The Fall Jean Trends I’m Actually Wearing

Jeans have changed quite a bit over the past few years. We have wide legs, barrel legs, straight legs, ankle lengths, white jeans carrying right into fall — and yes, you can still wear your skinny jeans if you love them. Nobody is coming to take them away. But these are the silhouettes I’m reaching for now and, more importantly, how I’m actually wearing them.

1. The Wide-Leg Trend: Quince Bella Wide Leg Jeans

Let’s start with the one I hear the most hesitation about, especially from those of you who have spent years in slim and skinny jeans. I understand — a wide leg can feel like a lot of fabric. But when the proportions are right, it is incredibly flattering, and what I like about the Quince Bella Wide Leg Jeans (I’m wearing a size 29) is that the line falls from the hip rather than hugging the thigh and then dramatically flaring out. You get one long, clean line.

And look at the length with a flat — the hem grazes the shoe rather than puddling over it, which is exactly what you want. I added a boyfriend sweater with a little front tuck so we still see some waist, and then the suede jacket for structure and texture. Suede with jeans in the fall? Always a yes. If you’d like more on how to balance all that volume, my wide-leg pants styling guide walks you through it.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: Let the hem graze the shoe rather than puddle over it.

2. White Jeans Into Fall: Mother Lemon Twist White Jeans

Yes, we are wearing white jeans after Labor Day. They have absolutely earned their place in the fall wardrobe — the only thing that changes is how you style them. The first thing I look for in a white jean is the weight of the fabric, and the Mother Lemon Twist White Jeans (size 30) have enough substance that they look polished and never feel flimsy.

For fall, I’m keeping the white tee and white jeans together for one long tonal line, then adding a cardigan and suede mules. The suede is what changes the season. Swap your sandals for suede, add a knit, and suddenly white jeans look perfectly at home in September and October. So please don’t put yours away simply because the calendar says summer is over — I’ve shared how I wear mine year-round in my post on white jeans over 50.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: To take white jeans into fall, add knits, suede, and texture. The jeans stay the same — everything around them warms up.

3. The Slim Straight: Mother Scooter Skimp Jeans

If you’ve been a devoted skinny-jean woman for years, this is probably the easiest silhouette to move into. The Mother Scooter Skimp Jeans (size 30) are still lean through the hip and thigh, but instead of gripping the calf, the leg falls a little straighter and is meant to finish right at the ankle. Mine run a touch long on me, so they’re headed to the tailor for a quick hem, and it’s worth the trip, because that ankle length is precisely why they’re so good with sneakers.

This is also one of my favorite kinds of outfits because it mixes high and low. The Ann Mashburn Weekend Shirt is an investment piece, and so are the jeans — but the Free Assembly Oversized Blazer is from Walmart. That’s how I like to build a wardrobe, Gang. Not everything has to be expensive; spend where it matters to you, save where you can, and make the whole outfit look intentional.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: A slim straight is a great next step after skinny jeans — still lean, just straighter from the knee down.

4. The Classic Straight: Gap ’90s Straight Jeans

Now we’re getting to what I call the workhorse jean. If you said to me, “Beth, I only want to buy one pair of jeans this fall,” this is exactly the kind of silhouette I’d point you toward. There is nothing complicated about the Gap ’90s Straight Jeans (size 29) — they’re straight through the leg, the wash is clean, they’re easy to style — and that is precisely why they work.

I paired them with a white tee, a tweed jacket, and leopard flats, which is very much my American Classic style. I love that little combination of tweed and leopard because both are classics with personality, and they don’t clash. The straight leg also works beautifully with a pointed flat, which adds a bit more polish to the whole outfit without needing a heel. This is the pair I could style ten different ways without even thinking about it.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: One jean, endless outfits. When the jeans are simple, everything you put with them gets to shine.

5. The Barrel Jean: Madewell Barrel Jeans

All right — the barrel jean. This is probably the most talked-about jean shape right now, and I know some of you have looked at it and thought, “Absolutely not.” Which is exactly why I think it’s worth trying a trend on before deciding it isn’t for you. The barrel has a curved leg that moves away from the body and then comes back in toward the ankle, and I’ll admit that on the hanger it can look a little peculiar. On the body? Completely different story.

What I like about the Madewell Barrel Jeans (size 28) is that the curve is noticeable without feeling exaggerated. Because the jeans already have volume and shape, I kept the top relatively simple — the striped cardigan sits closer to the body and gives me some definition at the waist — and then added a simple flat.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: Let the jeans be the interesting part. Simple top, clean shoe, done.

6. The Barrel Trend for Less: Scoop Button-Front Barrel Jeans

And because I never want to show you a trend at only one price point, here’s another barrel. The Scoop Button-Front Barrel Jeans are from Scoop at Walmart, with the same general silhouette, curved through the leg and tapered toward the ankle, at a much lower price. A quick note on sizing: I’m wearing a 10 here, but I’m exchanging them for my usual 8, so I’d say order your regular size. If you’re barrel-curious but not ready to make a big investment in the shape, this is a great way to try it out.

I styled this pair differently on purpose because I wanted to show you that jeans don’t automatically mean casual. With a Liberty-print blouse from Ann Mashburn and a ballet flat, suddenly this is a lunch outfit — maybe dinner, and certainly something more polished than jeans and a sweatshirt. It’s a good styling lesson in general: sometimes you don’t need to change the jeans; you need to change what you put around them. A beautiful blouse, good shoes, earrings, a little lipstick — and the whole mood changes.

Splurge & Save: Madewell Barrel Jeans · Scoop Button-Front Barrel Jeans

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: Dress your jeans up with a beautiful blouse — it changes the whole mood.

The Pair I Always Come Back To: Mother Kick It Jeans

Trends are fun, but I can’t write a post about jeans without including my go-to pair. The Mother Kick It Jeans (size __) aren’t a trend at all — they’re simply the jeans I reach for again and again. The rise sits right at the waist, the leg is straight with just a little kick at the hem, and that ankle length shows off a shoe, which is reason enough to wear a leopard one.

Here I’ve paired them with the Scoop Cashmere Sweater in [confirm color name — charcoal?]. Yes, that’s Scoop at Walmart, and yes, it’s cashmere. I love that the ribbed hem lands right at the waistband, so there’s no tucking required — the sweater does the work for you. Gray, white, and a little leopard: simple, classic, and it’s that high-low mix again, an investment jean with a sweater that isn’t.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: A sweater that ends at the waistband gives you the look of a front tuck without the fuss.

The Bonus: Gap Jean Jacket With Corduroy Collar

Now for the last piece, which technically isn’t a pair of jeans at all. It’s the Gap Jean Jacket With Corduroy Collar (size M), and that collar is exactly why I bought it. A classic jean jacket is always useful, but the brown corduroy gives this one a little more personality and makes it feel decidedly fall. I especially love it over white jeans — blue jacket, white jeans, brown corduroy collar — because you get contrast, texture, and three very classic colors all at once.

And yes, I absolutely wear denim with denim. You just want a little separation between the washes; I generally prefer a lighter wash with a darker one rather than trying to make them match exactly. This is the kind of jacket I want hanging by the door this time of year. White tee? Throw it on. Striped sweater? Throw it on. Black trousers? Absolutely. A casual dress? I’d try that too. Honestly, it may be one of my favorite pieces in this whole post.

✨ Beth’s Style Tip: Denim with denim works when you contrast the washes — lighter with darker, never an exact match.

Closing Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’d love for you to take away from today, it’s this: you do not have to wear every trend — but please don’t dismiss a silhouette simply because it’s different from what you’ve worn for the past ten years. Try the wide leg. Try the straight leg. Try the barrel jean. And keep your skinny jeans — and your own go-to pair — if you love them.

The goal was never to chase trends, Grit & Glammers. The goal is to keep your wardrobe looking current while still looking like you. So remember my three things — rise, leg, denim — and then sit, bend, walk. That tells you a lot.

Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.

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Shop the Post

Everything I’m wearing is linked below — and you can always browse my full ShopMy storefront for outfits, home, and more.

• The jeans: Quince Bella Wide Leg Jeans · Mother Lemon Twist White Jeans · Mother Scooter Skimp Jeans · Gap ’90s Straight Jeans · Madewell Barrel Jeans · Scoop Button-Front Barrel Jeans · Mother Kick It Jeans
• Jackets & third pieces: Gap Jean Jacket With Corduroy Collar · Treasure & Bond Suede Jacket (limited sizes) · Similar Suede Jacket · Tuckernuck Tweed Jacket · Free Assembly Oversized Blazer
• Knits: Scoop Cashmere Sweater · Quince Boyfriend Sweater · Quince Cotton Cardigan · Quince Striped Cardigan
• Shirts & tees: Ann Mashburn Weekend Shirt · Ann Mashburn Liberty Blouse · White Tee
• Shoes: Bernardo Flats · Suede Mules · Gola Sneakers · Ann Mashburn Leopard Flats · Margaux Ballet Flats

Before You Go

Now I want to know what you think. Which trend are you wearing this fall — wide leg, straight leg, barrel, white jeans? Or are you still firmly on Team Skinny Jean? And what’s your go-to pair? Tell me in the comments, because I know we’re going to have opinions about this one.

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