Denim Trends Fall 2024

Continuing with our Fall Trends Week 2024, it’s time to consider what’s trending in denim. So many of us live in our denim much of the time. And truly, jeans have come a long way, baby! These days you can create elevated, polished looks with your denim, so you can wear it confidently to conferences, social gatherings, date nights and even work or worship services, depending on your environment and personal preferences. Let’s check out the denim trends for fall 2024.

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Before I break down some of the more dominant trends in denim, let’s talk about a few of the micro trends. We’re continuing to see a good bit of raw edge hemlines, so if you’ve purchased these in the past you can wear them with confidence. I actually think we’ll see this hem option for years. We’re not seeing as much heavy-duty distressing or holes in jeans, but you can still find them if that’s your jam. We’ll definitely continue to see minimal distressing and whiskering on jeans, however. I’m seeing some ornamentation on jeans, including studs in strategic places and a little embroidery. And there are still plenty of blue jean options in the utility or cargo styles. Finally, if you love the Canadian tuxedo look, also known as denim on denim, that continues to be very contemporary.

Before we go further, let’s just remember that all trends are optional. In fact, I’d definitely say it’s not wise to adopt them all. That would simply lead to an aesthetic that looks indecisive and probably a little immature. But wearing modern denim is one of the best ways to look contemporary and thus a little more stylish and youthful. Finally, there are plenty of options out there, so have with your selections and leave the rest of the trends to others who enjoy them.

Wide Leg Jeans

If you only buy one pair of jeans this year and want to look a little fashion forward, make them wide leg jeans. While other styles (even skinny jeans!) are available and plentiful, the fuller leg jean is still considered the most modern right now.

You’ll find wide leg options in full length and ankle or cropped lengths. We’ll discuss more about how to wear both in next week’s Dressed for My Day Denim Week Fall 2024. In fact, I’ll take a blog post to share styling tips for each of the major denim silhouette trends, including shoe and top choices.

Meanwhile, I’d look for wide leg jeans that suit your personal taste, work nicely for your frame and proportions and work for your lifestyle. I think most of us will gravitate to the full but not too full legs. And you’ll find great options in high rise jeans, but also mid-rise and even low rise.

For each denim trend I’ve created a shopping widget full of examples of that trend. I’m including options that I think most women over 50 will gravitate to, but I’m definitely pushing the envelop and finding truly modern choices. You’ll also notice that I have jeans in a full range of prices and from many of our favorite stores.

Cropped & Ankle Jeans

We’ll continue to see a wide assortment of jeans in cropped and ankle lengths. In fact, I understand from my research that the cat walks featured very cropped length jeans…reminiscent of gauchos or wide leg pedal pushers. But I think most of us will prefer the more elongating effect of a true ankle jean.

You’ll find ankle length jeans in all silhouettes from straight to wide leg to flare or, as they’re often called when they are ankle length, kick flare. A kick flare or wide leg ankle jean will help balance wide shoulders and will give you a little more shape. But a straight leg ankle length jean can be a beautiful option that elongates a little more. Showing a little ankle can be very beautiful and slimming. And if you choose the right shoes ankle length jeans will not make you look short or stumpy. Again, I’ll share more styling tips next week.

Big Cuff Jeans

Here’s a design trend we started seeing last year and it’s making a repeat appearance this fall: the big cuff jeans. Again, you’ll see these deep cuffs on all kinds of jeans from wide leg to straight to cigarette. But I see them the most on relaxed fit straight leg jeans. In fact, you can create the look yourself if your jeans are thick enough to hold the fold.

These jeans are not going to create that long line that some women prefer. But they are an on trend, contemporary option to have fun with. I personally haven’t purchased any yet, and I’m not sure I will. This is indeed one of those trends that I expect to fade within another year or two. But there’s no reason not to enjoy it while it’s here!

Dark Wash Jeans

As you may have noticed from the photos I’ve used so far, you’ll find jeans available in every wash imaginable, from very light to medium to dark. And yes, we’re still going to enjoy wearing black and grey jeans as well as natural or ecru. But the big trend for denim this fall 2024 is to go dark. I think that’s because quiet luxury continues to be an overarching theme.

Dark denim can definitely be more slenderizing. And it also makes your look a little more elevated. So dark wash jeans are perfect for date night or even a casual day at the office.

Barrel or Lantern Jeans

Now here’s a trend they started mentioning several years ago but we’ve only started seeing them in most stores this past spring. And you can expect the barrel or lantern jeans to be big again this fall.

I know they can get a little controversial (but they real shouldn’t – these are jeans, just jeans), but the barrel jean is one of those things that you never really know about until you try it. I think they’re fun. While I don’t own any barrel jeans right now, I’ve owned lantern silhouette pants several times and really enjoyed wearing them.

If you’d like to try this fun trend, consider some that are fairly slim fitting, like the ones above from Madewell. I’ve collected a lot of options from your favorite stores below.

Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jeans

Straight leg jeans are probably the most classic silhouette. And you can certainly wear and look great in a pair of slim fit straight leg jeans. But if you want to look a little more modern, opt for a straight leg jean with a more relaxed fit, especially in the leg.

The trending straight leg jean is one that fits nicely in the waist, hips and rear but then hangs loose on the legs. It’s just a very relaxed look, sort of like a trouser even. You’ll find these in ankle and full length styles.

Flare & Bootcut Jeans

Flare and bootcut jeans continue to be very viable options for 2024. But the more on trend silhouettes are those with a less pronounced flare, more subtle. And an ankle length kick flare is a very modern option as well.

What’s the difference between a flare and a bootcut? A bootcut was originally designed to wear over cowboy boots, so the flare is somewhat gradual and begins just under the knee. On the other hand, the flare leg has a more pronounced flare towards the bottom of the leg, but still subtle. I’m seeing more of the latter in the stores for women.

Denim Skirts

Denim skirts began to trend last year and I’m glad to see that there are even more of them in the stores this year. Last year it seemed like the choices were limited and the inventory was low. But you’ll find denim skirts in a full range of lengths and silhouettes this time around.

Right now you can wear a denim skirt with sandals or sneakers and later you can wear that same skirt with heels or booties. Then when the colder weather arrives, add tights and knee high boots.

Denim Dresses

And this year the denim dress has stolen the show. I’m seeing them at almost every retailer I generally shop. And you’ll find jean dresses in longer and shorter lengths, so choose the one that works best for you.

I think I may jump straight to styling my denim dress with knee high boots. Leave off the tights and wear some boot socks and you’ll find that boots and a dress can be very comfortable as long as it’s not steamy hot outside. But you can also complete your denim dress outfit with sneakers, sandals, mules, heeled loafers or kitten heels.

Denim Shirts and Jackets

In the past I’ve always said that a chambray shirt is a great wardrobe essential for the fall and winter. It can be so versatile. But this year chambray and/or denim shirts are almost a must-have. You can wear that denim on denim look that is so popular or wear a denim shirt over khakis or cargo pants.

Denim jackets are also a classic wardrobe staple, but this year they’re really “having a moment.” And that means we’re also seeing new iterations of jean jackets, as well as denim trench coats, vests and more. In other words, you’ll find everything you need to wear denim head to toe if you’d like. And you’ll look so in style when you do.

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