As fashion editors, team Who What Wear spend a lot of our time pouring over runway shows. Coquette-ish baby doll dresses, XXL totes and lots (and lots) of florals might be setting the tone for the year ahead, but one trend that you can expect to see crop-up no matter the designer is trusty old denim. Take a humble pair of black jeans, or a trusty blue denim jacket, and regardless of the season, forecast or even the occasion, denim always rises to meet the dress code. It is after all, one of the hardest working fabrics in our wardrobes. And, okay, it isn’t quite polished enough for say, a wedding or Michelin star restaurant, but it is largely considered to be the best attire for our day to day lives.
Don’t know what to wear to work? Jeans and a boot never fails. Running errands on weekends? Jeans and trainers are always practical. Dressing up for evening? Nothing beats black denim and a heel. And so, given our reliance on these versatile trousers, skirts and dresses, it makes sense that denim trends move with the times and get an upgrade each season.
So, as we start the new year wondering which pieces to invest in to update our 2024 look, what better time to whittle down the denim trends that we’ve spotted rising to the top over the last 12 months. From the controversial new jean silhouette that’s kicking skinnies to the kerb, to a casual take on a workwear staple, these are six denim trends of note for the year ahead.You heard it here first.
Style Notes: If you’ve been on social media lately, it’s likely you’re already au fait with the barrel leg jean. Sometimes a horseshoe, other times referred to as “balloon” or “curved”, the exaggerated silhouette comes from a nipped in waist and tapered ankle, with the widest part falling at the knee. The result is a loose-legged, fashion-forward slouch fit with enough crop to show off your expert shoe pairings. Unlike the baggy and boyfriend jean, you won’t have to wring out your hems should you get caught in the rain.
Don’t panic, once these are on, the curve feels less exaggerated. The raw hem detail is perfection. Such a versatile shade. Free People’s Good Luck Barrel come in so many different washes.
Style Notes: After asking the denim experts at Agolde and Citizens of Humanity for the one trend they’re convinced will be everywhere in 2024, the result was a resounding “grey”. It makes sense after the A/W ’23 runways were awash with fifty shades of grey, and should you be looking for something that is just as easily dressed up or down as blue jeans, grey should be your next port of call. Unsure of how to style this light wash? Take tips from influencers Sarah Louise Blythe and Lydia Tsegay and layer up in different shades of charcoal, mist and ash.
Just the right amount of distressed. These look great with ankle boots. ARKET’s Cloud jeans are already a bestseller. Ideal for heels.
Style Notes: The 90s called, and turned up cuffs are back and bigger than ever. Not convinced? One of last year’s bestselling pairs, Citizens of Humanity’s wide-legged Ayla, is so loose around the ankle that it requires a generous turn-up to keep it off the ground. And the runways agree, as inky blue straight-leg jeans were turned up to mid-calf at Tolu Coker and Karoline Vitto, reminiscent of girl band styling. And before you ask, you don’t even have to contend with rolling up your hems, as everyone from Loewe to Anthropologie have their own pre-folded styles that get the ratio just right.
These come in six different colours, including cream and black. Just look at that deep indigo…Cuffs worth showing off. These look like they’ve stepped straight out of a 90’s Guess jeans campaign. In a good way.
Style Notes: This year’s biggest skirt trend? Undoubtedly the return of the polished pencil, and luckily for us, the look translates to casual denim too. Sleek, figure-hugging skirts that skim the knee are replacing 2023’s heavier maxi skirts, making this the perfect trend for an in-between spring, a balmy summer and a chilly winter when paired with a knee-high boot. Sorry minis, we’re convinced that 2024 is all about pairing up longer layers.
Act fast, this is selling out fast.Just add a sleek, tall boot. Just great denim, plain and simple. Imagine how good this will look in summer with a white tank top.
Style Notes: Long gone are the days of Britney and Justin’s couple dressing, double denim is now the go-to uniform for getting ready in five minutes or less. The slight hint of the Wild West makes this easy pairing feel rugged, effortless, and impossibly cool, but with just the addition of a simple heel or polished loafer you can make the co-ord feel far dressier. Our two moods? Lucy William’s slippers and socks lounge look, and Philip Lim’s earrings, denim and mules glam.
Taking away the collar really elevates a denim jacket. This co-ord looks so expensive together. Wear over a turtleneck or open over a white tee. An instant outfit.
