Denim Trends in 2025 Are Comfort-Forward: Flare, Wide-Leg, and Embellished

Vintage-inspired designs like 1970s-esque flare jeans are slated to make a strong comeback, as fashion favorite it-girls and designers continue looking to the past. These nostalgic nods to past decades are infused with a contemporary twist, keeping the aesthetic fresh and relevant. The influence of streetwear and workwear is undeniable, with denim shirts reclaiming their place as a fashion essential and inspiring denim on denim moments. Younger generations, in particular, are embracing vintage denim, favoring pieces with a worn, storied appeal. They're also loving comfort-forward cuts like barrel jeans.

From embroidered details to dramatic elephant-leg proportions, 2025’s denim trends are redefining how we wear the beloved blue fabric. Keep scrolling to explore what will be the year's biggest takes on denim. Discover the styles set to dominate on the runways and streets alike.

Driven by a wave of nostalgia for the '70s, flared jeans are set to dominate our wardrobes. At Chloé, creative director Chemena Kamali embraced a high-waisted take on the style for the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have already been spotted rocking this style, adding to its resurgence. Unlike the dramatic flares of the 1970s or the ill-fitting bootcut jeans of the early 2010s, this time the silhouette comes with a more refined look. This season’s flares are more subtle, starting with a straight-leg cut that gently widens from the knee. Plus, pairs cut with a low rise offer more edge.

Loose-fit denim has been everywhere for awhile now, and this style signals it isn’t going anywhere. Dramatic, palazzo-style wide-leg jeans are taking center stage as one of the most prominent denim trends this season. The silhouette has made a significant impact on the runways, with designers like Sacai showcasing the look for Spring/Summer 2025. Celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Katie Holmes have been spotted rocking these wide-leg styles, also known as elephant-leg jeans.

The rise of barrel jeans traces back to Alaïa’s Spring/Summer 2025 runway show last year, and will only continue taking off this year. Celebrities like Jessica Alba, Rachel Weisz, and L'OFFICIEL December/January 2025 cover star Julianne Moore have championed the style, bringing the curved, wide-leg silhouette into the mainstream. This design injects an editorial flair into any outfit, effortlessly elevating even the most basic pieces. The style, along with their cousins like balloon jeans, share a similar impact, offering a unique shape that turns heads and makes every look stand out.

Decorative denim is nothing new, but this year it’ll have a more elaborative twist than ever before. The trend was seen on and off the runways during Paris Fashion Week late last year, in Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2025 collection and in street style of passersbys. This season, expect to see silver-studded seams, baggy hems dripping in diamanté, all-over rhinestone designs, and straight-leg jeans adorned with pearls.

Last year’s skinny jean comeback was fleeting to say the least, and a compromise is trending that balances a skinny and baggy cut: the straight leg. Offering a streamlined fit that’s not too tight or too loose, it’s a timeless style that never goes out of fashion. Seen on style icons like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, and worn by fashion-forward show-goers at Paris Fashion Week, straight-leg denim is the go-to trend for a chic, versatile look.