How To Wear The New Looser Jeans Styles For Summer
(Photos: Getty Images)
Attention, shoppers! There’s something new happening in the denim department. While skinny jeans once reigned supreme and straight leg cuts steadily gained in popularity pre-pandemic, the latest denim styles reflect a need for a gentle, non-constricting return to everyday dressing. For Summer ’21, looser jeans are where it’s at. On some retailers’ websites, loose jeans are even a standalone category, having earned dedicated space alongside more-established cuts. The gamut of looser styles includes low-slung, relaxed fits with a hit of ‘90s-era nostalgia, but we’re co-signing the high-rise versions straight, wide or soft flare leg interpretations. Curious about which style might be your new fave? Read on for a look at three celebrity outfit ideas that will have you dreaming of denim again.
The soft flare
The shapeliest (and perhaps most underestimated) of the looser denim styles, a pair of soft flare jeans combines the booty-and-thigh grazing familiarity of skinny jeans with the gentle swishy volume of a wide-leg cut. A high waist here makes all the difference, especially if the phrase “boot cut” sends you flashing back to the trendy denim of the 2000s, when a low rise waistband was the only (and unfortunate) option. With today’s selection of flares, you can enjoy the comfort of coverage along with an instant leg-lengthening effect. You’ll swear you’ve never looked taller.
For summer, take inspiration from Victoria Beckham and stick to classically feminine additions in neutral tones to play up the modern polished potential of these jeans. Try a light-hued blouse with an asymmetrical neckline, ruffles or eyelet texture. Footwear that provides a lift, such as flatform or wedge sandals, will maintain the strong silhouette and help cuffs clear the ground (no dragging, please). Lastly, take a shortcut to maximum chic with a pair of dark oversized shades.
The loose straight leg
Meet the gateway to looser jeans. Inspired by traditional straight-leg cuts—which closely graze thighs before floating around the knees, calves and ankles with no tapering in sight—this looser style expands the breathing room for the entire leg. Ankle-length crops are popular, and that’s great news because they come across as warm-weather appropriate and they also make an easy fit for anyone of average or petite stature. Plus, cropped jeans look equally stylish with flats, heeled sandals and sneakers.
Yara Shahidi’s combo of loose straight-leg jeans and a collared shirt manages to be polished, yet effortless. In other words, it’s an ideal summer WFH uniform. For a seasonal shirt that’s more cool It girl, and less corporate drone, pick one that boasts an oversize shape, shorter length and features some detail and/or a print. Accessories go a long way here, too. A few touches of jewelry will really pull this look together—even on a Zoom call—and colourful footwear instantly elevates the look from head to toe.
Eloquii
Relaxed jeans with overlap waistband, US$100; waitlisted, but similar style here, also $100, at eloquii.com
The wide leg
Wide-leg jeans with zero cling and subtle movement are fitting for summer’s laid-back vibe. Tailoring is a sticking point here: the goal is clean lines. An ideal fit is one that carries from the hips down along to the hem, with minimal puddling of fabric at the bottom. That doesn’t mean you can’t pull them off if you lack Katie Holmes’ height, just invest in tailoring for a flawless finish.
The minimalist styling of Katie’s look is universally accessible, too. The uniform of jeans and a t-shirt with sneakers and a structured bag works for everyone. For a simple white tee that goes above and beyond and keeps you cool all season long, consider a switch to a lightweight fabric, like a performance spandex or linen blend.
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