They say three’s a trend, so here is my evidence that printed jeans are set to be the surprise smash hit for spring 2021…
1. Before they were even released online, both myself and Joy Montgomery, Who What Wear’s shopping editor, decided that we needed to get Monki’s squiggly-print monochrome jeans and matching knitted crop top (pictured above). Neither of us would normally wear printed jeans (in fact, I very rarely wear denim at all), and both of us often buy vintage instead of new high-street items, but here we were, poised to snap them up. Sadly for us, within minutes of coming online earlier this week, they had sold out in every size from a UK 4 up to a 20. A similar floral-stamped style at Zara sold out within mere moments this week, and it also came with a matching crop top. A coincidence? I think not. Co-ords continue to be popular and have become even more present in all of our favourite brands’ new-in sections.
2. When Zoe Anastasiou, Who What Wear’s social media and fashion editor, posted a shot of Fia Hamelijnck to our UK Instagram feed, she knew she had chosen a great picture that our audience would love. But we weren’t quite expecting the influx of requests to find out where her daisy-print orange jeans were from and whether they were still available. Unfortunately, this Youthquake style from Free People had also sold out, but we’re in touch with the brand, and it has informed us that a green version will be dropping soon. Stay tuned and know that, for the time being, there is a new wiggle print in the same cut (see below).
3. Looking back through the spring/summer 2021 collections again, we should have guessed this trend was coming. The season is all about joyful dressing, but there is also a strong emphasis on easy outfit building, so a pair of cheery printed jeans certainly manages to tick both boxes. There were wide-leg floral versions at both Christopher John Rogers and Loewe—plus recognisable branding such as GG logos in true-blue denim at Gucci (Resort 21, pictured above) and colourful Medusa heads at Versace. Among the indie-brand set, you’ll find trending geometric motifs at Lisa Says Gah and Miaou and animal prints at House of Sunny and Re/Done.
So if your interest has been suitably piqued, I’d recommend looking at my below edit of the very best printed jeans you can buy now and enjoy wearing for many years to come. Why? Well, this is a trend that never really fades out thanks to the ease printed jeans bring to an outfit—just add a plain tee or jumper and you have a winning outfit.
Up next, read up on the latest trends to wear with denim.
