8 Jeans Trends Fashion People Are Living In This Summer

While many of us consider jeans a year-round staple, it’s understandable if you’re a little tired of wearing them by the time summer rolls around. Personally, I live in jeans during winter and spring, switching out knitwear for milkmaid tops when the weather allows. So by summer, I often find that jeans take a back seat to dresses and skirts.

This, however, is something of an injustice. After all, which wardrobe item is as reliable as a pair of jeans? Whatever your sartorial dilemma may be, they're there for you—all you need do is pull them on. So with the intention of showing them the appreciation they deserve this summer, I’ve charted the trending styles that’ll make you fall in love with your jeans all over again.

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(Image credit: @monikh)

This summer’s jeans trends go way beyond fashion’s favourite straight-legs. 

Let it be said: A pair of straight-leg jeans will never falter in the eyes of fashion, but if you’re looking to push your denim boundaries and embrace something new, I’ve whittled down the need-to-know summer 2022 jeans trends for you—all eight of them. From the colour to try to the small details, which, trust me, make all the difference, scroll on to see the jeans that should rightly dominate your outfits for the next few months. 

1. JUMBO TURN-UPS

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Style Notes: While turning up the hemlines of our jeans is something many of us do instinctively, brands are taking the look to the next level with OTT turn-ups built into their designs. 

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2. BARREL

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(Image credit: @louisahatt)

Style Notes: While we’ve established that straight-leg jeans will never go out of style, recently I’ve been seeing more and more fashion types opting for barrel-leg jeans—jeans that balloon on the thigh then taper towards the ankle—over the past few weeks. 

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3. CARGO

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(Image credit: @taniceelizabeth)

Style Notes: Cargo trousers have been trending for a while now. Though, we typically see them coming through in khaki cotton. Now, suddenly, cargo jeans seem to be a thing, winning over influencers and editors alike with their Y2K fashion appeal. 

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4. WIDE-LEG

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(Image credit: @javiera)

Style Notes: While we’re on the subject of wide-leg jeans, let’s take a moment to appreciate them in their oversize glory. Wide-leg jeans first started tracking post-lockdown, when we wanted our denim to be just as comfortable as the joggers we’d gotten used to. Rest assured they’re not going anywhere this summer.

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5. PATCHWORK

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(Image credit: @tamaramory)

Style Notes: The ’70s were a major influence on the S/S 22 runways, with patchwork being one of the most prevalent trends we saw come through in the designer collections. Naturally, one of the easiest ways to wear it is by way of a pair of patchwork jeans. 

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6. PATCH POCKETS

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(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Style Notes: Now, let’s pivot to a different kind of patch. Patch pockets keep cropping up on the best jeans of the season—another signifier that we’re reliving the best of ’70s fashion in 2022. 

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7. FRESH WHITE

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: They may have once been considered a fashion faux pas, but white jeans are now one of a fashion insider’s favourite things to wear come summer. Avoid skinnies and instead channel the trend in straight-leg silhouettes for an up-to-date feel. 

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8. FLARES

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(Image credit: @biancaffoley)

Style Notes: Rounding off our summer 2022 jeans trends is a style that has long been favoured by French women and has gradually started to take over our wardrobes, too. Flares are back and sleeker than ever. 

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Next Up: 10 Expensive-Looking Staples Every Wardrobe Would Benefit From

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.