Sorry, But This Denim Trend Looks Best With Heels

It's hard to believe as we're in this blissful summer state, but fall is looming, and that means we're all going to want to know what the latest denim trends are and what to wear with them. Luckily, Dakota Johnson has gotten a head start and stepped out this week wearing a fresh trend that some might admittedly find a bit polarizing: pleated jeans.
Before you jump to any '90s mom conclusions about pleated jeans, hear us out. The 2018 versions are slimmer and more flattering than the 1992 versions, and most feature a modern cropped hem and look great with a slim top tucked in or a cropped boxy tee. That said, if you really want to get the most out of this denim style, we recommend following Johnson's lead when it comes to what shoes to wear with the jeans: heels to elongate the legs and make for a polished silhouette. Trust us—heels makes this tricky denim trend infinitely easier to wear. (Besides, there are plenty of other jeans on the market that look great with flats.)
Make like Johnson and her Isa Arfen jeans and shop the pleated-jean trend below.
On Dakota Johnson: Isa Arfen top and jeans
Shop Pleated Jeans

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
-
If a NYC Fashion Person Were Scrolling Through Amazon, They'd Buy These 27 Basics
The best 2025 Amazon basics.
-
Of Course, 2025's Cali Summer Uniform Involves This Timeless Denim Trend
Can you take any guesses?
-
Red Who? Sorry, But Cool Fashion People Are Only Interested in Wearing Jeans With *This* Sneaker Color
It's the new red (and yellow, green, and silver).
-
I Found It: The Only Denim Trend That Makes Flip-Flops Look Sophisticated Instead of Cheap
In Kendall Jenner we trust.
-
This Summer Denim Trend Is the Opposite of Skinny Jeans, and I'm Seeing It Everywhere
Your outfits will look chic with this silhouette.
-
It's Settled: This Is the #1 Sneaker Trend to Wear With Leggings This Summer
Confirmed by Dakota Johnson.
-
Olivia Munn Just Wore the Only Denim Trend That Could Disrupt Skinny Jeans' Resurgence
Elegance personified.
-
Linen Pants! Full Skirts! Long Shorts! Zara Has Every Single Chic Bottoms Trend—40 Picks That Are Worth Your Attention
Good luck picking just one.