As a seasoned fashion editor who has analysed more than her fair share of runway shows, I’ll be the first to admit that not all trends translate into everyday life. Take the sheer trend, for example; it looks great on the catwalk and via Instagram, but the realities of wearing completely see-through clothing day-to-day come with their own set of unique considerations and, if nothing else, you’ll be pretty cold, too. Denim, however—now there’s something that works, regardless of the season, weather forecast or, increasingly, occasion. Save for formal events such as weddings, black-tie galas and dining out at certain restaurants, denim is largely considered to be acceptable attire for everything, from work to weekend, nights out to walks in the park. It’s this sheer versatility and wearability that makes denim trends so far reaching; you’ll see dresses, jackets, tops, accessories, and, of course, jeans, modelled in the fabrication year-round, but how these items look tends to shift with each season.
So, on the cusp of spring, I thought now was the perfect time to whittle down the leading denim trends of 2023. From the jean silhouette that’s sticking around for another six months (excellent news if you’ve already invested in it) to a fresh take on outerwear, these are the denim trends to note for the year ahead.
Style Notes: 2023 marks the return of the denim skirt but, in place of the mini options that become commonplace in the warmer months, we’re seeing hemlines hit the floor as maxi styles become increasingly popular; an offshoot from the maxi dresses that dominated collections last season, too.
Style Notes: Denim shirts kept cropping up on the 2023 runways, with designers favouring styling them with more elevated bottoms, such as tailored trousers and leather skirts.
Style Notes: Last year saw a serious resurge of wide-leg trousers, with the silhouette quickly permeating the world of jeans, too. If you’ve already invested in the trend, you’ll be pleased to hear the silhouette is sticking around for another season. Just ask Kate Moss who wore the perfect pair on the Bottega Veneta runway.
Style Notes: White denim always makes a comeback in the warmer months; for a fresh take on the trend, wear it top-to-toe and finish with neutral and beige accessories.
Style Notes: When you think of denim dresses, button-up or prairie styles likely come to mind. This season, however, we’re seeing the textile reworked into a multitude of frocks, from slip dresses to on-trend off-the-shoulder creations.
Style Notes: If you’re looking for new ways to make your denim outfits stand out, why not hop on the two-tone trend. With mid-blue jeans making a comeback this season, too, this presents the perfect way to wear it with traditional lighter hues too.
Style Notes: Denim jackets will always be a style mainstay but denim coats? This is a new development for 2023. As seen at Tod’s and Chloé, wear pared-back styles with jeans for a cool take on the Canadian tuxedo.
Style Notes: Blame it on the Y2K aesthetic but cargo pockets are here to stay for 2023. First seen on trousers, the cargo movement soon found its way onto jeans. Now, you’ll see it on just about every denim item this year.
