I'm the Head Buyer at Shopbop—These Are the Only Denim Trends I Care About

If you’ve been interested in refreshing your denim offering as we head into the fall season, you’ve landed in the right spot. Yep, we’re chatting all about denim trends below. Specifically, we wanted intel on which cuts an industry insider is gravitating toward, so we tapped Stephanie Roberson, the chief merchandising officer at Shopbop, for recommendations. She’s the head buyer and leads a fashion team at one of the largest retailers out there, so she certainly knows what’s up in the style and trend department. In addition, Shopbop just launched its 2021 Denim Edit as well.
Below you’ll uncover the five denim silhouettes Roberson personally cares about and will wear this fall. To showcase said styles, we rounded up visual inspiration from some of our favorite fashion follows. You’ll see everything from classic silhouettes (ahem, straight-leg picks) to updated takes on skinny jeans. Keep scrolling for more along with a range of inspired shopping recommendations.
1. Straight-Leg Jeans
"I love the casualness and simplicity of a straight-leg jean. I always reach for this cut when I'm running errands or heading out on the weekends. They are a must-have for a balanced wardrobe." — Roberson
2. Flares and Boot-Cut Jeans
"I love when a trend comes back around. Flare jeans are so flattering and give your legs some added length. Pair with a dressed-up heel or casual wedge for a fun yet sophisticated look."
3. Modern Skinny Jeans
"A classic in every wardrobe, skinny jeans are so versatile. They look great styled casually, paired with a white sneaker or slouchy boot, and they work double duty for a night out, paired with a sleek bootie."
4. High-Waisted Jeans
"High-rise denim is always flattering, holding you in comfortably and keeping everything in place. For fall, I’ll be pairing this staple with novelty knits or a tucked-in blouse with a belt."
5. Cropped Jeans
"As we transition from summer to fall, cropped jeans are a must! I pair mine with a relaxed blouse and easy slides for a chic and pulled-together look."
Next, check out outfits to wear with jeans.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
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