Fashion People in Their 50s Are Wearing This Anti-Skinny Denim Trend With Black Flats to Look Chic This Winter

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Gwyneth paltrow wears a tan leather jacket and white top with jeans.
(Image credit: Backgrid)
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If you follow denim trends, you're probably aware that cigarette jeans and stovepipe styles are everywhere, reflecting a current trend toward slim-fitting denim. However, a baggier silhouette—the balloon jean—is back, re-emerging as a contender for the top winter denim trend. This was recently highlighted by Gwyneth Paltrow, who was seen wearing a dark-wash pair in L.A.

Over the weekend, the Marty Supreme actress and founder of Goop was photographed leaving a restaurant wearing dark-wash balloon jeans. For those who need a refresher, balloon jeans drape down the leg, expanding at the knee before tapering toward the ankle. They're similar to barrel-leg jeans but are baggier, with a less defined leg shape. Paltrow styled her pair with a white button-down shirt, a tan leather bomber jacket, and The Row's popular black ballet flats, a favorite of Kendall Jenner.

As usual, I agree with Paltrow's choice to pair black flats with balloon jeans because the sleek, slim profile of the shoes effectively offsets the volume of the jeans. If she had chosen boots or chunky sneakers, the proportions might have been off. That said, this winter, follow her lead and pair balloon jeans with black flats—an elegant look suitable for anyone in their 20s or 50s.

Keep scrolling to see Paltrow's look and shop the best dark-wash balloon jeans and black ballet shoes.

Gwyneth paltrow wears a tan leather jacket, white top, balloon jeans, and black ballet flats.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Gwyneth Paltrow: The Row Stella Flats ($92)

Get Gwyneth Paltrow's Look

Shop Dark-Wash Balloon Jeans

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Nikki Chwatt
Nikki Chwatt
Associate Fashion Editor

Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself.