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It feels like every new year arrives with a fresh set of denim codes we must adhere to: this silhouette is in, that wash is out, and suddenly half your wardrobe feels like it’s dated. But in 2026, we’re playing by a different set of rules, because this is the year that denim gets personal again. Lived-in and classic silhouettes are both making a return to our wardrobes, and it feels like a long overdue reunion.
Never has there been a better time to invest in a pair of jeans that you’ll still be reaching for in five years. Whether it’s a flattering bootcut pair that sits perfectly at the waist and accommodates every single shoe in your collection, or a straight leg pair that will last you forever, this year’s priorities are longevity rather than trend chasing.
ELLE‘s Edit Of The Top Denim Trends Of 2026
- Best Modern Bootcut: Frame The Lax
- Best High Rise: Levi’s Ribcage Straight
- Best Classic Straight Leg: St. Agni ’90s Straight
- Best Toned Back Colour: Toteme High Rise Organic
- Best Worn And Loved: AGOLDE Low Curve Fray
Beyond silhouettes, 2026’s trends are also urging us to take note of our jeans’ fabrications and colour. Lighter, grey tones are edging out deeper, inky indigos and worn-in denim that looks well-loved and not artificially distressed is also having its moment. Ahead, we share all of the top denim trends for 2026 and share our favourite pairs to shop.
The Modern Bootcut
For those who have spent years lamenting the rise of baggier, lower-riding jeans, your moment has officially arrived in the form of a tailored bootcut jean. But before you start looking for jeans with an extreme flare, opt for styles that have a more subtle widening from the knee down, or a looser style that gets wider as it drops.
FRAME
The Lax
ROLLA’S
Midtown Bootcut Jean
NEUW
Kara Boot
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Osborne Jean
High Rise Jeans
The preferred rise of jeans has been under extreme scrutiny for years. An ‘80s revival saw the high waist emerge in the mid 2010s and it didn’t let go for a decade. Sadly, the high waist, which many would consider to be the most objectively flattering style, was unceremoniously knocked off its perch when the Y2K revival came knocking, and with it, lower-waisted styles. But it seems, the high waist is back, whether it’s a straight, baggy, or tailored silhouette.
M.N.G.
Danila High Waisted Jeans
WITCHERY
High Rise Wide Leg Jean
LEVI’S
Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
HENNE
Valentina Jean
Classic Straight Leg Jeans
Some styles will never date, and a classic straight leg jean is one of the rare few that fit into this category. A true straight leg jean has no regard for the contours of your body — like, say, a high-waisted or skinny style — and runs straight from the hip to ankle, resulting in a style that sits comfortably on the waist, close to the hips and thighs, and then has enough breathing room at the ankle to wear boots underneath.
KHAITE
Danielle High-Rise Jeans
ST. AGNI
90s Straight Leg Jeans
LEVI’S
Ribcage Straight
FRAME
Le Sleek Straight
Toned Back Colourways
Taking a sidestep from the classic black and blue styles, lighter, more neutral jeans have become an enduring trend for 2026. Greys are particularly popular this year, adding a softer touch to neutral outfits than a black jean but looking just as polished, and chocolate brown styles are adding a warmth and richness to outfits that might otherwise feel a bit cold.
VRG GRL
Pia Denim Jeans
HENNE
Zeva Jean
TOTEME
High-Rise Organic Jeans
CAMILLA AND MARC
Manuela Denim Jean
Worn-In And Well-Loved
While the preference here will always be to wear and love a pair of jeans long enough for them to look genuinely lived in, the trend is also possible to emulate with newer styles. Faded tones, creasing at the hip, rips, and raw-edge hems are all in, so pull out those old favourites or shop the below to get the look.
AGOLDE
Low Curve Fray Jeans
SAINT LAURENT
Nico Distressed Jeans
SCANLAN THEODORE
Slouchy Slim Jean
NEUW
Yoko Baggy – Marseille
The post The Denim Trends We Have On High Rotation In 2026 appeared first on ELLE.
