Jean Trends 2020: What’s New In Denim
With all the fall clothing hitting stores as we enter October, you may notice some new denim styles this year. In fact, there are a TON of new jean trends for 2020 that deserve attention. Denim has an uncanny ability to define the times, thanks to its uniquely American soul and its permanent place as a closet staple – we wear denim year-round and for (almost) every occasion.
A dark wash jean for work, the “jeans-and-a-nice-top” formula for a night out, a stash of denim shorts in the summer…the list goes on and on. The right pair is well worn in your wardrobe, so they mold to you and may even earn your emotional attachment. So, which jean is the “right pair”, and how do you choose which trends will be worth investing in?
Past Year’s Denim Trends:
For nearly the last decade, the market has been saturated with variations of the dark wash, skinny-leg, high-stretch denim. These have been predominantly ankle-length or cropped. Perhaps these took over in retaliation to the early 2000s highly embellished, lace-up, and low-rise styles, and trends like JNCO jeans before that. The ’90s came with baggier silhouettes, the 80’s with acid washes, the ’70s will bell bottoms and flared styles.
It was only natural that denim got a sleek, polished makeover in the 2010s, and the dark wash skinny proved to be the ever-versatile solution. But the style is starting to feel limiting in our wardrobes. For years, retailers made it easy to forget that there are so many other options available.
If you’ve grown tired of buying and rebuying this single jean style over the years, then you’re in good company. This is your reminder not to forget just how exciting and inventive denim can be! Consider replacing some of your older styles with our top picks for 2020 jean trends below. Need help filtering out the dead weight? We offer a closet clean-out service to help.
Jean Trends 2020:
It’s not that the dark wash skinny jean is “out”…it’s more that there are so many options that are “in.” 2020 is proving to be a renaissance for jean trends. Use it as a time to re-explore what shapes and washes you love your body in. Some of the front-runners we’re seeing on the streets are straighter cut silhouettes, lighter and vintage washes, and more structured fabrics.
Straight leg jeans have seen a resurgence on the back end of the “mom jean” trend and our ongoing love affair with vintage denim. Best of all, they are universally flattering and have multiple variations to ease you into the trend. In their truest form, the straight leg jean has a constant width all the way down to the ankle. Many modern varieties may taper in slightly at the ankle or may have a slightly slimmer silhouette through the thigh and knee. These are great options to consider for women who swear by skinny jeans but want to try a straight leg or straight-leg-adjacent option! What we love most about the straight silhouette is just how long the clean lines make your legs look.
Also stemming from our love for vintage denim is the return of lighter washes. This faded, worn-in look paradoxically gives a breath of fresh air to our closets. These washes look stunning paired with more modern or tailored pieces to create a fashion-forward look with a little more character. Like the straight leg look, we don’t see these lighter shades falling out of favor anytime soon.
The final major jean trend that’s taking over the 2020 fashion world is structured denim. Again, we see how this trend rose as a counterpoint to the super-stretch jeggings of recent years and is inspired by the denim of the ’90s. These are going to have a little more weight and hold their shape better over time. An added bonus is that you won’t have to wash these as often (and in fact, shouldn’t) as their spandex-blend counterparts.
I also love that the elastic-free fabrication solves a major denim pet peeve of mine—they don’t show loose elastic threads poking out as you often notice in high-stretch denim over time. These are made to last for years to come. The structured feel may not be the most comfortable for everyone, but this often resolves itself over time as your jeans become broken in and you get used to the new fabric. It’s worth a try for how polished and luxurious they look!
How to Wear the Latest Jean Trends:
Even if you are feeling inspired by these new denim options, you may not know what to look for or exactly how to style them. Luckily, we’re here to share a few tips.
Straight leg jeans this season are most often seen in mid- or high-rises, in keeping with recent taste. High rises are particularly foolproof for a flattering denim choice, but keep proportion in mind: petites may wish to stick to a mid-rise. A simple tee will look great tucked in to emphasize the sense of vintage Americana. Add a little depth with an oversized jacket or duster coat.
Alternatively, the straight silhouette looks incredible when juxtaposed with a feminine top that shows off your curves. Try your new denim with a cropped cardigan with a puff sleeve detail and pointed bootie to enhance the femininity. A great rule of thumb is to consider what inspires you about the particular jean (e.g. west coast vibe, masculine shape, or vintage wash) and to play with this idea when putting your look together.
When looking for a light wash denim you love, you have a few choices. Light wash doesn’t just mean light blues! Off-white, ecru, and light greys are also beautiful choices that have branched off of this trend. While many of these can be great choices, they may pose styling challenges. Light washes tend to look great with neutral tones – think shades of white, camel, and beige – for an effortlessly sophisticated appearance. They are also great for making deep jewel tones pop that might otherwise get washed out with dark denim.
Structured denim may be the most intimidating of all to buy because of the assumption that it will be restrictive or uncomfortable. In fact, the discomfort more often results from a jean that isn’t best suited for your shape, so it tugs and pulls in the wrong areas. This is where it becomes important to understand your body type and how different brands fit you. Once you’ve determined your best fit, look for denim made of 99-100% cotton to attain the structured look. I love styling this trend with a tight bodysuit to emphasize the structured shape of the denim. As we ease into fall, these can also be paired with our cold-weather favorites like a chunky knit sweater or moto jacket.
Wrap-Up:
We have seen a number of jean trends surface for 2020, and for better or for worse, we probably can’t try them all. It would be a shame to spend a fortune on the split seam, yoke front, or heavily embellished jeans now just to grow tired of them in a couple of years (not to say these are unwise choices for everyone!). It’s best to invest in the trends with staying power.
Our top picks for this season and those to come are straight leg, light wash, and structured jeans. You can combine these trends into a single pair or try one trend at a time to best suit your style. These fresh, modern takes on denim can be styled in so many ways, and inspiration is everywhere!
If you would like help selecting the best pairs for you or still have questions about ways to style them, we have your back. Reach out here to set up an appointment. We hope you fall in love with these new denim looks as much as we have.