When the trend pendulum swings one way it’s bound to swing back. So, after years of baggy, oversized denim dominating the trend cycle, it only makes sense that we’re in the market for something new. I’m going to hold your hand while I say this: Yes, skinny jeans are back on the fall denim trend roster, but probably not they way you’re thinking. This year’s fall denim trend isn’t like 2010’s jeggings, or skin-tight styles that look painted on. Also, it hasn’t come out of nowhere. Style muses like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have been ahead of the straight-leg revival, and the style has also been present in the Bally, Balenciaga, and Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2024 collections. Skinny jean apologists and baggy denim lovers, read on for everything we know about how the denim trend is showing up this fall.
Getty Images
Stylist Allison Bornstein offers a realistic approach to the trend with her “Dipping a Toe” method which she posted on Instagram. Bornstein shares an experience with a client who jumped from her skinny jeans into a baggier style and found the loose-fitting pair difficult to wear with her tops and shoes. “If a skinny jean is a one, and a baggy jean is a 10, you don’t have to go from one to 10,” says Bornstein. The solution? She recommends opting for denim fits that may be tight around the thigh and leg but are looser around the ankle.
Ignat/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images
How to Get the Look
Last fall, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner frequently wore straight-leg and skinny jeans and styled them seamlessly with modern pieces that reflected their chic model-off-duty style. The looks felt authentic to their style and very modern. Khaite’s Danielle jeans, a high-rise straight-leg style, have served as an if-you-know-you-know piece amongst the fashion set—Jenner and Hadid included—and they went viral on TikTok for being worth the splurge (the pair boast a $500 price tag).
Content creator Hannah Chody, who claims the Khaite pair is a favorite, opted for the Levi’s Ribcage Straight for a similar, more affordable silhouette. Reformation’s Cynthia Jean was also mentioned by creator Grace Renkenmeyer as a dupe. If you’re already a skinny jeans fan or are ready to dive back into the look, there’s a bevy of styles out there from Madewell to Abercrombie and Fitch. And if you need some inspo on how to actually wear the trend, we’ve broken down our favorite outfit formulas, below.
Straight-Leg Jeans and Boots
@abimarvel/Instagram
Creator Abi Marvel’s dark wash skinny jeans are perfect for fall. She styled them with a sand-colored turtleneck and red kitten heels for a pop of color.
Oversized Coat and Pointy Heels
@sylviemus_/Instagram
Creator Sylvie Mus paired her straight-leg denim with another one of fall’s biggest trends, the denim shirt. The denim-on-denim look may feel intimidating but her outfit proves how a tighter pair of designer jeans can still appear relaxed.
Sleek and Simple
Getty Images
Make like Meghan Markle and pair your skinnies with tall boots and a caramel cape for a look that would be right at home in the English countryside.
Product Picks
Madewell
Abercrombie & Fitch
Khaite
