Sorry to the Jeans in My Closet—These 6 New Pant Trends Are Replacing You

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(Image credit: Jonathan Simkhai; Chanel; Kim Shui; Altuzarra; Stella McCartney)

No, this isn't a breakup letter to my jeans. If anything, it's an announcement that I'll merely be slowing my roll on denim for the time being. It will always be the backbone of my wardrobe and I don't foresee that changing but lately, I've felt compelled to venture into new territories, particularly because of all the new pant and trouser trends that are bubbling up right now. It feels odd to say, but pants are becoming "it" for 2022 and I plan on divulging the top trends to know.

I spotted the below six styles all over the S/S 2022 runways and they indicate a serious denim hiatus for my wardrobe this year. From the new way to wear pantsuits to risqué cutouts and elevated track pants (they’re way cooler than sweats), below I’m sharing the stylish and of-the-moment pant trends fashion people will be all over this season that I’m eager and excited to try. These will provide you with some refreshing denim alternatives for your day-to-day ensembles. Shop the looks below. 

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(Image credit: Stella McCartney; Jil Sander; Balenciaga)

We've officially hit peak baggy. If there's one thing you take away from this trend report, it's that across the board pants are getting more and more relaxed. Whether it's suit trousers, leather pants, or even denim, the runways spoke loud and clear: the roomier, the better. 

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Stella McCartney)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Jil Sander)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Balenciaga)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Ganni; Blumarine; Helmut Lang)

Pants that have a technical sportswear component to them are springing up left and right, from the swishy nylon fabrics we saw at Ganni to Blumarine's belted cargo pants and Helmut Lang's outdoorsy zip details. Yes, we're hitting capacity for leisurewear and sweatpants but the sporty fashion in the S/S 22 collections feels decidedly more trend-forward. Come spring, we'll see these athletic pants styled with fashion-person spin, marrying them to heels or a crop top.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Helmut Lang)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Ganni)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Christopher Esber; Eckhaus Latta; Kwaidan Editions)

Buckle up, because low rises aren't going anywhere. For the past few seasons, the '00s waistline has threatened to make a mainstream comeback and the latest runways have just confirmed our greatest suspicions. From Christopher Esber to Eckhaus Latta, waistlines dipped ever lower but were notably present with roomier silhouettes that feel maybe (just maybe) wearable. 

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Christopher Esber)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Eckhaus Latta)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Kwaidan Editions)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Balmain; Chanel; Kim Shui)

Saving the most controversial for the latter half of this list, let me introduce you to the next generation of risqué trends. Playing off the built-in G-strings we saw last spring, designers like Balmain and Chanel slashed the sides of their pants creating these exposed hip cutouts. Surely these are not for the faint of heart, but you can bet that celebs like Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian have already been testing out the look, so get ready to see a lot more of it in 2022.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Balmain)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Kim Shui)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Jonathan Simkhai; Kwaidan Editions; Altuzarra)

Pantsuits have remained a seasonal fixture with each new season bringing subtle updates to our suiting ensembles. On deck for spring 2022? Crisply pleated trousers seemingly plucked right from the dry cleaners with a distinctive crease running down the center. Consider this your sign not to skip the ironing next time you reach for a pair.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Altuzarra)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Kwaidan Editions)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Jonathan Simkhai)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Chanel; Proenza Schouler; Louis Vuitton)

This last one may be more of a styling decision than a particular pant style, but it was a strong enough theme that we felt compelled to include. Chanel, Proenza Schouler, and Louis Vuitton were among those to display dresses and skirts layered atop pants on their spring runways and while the idea conjures images in my mind of Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus outfits from the '00s, the looks of today are far more effortless and minimal than they are chaotic. Experiment with pieces in the same fabric, print or color family to pull it off.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Proenza Schouler)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)

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(Image credit: Gety Images)

Shop the trend:

Next up: I Just Did a Ton of Trend Research for 2022—These Nordstrom Buys Are "It"

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Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.