9 Denim Trends We're Buying at Nordstrom (and 9 We're Retiring)
If you're looking to refresh your denim drawer, you're going to be quite intrigued by the intel coming your way. That's right. I tapped my fellow editors at Who What Wear to give insight into the denim styles they're adding to their wardrobes along with the styles they personally are retiring for now. Of course, it's always good to remember that this information is meant for inspiration. You should always wear whatever you love, regardless of what someone else is or isn't into.
More specifically, all denim trends that get a yes from the editors happen to be available at Nordstrom. This probably doesn't come as much of a surprise given that Nordstrom is a go-to store for us—especially when it comes to finding A+ denim to suit different styles and budgets.
Below, you'll uncover the denim trends we're buying from Nordstrom this season as well as insights into the styles we're going to be storing away. Keep scrolling for more.
Buying: Tapered Jeans
Retiring: Heavily Ripped Jeans
"I've been searching for a great pair of tapered jeans. They're so polished, and if you're a fan of straight-leg jeans, they're a great alternative to those. On the flip side, I'm very much over ripped jeans for the time being or maybe forever." — Ally Payer, senior editor
Buying: Denim Maxi Skirts
Retiring: Daisy Dukes
"Denim maxi skirts are going to be my go-to staple all summer long. They feel like a fresh update on a classic style I've been wearing for years and years. On the contrary, I will not be coming back to Daisy Dukes any time soon. Short shorts are fun for a concert but don't feel very 'fashion person' to me right now." — Sierra Mayhew, associate editor
Buying: Barrel-Leg Jeans
Retiring: Super-High-Waisted Jeans
"As great as they look, super-high-waisted jeans have a tendency to feel too constricting on me, so I'm finally allowing myself to give up on them for good. Instead, I'm investing heavily in barrel-leg jeans, jeans that are wider in the middle and taper at the ankles. The shape is so unexpected and elevated." — Eliza Huber, editor
Buying: Wide-Leg Jeans
Retiring: Super-Cropped Jeans
"As someone who is 5'3", my favorite trick to looking a little taller is finding denim that elongates my legs. (It's safe to say I'm parting ways with cropped jeans.) So this spring and summer, I'm investing in wide-leg jeans that give me a full-length look and are versatile enough to be dressed up or down." — Raina Mendonca, associate editor, branded content
Buying: Brown-Tinted Jeans
Retiring: Standard Dark Jeans
"I don't think I've worn a pair of brown-tinted denim since 2005, but fast-forward to 2023, and I'm intrigued. Recently, I've noticed more brands attempting to bring back this type of wash—Blumarine, ACNE, Diesel, etc.—and it's a nice break from my dark denim during those times when I want a moodier pair of jeans." — Indya Brown, editor
Buying: Low-Rise Relaxed Jeans
Retiring: Low-Rise Skinny Jeans
"They may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I am loving low-rise jeans again for spring/summer. (Sorry, not sorry!) I'll be wearing them in a looser, more relaxed silhouette and styling them with a crisp white tank and Adidas Samba sneakers for an of-the-moment look. I'll be skipping low-rise skinny jeans, which feel less fresh and modern." — Judith Jones, senior market editor
Buying: Mid-Blue Jeans
Retiring: Charcoal-Wash Jeans
"I used to keep a few pairs of charcoal-wash jeans around to wear in the winter, but I've found they've collected dust on my denim shelf for way too long. I think it's high time I cut them out completely and clear out some much-needed space for the jeans I actually wear all the time—those with a mid-blue wash. I find that the classic shade of denim is one I reach for over and over and one that will probably never lose favor among the fashion crowd." — Anna LaPlaca, editor
Buying: Straight-Leg Jeans
Retiring: Distressed Denim
"I've been doing some major spring-cleaning, and that includes my closet. What I have tossed the most by far is distressed denim. I'm a fairly recent college grad and had a thing for distressed jeans, but when I look at them now, I can't wait to replace them with straight-leg mid-wash jeans for a French-girl vibe." — Grace O'Connell Joshua, assistant shopping editor
Buying: Loose Jeans
Retiring: Skinny Jeans
"I'll be retiring skinny jeans from my denim collection, and instead, I'll be keeping my beloved loose jeans. The below style from Agolde has a flattering high waist but a loose fit around the legs—the perfect balance of style and comfort." — Emma Walsh, associate beauty editor, branded content
Next, check out more chic denim trends.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
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