I don’t think there’s anything new you can say about jeans. Even if they’re not the item you wear all the time, everyone owns at least one pair. Since the 1960s, they have been a mainstay in our wardrobes—they are the piece that anchors so many of our outfits. From weekend looks to casual dinners as well as that nice-top-and-jeans ensemble, they’re the background noise of our closets. They only make a real impact if you focus on them, and they let the other pieces in your outfit shine. If, like me, you’ve spent less time in jeans, preferring to wear leggings or linen pants as you live out lockdown, then you might be wondering why you’d even bother wearing them again.
Well, firstly, this situation won’t last forever, and secondly, 2020’s summer jeans trend is comfier than you might be expecting. When I asked Natalie Kingham, fashion and buying director at MATCHESFASHION, what kind of styles are in for this coming season, she revealed that “straight-leg styles account for close to 60% of sales, but the shape generating the most growth is Boyfriend, which is +100% year on year.”
The S/S 20 runways predicted that this style would be huge, as from Balenciaga to Celine and Gucci, the straight-leg looser-fit jeans were everywhere. But we don’t just take runway trends at face value. Street stylers at the shows last season were also wearing long, wider-leg styles.
In terms of colors, it’s a real range from light blues to deep indigos and even black, so whatever tickles your fancy, really. I’ve created an edit of the best looser-leg jean styles right now, from classic straight-leg versions to more flared silhouettes. I’m sure you’ll find something that suits your taste and will feel super comfortable when you’re sitting on your sofa.
Next up, the It bags of summer 2005 and their 2020 equivalents.