6 Denim Fashion Trends Shaping Women’s Style in 2024

As one of the enduring trends that withstand the test of time, denim continues to make its mark in the fashion landscape of 2024. Here are 6 ways to conquer denim in true “fashionista” style in the upcoming year.

Summary of Content:

1. Dark denim washes – Embrace darker shades for a sleek and upscale look.
2. ’90s straight-leg jeans – The comeback of the straight-leg jeans from the 1990s.
3. Denim shorts – Experiment with various styles and lengths of denim shorts.
4. Big Baggy Jeans leading the trend charts.
5. Pleated jeans – Incorporating the sophistication of pleats into denim.
6. Horseshoe jeans making a statement!

In the latter half of 2023, the fashion world witnessed a spectacular influx of quiet-luxury trends dominating the fashion trend cycle. From Ready-To-Wear runways to laboratories brimming with creative values, bearing the name Haute Couture, “silent luxury” infiltrated a myriad of design languages of leading fashion houses. In the dreamy realm of Couture, minimalism was emphasized, and extraordinary designs emerged from the extraordinary imaginations of designers. No longer flaunting extravagance as usual, the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the Couture realm now had to “retreat to the background,” hiding within high-quality fabrics and meticulously crafted details amidst the wave of quiet-luxury.

The invasion of quiet-luxury also brought about the positive emergence of various denim styles. Despite being one of the enduring materials/trends amidst the ever-changing fashion landscape, and appearing several times on haute couture runways, in the Fall/Winter 2023 Haute Couture season, denim was first interpreted with a familiar and surprisingly “lifelike” style. Dispelling all doubts about its practicality, everyday denim jeans “strutted” on many Couture runways. Valentino kicked off its latest Couture collection with a look we can easily encounter on the streets: a wide white shirt paired with high-waisted straight-leg jeans, shocking with its “world’s most expensive” value. Because it wasn’t made from ordinary denim fabric; instead, it was crafted from gazar silk, meticulously embroidered with thousands of tiny glass beads dyed to resemble denim fabric. Indeed, it was a Valentino deception. Denim was also found in the Couture empire of Jean Paul Gaultier, gradually establishing a dominant trend.

For the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion shows, designers approached and interpreted denim in a simpler way in the language of everyday clothing, through subtle design details and enhanced applicability in both style and material while still ensuring the necessary elegance. Overall, designers remained loyal to classic styles, using them as a foundation to infuse fresh and modern interpretations.

At Proenza Schouler, the beloved ’90s straight-leg jeans, reminiscent of Kate Moss or Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style in the early 1990s, became a trend in recent times, notably one of the most frequently appearing trends on the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show runways. The straight-leg jeans style was embraced by most minimalism adherents in 2024 and beyond. At Tove’s runway, we saw slightly wider straight-leg jeans from the 1990s, while Proenza Schouler added an extra layering detail to enhance this classic style. With the suppression from the quiet-luxury trend, this classic pair of jeans returned stronger than ever, being paired with various types of tops, dresses, or different styles. Especially in the trend of pairing dresses with pants, this style of jeans is an ideal suggestion.

Denim shorts – Experiment with various styles and lengths of denim shorts.

From boxers to bermudas, the Spring/Summer 2024 season witnessed a strong resurgence of short styles in the fashion trend circle. In creative dynasties like Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and many more, the fashion world witnessed a plethora of stylish short styles. Alongside familiar short styles, there were also super short shorts (even as short as underwear). They were interpreted in various materials in collections, including wide baggy denim Bermudas from Valentino and indigo-colored super short shorts from Alexander McQueen. Both were completed with suitable denim blazers, making them more formal than your typical beach shorts. If you’re a street style enthusiast, knee-length denim shorts with a wide, baggy fit paired with a tank top or a casual t-shirt would be a perfect suggestion.

Big Baggy Jeans leading the trend charts.

Beginning as a trend after a period influenced by the pandemic, the influence of wide-leg or baggy jeans styles still remains as strong as ever. Although not a new trend on the Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show runways, wide-leg jeans still maintain their position, attracting attention with a variety of styles, materials, and unique embellishments. Baggy jeans with a high waistband will be easier to pair with various tops; meanwhile, baggy jeans with wide, baggy legs and a late-rise waistband from the dadcore trend will challenge women even more. Jonathan Anderson perfected this look at the Loewe runway with extremely long jumbo jeans, neatly folded above crystal ballet flats, perfectly paired with oversized knits.

Pleated jeans – Incorporating the sophistication of pleats into denim.

Denim has always been associated with a street style spirit. Therefore, the fashion world is very familiar with casual, street-smart styles. However, in the trend circle of the Spring/Summer 2024 season, fashion witnessed a new denim style, the influx of pleated jeans inspired by sophisticated trousers. At Gucci, Tibi, and Toteme, pleats and folds taken from tailored trousers were incorporated into denim jeans styles, making them look more polished and classy than ever. Influenced by the resounding echo of the quiet-luxury trend, this new denim style will pair perfectly with button-down shirts, sophisticated knits, as well as glossy brogues.

Horseshoe jeans making a statement!

Horseshoe or Barrel-leg jeans have gradually attracted attention in the fashion world since Alaïa introduced them in the Fall/Winter 2023 collection. From the beginning, this jean style has been a controversial topic with its curved leg shape from the hips and wide flare at the ankles, as if mimicking the shape of a horseshoe. However, a similar wide-leg style to baggy jeans has helped this unique jean style regain its “voice.” “Horseshoe jeans provide a slightly sculpted feel while still being comfortable and elegant. It evokes a classic style but still feels modern,” Marianne McDonald, former creative director of Citizens Of Humanity, shared with Vogue. Although only appearing on runways at the end of 2023, horseshoe jeans will make an even stronger impact in 2024. Be prepared for the influx of horseshoe-style jeans!