Welcome back to Spring Trends Week! Each day, I’m breaking down what’s trending in the biggest wardrobe categories—denim, footwear, accessories, and more. Yesterday, I rounded up 10 wearable trends that will define the season in my post: Spring Fashion Trends: What’s In and What’s Out for 2025, and today, we’re diving into denim.
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Right now, just about every denim style is out there in some form, but some silhouettes and details feel fresher than others. Sometimes, it’s the smallest tweaks—like the rise, wash, or cut—that make a pair of jeans feel current. Let’s discuss!
Washes & Colors
Classic blue denim is having a major moment, with everything from light to dark washes in rotation. Darker washes feel especially fresh this season, so if you don’t already have a pair, they’re an easy way to update your spring wardrobe. Ecru and white denim are coming in strong for Spring 2025. While grey and black washes are still in the mix, I don’t expect to reach for them as much once the weather warms up—though light grey could be a nice option.
Colored denim remains on the fringes, with olive and muted shades being the most popular. I’m also seeing some earth tones and light neutrals, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing more dusty pink options since it’s a trending color this spring. Leopard-print denim is also making an appearance, as animal prints continue to have a moment this season.
Lengths & Rises
All lengths of denim are out there right now, from floor-grazing full-length styles to crop lengths, which is great for versatility as we move into warmer months. I haven’t reached for cropped jeans much this winter, but they make more sense for spring. As for rises, mid and high-rise jeans still dominate, though there are rumblings that lower rises are creeping back. I haven’t seen them take hold in a big way just yet, but it’s something to watch.
So, what are the biggest denim trends for Spring 2025?
The Hottest Denim Trends for Spring 2025
These are the top denim trends I’m seeing this season—at least, the ones that feel the most current and wearable for everyday women. I’ll start by going through the most popular silhouettes, and then I’ll highlight some of the micro-trends and details shaping denim right now.
#1. Wide-Leg Jeans
photo credit: LOFT
Wide-leg jeans continue to dominate in full-length and ankle-length styles. As spring approaches, I expect to see more cropped options. I especially like the shorter full-length versions that just graze the top of the shoe without breaking—this look feels fresh and modern, plus it’s a great way to elongate the legs while showing off a cute shoe.
When it comes to styling, wide-leg jeans pair well with everything from sneakers and sandals to slingbacks and ballet flats. The key is getting the top right—fitted or cropped styles work best because they emphasize the waist and create a balanced silhouette.
#2. Relaxed Straight-Leg Jeans
photo credit: Banana Republic
This ‘90s-inspired silhouette remains a major player this season, with its slouchy, lived-in vibe. Most styles are full-length, with a slight break over the shoe, but some trendier versions are extra-long and pool at the floor. While styling relaxed straight-leg jeans can be trickier—especially for those of us who prefer a more structured look—they’re undeniably on-trend. This style works well with loafers, sneakers, or even a sleek pointed-toe boot for a little contrast.
#3. Slim-Straight Jeans
photo credit: rag & bone
For those who aren’t quite ready to let go of their skinnies, slim straight-leg jeans offer the perfect middle ground. This cut has been gaining traction and feels especially current in an ankle-length fit. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to style. A slim straight ankle fit looks great with loafers and boat shoes, ballet flats and Mary Janes, and low-profile sneakers—which are all trending this spring.
#4. Bootcut & Flare Jeans
photo credit: Evereve
Bootcut and flare jeans remain a flattering, feminine option. They’re available in all lengths, but darker washes and full-length styles feel especially on-trend this season. Whether you prefer a sleek bootcut or a dramatic flare, these jeans pair best with heeled boots, platform sandals, and pointed-toe shoes. You can also wear them with sneakers and flats—especially cropped lengths—but I’ll also make a case for wearing full-length flares with sneakers for a relaxed, casual vibe.
#5. Barrel-Leg Jeans
photo credit: LOFT
The barrel-leg silhouette has been on the rise for a while, and this season, it finally feels more mainstream. While it’s still a trend-driven look, it’s gaining wider appeal, especially for those who love a modern, architectural shape. These jeans create an interesting voluminous silhouette that pairs well with structured tops and fitted sweaters to balance the proportions.
#6. Beyond-Basic Denim Jackets
photo credit: Talbots
Denim jackets are evolving beyond the classic trucker style, with fresh silhouettes taking center stage. Look for cropped, oversized, collarless, or belted versions—anything that feels like a modern update. A unique denim jacket is a great way to complete an outfit while keeping it fresh and fashion-forward.
#7. Denim Dresses & Skirts
photo credit: Gap Factory
Denim skirts and dresses are still going strong this season, with a wide range of silhouettes to choose from. From midi and maxi denim skirts with front slits to structured sheath and shirt dresses, these pieces offer a modern take on a classic fabric.
#8. “Jorts” (Jean Shorts)
photo credit: Evereve
Longer denim shorts are making a quiet comeback. While still more of a fringe trend, knee-length and mid-thigh shorts are showing up in spring collections. Some have a more polished, tailored feel, while others lean into the relaxed, vintage-inspired cutoff look. Either way, they’re much easier to style than their early 2000s predecessors and pair well with loafers, sandals, and even sneakers.
Along those lines, I’m also starting to see the return of skinny denim capris. While still on the fringes, they’re beginning to pop up here and there, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they gain momentum—if not this season, then definitely by next.
#9. Reworked Denim
photo credit: Evereve
Denim is all about the details this season, with unique finishes and construction elements taking center stage. Some of the biggest trends include:
- Pintucked Seams: These add structure and dimension, making jeans feel a little more polished.
- Front Patch Pockets: A carryover trend from last year, but still very much in style.
- Contrast Seams & Paneling: Deconstructed details like exposed seams, insets, and mixed washes give denim a reworked, one-of-a-kind look.
- Embellishments & Unexpected Finishes: Think bejeweled accents, brocade cuff trims, and even drawstring details on wide-leg jeans.
These elements work across different silhouettes, making it easy to incorporate the trend in a way that suits your personal style.
#10. Sweatpant Jeans
photo credit: Nordstrom
Blurring the line between loungewear and denim, sweatpant jeans are an emerging trend that’s all about comfort. These “jeans” are often made of fleece or French terry but printed to look like denim, offering the illusion of jeans with the softness of joggers. While still on the fringe, this is one of those trends that could pick up steam, especially for those who love the idea of denim but crave the comfort of athleisure.
What Denim Styles Are On Their Way Out for 2025?
Honestly, not much, so I’ll keep this section brief. Almost every style is out there in some form, but some look more current than others. If staying on-trend matters to you, here are a few denim styles and details you may want to retire—or at least move to the back of your closet for now.
1. Ultra-Skinny, Low-Rise Jeggings
Everyone always asks about skinny jeans, so I’ll reiterate that the low-rise, painted-on, legging-style skinnies we wore for so long have been out for a while. While slim-straight jeans and slightly more relaxed skinnies are making a quiet return, the ultra-stretchy, super-tight styles still aren’t mainstream. I don’t expect them to be for at least a few more seasons. You can read more about my take on this topic in my post: Are Skinny Jeans Making a Comeback in 2025?
2. Extreme Ripped & Destroyed Denim
Overly distressed jeans with major rips, shreds, and holes all over are starting to feel tired. If you love a little distressing, a fresher approach is clean knee rips or subtle vintage-inspired fading rather than full-blown destruction.
3. Ultra-Low-Rise Jeans (For Now)
Low-rise denim is creeping back in, but mid and high rises still dominate. Super low-rise, hip-hugging jeans still look more dated than current, unless they have a slouchy, relaxed fit. If you’re considering dipping your toe into the low-rise trend, look for styles with a looser leg instead of the tight, Y2K-era fits.
4. Super Cropped, Mid-Calf Capris
While cropped denim is still trending, the classic mid-calf capris (especially the super-tight ones) aren’t making a big comeback just yet. Instead, ankle-length slim-straight jeans, cropped wide-leg styles, and longer jorts feel like the more modern way to wear shorter denim this season.
Even the “capris” I am seeing on the fringes look more like what I used to call pedal pushers—they hit just below the knee rather than mid-calf, making them feel a little fresher than their early 2000s counterparts.
5. Traditional Trucker Denim Jackets
Classic denim jackets will never really be out, but the traditional, boxy trucker style and the fitted, shrunken versions we wore for so long are taking a backseat to more fashion-forward updates. For a more modern look, go for cropped, oversized, belted, or collarless styles, as we discussed above.
You might also like my post on Denim Mistakes You May Be Making (and How To Fix Them).
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, you should always wear what you love and what feels most authentic to your personal style. Maybe you’re excited to jump right into some of these new trends, maybe you prefer to wait and see how they play out, or maybe you’re planning to sit them out entirely—and that’s okay.
Like all things style-related, it’s all about how you interpret trends in a way that works for you. I’m open to trying new things, but I don’t take big fashion risks, so I tend to be a slow adopter when a trend doesn’t immediately resonate with me. The most important thing? Have fun with it and wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident!
