If you thought that denim trends reached their sartorial pinnacle last year, think again because, in 2024, the jean’s-approval and popularity isn’t dying down. But barrel-leg jeans will have to wait because we're all about denim skirts right now (yes, again). And, luckily for all of you Y2K enthusiasts, the silhouette is quickly becoming a staple in every fashion maven's spring and summer wardrobe.
If the last time you wore a denim skirt was in grade school and you're not convinced, don't worry. There are plenty of modern and elevated variations for you to choose from. We've gathered all the stylish picks you might need: mini skirts in classic blue washes, midi lengths with thigh-high slits, and crisp white maxi silhouettes. So give the denim skirt trend a go, and feel free to rotate among the different silhouettes ahead.
All market products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Madewell Plus Denim High-Waist Straight Mini Skirt In Fitzgerald, $, available at MadewellShop Free People
We The Free Pleated Micro Mini Denim Skort, $, available at Free PeopleShop BLANKNYC at Revolve
BLANKNYC Mini Skirt, $, available at RevolveShop Ganni
Ganni White Denim Mini Skirt, $, available at GanniShop Asos Curve at Asos
ASOS DESIGN Curve Denim Mini Skirt In Blue, $, available at ASOS
Denim Midi Skirts
Comfort and coverage are the benefits of a denim midi skirt. You can elevate the piece for work events with a blouse and blazer or a silk tank and jean jacket for a night out.
“That’s what I love about the brand: Everybody remembers it from a period of time in their life, whether how they discovered it, or them wearing it, or a moment they were in when they were wearing it,” says Ochs. “It’s really nice when you talk to people, and they’re aware of the brand.”
Ochs began to answer the question by going into the decade-spanning archives. “I would pull things and be like, ‘This feels so fresh and modern. I can’t believe this is 20 years old,’” she says. She then began making “little incremental changes” to the designs — adjusting the “proportions of the bandages” and extending some of the mini hemlines to midi (“it was so much skin!”) — before making her mark on the designs and rounding out the collection with more separates and jumpsuits.
“I [want to] establish the rest of it, building that world around the bandage dress, a look and feel that you can have outside of the bandage dress,” says Ochs. There are still elements of the signature Leger look but they manifest in cotton pieces with a denim treatment which gives the illusion of a jean fabric and looser-fit jersey dresses with subtle cinched detailing: “I’m giving the bandage to her in like doses.”
“I’m a mom of two now, and I still love and appreciate sexy and feminine, but there’s a balance, and I think bringing that softer femininity to the brand has been my biggest contribution [so far],” says Ochs.
As Ochs awaits more of this type of customer feedback from the first collection now that it’s finally on the shelves and in shoppers’ hands — “I love to see what’s working; selling is the proof of concept” — her mission is simple: “I am not putting anything out there that I wouldn’t want to wear.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Leopard print is both polarizing and undoubtedly bold, but thanks to its neutral color palette that will match every single piece in your wardrobe, we believe that yes, it is a neutral. It’s also surprisingly timeless — after all, a debate can only re-emerge so many times if it’s not tied to a particular season or trend cycle.
But in 2024, no one can deny that the classic tonal brown leopard print has really taken over, with vintage styles of iconic bags (for example the Y2K pony hair leopard bags from Prada) popping up at vintage resellers, as well as leopard coats, shoes, bags, and yes, jeans spotted everywhere in the street style at Fashion Month.
The reason for the current leopard renaissance is twofold. For the past few years, Scandi style has been the prevailing aesthetic — particularly among the global fashion influencer community, with oversized pieces, clashing prints, and layered outfits becoming the norm. Just try to scroll through TikTok without being accosted (lovingly) by girlies walking to grab their morning coffees (or the real Scandi girls biking through their cities) while sporting bold color combinations and unexpected outfits. In this world, leopard print has always been not only a neutral, but an invitation to be playful with the pieces in your wardrobe — there are no real rules here, aside from “more is more”.
The other trend that has ushered in leopard print so strongly is the rise of the “mob wife aesthetic,” which is characterized by fur coats, chunky gold jewellery, and you guessed it, animal print. While the trend itself has been called into question for glamorizing mafia culture and narco violence (at worst), celebrating an aesthetic that older Italian women have worn for decades (at best), or more neutrally, being a bit of a non-trend — the reality is that leopard print pieces have now firmly landed in our daily wardrobes.
Now, the trends have had a baby, and that’s precisely where leopard print jeans come in. Jeans are an accessible way to embrace the maximalism of Scandi style (at least, the version we see on TikTok) and dip our toes into mob wife, without going full fur. It also fits into our wardrobes more easily than other forms of leopard print, as you can layer over coats and girly knitwear that tone down the innate va va voom of the print.
Jeans are also pieces that we know we’ll get a lot of wear out of. I have a rule in my wardrobe that no matter what I’m clearing out, jeans must always stay (unless they’re literally worn through). We know that denim trends come and go — as proven by the revival of barrel-leg jeans — so by investing in a pair of leopard print jeans this year, you can also be sure that you’ll wear them a lot, and for years to come.
The only problem that remains is actually getting a pair into your hot little hands. The two brands that have been leading the leopard charge for years are Damson Madder and Ganni, with the former consistently selling out of its cargo style and the latter constantly selling out its barrel-leg and cropped styles. At this point, your best bet is trawling sites like Depop, while also setting notifications on the Damson Madder and Ganni sites, so you can hopefully snap up a pair when they restock.
If you still have no luck, perhaps just wait for the hype to die down and then pounce, because like we said, leopard print will always come back around.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
What happens when you put one of the comfiest shoe brand’s together with one of the most beloved fashion retailers? You get the ultimate warm-weather shoes. In celebration of its 100-year anniversary, Dr. Scholl’s is collaborating with Free People to reimagine its Original Sandal.
“Both teams collaborated closely to create this vintage-inspired exclusive collection. Combining heritage pattern linings and vintage-dyed woods with unique hardware and detailing… the result is a retro kitsch, city cool style we know our customer will be very excited about!” Free People CMO Jack Reynolds said in a press release.
Free People re-designed the wood-sole clog sandal in a denim (perfect for the Spring 2024 denim craze) and white eyelet variations (perfect for summer picnics). Starting April 2, the collaboration can be carted up on both websites and in person at Free People stores. Read on to learn more about the collaboration’s sandal styles and how you can incorporate them into your wardrobe.
From modern denim dresses and patchwork denim jackets to monogrammed denim bags, denim-everything is in (and we’re not upset about it). Now, you can cart up a pair of indigo-sole jean sandals. Whether you’re looking for a statement sandal or a comfy festival shoe — the star and sun hardware elements were inspired by festival season — these sandals can effortlessly blend into your spring and summer wardrobe. Style the frayed-edge strap sandals with your favorite jean skirt or pair them with a full-denim look to channel your Cowboy Carter era.
On the other end of the style spectrum, the vintage-inspired, all-white clog sandal with delicate eyelet detailing and a beechwood sole can easily be styled with any breezy linen dress or bohemian maxi skirt. Slip into them for everything from farmers market runs and weekend picnics to summer concerts and boardwalk strolls.
