The 7 biggest denim trends of 2024

Miu Miu may have recently caused a stir by sending a pair of skinny jeans down the runway, but if you're looking for the best denim trends of 2024, you'll actually have a wide range of options to choose from. Denim was one of the most popular concepts from both the spring and fall 2024 shows, with designers in every city offering fresh styles and new ideas.

Take the cropped jeans at Chanel, which will be perfect worn over tall boots come September, but in the meantime work equally well with sandals or espadrilles. Or the straight-leg vintage-wash jeans at Louis Vuitton and Coach, which felt unexpected and a little bit dressy paired with statement-making tops. Other options gestured to nostalgia, such as Miu Miu's skinnies or Chloé's '70s-inspired patchwork denim. (Pro tip: These are the easiest jeans to fix, since you can just patch them up even further—also a great way to repurpose old jeans).

There’s so much out there to help us reimagine our idea of the perfect pair of jeans. Below, I break down seven of the most compelling denim trends from the 2024 Runway shows, including styles to shop now.

The Skinny Jean

From Left: Miu Miu, 032C, Balenciaga.

Designers are giving baggy jeans the day off in favour of leg-hugging, second-skin, nowhere-to-hide skinnies. With a silhouette that goes against the grain of recent denim, the look suddenly feels rebellious—which, in turn, makes it feel cooler than it used to.

In some ways, skinny jeans are actually pretty easy to wear. When you're swimming in denim, you need to play with proportions, but these fully embrace you. You just have to own it! To complete the Y2K look, buckle up with an exaggerated belt, as seen in Miu Miu’s latest show.

I love the idea of wearing skinny jeans to the office this summer paired with flat sandals or Mary Janes, with a structured tunic on top. (Styling tip: a mini sheath dress can work double duty as an elongated vest when worn with pants). Come fall, these will also easily slip into high boots a la Balenciaga.

The Straight-Leg Jean

From Left: Chanel, Coach, Louis Vuitton.

You simply can’t go wrong with a pair of straight-leg jeans. Not only is the fit straightforward (literally), but these classics prevail in a range of washes. These are the style to invest in, especially in 100% cotton. Since the cut is somewhat tailored, they just feel cooler and cooler as you personalize them by breaking them in. And you'll wear them so often that, according to my girl math calculations, they'll basically pay for themselves. From a breton stripe top to your favorite t-shirt or going-out top, these jeans work with almost everything.

Patchwork Denim

From Left: Chloé, Diesel, Conner Ives.

For a bohemian take on your denim, look no further: Jane Birken-coded patchwork jeans manage to look both effortless and artful at the same time. I love how Chloé designer Chemena Kamali paired her fabric-blocked jeans with a delicate lace ruffled top. It’s the perfect modern balance of softness and a touch of messy deconstruction, for the best of both worlds.

These jeans will last forever, they're easy to fix, and they will become a conversation piece through the years of repaired patches. The only thing left to do is add your favourite summer basket bag to complete a '70s-inspired ensemble.

The Wide-Leg Jean

From Left: Michael Kors, Gucci, Chloé.

Wide-leg jeans are certainly having a moment; everyone at the Bazaar office seems to own a pair (and wear them religiously). The silhouette elongates your legs, especially when styled to balance their shape. In the summer, they pair perfectly with a simple tank top, personal jewelry, and flat dainty sandals for a modern minimalist look.

The Cropped Jean

From Left: Chanel, KNWLS, Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood.

These shorter-hemmed jeans have long reach of sophistication when elegantly styled. (Think a lace-up gladiator sandal with a puffed-sleeved top and top-handle bag). They're on the trickier side, but when done right, they will be your new best friends.

In the summer, wear them as an alternative to shorts on breezy nights by the beach. Come fall, take inspiration from brands such as Chanel and Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood and try them under a high boot with a cuffed hem for an extra crop. They're more versatile, and seasonless, than you may think!

The Illusion Jean

From Left: Undercover, Proenza Schouler, Dsquared2.

These splurge-worthy jeans are at the top of my wishlist—I love seeing designers take a classic wardrobe basic and add a dose of joyful personality. Brands such as Undercover and Proenza Schouler showed denim with optical illusions via stone-washing and fabric overlays that make you do a double take. Their work-of-art appeal makes them highly desirable, but they still have all the properties we love in denim. Wear yours with an oversized button-down and a classic crossbody bag to let the jeans do all of the talking.

Raw Denim

From Left: Christian Dior, Loewe, Helmut Lang.

If you're looking for a more polished edge when it comes to your jeans, raw denim is for you. The darker rinses read as more formal, and the structured finish lends a more tailored look. These are the perfect office jeans, pairing nicely with a fitted cardigan and a ballet flat. But they also look great for a night out on the town, worn with a sculptural top. (Loewe did this best on the runway). And if you're looking for a modern, cool-girl take on suiting, there's no better way to update a Canadian tuxedo.

Feature Collage Credits: Olivia Alchek

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com/us in June 2024.

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