Spring is on its way and while we wait for the warmer weather to transition our closets to the lighter and brighter, we can certainly start stocking our wardrobes for the season ahead with one seasonless item: denim. We saw a rise in minimalism across the denim market for fall 2024, however, the denim trends of spring 2025 are showing a new, common thread—the theme of nostalgia. We tapped a few favorite brands—think Frame, Agolde, Still Here, and more—to get the lowdown on what to expect regarding all things jeans (and more!) this season.
Across the board, denim brands are traveling back in time for spring 2025, not only to get their creative juices flowing with references spanning the decades, but making nostalgic designs the centerpieces of their newest collections. Whether it be the emphasis on Y2K-inspired, low-rise silhouettes in throwback leg cuts (hello, bootcut jeans—perhaps, a byproduct of Bella Hadid’s current denim obsession), to the comeback of the denim capri, (we saw foreshadowing of this through the cropped leggings craze last summer), which hits an entirely different retro note, influenced by the ’60s, but reworked for modern day in a variety of washes.
Vogue’s Expert-Approved Denim Styles for Spring 2025:
Within the many exciting and trend-forward styles, you will also find simplicity mixed in, as denim brands continue to perfect the straight-leg jean, as well as barrel-leg shapes in clean lines and classic washes. Additionally, be prepared for a major emphasis on shorts this season, too, with every variation imaginable, from longer-line cut-offs to tailored, micro shorts—which can easily be styled with spring’s top shoe trends, such as the retro sneaker or updated loafer.
Without further ado, shop the 8 best spring 2025 denim trends, according to our experts.
Low Slung and Slouchy
We saw the return of the low-rise jean in 2024, and our experts agree, this one is just getting bigger…and baggier! “Denim’s top block is shifting—moving away from high-rise, snug fits toward slouchier, low-slung shapes that feel effortlessly cool,” says Karen Phelps, creative director of Agolde. Spring is the perfect time to make the change, if you haven’t already, since it offers opportunity for more fluidity during the warmer months with a wider-leg design. “As we transition from cooler, winter months into early spring in 2025, we see loose, flowy silhouettes leading denim trends,” says Jill Guenza, global VP of women’s design at Levi Strauss & Co. Choose from extra-long silhouettes in a variety of washes—no need to stick to just one here; you can go dark with an indigo wash or lean into the summery feel of a light wash.
Bootcut, Baby
“Low-rise bootcuts are having a moment and we’ve been playing with more fades and whiskers on washes,” says Sonia Mosseri, co-founder and creative director of Still Here. You’ll have to wait until April to scoop up their variation, but plenty of other brands are embracing the boot, too, with that nostalgic, low-rise waistband that you can grab now. “The Genova low-rise bootcut gives Y2K cool, with enough polish for the office or an evening out,” echoes Marianne McDonald, creative director of Citizens of Humanity. And if you are not quite ready to bare it all with a low-rise, Madewell is offering a high-rise alternative. “I’ll forever love the beauty and romance of ’70s fashion, how it encapsulates softness and sensuality,” Steven Cateron, head of design at Madewell, says. Their relaxed, boot silhouette has a slight flare proportion, with the ambition “to lengthen the line of the leg,” he notes.
The Simplicity of a Straight-Leg
“For spring, we have reimagined our classic, straight-leg, The Quinn, in a sun-faded, light indigo, destroy wash crafted in Japanese denim,” says Jac Cameron, founder and creative director of Rùadh. “I see these types of fits and washes as foundational for spring and summer.” She recommends looking for structured, rigid fabric with an antique finish wash, to give it the lived-in quality—something Erik Torstensson, co-founder and creative director of Frame, similarly suggests. Frame’s spring iteration of the straight-leg is “crafted in a classic, washed-out blue, reminiscent of the perfect ’90s jean, with a modern take on the silhouette,” he tells Vogue. “The absence of stretch allows the denim to age naturally, making the Vertical your new heirloom jean and the perfect wardrobe staple.” Meanwhile, Madewell worked to perfect the straight-leg shape with the Dean jean. “After such a marked shift to straight-leg over the years, the Dean is the culmination of our dedicated quest for the perfect fit,” Cateron says. There’s no better time like the present to invest in these new-and-improved closet classics.
Charming Capris
“In line with the longer jean inseams trending right now, we’re seeing increased interest in capris and culottes,” says Tim Kaeding, designer and co-founder of Mother. The brand’s capri shape nods to the ’60s, having an almost mod feel. “As the season progresses, our focus shifts to the ’70s, with new culotte and Bermuda short styles.” Similarly, Mosseri is also buzzing about the capri pant shape at Still Here, noting her own childhood memories as a major source of guidance when creating this collection. “My inspiration always comes back to really great vintage and my own nostalgia,” she says. “This season, I was very influenced by the styles I grew up wearing in my adolescence and also the styling notes we all abided by at the time.” She recommends pairing the capri style with a simple, thong sandal, for the instant cool factor—an effortless look we can easily get behind.
The Long and Short of It
Denim shorts are definitely making a comeback, but they are not going to be your run-of-the-mill cutoffs. “This spring, we are focusing on shorts that play with femininity,” Torstensson says. The brand experimented with everything from a leg-elongating, tailored short called the Hang, to denim, ruffled bloomers, and even micro-mini shorts to don when higher temperatures hit. On the opposite spectrum, long inseams were dominant at Agolde, “tapping into the ease of the ’90s and early 2000s,” Phelps says. Meanwhile, Still Here will be releasing three new shorts styles for spring, one a shortened version of their signature Cool jean, a warm-weather closet staple, while Mother will be introducing bermudas, as well. It’s definitely the season for experimentation.
The Case for the Curve
Curved-leg jeans have come a long way since their introduction a few seasons ago. Not just a trend-forward silhouette, these have become a closet classic in the modern denim offerings. “Barrel fits and wide-leg styles will continue to be important this spring,” Kaeding says. “We’re reworking proportions and continuing to evolve these trends with updates to our popular Half-Pipe jeans with our latest barrel fit—the Fangirl.” Look for reworked fits in classic washes in this category, with a lot of low-rise in the mix. “Lower rises, slim shapes, perfectly sculpted leg curves that really play to denim’s inherent versatility” is what McDonald is focusing on, as well. They make a great power player, for everything from a relaxed work environment to weekend wardrobe, and beyond.
Ties, Belts, and Trims—Oh My!
Whereas minimalism reigned last season, it’s time to add a bit more oomph in your denim game this time around. It’s easy to do so when you focus on detailing, even if it’s the simplest of touches. “Rises drop, waist details take center stage, and longer inseams add a fresh, elongated proportion to spring 2025,” Phelps says, with the matching belts and tie-waists definitely emerging as a thing this season. “We are particularly excited about new styles within our ‘XL’ family, a fit series defined by its comfortably loose, top block with a self-tie belt that allows for a customizable fit with a bit of edge,” Guenza adds of Levi’s latest assorment. These aren’t the only brands offering styles surrounding this idea, both Slvrlake and Still Here have variations on the theme, proving trims are most definitely in.
Take it to the Maxi
The denim skirt seems to be getting longer and longer. Spring 2025 is seeing statement-making, maxi lengths step into the spotlight, with plenty of volume, echoing the longer lines and baggier silhouettes we are seeing across jean offerings. Levi’s is introducing a “floor-length skirt with a generous sweep, both in lightweight denim for ultimate versatility,” Guenza says, while Mother is playing with color blocking on their denim maxis. (Color blocking is also something we saw on the spring 2025 runways, notably at Gucci.) “Using cream and black or different shades of blue, is a focus for us in early spring,” Kaeding tells Vogue. “The tuxedo-inspired design fits into the collection’s more tailored look and its use of geometric shapes, hard lines, and primary colors.” Paired with a knee-high boot through the end of winter, and a flat sandal or a sneaker and simple T-shirt come spring, these are worth taking a second look.
