There’s a lot I love about fall dressing, and it being de facto denim season is high on that list. I’ve built up quite a collection of favorite jeans, and I’m always on the hunt to see what new trends and silhouettes are worthy of adding to the rotation. As a plus-sized shopper, that’s not always as easy as it should be, especially when it comes to combining great fit and current trends. Fortunately, I know where to find diamonds in the rough.
Ahead, meet the three on-trend jeans that have been in heavy rotation for me this season, plus how I’ve been wearing them.
Straight-Leg Jeans
(Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
One of my favorite things is a trend that’s not trendy. I know that might sound counterintuitive, so let me explain: Some trends are fleeting and will look dated a year or two (think: the neon checkerboard print that was everywhere in 2020 and gone by early 2022); others have more staying power but can still feel tired once the cycle inevitably moves on. Every so often, though, a true classic will bubble up—like straight-leg jeans have as of late.
They’ve been described as the anti-trend denim, because it never really goes out of style, and yet it’s somehow having a real moment right now. These are my favorite types of trends to recommend investing in, because you can buy now knowing that you’ll reach for the same pair of jeans three years from now, or 20 years from now, and they’ll never look out of place.
This pair of straight-leg jeans is from one of my go-to places to shop denim: Abercrombie.
Abercrombie
Curve Love Mid Rise 90s Straight Jean
If you grew up when that brand was synonymous with exclusion, that might come as a surprise to you. (I know it did to me when I started seeing some of my plus-size peers post about it a few years ago!) But it has completely revamped its sizing and ethos around inclusion in the last decade (as seen most recently in its cute new holiday campaign that features visibly plus-size babes like model Emma Arletta). It isn’t just for show either: Abercrombie’s denim comes in sizes up to 38 (the equivalent of a 26W), and the fit is reliably good and true to size. I’ve spoken with people who work on design for the brand, and they’re all really proud of Abercrombie’s new plus-size denim, and I think it shows. I particularly like Abercrombie’s Curve Love fit, which has an additional 2” through the hips and thighs to comfortably fit curvier figures without a waist gap. It really makes all the difference in getting the vibe right when it comes to straight-leg jeans.
The Abercrombie Curve Love Mid Rise 90’s Straight cut in medium wash delivers on its name. I’ve joked before that this is pretty much the classic ’90s denim I always wanted to thrift. (As any plus-size shopper can tell you, it’s almost impossible to find in larger sizes.) This pair fits my waist, hips, and thighs perfectly, and are a true straight silhouette through the calf (i.e. there’s none of the accidental flaring that often happens when brands size up straight-leg silhouettes without fitting larger sizes on a plus fit model).
I styled these casually for a day of writing and errands, pairing them with a simple tank and a leopard print windbreaker from Ashley Graham’s new plus size collection and my new go-to pair of mules. I finished the look off with a heather grey cap and a large Luar Ana bag, and I love the contrast between the structure and clean lines of the bag and jeans and the sporty slouchiness of the cap and jacket.
Ashley Graham
Womens Plus U Neck Sleeveless Tank Top
Ashley Graham
Nylon Womens Plus Bomber Jacket
Anine Bing
Gray Jeremy Baseball Cap
Luar
Large Ana in Smooth Brown Leather
Darker Blue Jeans
(Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
Wide-leg jeans are a perennial favorite of mine, but I usually wear them in lighter washes. When I got this darker blue pair from Torrid, I didn’t expect them to become such a go-to for me. But something about the combination of the high rise, the nipped-in waist, and the rich blue all work so well together. I’ve ended up reaching for them regularly. The fact that they have a nice amount of stretch certainly doesn’t hurt, either—they’re so comfortable!
Torrid
High-Rise Wide-Leg Jean
Darker blue washes are having a real moment right now, too, so these have been on heavy rotation for me. I’ve worn them for everything from serious meetings (with a button-down shirt and sharp blazer) to nights out (like the lace bustier outfit I wore to Brandon Blackwood’s 10th Anniversary party). For this look, I went more casual, pairing them with an asymmetrical sweater from Reformation and low-profile Pumas. Accessorized with my small metallic Telfar and silver-toned teardrop earrings, it was as cute as it was easy to wear. I was so comfortable in this combo that I ended up taking a long walk in the park to soak up the pretty fall foliage while it’s still here.
Reformation
Elio Knit Top Es
Telfar
Shmedium Shopping Bag
Open Edit
Polished Teardrop Stud Earrings
Cuffed Jeans
(Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
On the trendier side, there’s something really fresh and now about a tall cuff on a jean. It’s a style that’s pop up on runways and in street style, and the more I see it in person, the more I love it. This version from Eloquii is my favorite that I’ve seen in plus sizes, because it both leans into the trend and gets the fit right. I have another pair with a smaller cuff from Silver Jeans that I also love and wear regularly; it’s a great option if you want something a little less trend-forward and thus has more staying power. With the Eloquii jeans, though, there’s no mistaking that this is a statement cuff, and I’m so here for it.
I styled these with a cropped faux suede jacket and a ribbed tank for a day date with my husband. Paired with my beloved Efa bag from Vavvoune and gold Western boots, this was a cute and easy look for ambling around the East Village on a pretty fall afternoon. I’ve also worn them with a plaid blazer and a billowy sheer top, and with a sleek bodysuit and a heeled mule for a night out. Basically, anyplace you’d wear a wide-leg jean, you can sub in cuffed denim for an instant wardrobe update.
Lane Bryant
Faux-Suede Short Jacket
Old Navy
First-Layer Ribbed Scoop-Neck Tank Top
Free People
New Frontier Western Boot