Working as a fashion editor means being inundated with new trends, emerging brands, and secret launches daily. Our email boxes are beyond full, but for good reason. We're the first people to receive insider info about the key moments and releases shaping the industry. This gives us some freedom to trend forecast and decide which ones to endorse just a bit earlier than the rest. Our fashion director, Michaela Bushkin, has been styling shoots with some of our favorite brands for well over a decade, so I asked her to weigh in on the denim trends she's swapping in for summer. She did not hold back, but it is clear that Calvin Klein is her top pick for all things denim this season. Keep scrolling to hear her raw and unfiltered approach to summer denim trends.
What trends are you leaving behind this summer, and what are their replacements?
"I hate to say it, but I'm so over the barrel-jeans trend. I feel a little clown-ish wearing them, so they will not be in my summer denim rotation." Michaela says. Don't fret—if you still keep a pair of barrel jeans on heavy rotation (like I do), this isn't your sign to remove them from your closet altogether. The beauty of denim shopping is finding the silhouettes that work best for you and align with your personal style, and Calvin Klein offers options for every aesthetic. Michaela is reaching for straight-leg and wide-leg denim—these are styles she recommends for nearly every body type. She even shared her current favorite pairs for you to browse below.
What is a key indicator of high-quality denim?
Finding high-quality denim is no easy feat, but Michaela is a certified pro. She recommends searching for a sturdy and slightly rigid fabric when on the hunt for luxe denim. The cotton ratio is a major indication of premium materials and construction, which is extremely important. According to Michaela, "100% cotton is always a good bet." Calvin Klein can satisfy even our pickiest editors with options that are just as high-quality as they are stylish. They're made to last through this season and beyond, earning them the fashion-editor stamp of approval.
Do you have any tips for people shopping specifically for ultra-flattering jeans?
If you take your denim seriously, you'll agree with Michaela's nonnegotiable when investing in new jeans. "The fit of my denim has to be perfect. If there's too much of a gap around the waist, I'm out," she says. She looks at the length and thinks about where she wants them to hit, depending on the shoes in her closet, of course. Fashion editors and It girls are always in the know about the latest on-trend jean silhouettes, and Calvin Klein delivers. You can expect modern, ultra-flattering cuts with a range of inseams and sizing options that feel good and look even better.
Why is Calvin Klein a culturally relevant and iconic denim brand to invest in?
"Calvin Klein has been making iconic denim for decades," Michaela says. Adored by celebrities, models, and fashion enthusiasts since the late 1970s, this brand has been offering a wide range of fashion person-approved styles, washes, and silhouettes for nearly 50 years. The best part of shopping from a legacy brand like Calvin Klein is participating in the trends you see IRL and on social media, while still staying true to your personal style. "The fit of Calvin Klein jeans is top-tier, and the brand always makes the best styles and washes," Michaela says—and we couldn't agree more.
