There will always be a special place in our hearts for skinny jeans and high-waist mom styles, but if you’re looking for pants that feel a bit trendier, those may not be the best jeans to reach for.
There are some classic cuts that will see you through every season, year after year, without fail, but the swankiest silhouettes tend to be more fashion-forward—and often more likely to garner you a heartfelt “omg, where’d you get those?” from friends and strangers alike.
The six denim trends on this list definitely fit into the latter category (although some could potentially fit in both, making them doubly worth the investment). Plus, we share one style that’s best left in storage for the time being.
Split Hem
One trend that got its start in a different material, the split-hem silhouette first appeared on leggings and trousers, and has since evolved to include jeans as well. These are a great alternative to both wide-leg and boot-cut styles as they offer the same sort of kick at the bottom, just with a slimmer fit up top. Our favorite way to wear them is with heels or boots to really show off your footwear—that split in the material feels almost like a stage curtain allowing the shoes underneath to steal the spotlight—but they can also look cute with chunky sneakers or loafers if that’s more your style.