What jeans are in style 2022? We are going to break it down by category + include shoe advice as well, as this is something we get asked about frequently.
But first! Let’s address skinny jeans – the elephant in the room. Skinny jeans have dominated since the early 2000s, born by the smash debut of The Strokes. Their first album was a giant hit, and the band was photographed by everyone wearing, you guessed it – skinny jeans.
After nearly 20 years of reigning supreme, skinny jeans have finally taken a back seat. Now let’s be clear, we aren’t saying you have to completely ditch them. But we are in fact saying they aren’t THE most stylish anymore. At this point they are considered a classic though, and it’s completely fine to wear them.
We do encourage you to venture out. Trying a new denim style can instantly make your look more current. And if you’re not ready to venture too far away from your beloved skinnies, we will show you a few fashion-forward options that are similar and styled exactly the same ways. Plus the styles that are really dominating right now.
If you’re interested in learning more about jean style trends, this Byrdie article is a fun read, The History of Jeans: A Detailed Look At Denim Over the Decades.
*NOTE: For shoe pairings below, I have linked what I actually wear with these jean styles, so I can guarantee they work.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Straight
Yep, straight and slim all the way down – most similar to skinnies
✅ Style Tip: The Closest To Skinnies, While Being Current
In our opinion, straight jeans have replaced skinnies as the current staple jean. They are extremely similar to skinnies, with the major difference being they are not tapered at the ankle. If you do one thing to update your jean collection, we suggest swapping out your skinnies for straight leg jeans.
Our Favorite Straight Leg Jeans:
Shoe Suggestions:
ANYTHING GOES! You really can’t go wrong with these. With a full length pair, I sometimes like to cuff them a bit (as shown above), but it’s really just a style preference.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Wide Leg
Fitted in the bum, then wide and straight all the way down
*Left: Rachel’s Favorite Pair | Right: Tammy’s Favorite Pair
*NOTE: I seriously love these jeans, but it’s worth mentioning they have a 33″ inseam. In other words, they are long. I had mine altered and kept the original hem (so worth it). But you could also easily hack them off with scissors – see Tammy’s tutorial.
These jeans are very trouser-like and extremely polished. They are perfect for almost every occasion, including the office. And while these are trending, similar to skinnies, they are ultimately classic. These never really go out of style.
✅ Style Tip: A Micro-Trend
We have basically been living in lighter washed denim for the past few years, but darker denim is back! If you don’t have a pair, we recommend it. Just pick your favorite style.
Our Favorite Wide Leg Denim:
I recently ordered the MOTHER Maven Heel jeans (above) and I absolutely love them. They are a smidge long, but that’s an easy fix. But have you guys heard, puddle jeans are back in style too? Yep, that means it’s fine to let them drag the ground a bit if you want. This is the pair I kept (between 25/26 in denim, and wear a 26). I LOVED these (stretchier, and I wore a 25), but they were too long and the hem makes them a tough alteration. Tall girls – trust me, you won’t be sorry!
Shoe Suggestions:
With this style, the length will dictate the shoe. So there are some choices to be made (trust us, we know, it’s frustrating).
In the pairs we are wearing above, they are both cut floor length for flat sandals (or sneaks). You can get away with wearing a bit of a heel with this length, and it’s really about eye-balling it. If the heel gets too high (probably anything over about 2.5″), it starts to look “off”.
On the flip side, you can also keep this style longer for a higher heel. I like them about 1/2″ off the ground with a heel. I can completely make the case for having this style in two different lengths. I plan to keep my MOTHER Maven’s long for a 3″ heel, so these will be my evening jeans (or maybe puddle jeans with sandals, what the heck).
If You Alter For Flats (or a lower heel)…
If You Alter for Heels (3″+)…
Any heel works with these! The only caveat is that I typically don’t wear mules with these as the jean will annoyingly get caught under your heel.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Baggy / 90s / Relaxed
Straight jeans with a more relaxed vibe
These are basically straight jeans with a relaxed/loose fit. This is another style that’s been trending for a while and seems to just keep getting more popular. They are extremely easy to style. The only “rule” we follow is that we typically show the waist, even if that means giving a sweater a small tuck.
Our Favorite Relaxed Jeans:
Shoe Suggestions:
Once again, anything goes! You can see these styled above with both heels and sneakers. And again, I occasionally like to cuff these as well, but it’s just a style preference. With the orange heels above, I liked them cuffed to show the shoes off a bit more. Play around and have fun.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Bootcut
Fitted in the bum and thighs, then a slight flare starting at the knee
Left | Middle: Older Anine Bing | Right
Boot cut jeans are typically fitted in the bum and thighs and then have a slight flare starting at the knee down. Unlike a true flare, it is subtle and not exaggerated. This style is extremely flattering and easy to wear and comes in both cropped and full length styles.
The MOTHER Hustler Jeans:
This is one of my most-worn style of jeans (pictured above in white and washed black). The Hustlers are more of a modern bootcut with a subtle flare, and they are ankle length. Not cropped but not floor length either. These jeans are effortless to style and so flattering. I fluctuate between a 25/26 and almost always a 26 in this style. Note the fabric composition though, as some are stretchier than others.
✅ Style Tip: MOTHER Hustler Jeans Are A Great Skinny Jean Update
If you’re looking to branch out from skinnies, but aren’t ready for the looser styles, these are a perfect pair. They are updated and current but you can style them mostly the same ways. This is the only style of denim I have in multiple washes.
More Bootcut Jeans:
Shoe Suggestions:
Cropped / Ankle Length (Like the MOTHER Hustler Pair above)…
ALL SHOES WORK! Seriously, you can’t go wrong! From sneakers to stilettos, you are set with these. And the subtle flare makes them perfect for slipping booties underneath.
Full Length…
If you go with a full length pair, you’re back in the territory of the full length wide leg jeans (above), and the same advice applies. You’ll have to decide which shoes you want to pair with them (flats or heels) and hem accordingly. The only difference with full length boot cut jeans is that I typically prefer a blockier heel to balance them out (vs a stiletto).
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Flare
Same as bootcut, just MUCH more exaggerated
These are similar to bootcut – fitted in the bum and thighs with a flare starting below the knee, however they are much more exaggerated. These are more similar to the flares of the 70s and are super sexy and leg lengthening. As far as the length goes, we prefer these floor length or a few inches above as pictured.
Our Favorite Flares:
Shoe Suggestions:
Our shoe advice here mirrors wide leg and bootcut jeans. And like full length bootcut jeans, we prefer a blockier heel with these.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Distressed
Any of the above, add distressing
These jeans all fall into one of the above categories as well, but I wanted to touch on distressed jeans specifically. We often get asked, how much distressing is “ok” or “age appropriate”. Our answer is always – style has no age. Wear what you love. That being said, we do think less is more when it comes to distressing and don’t typically go for a completely slashed up pair. This is totally a style preference though and has nothing to do with age.
✅ Style Tip: Distressed Jeans Add Great Contrast
We often talk about contrast or juxtaposition with style. Distressed jeans are the perfect way to add this. We love to pair distressed jeans with a fancier top to dress it down a bit (like the pink camisole and tank above). Or a preppier top to “rough it up” a bit (like the stripes or button down above).
Our Favorite Distressed Jeans:
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
The Dark Horse: Pleats
Ok you guys, I recently bought a pair of pleated jeans (these) and I am fully obsessed. I know, I know…these aren’t for everybody. But I’m telling you, they are crazy flattering and so elevated. Look for a post coming soon specifically dedicated to pleats.
Our Favorite Pleated Jeans:
Shoe Suggestions:
Refer to the wide leg jean section above and the same applies. I prefer to keep these long to wear with 3″ heels as these jeans are so trouser-like, and the longer length is leg lengthening and sexy (yep, pleats can be sexy, I said it). I am able to get away with wearing my favorite Swedish Hasbeens with mine as well.
What Jeans Are In Style 2022?
Wrap Up
That wraps up our ‘what jeans are in style 2022’. While we aren’t saying skinny jeans are out, we also aren’t calling them “in” either (I can hear the boos from my laptop). But as you can see, there are so many fun options right now. Literally anything goes. Pick a pair that speaks to you and have fun! An updated pair of jeans can do wonders for your wardrobe.
x Rachel
Related Articles:
Nili Lotan Flora Jeans Review…I’m Saying YES to Pleats!
5 Spring Essentials Every Woman Needs
Wide Leg Jeans Are Trending for 2022
2 thoughts on “What Jeans Are In Style 2022? The Complete Guide!”
great tips and style of jeans girls!!!! love this article!
So glad to hear!