The 2026 Denim Report: The Buzzy Trends, Brands, Outfits, and It Styles to Know

You're not imagining it—jeans are extremely popular right now. Sure, it can be argued that they've always been popular, but it feels different lately. There are quite a few denim trends percolating, but most are very wearable and more "anti-trend" than "trendy." And as someone who pays very close attention to what celebrities wear, I've found that the It girls who influence present-day fashion trends are choosing them over trousers more often than not. Heck, they even made multiple appearances on Chanel's pre-fall 2026 runway.

There's a flood of denim-centric information on the internet, and keeping track of the trends, brands, and jean styling can be overwhelming for even the most keyed-in of fashion followers. So, I'm here to offer up some organized denim information via The 2026 Denim Report. In addition to the aforementioned trends, brands, and jean outfits, I've gathered everything else there is to know—from the '90s It girls everyone is drawing inspiration from to the jeans our team of editors is always talking about.

Ready to be a denim expert? Read on.

The 2026 Denim Trends

The thing about jeans in 2026 is that pretty much anything goes. Agolde Creative Director Karen Phelps confirmed it, telling me, "There are really no rules with denim right now, which creates space for a more personal way of dressing. We’re seeing a shift toward more tailored silhouettes—styles like our Lana and the 90s Pinch Waist Jean—that feel clean but still relaxed."

While denim "rules" have fallen by the wayside, that doesn't mean that certain styles don't feel fresher than others. But if seeing the words denim trends yet again is enough to put you into a tailspin, I'm happy to report that there are only really six trends you need to know if we're being selective and focusing on the most wearable, most "2026" of them all. Bootcut, light-wash, drawstring, cigarette, stovepipe, and frayed-hem jeans are the styles the chicest of denim wearers are incorporating into their wardrobes this year. Let's break them all down.

Bootcut Jeans

Bootcut jeans have proven to be the subtle, low-key departure from straight-leg jeans people have been craving. Like straight legs, they work with a plethora of shoe styles and are incredibly easy to style. They give an outfit a bit of a vintage look, which It girls such as Bella Hadid are embracing this year.

Light-Wash Jeans

Yes, dark denim and khaki jeans, which took off last year, are still very much trends, and medium-blue, black, and white denim will always be relevant, but the denim color that feels freshest for 2026 is a light-blue wash. They have a reputation for being inherently casual, but people are finding fresh ways to dress the revived trend up with their styling.

Drawstring Jeans

Drawstring jeans, fueled by the massive, continued popularity of buzzy brand Still Here's Cool Jeans, have stood the test of time. Still Here co-founder and Creative Director Sonia Mosseri shared her thoughts on the trend with me, saying, "Drawstring jeans are a whole category of their own now—I don’t think they’re going anywhere. It really felt risky when I designed the Cool Jean in 2022, and now it’s commonplace, which is one of the things I love about denim trends—they stick around longer."

Cigarette Jeans

If you like the polished look of skinny jeans but don't want to risk your jean outfits looking dated this year, cigarette jeans are the trend for you. The '90s-inspired, slim-fitting style isn't quite as fitted as skinny jeans, and has a wider leg opening. These two characteristics ensure that your jean outfits will look modern as opposed to dated. Agolde's Phelps endorsed this trend, saying, "A slimmer leg becomes a great foundation for styling, whether that’s playing with proportion through a cropped or oversize jacket, a cinched top, or unexpected footwear. For me, the ideal length hits right at the ankle—it feels modern and versatile, and works effortlessly with everything from flats to heels to a great boot."

Stovepipe Jeans

Another '90s-inspired style, which is one of the most classic of the bunch, is stovepipe jeans. They're arguably the most mainstream trend on this list, given their similarities to straight-leg jeans. Where they subtly differ is the fit that's slimmer at the top and more straight and streamlined as they head to your ankles. They're far more flattering than some of the straight-leg styles of seasons past.

Frayed-Hem Jeans

Approximately 10 years ago, frayed hems seemed inescapable. After they peaked, they practically disappeared. But as with most fashion trends, they're making a comeback, and raw-hem jeans are back. To add polish, the stylish early adopters are pairing them with tailored basics and heels.

The 2026 Denim It Girls

There are few celebrity denim moments we don't cover here on Who What Wear, and naturally, we notice some themes. One is who the celebrities are that wear the denim trends first, set the trends, put together jean outfits everyone will soon copy, and uncover the latest buzzy denim brands. In 2026, at the top of that It-girl list are Elsa Hosk, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, and Kendall Jenner. If they're wearing something jean-related, it's cool—trust me. So for the foreseeable future, if you see a photo of any of these It girls wearing jeans in the wild or on their Instagram feed, take note of the trends and styling to stay ahead of the curve.

The 2026 Buzziest Denim Brands

If you're looking at the brands pictured above and thinking that they're not all new, that's an accurate assessment. The thing about denim brands is that people are loyal to their favorites. Some remain buzzy no matter what, while others' buzz level ebbs and flows, based on an exciting collaboration, a new creative director, an ad campaign that gets people talking, or they start a new denim trend, and so on. That's why you see household-name brands such as Frame and Agolde among the buzziest. Others are brands that celebrities and fashion people remain loyal to over the years, such as Khaite, Reformation, and COS, and others, such as Ossou, Still Here, and B Side Jeans, are on the newer side and are gaining momentum by the second.

Shop the Buzzy Brands

The 2026 Denim Inspiration From the Archives

If you scroll back up to the 2026 denim trends section of this report, it's clear that the overarching theme when it comes to the trendiest jeans right now is the '90s. It's practically cliché to talk about '90s trends these days, but facts are facts, and we all just want to dress like the chic It girls. Women such as Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Halle Berry were often photographed in airport terminals, NYC sidewalks, and even red carpets wearing their iconic bootcut, cigarette, low-rise, and stovepipe jeans, and as you can see above, the jean outfits they wore stood the test of time. It's no wonder that the denim designers of 2026 are routinely inspired by these women from 30 years ago.

The 2026 Denim Outfit Trends

When it comes to how people are styling jeans in 2026, I can confirm that effortless, elegant, and a bit sporty are the outfit themes. The most successful jean outfits right now include a polished, trend-forward outerwear, such as a sporty windbreaker, a Mandarin-style jacket, a quarter-zip pullover, or a croc-embossed leather jacket. When it comes to shoes, anything goes—from trendy sneakers to loafers to kitten-heel pumps. Cool accessories such as a pillbox hat, oversize sunglasses, or sheer tights or socks add the perfect finishing touch.

Our Editors' Favorite Jeans

My fellow Who What Wear editors and I are admittedly denim-obsessed, and when we find a pair of jeans we love, we won't stop talking about them. Here's a handful of tried-and-true styles you can't go wrong with.