5 Flattering New Jean Styles Worth Trying!

There’s an exciting buzz around women’s jeans this spring. Now that skinnies are out, what new jeans styles are replacing them? Well, you’re about to find out.

I’ve rounded up 5 of the latest styles of jeans that are fresh and classy for women our age.

And if you need help with how to style them, I have ideas for that, too!  Check out these casual jean outfits, and let me know which styles you think are a yay or nay!

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1. Pintuck Jeans

I always go for elegant jeans over something more distressed or boho, so I’m giving a big thumbs up to these gorgeous white jeans with the classy pintuck seam.

Pintuck is huge this spring. A pintuck is a small fold sewed in a straight line on the front of the jeans that makes them more decorative.  It tends to give jeans a dressier look since wearing pintuck pants is similar to wearing pleated pants.

There are two other great things I love about pintuck jeans. First, a pintuck adds texture, making your outfit look more interesting, especially if you wear a plain summer top or tee.

Also, pintuck jeans magically slim.  How? A pintuck creates a long, lean, vertical line that draws the eye up and down and makes you look taller and slimmer.

When you have pintuck on a pair of high-walled flare like these, the effect is even more flattering.  Of course, a chunky heel sandal also helps to get the look just right, especially if you are petite.

Yay, or Nay?

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2. Double Fringe Cropped Jeans

Are they cropped pants or capris? The line is blurred this year, with so many women’s jeans ending somewhere just below the knee or above the ankle. Nevertheless, these shorter, kick-flare styles are very popular. I’m noticing many have a fringe or double-fringe hem.

For example, these are Wit and Wisdom Double Fringe Jeans from Nordstrom (I love them but generally size down).

To me, these are great vacation or weekend pants. They’ve got that laid-back, fun vibe and are slightly boho without looking too hippie dippy.

I think they look great when you pair them with other relaxed pieces like this cute tee with playful whipstitching. Textured accessories like this woven bag, rope earrings, and fringy tweed sandals are beachy and totally in sync with the double fringe style.

I’d stay away from anything tailored or dressy with these playful jeans. Check them out in white, too. I couldn’t choose between the two.

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3. Sailor Jeans

Ahoy Maties! I am totally on board with this new jeans style, probably because I’m a sucker for anything with classy gold buttons! Nautical style has always been a favorite of mine because it always looks so sporty and chic.

This straight-leg pair of sailor pants from Talbots feels a little more dressy than some, but just a bit. I also love sailor pants when they’re flared or have wide legs. (see blue sailor jeans in this post)

White is always so crisp and sharp, but you’ll find lots of sailor pants in navy or even a light wash. Spanx has an amazing tan pair which also comes in black that I’m going to order.

Note about styling. Just because they are sailor pants doesn’t mean you need to style them with a nautical vibe,  but I honestly do love them best this way!

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4. Wide Leg Cargo Jeans

Cargo, smargo! Sometimes, I can take cargo pants, or sometimes I can leave them. The thing for me is, I like streamlined pants, and when they are too boxy or have too many pockets, I feel too masculine and frumpy. Not so with these wide-leg flare cargos.

Look at the shape. They are high-waisted, fitted across the hips, and gently flare to that wide leg. These have a great shape that is more figure-flattering than most.

And there aren’t a lot of pockets – just two, and they are low down. I hate it when designers put those huge flap pockets at your hips or near the top of your thighs because unless you are a skinny minny, it just makes you look heavy and frumpy.

Another interesting thing about these jeans is they are two-tone – a type of color blocking. The darker denim at the sides recedes, so your eye goes to the narrower, lighter denim, which makes you look taller and leaner. It’s kind of cool and different!

Have I got you interested in test-driving these yet?

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5. Light Wash Jeans

Another popular jean style this spring is anything light wash. These light-wash jeans are not as powdery as others I’ve seen. I chose this shade because I liked it  a little better with this darling tropical top.

You’ll find light wash jeans (which generally give off a very casual boho vibe) in pretty much every style from straight leg to cropped, skinny to wide.

I thought these light wash jeans were also cool because of the big, square patch pockets, another trend you want to tune into.  They’re also cropped, which I know some of you find challenging to style, but wide-leg crops are just so commonplace now it’s hard to mess them up. Just visit Pinterest and see how everyone is styling them, or follow this style recipe.

The first thing is to get yourself a pair of great wedge sandals that balance the tricky proportions of high-waisted- wide-leg, cropped jeans. Then, choose a short top that ends at your waist,  no longer, to keep your legs from looking stubby.

You can wear sneakers with these or flat sandals, but you’ll look shorter and cute rather than tall and casually elegant. They are both good looks. It’s just personal preference and what activities you are doing that day.

Your Turn. What do You Think?

Which new jean style do you like best, or would you prefer some variation on what you see here?

My first choice is the Pintuck jeans. I have a million colorful tops to wear with them, and I like the more formal, jet-setter look of a white, high-waisted, wide-leg flare.

Let’s vote!