20 Jean Styles That Feel Fancier Than Skinnies

We've gone to great lengths to illustrate how skinny jeans can improve your wardrobe. You've seen endless riffs on how to style them, specific details that make them perfect, and even learned which ones are the most comfortable to wear on an airplane. However, at the risk of sounding contradictory and alienating our fellow skinnies supporters, we've been eyeing a few non-skinny styles that we have to admit mirror a slightly dressier aesthetic.

We deem these non-skinnies fancier for a few reasons. First, skinny jeans can be tough to pair with shoes. Heels, sneakers, loafers—across the gamut, it's undeniable that something wider and perhaps more cropped is easier to pair with your favorite footwear. Second, many of the styles you'll see today offer an interesting detail that separates them from the skinny pack: a sash knotted around the top, origami-inspired fold over one of the legs, and even some adventurous zipper details that are sure to take your party look to the next level.

Whether it's a pair of wide-leg crops with a circular zipper pull that feels like a cool nod to the '70s or an iteration with an unexpected paper-bag waist you could feasibly wear to the office, there are plenty of options to choose from this fall. Scroll down to shop 20 of our favorite (non-skinny) jeans right now.

A cinched waistband is ultra flattering.

Available in sizes 24 to 31.

Style with your favorite brightly colored sweaters.

Available in sizes 24 to 32.

For the denim adventurer.

Available in sizes 23 to 33.

Meet your new party pants.

Available in sizes 23 to 32.

If you work in a creative office, consider tucking a button-down shirt into these tailored jeans and accessorizing with a pair of mules.

Available in sizes 24 to 32.

Team with a rainbow-stripe jumper and sneakers for the weekend.

Available in sizes 32 to 38.

This medium wash is ideal for the summer-to-fall transition.

Available in sizes 23 to 32.

Fun fact: This fabric is woven from recycled materials. 

Available in sizes 24 to 32.

Perfect for pairing with slouchy knits and ankle boots.

Available in sizes 24 to 30.

How could you not feel fancy in a little two-tone denim?

Available in sizes 2 to 24W.

Emphasize your waistline with this pair of denim trousers.

Available in sizes 23 to 32.

These jeans feature a snap at the hem so you can toggle between wide and slim leg silhouettes.

Available in sizes 24 to 32.

Wear these for a French-inspired aesthetic.

Available in sizes 25 to 33.

Easy and breezy.

Available in sizes 23 to 37.

From the dual tones to the asymmetrical button closure, these designer jeans are an all-around win.

Available in sizes 0 to 10.

This denim shape is perfect for styling with your favorite mid-calf boots.

Available in size 23 to 32.

Swap out your maxi dress for these extra-long jeans instead.

Available in sizes 29 to 31.

Accessorize with sheer socks and strappy sandals.

Available in sizes 23 to 32.

Grab the matching top for a head-to-toe look in under 30 seconds. Once temperatures drop, toss a cardigan on top.

Available in sizes 0 to 14.

For the classic type.

Available in sizes 25 to 31.

Want more denim? Check out the best-quality jean brands to shop right now.

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)