From twisted seams to the return of skinny jeans, denim experts outline the season's key movements.
Denim trends operate in cycles, according to trend forecaster and denim specialist Amy Leverton. "Denim trends always come back around," she says, and this principle underpins the outlook for fall 2026.
Contemporary shoppers approach denim much as they would shoes or knitwear—treating jeans as an enduring wardrobe essential rather than a fleeting purchase. While the garment remains a constant presence in modern closets, its specific expressions shift over time, offering evolving combinations of washes, fits, and aesthetics. Leverton notes that rigid rules about which silhouettes are "in" or "out" have softened. "Personal style and individual curation are much more important now, and denim is almost the perfect vehicle for that because it already exists in everybody's wardrobe."
This season emphasizes character, whether through resurrected shapes or decorative additions. "We want denim to feel personal rather than anonymous," Leverton explains.
The six movements to watch
**Twisted seams**
As relaxed, slouchy fits maintain their dominance, Leverton identifies jeans with unconventional seam construction as the standout development. The arcing front seam originated as a manufacturing flaw in the 1950s and 1970s, when fabric skewing pulled seams forward. JW Anderson's Twisted Denim campaign from August and Eckhaus Latta's spring 2027 runway have deliberately revived this once-accidental feature. "Today, designers are taking that imperfection and deliberately exaggerating it," Leverton observes. "It feels both nostalgic and very contemporary."
**Lower waists and boot cuts**
Stylist Chloe Felopulos, influenced by Addison Rae's March collaboration with Lucky Brand and Hailey Bieber's Gap capsule, has embraced descending waistlines. For autumn, she favors boot cuts that merge equestrian polish with indie sleaze sensibility. "I think there's something inherently cool and hot about a slouch boot cut—from the way it looks to the way it makes you feel," she says.
**Refined denim jackets**
Both Leverton and Felopulos stress the importance of updated denim outerwear. Those seeking to replace well-worn vintage pieces should consider jackets with distinctly feminine shaping. While subtler than trending military styles, this silhouette signals sophisticated taste. "It nods to this romance theme that's going on in fashion without being too theatrical," Leverton notes.
**The barn jacket**
For more casual preferences, Leverton suggests the barn jacket: a polished evolution of the classic jean jacket featuring boxier proportions, extended length, and contrast collar detailing. The result channels off-duty model ease.
**Maximalist embellishment**
Following Dior's crystal-studded fall/winter 2026 jeans and Roberto Cavalli's expressive spring/summer 2027 show, Leverton declares "more is more." Consumers increasingly seek visible value, moving beyond quiet luxury's restraint toward surfaces rich with beads, embroidery, and appliqués.
**Skinny jeans**
True to Leverton's cyclical thesis, the once-maligned skinny jean may return. After years of baggy dominance, the 2000s-2010s staple could resurface for trend-focused wearers, though Leverton predicts narrower proliferation than its previous peak. "For the trend-led girlies, this is a fit you need to hop on."