Madewell’s Denim Expert Told Me These 4 Styles Will Be Everywhere in Summer 2024

05/05/2024

Including classic straight-legs and relaxed shorts.

madewell’s denim expert told me these 4 styles will be everywhere in summer 2024

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I first fell in love with Madewell because of its jeans (I even got a job there to get a discount on them). Before that, I was always someone who could never find the right style: the denim I tried always squeezed, gapped, snagged, and, ultimately, left me feeling super defeated. But Madewell solved that with high-quality denim that literally lasts me years; the petite, tall, curvy, and plus-sizing also ensures that I always find the right fit. TBH, the brand pretty much has a monopoly on my jean drawer now.

Naturally, it was one of the first places I visited when planning my summer wardrobe, but with more than 100 denim styles offered, it was admittedly a little overwhelming to go through. That’s why I turned to denim expert Mary Pierson, Madewell’s SVP of Denim Design, who shared with InStyle the top four summer styles every wardrobe needs.

Below, find the denim trends she says will dominate summer, including classic silhouettes and vintage-inspired styles.

Classic Straight-Legs

Madewell

$128

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For something you’ll get years of wear out of, Pierson recommends straight-leg jeans, a silhouette she says will always be in (Tan France agrees). She credits this to the style’s “classic look” and “universally flattering” fit, which she notes cinches the waist and elongates legs. Plus, they look good with everything: Pamela Anderson recently dressed hers up with strappy heeled sandals while Cindy Crawford proved how cool they look with a pair of simple sneakers.

Pierson personally reaches for the brand’s high-waisted ‘90s Straight Jean—both the full-length and cropped style—because of its “timeless yet relaxed vibe,” comfortable feel, and “effortless look.” But for something with a lower rise, shoppers (including myself) love the brand’s Low-Slung Straight Jeans, which offer a slightly more relaxed fit. The Baggy Straight Jeans take that lived-in look even a step further, with extra room through the hips and thighs. But despite the oversized fit, these still look totally put together thanks to the elevating patch pockets and tabbed waist.

Madewell

$138

Buy on madewell.com

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

Wide-Leg White Denim

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

White denim is, of course, in for summer, but Pierson even suggests that the classic color be paired with a breezy, oversized leg. Wide-leg jeans “embody that effortless summer vibe,” she said, explaining that they offer a “relaxed and chic aesthetic” and breathable comfort for warm weather. The silhouette finished in an optic white is the epitome of chic summer dressing.

For something with more of a lived-in look, consider grabbing these raw-hem Perfect Vintage Jeans, which shoppers say are “flattering,” “comfortable,” and the perfect way to show off a cute pair of shoes thanks to the slightly cropped hem. For a more elevated look, the loosely woven (aka, extra breathable) pleated Harlows are a must, but if you’re down to try something a little different, I’m personally loving this drawstring style. The adjustable waist allows you to wear it high-up and cinched or undone for a lower, more relaxed fit, almost like a denim sweatpant.

Madewell

$138

Buy on madewell.com

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

Western-Inspired Flares

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

While Pierson says that this year is all about classic, tried-and-true silhouettes and colors, there’s another style she told me is major for 2024: Flare jeans, a look we’ve seen celebrities including Blake Lively, Kate Middleton, and Jennifer Anniston rock. She credited the style’s trendiness to the rise in popularity of the Western aesthetic, but added that they’re more than just checking off a trend—the style is also incredibly flattering and “an instant leg-lengthener.”

She recommends the Flea Market style—a body-hugging jean with a dramatic flare that’s available in both a classic mid-wash blue and summer-ready white. But for something a little more subtle, shoppers love the brand’s Kick Out jean, which is available in both a cropped and full-length version. “They are super comfortable and very flattering,” said one shopper about the cropped style, adding that while they’re going to wear them all spring and summer “with espadrilles or Birks,” they also plan to take them into winter by swapping in a pair of booties.

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

Madewell

$128

Buy on madewell.com

Relaxed Shorts

Madewell

$78

Buy on madewell.com

Summer denim isn’t complete without a short hem, and Pierson noted that she’s seen major traction around roomier styles, telling me that the brand’s Relaxed Mid-Length Denim Shorts are already becoming a shopper-staple. The roomy fit makes any top look instantly (and effortlessly) cooler, and as someone who’s never loved pairing cut-offs with tight denim, I’m all for it.

While that relaxed style might be a new favorite, shoppers have been loving the The Perfect Vintage Mid-Length Shorts, which they say offers the perfect amount of coverage: you can bend over without things getting too cheeky but it’s not a full bermuda-length. And while traditional shorts are always a summer staple, I’m also all in on these oversized shortalls that I’d wear with everything from a simple white tee to a flowy, loosely woven sweater, and even over a swimsuit in place of a traditional coverup.