Denim Trends Right Now: Mom Jeans and How to Style Them
- Words by
- Julio Arco
- Published
- Reading
- 4 min
Mom jeans are still a safe, easy place to start with current denim: a high rise, a relaxed leg and a slight taper at the ankle. For summer, pick a light or medium wash, keep the top simple, and let the jeans' shape do the work.
Below is what denim styles are trending now, how to wear each one, and which ones I'd keep in a small summer wardrobe.
What denim styles are trending now?
The shapes people keep reaching for are relaxed: baggy, wide-leg and straight cuts, with mom jeans sitting comfortably in that group. The tight silhouettes that dominated earlier decades have given way to more room through the hip and thigh.
It helps to remember that denim cycles. The FIT Fashion History Timeline notes that in the early 2000s low-rise, flared jeans were prevalent, and by the mid-2000s bootcut jeans had grown more popular. Skinny jeans were introduced in 2005 and were commonplace by 2006. Each shape looked new for a while and then gave way to the next, so buy the cut you will actually wear, not the one that is loudest this month.
Are straight jeans in style?
Yes. A straight leg is the easiest current shape because it sits between skinny and wide. Mom jeans are a close cousin: same high rise, a bit more room at the hip, a gentle taper below the knee.
For summer, a cropped straight leg shows the ankle and keeps the look light. Try a tucked white tee or a linen shirt, a thin belt, and flat sandals or white sneakers.
Baggy and wide-leg jeans outfits
Baggy and wide-leg jeans add volume on the bottom half, so balance it on top. A fitted tank, a cropped tee or a shirt tucked in at the front keeps your waist visible and stops the outfit from looking shapeless.
- Fitted top plus wide leg: tuck it in, add a belt, and wear a shoe with a little structure, such as a loafer or flat sandal.
- Oversized shirt plus baggy jeans: keep the sleeves rolled and the hem half tucked so you still read a waist.
- Hem length: let the jeans skim the top of your shoe. Puddled hems get dirty fast in summer.
Light wash jean trends
Light and bleached washes suit summer because they reflect more light and look cooler against bare arms and linen. Finishing is nothing new: FIT's Denim: Fashion's Frontier exhibition notes that during the 1980s, finishing denim with techniques such as stonewashing and acid-washing became standard across the industry.
Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd think about contrast first. A very pale jean next to a white top reads soft and low-contrast, while the same jean with navy or olive reads crisper. Pick based on the mood you want.
Are dark wash jeans in style?
They are, and they are the most flexible option. A deep indigo looks cleaner and a little dressier than a faded pair, which makes it good for evenings, offices and anywhere you want the outfit to look planned.
In summer, dark denim works best in a lightweight weave. Pair it with a white or pastel top, and keep accessories simple. A dark wash also tends to look streamlined through the middle, which many people like in a high-rise cut.
How to style denim trends: new rules
There are fewer hard rules now, but a few habits keep denim looking current.
- Choose one relaxed piece per outfit. If the jeans are loose, make the top fitted or neatly cropped.
- Mix washes carefully. Two denim pieces work when they are clearly different shades, not almost matching.
- Check the rise. A high rise is the most forgiving for tucking and belting.
- Mind the hem. Cropped or ankle-length keeps summer outfits light.
- Let texture vary. Denim next to linen, cotton knit or a soft satin looks more considered than denim next to more denim.
For more mom jean outfit directions, see the 90s mom jeans trend, neutral mom jeans and colorful mom jeans.
Fit and color for your body and skin tone
A high waist works on many body types, so adjust the details. If you want to emphasize your waist, choose a slight taper and a fitted top. If you carry weight at the hip, a structured denim holds its shape better than a very soft one. Use the shoulder-to-hem line of your top to decide where the outfit should end.
Washes can read differently against skin, so hold the jeans up in daylight before you commit. If they make you look tired, try a shade lighter or darker. Comfort in heat matters too: a lightweight denim with a touch of stretch usually feels better in summer than a heavy rigid one.
Tops in a neutral palette make an easy base. Monochrome mom jean staples shows how far a single color family can go.
Build a small summer denim set
Two or three pairs are plenty: one light wash, one dark wash, and one straight or wide-leg cut in whichever shade you wear most. Add white tees, a linen shirt and a pair of flat sandals, and you have a week of outfits.
To keep color from fading, wash jeans inside out in cold water and air-dry when you can.
Frequently asked questions
Which denim styles will feel outdated soon?
Nobody can predict this with certainty, but very tight, heavily distressed pairs are the likeliest to date quickly. Classic cuts in a good fit tend to stay wearable longer.
What are the new styling rules for wearing denim?
Balance volume by keeping one piece fitted, mix denim with other textures, and let the hem sit at the ankle or top of the shoe. Two denim pieces work when the shades clearly differ.
What is the best wash of mom jeans for summer?
Light to medium washes feel coolest and pair easily with white, pastel and neutral tops. A dark wash is a good second pair for evenings.
Can mom jeans be dressed up?
Yes. A dark wash with a structured blazer, a satin or silk-look top and heeled sandals reads polished.
Filed under Outfit Ideas
