I Just Got Back from Paris Fashion Week—These 5 Denim Trends Are Bound to Show Up in London Next
Parisians know how to dress up denim, and these trends come with a little extra je ne sais quoi.
It's been a particularly busy fashion month, and whether I was reporting live from the front row at LFW, or celeb spotting at NYFW, one thing I always make time for whatever the city, is noting the street style trends. Designers may set the tone for what we're going to wear next season, but the crowds outside the shows are a strong indicator of what is resonating now, and one thing I noticed while metro hopping in Paris, was just how much stylish Parisians love denim.
If you thought the typical French wardrobe was still bouclé jackets, cigarette trousers and ballet pumps, I can assure you, the times have drastically changed. People in the capital love experimenting with shape, colour and texture, and while the French will always be known for an appreciation of the classics, modern dressers are also incorporating playful pieces and fun accessories into their looks, refreshing what we consider to be the archetypal French "uniform".
This March, Paris was full of spring-ready outfits built around denim staples. Yes, there were jeans and blouses, jeans and tees, jeans and jackets, jeans and, well just about anything, but there were also plenty of denim jackets and skirts too. For too long humble denim has been relegated to casual territory, but Parisians know how to style it up to it's full potential.
Curious as to how you can make denim feel fresh in 2026? Keep scrolling to see the 5 denim trends that have been doing the rounds this Paris Fashion Week for some inspiration. It's one of the fashion capitals of the world for a very good reason.
1. Ultra Distressed Jeans
Style Notes: Parisians might have a reputation for being polished, but that's not going to stop them from getting into a down and dirty denim trend like roughed up, distressed jeans. If it looks like they've been slept in, rolled around in, and worn day in and day out for years, it gets the cool-girl stamp of approval. We called it first, and the rise of the "messy girl" aesthetic is a rally against the quiet-luxury-clean-girl look that has dominated fashion for the last couple of years. This season it pays to look like you haven't tried too hard,
Shop Distressed Jeans
Just enough "worn in" detailing to look cool without being scruffy.
Slouchy fit? Check. Worn through patches? Check. Scuffed and ripped? Check, and check again.
The very nature of this bleached out grey wash stops these from looking too pristine.
· Faded, whiskered, and creased (intentionally) throughout.
A subtle nod to the trend for those not wanting to go the full hog.
2. White Jeans
Style Notes: Yes, you can wear cream, ecru and white trousers outside of summer, and at Paris Fashion Week, attendees were wearing white washes of denim with warmer layers like funnel neck jackets and mohair cardigans over tanks and tees. There's something surprisingly luxe about cream denim in looser, relaxed fits, but especially when accessorised with heels and ladylike mini bags.
Shop Cream Jeans:
The bestselling shape also comes in white.
This whole look could have stepped straight off the streets of Paris.
The crop is so perfect for showing off your shoes.
Everlane are experts in executing basics with superior quality.
A perfect mid-rise, straight leg.
3. Quirky Details
Style Notes: With so many pairs of straight legged, indigo and true blue wash jeans on the market, Parisians are looking for a point of difference that makes their denim stand out in the crowd. Little touches like studs, embroidery, reworked waistbands, contrast stitching and raw hems help to make simple jeans feel like a talking point, and follows the lead of designers like Coperni, ACNE and Diesel who are rewriting the denim rulebook in the 2020s.
Shop Detail Jeans:
These have real Isabel Marant energy.
E.L.V are known for their reworked and repurposed denim.
Yes and yes to this boho detail.
These would look so good with a puff sleeved blouse and sandals.
Not a standard waistband or zip in sight.
4. Double Denim
Style Notes: Perhaps it's time to rebrand the "Texan tuxedo" as the "French fancy" as Americans have moved away from double denim just as Europeans are leaning into it. Unlike the original slim fit of the '80s and '90s, this time around double denim is supersized—baggy jeans are stuffed into boots, balloon jackets are tucked into waistbands, the bigger is the better for Parisians who are adopting this easy outfit combo for a dose of off duty cool. Sorry skinnies, we're all about roomy denim that prioritises comfort first.
Shop Double Denim:
I love this paired back take on the denim jacket.
Don't forget the matching jeans.
Size up for a looser fit.
This colour is so luxe.
5. Long Denim Skirts
Style Notes: I would be remiss to not include skirts in a list of the best denim trends to come out of Paris this season. Often falling well below jeans, jackets and shorts in the ranking of best denim pieces, the overlooked skirt is just as versatile as its contemporaries, but with a little more spring/summer appeal (if you ask this editor). On days when clingy jeans are just too much, long denim skirts strike the perfect balance between coverage and airy freedom, and the French prefer theirs in mid-blue washes that go with everything from blouses to bomber jackets.
Shop Denim Skirts:
The perfect length to wear with an elegant low heel.
The dream denim midi.
I'd wear this through autumn/winter too with a knee high boot.
A longer maxi works so well with flat sandals.
All of the strategically placed pleats give this full body and shape.
