Jeans.

When you're ready for an alternative to jeans, a denim skirt is the trendy way to go. Denim skirt hems have been very up and down in recent years, as maxi skirts were huge in 2023, but miniskirts were the hot trend in 2025. In 2026, however, we're splitting the difference, as Cynthia Kennedy exclusively tells us, midi-length denim skirts will be all the rage. "They're a perfect alternative to jeans, and can still be made to feel casual and trendy, plus, they work year-round," she says.

It's not just the hemline that will determine how on-trend your denim skirt is, though. Kennedy shares that, to keep your look current, it's important to keep things simple (that means ditching bright colors or heavy embellishments). Levi's Fit and Flare Skirt is understated and classic, meaning it can be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come, while the Mid-Length Stretch Denim Skirt from the Flvsun Store features spandex for added comfort and practicality. As for styling the mid-length number, Kennedy shares, "Tees, sneakers, and a sweater tied over your shoulders for everyday, and fitted knits, blouses, boots, and a bomber jacket for evening."