Jean trends have drastically changed in the past 1-2 years, and navigating these changes can be tricky! Here is a breakdown of the available styles of jeans for 2024. I’ll tell you which ones are most trendy, and where I purchase them.
I think one of the biggest struggles of fashion right now is JEANS. There are so many styles out there, and trends are constantly changing, so it’s tricky to know which ones are in style, or what styles are even available out there. While I want you to wear whatever jeans YOU feel comfortable in, regardless of style, it’s still good to know and see the different styles so you can decide what’s best for you.
Here is a breakdown of 15 different jean styles, and which are my favorites.
Different Jean Styles
1. STRAIGHT LEG JEANS. Straight leg jeans were the first to branch off from skinny jeans. I love a straight leg jean, and this is pretty self explanatory, with just a straight leg all the way down from your hips to your feet. They don’t flare out, they don’t get wider…they’re just a little looser.
If you’re branching out from skinny jeans, this is a great option.
Below, you’ll see three different versions:
- Madewell length true straight jean
- Everlane ankle length true straight leg jean
- Levi’s ankle length skinnier straight leg jean
The last of the three is definitely more of a skinny fit, but it’s a thicker fabric and isn’t so fitted to the leg, so I consider this a straight leg even though it has more a slim cut.
These are some of my favorite styles of jeans and I think they’re great for dressing up with a better than basic top, or dressing down with a tee or tank. They work well with flats and loafers and slim shaft ankle boots and sneakers. They’re very versatile! I have a whole post here about what shoes to wear with full length jeans if you need some help.
what I’m wearing above:
MADEWELL FULL LENGTH 90’s STRAIGHT LEG JEANS (wearing size 25, size down one size) | EVERLANE CROPPED WAY HIGH JEANS (wearing size 26, true to size) | LEVI’S 501 SKINNY JEANS (wearing size 26, they run small) | AMERICAN GIANT TEE (wearing size XS, sizes limited, similar HERE) | SIMILAR LEATHER SANDALS
2. WIDE LEG JEANS
Wide leg jeans are a very popular trend right now, and something I think you should absolutely consider trying. They’re a little scarier than straight leg jeans at first, but I promise you’ll love them. They key is to figure out which width and length work best for you. I prefer a slight less wide, ankle length version. #2 in the list is my personal favorite and I wear them all the time.
Below, you’ll see four different versions:
- Aritzia full length wide leg jeans
- Madewell cropped wide leg jeans
- Kut from the Kloth super wide leg jeans
- Madewell super wide leg jeans
what I’m wearing above:
ARITZIA HI-RISE WIDE LEG JEANS (wearing size 26, true to size) | MADEWELL CROPPED WIDE LEG JEANS (wearing size 25, size down one size) | KUT FROM THE KLOTH SUPER WIDE LEG JEANS (wearing size 2, they run a little big) | MADEWELL DRAWSTRING SUPER WIDE LEG JEANS (wearing size 25, size down one size) | AMERICAN GIANT TEE (wearing size XS, sizes limited, similar HERE) | SIMILAR LEATHER SANDALS
3. FLARED JEANS
Flared jeans have made a comeback in the last few years, and again, there are varying levels of width, and you can get them in ankle length or full length, and more of a bootcut or a true flare. You can choose what works best for you.
I personally prefer a cropped kick flare, and I wear this black pair all the time during the fall, but a full length bootcut or flare can be great for dressing up a bit.
Below, you’ll see three different versions:
what I’m wearing above:
MAURICES FLARED JEANS (wearing size 4) | LAUREN CONRAD BOOTCUT JEANS (wearing size 2) | MADEWELL KICK FLARE JEANS (wearing size 25, size down one size) | AMERICAN GIANT TEE (wearing size XS, sizes limited, similar HERE) | SIMILAR LEATHER SANDALS
4. SKINNY JEANS
Are skinny jeans out? Well….that’s kind of a tricky question. You can still buy them in stores, and I think there is a time and a place for them, but they are definitely not at the height of fashion anymore. I had so many pairs of skinny jeans over the years, and now I have almost none. They are so constricting to me compared to my other jeans, and after wearing straight and wide leg jeans for several years, I really struggle to put my skinny jeans on without feeling so restricted and like a stuffed sausage.
If you still love yours, you can absolutely wear them. Just remember to wear shoes and tops with them that are classic or more trendy, so your outfit doesn’t look like it stepped out of 2010.
Below, you’ll see two different versions:
Out of the two lengths, I’d recommend the full length. The ankle length (several inches above the ankle bone) is too short, in my opinion.
what I’m wearing above:
LAUREN CONRAD FULL LENGTH SKINNY JEANS (wearing size 4) | LAUREN CONRAD ANKLE LENGTH SKINNY JEANS (wearing size 2) | AMERICAN GIANT TEE (wearing size XS, sizes limited, similar HERE) | SIMILAR LEATHER SANDALS
5. OTHER STYLES OF JEANS
This is a miscellaneous category that I wanted to show you, with three different styles that are popular. The first is barrel jeans. I have this one pair that’s technically not a true barrel style, but the legs do curve in a bit so I wanted to show you them to give you an idea. Typically I HATE barrel jeans because they look like you’re bowlegged (just look at these examples), but a subtle curve can be cute and easy to wear.
Secondly, cargo jeans. These are jeans that have cargo pockets on them. Cargo pants are popular right now, and although they usually are a no from me because they give you bulk on your legs and I don’t want that, these ones are ok for me because the pockets are slit pockets instead of patch pockets.
And thirdly, trouser jeans. These are very nice and dressy jeans. They can be in any wash, but they are a more elevated jean that you can wear with a blouse and heels.
Here’s what you’ll see below:
what I’m wearing above:
EVERLANE WAY HIGH JEANS (wearing size 26, true to size) | ARITZIA CARGO WIDE LEG JEANS (wearing size 26, TRUE TO SIZE) | SEZANE TROUSER JEANS (wearing size 2, size up, they run small, these are very tight on me in the waist) | AMERICAN GIANT TEE (wearing size XS, sizes limited, similar HERE) | SIMILAR LEATHER SANDALS
I hope this was helpful! If you want more resources, check out my GUIDE FOR HOW YOUR JEANS SHOULD FIT!
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Thank you for the different trends. I loved one style/brand of jeans for a long time but I have been unable to find them for years. The jeans I trend towards now are the Talbots straight leg. I am tall and yet I must wear a compression stocking that goes from thigh to toe on one leg due to a health issue. (I am alive so that is fine) but it can cause an issue when finding jeans let alone pants.
oh my gosh those barrel jean examples you linked to I didn’t realize that was a thing. HARD NO. Yikes!
Shopping online at Snipes USA was easy, but when my sneakers arrived, they were the wrong size. I went straight to snipes usa customer support to figure out what to do. Reading about similar situations gave me a heads-up on how to speed things along. I filled out their return form, and the exchange process was fairly quick. The replacement fit perfectly, so overall, it turned out okay. The initial mix-up was frustrating, though.