The birds are chirping, the snow is melting—a new season is on the horizon, and there’s no better way to welcome it than with the latest denim trends. For spring 2026, denim is building on the momentum from fall, spotlighting runway favorites like bootcut, skinny, and baggy styles, alongside celebrity-endorsed looks and those making waves on social media. To get the inside scoop on what’s coming for spring/summer 2026, we turned to denim experts from top brands like Frame, Levi’s, Still Here, and Agolde, covering everything from cut and proportion to washes.
The Experts’ Guide to Spring’s Top Denim Trends:
A nostalgic mood continues to dominate the denim market, but there’s no single silhouette taking over. You’ll find low-rise, baggy wide-leg styles with a Y2K vibe alongside slim cigarette cuts that nod to the ’80s. Bootcut jeans are also making another comeback, proving that embracing a variety of styles—not just one—is the best approach for spring 2026. What surprised us most, however, was the range of washes: deep indigo rinses, soft grays (fueled by the “groutfit” trend), warm browns, and colored denim in sunset shades of yellow and pink—a refreshing shift we haven’t seen in a while.
Here are the top denim trends for spring 2026, complete with expert commentary and styles to shop now.
Indigo Rising
Across the spring/summer 2026 runways, indigo washes stood out. Khaite featured a slimmer cigarette style in a deep rinse (more straight-leg than skinny), while Victoria Beckham embraced volume with wide-legs in an inky hue. “We’re seeing washes become cleaner: rinse and dark, bright blues with minimal sanding or dry processing feel most relevant,” says Kate Keyes, chief marketing officer of Frame. “Ultimately, it’s about creating a chic, clean jean that complements the complexity of a woman’s life.” Many heritage denim brands are embracing this philosophy, offering bestselling styles in darker washes. “We’re continuing to see a strong response to our classic Slim Lasso, the style we built the brand on,” says Claire Lampert, co-founder and creative director of B Sides, whose relaxed barrel-leg shape gets an inky update for spring. Shop our favorites, from updated stovepipes to trouser jeans—and, of course, classic straight-legs.
The Low-Rise Effect
Low-rise is making a major comeback this season. “We’re seeing the rise drop naturally—people are already wearing denim hip-slung and sizing up for an oversized look—so we designed new silhouettes with a true low-rise built in, across both slim and wide-legs, to meet that demand,” says Meredith Kahn, head of design at Re/Done. Across the board, “low-rise is still very much here and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Keyes adds. From trouser-leg jeans at Citizens of Humanity with a “clean, leg-lengthening line and effortless wearability,” says the brand’s creative director Marianne Gallagher McDonald, to “relaxed silhouettes that keep ’90s nostalgia alive,” says Jill Guenza, vice president of women’s apparel design at Levi Strauss & Co. (their introduction of the Loose Boot is a perfect example).The latest take on baggy jeans offers a variety of leg shapes, moving beyond just the loose look. “For us, it’s proof that with the right proportions, low-rise can feel modern and sleek, not nostalgic,” says Gallager McDonald.
Bootcut and Beyond
“Bootcut will be the move in 2026,” says Keyes. “It feels like the natural next step from wide-leg styles, offering a bit more polish while still feeling effortless.” Many brands are blending different decades for fresh takes on the trend. Still Here is leaning into pure nostalgia with their new bootcut shape. “We’re introducing a new wash and updated fit of our first-ever skinny-leg, low-rise bootcut jean: the Tomorrow jean—a style that feels especially relevant again,” says Sonia Mosseri, co-founder and creative director of Still Here. Merging ’70s and early 2000s nostalgia, the jean was already spotted on Jennifer Lawrence last fall—one to grab quickly. Alternatively, Mother worked with longtime friend Paige Reifler to create her dream jeans: a mid-rise straight-leg with a slight kick. “The fit is designed around her personal style and vintage preferences, pulling inspiration from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s,” says Tim Kaeding, creative director and co-founder of Mother. Here, it’s all about mixing references to create something modern.
Cigarette and Slim-Legs
“Leg shapes are getting straighter, slimmer, and more elongated as we look toward spring 2026,” says Kahn. These slimmer cuts highlight the natural figure rather than concealing it under volume. “There’s a growing appetite for lower-rise denim paired with more tailored legs—silhouettes that let the body’s natural form take focus, rather than hiding it,” adds Karen Phelps, creative director of Agolde. The key is to avoid anything that feels too tight or restrictive. “Slim silhouettes, from cigarette legs (like our Wedgie Slim) to skinny bootcuts (like our Low Slim Boot), are emerging as key new shapes; they provide the perfect counterbalance to the ’80s rounded and strong-shouldered silhouettes in tops,” says Gueza. Denim weight also matters: “We’re seeing a return to a slimmer leg profile—from stovepipe to refined skinny—done in heavier-weight, low-stretch denim with pronounced texture,” says Jac Cameron, founder of Rùadh.
Alternative Washes
Colored denim might just be the wild card of the season. “Color plays a transformative role, lifting the everyday and reframing the familiar—soft neutrals, earthy tones, and unexpected hues that shift the mood and perspective.”Nina Khosla and Talia Shuvalov, the creative directors of Ossou, describe their vision as “grounded yet poetic,” where ease becomes expressive and everyday items are elevated through craftsmanship and subtle beauty. Other brands are exploring sun-drenched colors. For instance, Still Here is introducing light pink and burnt orange this season, which, according to Mosseri, brings “a fresh, sun-faded energy to the collection.” Meanwhile, Agolde’s Phelps is focusing on “saturated reds, oranges, yellows, and more,” which can be styled boldly or paired with another monochromatic piece. At Citizens of Humanity, “grey is the focus,” says Gallagher McDonald. “After a season dominated by saturated washes, the mood is turning cooler and more refined. Grey wears like a neutral but feels decidedly directional, offering both polish and edge.” Color is definitely in—just stick to muted shades to master the trend.
The Modern Tailored Trouser
“We’re excited to see a return to more fitted silhouettes—trouser-like cuts that skim the body—bringing back a sense of femininity and intention, in contrast to the dominance of the barrel-leg,” say Khosla and Shuvalov. The modern trouser jean follows the slimmer cut that’s trending overall, rather than the ultra-wide legs of the past. “For spring 2026, there’s a clear move toward tailoring within denim,” notes Phelps. “We’re seeing strong interest in slimmer-leg jeans, structured shirting, and denim that feels designed rather than distressed. It’s about precision—pieces that are cut to flatter and hold their shape, rather than overwhelm it.” Creases and pleats add even more tailored detailing that feels current, along with crisp hemlines. “More broadly, we’re leaning into tailored, refined silhouettes with finished hems, pieces that blur the line between denim and tailoring and bring a more polished attitude to everyday dressing,” says Gallagher McDonald. Look for these specific details while shopping for this trend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about 6 Denim Trends to Shop for Spring 2026 written in a natural conversational tone
FAQs 6 Denim Trends for Spring 2026
Beginner Definition Questions
1 What are the top denim trends for Spring 2026
The key trends are 1 Utility Overalls Jumpsuits 2 Sculptural Denim 3 DenimonDenim 4 HighWaisted WideLeg Jeans 5 Bleached SunFaded Washes and 6 Embellished Pockets Seams
2 What exactly is sculptural denim
Its denim thats treated more like fabric art Think jeans or jackets with intentional tucks draped panels asymmetric seams or folds that look almost like origami creating a unique 3D shape
3 Are wideleg jeans still in style for 2026
Absolutely The trend is evolving into a more refined highwaisted wideleg silhouetteoften in a crisp medium washthat creates a long elegant line from waist to floor
4 What does bleached and sunfaded mean for denim
This refers to very light almost vintagelooking washes Instead of uniform light blue it mimics the natural uneven fading from years of sun exposure with softer warmer undertones
Advanced Practical Questions
5 How do I wear denimondenim without looking dated
The 2026 trick is tonal dressing Pair pieces in the same wash family for a sleek modern look Break it up with different textures in your shoes and accessories
6 Are utility overalls practical for everyday wear
Yes the new versions are more streamlined Look for styles in softer lighter denim with slimmer legs or a cropped length Theyre great thrown over a simple tank or thin knit making them surprisingly versatile
7 Whats the best way to style embellished denim without overdoing it
Let the embellished piece be the