3 min readI waver between over-sentimentality and ruthlessness when it comes to wardrobe culling, which results, at times, in poor decision-making. My biggest regret, however, isn’t a one-of-a-kind vintage lace dress or a leopard-print jacket that molded perfectly to my waist but something far more run-of-the-mill: a pair of jeans.
These weren’t any old jeans, but cuffed jeans, a pair so proportionally right in every respect—and so on-trend as of SS26—that my regret peaks every time a person walks past with a rolled hem. I must have taken leave of my senses because they were a favorite of mine even then, wide-legged with a sizeable turn-up that hung just so above my ankle.
As mentioned, they’ve once again hit the mainstream, usually with a straight or loose silhouette that makes them effortless to wear (fact: the only thing you need to watch out for is fragments of leaves that get trapped in the folds after a blustery day).
At men’s fashion month, cuffed jeans have cropped up repeatedly, in particular hems that are pressed, finishing at the ankle instead of breaking over the shoe with a slump. Outside Dior Homme, one ticket-holder wore head-to-toe pink, including raspberry jeans with a cuff that looked both intentional and, somehow, impulsive.
That’s the bonus about cuffs: They add personality to whatever you’re wearing, making it look as though you’ve customized even if they came presewn, the cuff fixed in position. And that’s the other thing, you can cuff almost any pair of jeans, which allows more flexibility in terms of what shoes you wear them with, or, equally, you can take down a cuff if the length isn’t quite on your leg.
Once you’ve found your cuff, hold onto it. Remember: you might regret letting it go in years to come, especially once you’ve seen how many ways you can style them, below.
Loud Knitwear
As with all jeans, a cuff will be the best of friends with any sweater. Instead of reaching for your favorite black crewneck, however, challenge yourself to step outside the box this winter. Traditional argyle, rendered in a playful color palette, will suit the personality of a chunky hem.
Shanghai Tang Tang Jacket
& Daughter Argyle Checked Wool Sweater
Citizens of Humanity Ayla Jeans
Casual Jacket
If you want to semaphore a sense of ease, where your hemline pools over a walking boot or technical sneaker, pay attention to length when shopping for jeans. G-Star has some great options, with baggy cuffs that stop far past the ankle, creating the perfect slouch.
Carhartt WIP W’ Janet Liner
Pangaia 365 Midweight Hoodie
Lili Curia Kitt Lace-Up Boot
Half-Suited
A dark indigo cuff naturally reads as elegant, so lean into its ready-made polish with a shirt, necktie and blazer. Layering over a short trench or peacoat is wise while the weather still bites.
Rouje Jacques Jacket
Now 67% Off
Business Casual
For a cuff that’s office-appropriate, first think about the styling. A crisp shirt paired with a blazer might sound obvious, but it’ll look somewhat fresh with a cuff as opposed to a straight up-and-down cut: the one you’ve been wearing since the departure of skinnies (i.e. forever).
Skall Studio Bella Blazer
With Nothing Underneath The Dress Shirt Curved Bib
H&M Wide High Ankle Jeans
Double Denim
The Canadian tuxedo is ripe for experimentation this season. Why not enter a cuff into the equation? A lighter wash on the bottom, with a wide-leg that sits over a loafer-style ankle boot, plus an indigo jacket is my favorite color pairing. But you could always opt for a matchy-matchy take, too.
A Day’s March Whitney Denim Jacket
Albaray Light Wash Turn-Up Jeans
Now 44% Off
Russell & Bromley Tabley Boot
Why Trust ELLE
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.