5 Denim Trends for 2024

A new year means new fashion trends, even for the tried-and-true denim category. From new fits and washes to the staples getting a high-fashion makeover, here’s a look at the top five denim trends (and honorable mentions) for 2024.

Low and Slouchy

Jeans are getting looser, and rises are getting lower. Enter the must-have fit for the year: the low and slouchy jean. A marriage between comfort and fashion, the relaxed, fluid fit offers consumers a wearable way to get in on the low-rise craze. The silhouette is a part of Spring/Summer 2024 collections by Gucci, Elisabetta Franchi and Dion Lee. It is also resonating with leading denim brands from Levi’s to Abercrombie, both of which sell baggy, hip-skimming styles. Expect to see vintage iterations of the fit gain traction with consumers buying a size or two up to get the hip-hugging, slouchy effect.

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Pale Washes

The allure of vintage Levi’s didn’t just set a precedence for straight fits and authentic looks over the last few years. It also kindled new demand for mid-tone blues. Designers are trying to change that for 2024 with a focus on pale washes. Light blue softens the look of Jason Wu’s jackets, jeans and maxi skirts with undone hems. Wide-leg, light-wash jeans complement Prabal Gurung’s pastel tops for spring. A pale wash enhances Melitta Baumeister’s exaggerated silhouettes. Slashes give Marrknull’s light-wash coordinates an edgier look. For Versace, the barely blue washes add to the luminance of crystal- and pearl-embellished jeans and jackets. Other designers applied ombre dye techniques to their denim pieces to create light-to-dark effects, including Dion Lee, Who Decides War and Ulla Johnson.

Maxi Skirts

The denim maxi skirt became a street style staple in 2022 with fashion ‘It’ girls from Madelyn Cline to Emily Ratajkowski helping to resurrect the polarizing style. The long (and often heavy) skirt is getting a makeover in 2024, however, with details that remove some of the bulk. From Etro’s flouncy-hem skirt, to Federica Tosi’s wrap-style version to Mame Kurogouchi’s front-slit, 3D-patterned offering, designers are elevating the maxi from core collection staple to front-and-center statement piece. Contemporary brands like Joe’s are editing the skirt as well, with side cut-outs and asymmetrical hems.

Ecru

In stores, expect to see undyed denim standing out in the sea of blue that’s the usual hallmark of most brick-and-mortar denim departments. The off-white color fits into many micro trends, including quiet luxury, Y2K, utility and workwear. It also appeals to a genderless audience. The color is part of Daily Blue’s spring collection, executed as a shrunken jacket and pleated skirt. Raleigh Workshop decorates its ecru coordinates with contrast topstitching. Skall Studio keeps it light and bright with a cropped ecru shirt and relaxed-fit jeans.

Destroyed

After years of ultra-clean finishes and efforts to make jeans more durable and versatile, designers are cycling back to ripped effects. The trend complements ongoing grunge and ’90s themes, as well as consumers’ love for all things that look vintage and worn. Ripped jeans add a downtown vibe to Brandon Maxwell’s spring collection filled with elevated blazers and coordinating tops. For Collina Strada, the loose threads on distressed jeans mingle with crystals and lace for spring. Shredded surfaces create a fur-like texture on Rotate’s jeans. Dark patches are visible through John Richmond’s distressed jeans.

Honorable Mentions

Capri Jeans: With Y2K infiltrating every corner of fashion, the Capri jean was bound to make an appearance. Alice & Olivia serves up the style with a fitted silhouette and acid wash.

Mixed Media: Designers are playing with materials and textures. 3.1 Phillip Lim’s jeans for spring have deep cuffs with contrasting fabric. Gold and silver foil splice Brandon Maxwell’s straight-fit jeans. For a more vintage look, expect to see patchwork pieces with multiple prints and colors a la Rave Review’s patched miniskirts and ripped wide-leg jeans.

Big Cuffs: In addition to 3.1 Phillip Lim, Karoline Vitto and Cinq À Sept also styled jeans on their Spring/Summer ’24 runways with wide cuffs. Inspired by the ’50s and ’60s, cuff details give consumers a cool and retro alternative to denim’s unwavering Y2K trend cycle.

Paint Box: Thanks to Y2K, overdyed denim has come back with a vengeance, but designers are taking a more painterly approach to the dye technique. Instead of all-over color, pieces like Colin Locascio’s ruffled jeans and skirts look like they’ve been rubbed with multi-color pigments. R13 also uses splotches of color to create a worn-in vintage look on crumpled jean jackets.