The #1 Denim Trend Everyone Will Be Wearing This Summer

Buying the perfect pair of jeans. AH! It’s a bit like searching for the perfect boyfriend. Personality is key. They will allow you enough space to move around and do your own thing. But, you will inevitably return back to them. Time and time again...

And as we all know, when it comes to finding the leading denim in your life there is no ‘one size fits all’ style...there's skinnys, cut-offs, bootlegs and boyfriends (and that’s just your Starter Pack). But with the humble jean - albeit a bit flashier - making a splash on the runway and with the street style set this season, there is no better time to hunt for your next ‘It’ buy. Here’s our edit of the hottest new cuts to contend with…

The ‘cult’ jean

Call it the Vetements-effect, but bloggers and fashion editors cannot stop ‘gramming one denim style in particular: the ‘step hem’ (which, according to Lyst has seen a 140% rise in searches). Sure, IRL it’s a bit like marmite. But, if you should be so inclined our high-street heroes from Zara, Mango to Topshop are all on board the split-hem stampede…

Culotte flares

For petite ladies, who have long resisted the culottes fashion camp, you can wear this style…we promise. Just stick to high-waisted styles - like Donna Ida’s ‘Pimp My Margot' pair.

‘It can [also]be tailored to get that ‘awkward’ fashion length,’ Donna tells Grazia. ‘So if you’re short you can snip the hem off and fray the edges, or if you’re tall, you can release the hem to have the raw edge showing which adds a couple of inches.’

Dopamine denim

The overriding trend for SS17? COLOUR. For a hint of dopamine dressing, give your denim a summer update with a little hue makeover (ba-bye black skinnies!) We’re loving the new supermodel-approved TOUCH Colour denim collection from Replay. The brand initially launched the Touch collection in November, and due to its sell-out success have decided to roll out to the collection in Pink, Electric Blue and Military Green in a variety of styles: Super High Waist, High Waist, Low Waist, and Cropped.

Art attack

DIY denim patches? Cute motifs? Floral appliqué? ‘90s revival embroidered denim has the cool-girl stamp of approval for SS17 (according to Pinterest data, there's been a 110% increase in search since the beginning of this year). Heads to Mango immediately.

The cropped kick-flare

Is the ankle the new cold shoulder for spring / summer ’17? Apparently so. For Jane Birkin circa ’71 vibes, simply pair with a white blouse and black patent boots (or Birkenstocks in sunnier climates).

‘Our denim inspiration this season was the raw and creative lifestyle of the counter-culture movements of the seventies,’ cult denim designer Chloe Lonsdale of M.i.h Jeans tells us.

‘This was interpreted as raw and frayed hems, super-faded washes and non-stretch denim,’ Londsdale adds. ‘The key shapes for us this season are the rigid straight leg and cropped flare and we’re continuing to play with re-tailoring and customisation techniques.’

Into the fray

According to Lyst, search for ‘frayed hem’ jeans has increased by 78% (it no doubt helps that A-listers from Gigi Hadid and Elle Fanning to Kendall Jenner have been endorsing the look big time of late).

These Replay Straight Jeans with rips and extreme frayed hem are currently the most viewed pair on Lyst. Tip: for the bold and brave fashionistas? Finish off the look with some ‘millennial pink’ mules. Perennially chic.

From 70s-style flares to high-waisted wide leg fits, Grazia rounds up the best jeans to shop now...

And for those in need of a little help in the jean department pre-shop (aka, all of us) designer Donna Ida shares with Grazia her 101 guide to buying denim. Ladies - listen, learn, repeat…

Be open minded. Always visit a denim specialist and be open to the suggestions the assistant makes. Like any garment all jeans are essentially the same – two legs, five pockets, but the magic is in the individual fit.

If jeans go on easily, go down a size. Kicking your way into the legs isn’t unusual.

When buying jeans with super stretch buy them firm but not overly tight. If you have ‘seam strain’ down the legs, they are possibly too tight and this could damage the stretch.

Apple shaped girls should look for plenty of stretch in a straight leg in a dark wash. They are the most flattering.

Alterations can give you the perfect jeans. Think about adjusting the waistband or slimming the legs. Small adjustments are not unusual.

The waistband should be snug. If you can fit two fingers down the back that’s good, a whole hand is not.

Boyish shapes can wear most styles. Add some shape and interest with zips and details on back pockets.

Don’t be afraid to hem cropped jeans. People often think that if cropped jeans aren’t the right length then they’re not the jeans for them, but cropped jeans should be hemmed to fit properly, just like a bootleg or straight leg.

A curved, or pieced waistband, is ideal. This will be slightly higher at the back than the front and will curve into your waist rather than sit straight up.

Long legs look best in a mid to low rise to keep the waist at the right height. Whereas petite girls look great in a high rise that

accentuates the waist and elongates the legs.

Read the care instructions. Most premium jeans are best washed COLD, that’s cold and not 30 degrees. Any warmer and you are damaging the fabric.

When having your jeans hemmed for flares take the shoes you want to wear with them to the fitting. You should decide on the shoes and stick with those shoes for your flares.

Have fun with your denim. Distressing, releasing the hems or adding rips can modernise your look.

READ MORE: 9 New Zara-Like Labels You Need To Know

**READ MORE: The 8 Items That Will Revive Your Spring Wardrobe **