Every fall, I default to the same pair of jeans for the first few weeks of the season, and every fall, I get bored faster than I expect to. I’ll always love my jeans, but there comes a time when getting ready starts to feel a bit repetitive. This year, I’m giving my denim a little break. Jeans will never be over, but the pant trends filling my feed right now are way too fun to ignore.
Fall 2026 covers a lot of ground, from slouchy leather to satin that looks like it came straight from a dinner party, and almost all of it works for both the office and the weekend. Keep your favorite jeans in rotation, then scroll on for the seven trends I’m reaching for instead.
Capris
This once-hated pant length has recently had a resurgence. Capris are back, and they’re made for fall days that still feel like the tail end of summer. They suit a long lunch at a sidewalk table, with a little ankle showing before tights season fully takes over. They’re the easiest way to make a fall outfit feel lighter.
Anything Flared
A flared leg has something a little ’70s and a little rock ‘n’ roll about it, and that’s exactly the mood this fall. They’re the pants for gallery openings and any night you want to look like you have somewhere cooler to be next. Add heeled boots, and you’re done.
Loose Leather Pants
Leather pants also took a rest but now feel like the perfect style for an edgier afternoon in the city that turns into a fun night out. I’ve been leaning into low-rise and loose styles to differentiate from the tight styles I was wearing a few years ago. This slouchier shape takes the edge off leather, so they look just as right with a chunky knit on a Sunday as they do with a cute top on a night out.
Balloon Pants
I’m wearing this trend as I type this, and it’s safe to say the fashion crowd is obsessed. I can’t attend a work event these days without someone wearing balloon pants. They have an artsy, slightly off-duty energy and make for a cooler swap to barrel-leg jeans. The volume is the point, so keep everything else relaxed, and let the shape start the conversation.
Cigarette Trousers
If balloon pants are the artist, cigarette trousers are made for a brisk walk to the office. They’re slim, cropped, and a little bit Old Hollywood. They’re the polished option for days when you want to look put-together without trying too hard.
Satin Trousers
Satin trousers have been a talking point among the fashion crowd for yet another season. They’re made for the time of year when dinner reservations that turn into holiday parties start showing up on the calendar in November. The sheen does the dressing up for you, so a simple sweater or tank is all you need. Plus, they’re as comfortable as pajamas.
Cold-Weather Whites
Who says white pants are just for summer? Winter whites are starting to feel like a good idea as soon as fall hits. They feel crisp and clean against a gray sky and brown leaves, especially when paired with fall knits. It’s the mood of a ski-town weekend without leaving home.
