2025 Fashion Trends: Relaxed jeans

21 Comments

1. I am slowly warming up to this style of jeans, and would love to know what other readers in this community think about them. To youthful? To trendy? Pam has shown us some fantastic options at multiple price points and I’m very intrigued by the choices from Old Navy and Gap, which feel like a low risk way to try them. So far I’ve purchased a denim pair from J Jill and a burgundy pair from Chico’s using Pam’s links, but have been saving both for fall and winter because I feel like they look better with a low heeled ankle boot. Out recent conversations about safe but stylish footwear have me curious what others would wear with this style of jeans. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around wearing flats with them, because it feels frumpy. I see young people wearing athletic footwear with them and it just feels frumpy to me. That’s strictly my age talking, of course. Would love to know if others are wearing these, and especially what type of footwear you’re pairing with them. Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share!

2. Great conversation starters this morning, Lorri. I hope to hear from others on these topics as well…happy Saturday!

3. In response to TAM. I am mid seventies for reference. I focus on the length of the jeans more than the leg width to determine the shoe. I live in a hot and humid summer climate. This time of year I wear Birkenstock sandals in silver, red, cobalt and black, for a dressier look I like the knit Rothys pointed toe flats and low profile (as in Onituska Tigers or Adidas Gazelles) sneakers. I wear my athletic sneakers for exercise only. I like my length just above the ankle, similar to rolling up cuffs on a jean jacket. I dont think the mid calf look, as in the white Piper jeans, are flattering where they hit the widest part of the leg. I wear AG jeans in straight leg Prima or bootcut Mari. I also prefer the mid-rise. The high rise is great if you tuck or French tuck tops or wear the waist length tops. I tend to follow trends in accessories if at all. I am a bright winter, Classic, Elevated Sporty, and Visible.

4. Cute jeans. I think any sandals, athletic shoes or boots work with these jeans. I know white athletic shoes are in style but I wear black only. I have a major aversion to white shoes of any style.

5. Thank you for joining in Ann.

6. Thanks for stopping by and joining in. I am really enjoying my metallic sneakers…I have gold and rose gold. Lately I find myself reaching for those the most!

7. Like the green pull on jeans since I only have blue. Thinking about a cuff jeans since I only have straight and flare, and go for boot cut. Mine are loose fit midrise medium at Walmart time n true 2 percent spandex.
   Glad u are getting out n about some. Take care!

8. As an apple shape, a slimmer leg was my friend, and I still wear them with longer tops. However, I find the relaxed jeans very comfortable, and I think flattering if I can get the fit right. Like Ann says, I -much- prefer an ankle length, showing a bit of slim leg for structure (last year, I even wore them all winter with slim calf boots, and thought they were cute and showed off my nice boots). I love Talbots everyday jeans, I have some from Chicos in white, and I have two pairs I love from … drumroll … Costco! The latter have a cuff, which, as Pam said, is fun. I wear them with a dark brown leather Born sandal, which covers a lot of my foot and looks rather European to me, fashion sneakers, or Vivaia flats. I do like a shorter top with these jeans, because I don’t tuck. Gap has some very inexpensive tees this year that hit me right at the high hip. I would not personally wear barrel jeans, because I don’t think it flatters my body type, but I think people with an hourglass or rectangle shape look great in them. I think the unflattering or dated issue comes when an overall style is changing, and we, naturally, try to put older items with the newer silhouette. My example would be the longer tunic tops with these jeans. It’s just too much fabric. It’s no surprise jewelry trends are changing too, because chunky accessories give this shape the heft it needs. I also believe it takes a while for our eyes to adjust … at least it does mine.

9. I am short, 5’2”, and bought a pair of cropped jeans in Costco recently. However, on my short body they are full length and very big at the bottom. They fit comfortably at the waist and not fitting close to my legs are cool on the legs, but probably looks like I’m wearing a long denim skirt. I wear my sneakers with my jeans because of my hurting feet. I’m glad to see more relaxed jeans as tighter-fitting ones are not comfortable to me, especially when it is hot weather. You shared a nice variety of jeans today, Pam. I especially like pull-on styles as you have a smooth look around the waist.

10. I think the cuff jeans are sooo cute. And the green pair has a great top to pair it with in the same color. Thanks Debra,

11. I like the idea of the European look…thanks for this thorough comment, Linda.

12. I have also been drawn to the pull on jeans, Celia. They seem to fit my curves better. With jeans, it is more important to me to go with brands I trust and am familiar with the fit. Thanks for being here this morning.

13. I love the Talbots high-waisted relaxed jeans (about $109, I think). I have two pairs and am thinking of getting a darker wash for fall. I really like the trouser jean, though. I need to be conscious of how many pairs of jeans, I have, although currently, I am wearing all of them …. but moving to shorts any day now.
    Pam, thanks for all the alternatives you presented.

14. You are so welcome, Maeve.

15. Like Celia, I am petite. I am not crazy about the cropped style on my short body, but the cropped jeans are ankle length on me, which works well. I’m used to wearing sneakers only for exercise, but I’m warming up to the low-profile sneakers with skirts, dresses and especially ankle jeans. Flat sandals or ballet flats work well, too. Thanks for the great variety in these selections, Pam.

16. I’m glad TexasAggie asked about the footwear × jeans style intersection, and appreciate reading other ladies’ thinking on this topic as well. As Linda LM points out, sometimes it takes a while to adjust our eyes to the new pairings before things gel for us, and I definitely put myself in that camp. Nonetheless, when it comes to jeans, after 61+ years, and countless iterations of what’s IN and what’s OUT, I do know what tends to work best on my body, and that’s a slim to straight fit. At 5’8″, I can choose among the lengths and find each possibility flattering. I am a fellow foot sufferer much like Pam, and stick to my Easy Spirit sneakers, Vivaia flats, or Clark’s sandals for casual, but have 2 go-to shoes that work super well for dressier moments with jeans (and all else). Both are a mostly-covered, peep-toe, strapped-back sandal with about a 1-1/2 inch sturdy heel. I have a suede tan pair, and a navy leather pair. They have the advantage of looking summer appropriate, while wrapping and holding my feet really well to the shoe bed. I especially love to wear these with a dark denim ankle jean that has little ankle-zippers near the hemline. It accentuates the shoe, jean, and ankle area beautifully.

17. Lots of cute jeans here. Its nice that there are so many style options for us. The cuffed jeans are so cute. I would try some of these styles if I could try them on in person. A couple years ago I purchased the Talbot’s relaxed jeans which were high recommended by my favorite saleswoman at the store. But they are full where I am not \, the denim is a heavier weight and it almost looks like I’m wearing jodhpurs. I washed them repeatedly but they still haven’t softened so I wear them around the house and for yard work. Bought the Chico’s trouser jeans a while back. They are soft and fit nicely but still cannot figure out how to style them. I’m short waisted with a fuller bust so I’m not comfortable with a tuck unless I’m wearing a jacket or cardi. I guess I need to play in the closet with them. For now I think I will stick with regular straight cut or Chico’s Girlfriend jeans which fit me.

18. Kathie, I am petite at 5’1” and 137 lbs. so not skinny anymore. But I’m still slim in hips and thighs and unfortunately fluffy in the waist now at 80 years young. I wear lightweight Chicos trouser cut jeans in white, dark blue and black washes. I have to buy a 2 which is a 12 to accommodate my waist. Because they flow down from the hip and angle wider they are very comfortable and high rise. I wear Brooks Ghost Max walk/run shoes to walk anywhere outside. In the house I wear several Easy Spirit shoes, all with closed toes. I also wear Skechers Joy walk and a cute pair of blue and camel boat shoes. Crops are ankle length on me which is good as I look chopped up in crops. I love the shorter length tees and linen or gauze tops from Old Navy.

19. I can see the appeal of relaxed jeans especially in warmer weather. I prefer a more tapered leg instead of a flair as I think they are more flattering to my short legs. I was surprised at the Talbot’s barrel jean because many of the barrel jeans I have seen did indeed look like a barrel, & these didn’t. As you noted, fit is everything. Sometimes a roomy crotch actually translates into a saggy crotch, & that is definitely not a look that I’m going for. As to footwear, I wear my jeans with sneakers or occasionally loafers.

20. Great post about the relaxed jeans. Appreciated the definition of relaxed or loose for jeans.

21. Thanks so much Sidney. I am going to take some time to try outfits with the trouser jeans as they are so nice & lightweight. I have a couple pair of Sketchers Arch Fit that I’ll try as well as a pair of sturdy sandals (all mine have back straps). Last time I wore wide leg pants I was still wearing platform shoes. I could never handle high heels but the platforms we work in the 80s gave me an extra inch or two. I’ve looked at platform sneakers and wondered if I could handle them. I’m 5’3″ now, used to be 5’4″.