Mere weeks into 2026, it’s already becoming obvious: The way we wear jeans is changing. Spring’s biggest denim trends—most of which are just entering the mainstream and, therefore, ripe for early adoption—feel like a reaction to the high-waisted, extra-wide silhouette that’s dominated fashion for years now. Waistbands are dropping. Legs are tightening. Ankles are flaring. (But don’t worry: Your favorite baggy jeans are still very much in style for the season ahead.) Ahead, discover the spring denim trends you need to know this year, plus styling tips to get you started.
Glamour’s spring 2026 denim trends edit
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1. Not-quite skinnies
Tired of wider cuts? Make the jump to cigarette jeans, also known (less charmingly) as stovepipe or boyfriend jeans, which are slowly but surely creeping into the fashion ecosystem. Often mistaken for skinny jeans, this pick has one key difference: It flares out ever so slightly at the knee, landing at the ankle with some room to spare. That quirk allows them to tuck into tall boots, fall gracefully over ankle boots, and gracefully kiss the tops of sneakers and loafers, making them some of the most versatile spring bottoms.
Old Navy High-Waisted Vintage Slim Jeans
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2. Subtle bootcuts
While flared pairs might feel a little dated, their close cousins, bootcut jeans, are just taking off. Featuring a similar fit to cigarette jeans but with a little more volume below the knee, today’s bootcut styles feel sleeker and chicer than the pairs you wore 20 years ago; they’re structured, self-assured, and perfect for layering with shoes. (Just look at the example above.) Each of the pairs below features a subtle flare that’ll ease you back into the look; style them with a tank top and a loose blazer for Saturday-night drinks or a flowy blouse and ankle boots for the office.
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Old Navy Mid-Rise Loose Boot-Cut Jeans
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3. Slouchy silhouettes
Wide, baggy, loose jeans have been absolutely everywhere for years now, and they’re going nowhere in the coming months. The look is evolving a bit for 2026, though; mid- and low-rise cuts are overtaking their high-rise counterparts, lending the spring a relaxed, lived-in air. And instead of piling on the fabric, these pairs won’t be quite as baggy moving forward. Lean into the undone energy with an oversized button-down, big sunglasses, and soft loafers. Easy!
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4. Extra-light washes
High-end labels like Dior, Celine, and Chanel have spoken: Dark wash has some competition. Each brand showed strikingly light, almost ice-blue denim for spring and summer, resulting in pairs that looked like they’d been worn (and loved) for years before strutting the runway. While pretty much any blue jeans you own will eventually become this color with enough wear and washing, you can skip to the front of the line with the faux-broken-in picks below. The key here is high-low styling; instead of sneakers and a sweatshirt, why not kitten heels and a tailored jacket?
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5. Low-rise’s return
First things first: Yes, you can opt out of any denim trend you don’t like. But we’ll still make the case for rediscovering the magic of low-rise jeans, which populated this season’s catwalks at the likes of Gucci and Alexander McQueen. The cut offers an easy, devil-may-care vibe that looks great styled down (with a cami and black sneakers) and up (with a tuxedo shirt and heeled loafers). There’s no need to leave your midriff exposed; instead, you can tuck in fitted tops or pile loose layers on top. You might even find this cut more comfortable than higher-waisted pairs. Go on, give it another chance.
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