I Haven't Worn Skinny Jeans in Years—This Denim Trend Occupies My Brain Now

While I understand that skinny jeans won't ever entirely be out, as they're still considered a classic denim silhouette for many, I haven't worn them in years. A style on the other end of the denim spectrum continues to increase in popularity and will continue to thrive this season. Yes, I'm talking about loose, straight-leg jeans—more specifically, the immensely relaxed silhouettes. With a quick scan of recent runway collections, you'll find that even the most coveted designers have included loose-fitting denim in their designs. Denim isn't what you think of when you hear the word couture, but that didn't stop Valentino from sending Kaia Gerber onto the grounds of Château de Chantilly in wide-leg jeans for its 2023 couture runway show. Bottega Veneta had the fashion set in a tizzy last year when the brand created jeans crafted out of leather, and even ultra-cool NYC label Khaite showed support for the style with low-slung and baggy jeans. 

Among the runway, social media feeds, and street style, the love for wide-leg jeans is everywhere you look. Below, I've highlighted this trending denim cut as seen on the runways and found more everyday visual inspiration showcasing how fashion people are wearing loose-fitting jeans. With that in mind, keep scrolling for a range of outfit ideas and to shop the best-selling denim on the market right now. 

On Instagram:

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(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

Keep things casual this summer with an easy tank and loose button-down shirt.

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Take notes from Tibi's runway and try a blazer as a top with high-waisted blue jeans.

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Create a bridge between a modern and relaxed look with a trench coat and distressed jeans.

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

The best part about loose-fitting jeans? They're comfortable enough for a day spent by the water. 

Shop the best loose-fitting jeans:

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.