Stylish Women in Paris, London, and NYC Prefer These Pant Trends Over Skinny Jeans

Anna LaPlaca in a button down shirt and capri pants.

(Image credit: @anna_laplaca)

In recent years, the fashion crowd has shifted away from skinny jeans, with many opting for more relaxed, comfortable, and varied silhouettes. This evolution has seen the rise of several denim and pant trends that prioritize ease of movement and fresh aesthetics, from wide-leg trousers to baggy cargo pants. Essentially, there’s a non-fitted style for everyone, whether you're looking for something laid-back or more sophisticated.

To make the transition quick and simple for any people who have yet to make the switch but *want to,* we rounded up the top six pant trends that fashion people substituted their skinny jeans for when the tides began to shift away from the shape. Once you see (and try) them, you'll never go back to super-slim fits again.

Wide-Leg Trousers

Jeanette Madsen in a white sweater and wide leg trousers.

(Image credit: @_jeanettemadsen_)

Wide-leg trousers seem to be an evergreen trend for fashion people. Style yours for an evening out with an embellished top or cropped blazer, or for everyday with an easy T-shirt and leather jacket.

Barrel-Leg Jeans

Mimi Orere in a cropped jacket, barrel jeans, and ballet flats.

(Image credit: @mimi.orere)

Barrel-leg jeans have become a staple silhouette in the world of denim and are especially beloved by the fashion crowd. The billowy shape has an effortlessness about it that classic skinny jeans simply don't possess.

Straight-Leg Jeans

Erika Boldrin in a trench coat, leopard print shirt, and straight leg jeans.

(Image credit: @erika_boldrin)

If you're a fan of a slightly tighter fit on your jeans but don't want to go full-on skinny, straight-leg silhouettes are a perfect alternative. Keep it classic with a pair of Levi's 501s or a '90s Agolde style.

Wide-Leg Cargo Pants

Aude-Julie Alingue in a black jacket, white cargo pants, and boots.

(Image credit: @aude_julie)

Oversize cargo pants are the roomy antithesis of a skinny pair of jeans. Plus, they provide comfort in a way that still looks elevated and cool.

Bootcut Jeans

Camille Charriere in a leather jacket and bootcut jeans.

(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Traditional bootcut jeans are always in and a more favorable substitute for the '90s aesthetic than skinny jeans. Add on a vintage leather jacket to nail the look.

Capri Pants

Anna LaPlaca in a button down shirt and capri pants.

(Image credit: @anna_laplaca)

Capri pants have taken skinny jeans' place in terms of having a close-cut silhouette. Unlike skinny jeans, though, they feel extremely relevant for 2025, having shown up on runways and celebs in recent months. Pair them with a boxy button-down, blazer, and kitten heels for a chic, modern look.

Freelance Fashion and Accessories Editor

Copelyn is a freelance fashion and accessory editor. She formerly worked for Who What Wear as an associate shopping editor and is based in New York City. She writes about fashion and accessory trends in addition to creating original content. Before her time at Who What Wear, Copelyn was at Bustle Digital Group, working on the accessory market for cover shoots and fashion features across Nylon, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Romper, and Elite Daily. Copelyn also previously worked at InStyle and Cosmopolitan in the fashion and accessory departments on shopping and fashion market. Copelyn has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Copelyn freelances in graphic and web design in the fashion-and-lifestyle space. She also loves to upcycle clothing and home décor as well as collect an embarrassing number of colorful sneakers and experiment with her hair color.