Words by Sophia Miller
Effortless, easy to wear and fit for (almost) any occasion... it’s no wonder so many of us wear denim daily. But, when a staple becomes your second-skin, it can be hard to shake things up. That’s where we come in – our editors know just how to style everyone’s favourite off-duty fabric in ways that won’t push you too far out of your comfort zone, but still feel fresh. From pink jeans to jorts, here are five of the top denim trends we’re wearing this summer – and planning to layer all the way into autumn.
You’ve likely relegated black and grey denim to the back of your wardrobe until autumn – but what about when blue jeans still feel too casual? Enter: pastel pink. As far as trending colours go, it’s surprisingly wearable, and easily shrugs off its saccharine reputation when paired with neutrals like white, black and brown. We’re calling it this summer’s cool-girl alternative to white jeans.
Yes, you read that right – bootcut jeans are back (along with their ’00s bedmates, the cowl-neck cami top and the kitten heel). Those who remember that time might be pleased to hear that, in 2026, they’re higher in rise and often slightly cropped. If you don’t want to go full Y2K, wear yours with a slogan T-shirt now and layer them with jackets and knitwear as the weather starts to cool down – their figure-hugging shape lends itself best to cropped silhouettes.
Gone are the days of high-rise hotpants – 2026 is firmly the era of the jort. Riding the coattails of the Y2K revival, these loose-fitting, knee-length denim shorts are able to eschew overly casual nuances with a few simple styling tricks. Pair them with a shirt or blouse for an effortless approach to summer city dressing that’s heatwave-friendly – and if you’re blessed with a more low-key dress code, you might even be able to wear them to the office.
Now for the wildcard. Borrowing a sense of prep from the more traditionally beige corduroys and chinos, brown jeans are on the rise this season. They’re softer – and somehow easier to style – than black, and give even the simplest of looks a worn-in, vintage-esque feel. Add a striped tee for an easy weekend outfit, or go matchy-matchy with a barn jacket. Plus, they’re the ideal candidate if you want to dip your toe into the colour-blocking trend, pairing seamlessly with pastels and brights alike.
We’ve looked to some of today’s most stylish women to break down the key pieces for cool city dressing in summertime.
Prefer not to bare your toes? From ballet flats to mules, these are the most stylish covered-up shoes of the summer.
