Ladies’ Guide to the Top 5 Jeans Trends for Fall

1. Flare/Bootcut: We don’t know how Goldsign did it, but these jeans look great on everyone we’ve seen try them on. The rise is just high enough at 8” with a wider waistband to keep everything “tucked in” (you, and your shirt), but certainly not high waisted. And the stretch. We always like a little stretch in our jeans, but these take stretch to a whole new level. The rayon and nice weight to this very soft fabric keeps them from being clingy – just amazingly comfortable and forgiving in their contemporary fit. They are stylish, while being timeless, so they are definitely worth every penny. We like them with a simple turtleneck or blouse, as much as we like them with an easier sweater - just don't wear anything too oversized.

When opting for a version on the more casual side, AYR has made just the skinny flare you’ll need. In case you’re not yet familiar with this newer brand, it is a great new line of timeless classics, with a contemporary, but easier fit (for ex., the jeans tend to fit more like Joe’s Jeans than Rag & Bone). AYR stands for All Year Round, with the focus on things we can live in every day. Just like these jeans. The wash is dark with just a hint of distress, so they are very flattering. And soft, with some great stretch to them. These look great with an easy sweater that hits at the waist/hip and a great pair of booties.

To describe these Paige bootcut jeans in one word…yummy. We had to do a double take on the fabric content because they feel like silk, they are so soft. Yet, they maintain their shape and have a great stretch to them. They are a contemporary style that works for everyone – the sizing doesn’t run small at all. And the mid-rise and general fit are so universally flattering – many of the women in the office can attest to that. If you need to shorten these, you won’t loose the flattering bootcut, either. It’s a clean wash with just a hint of distressing, so they work for a casual day look or for a relaxed dinner out. Because the bootcut isn’t too extreme, these will look great with a chunkier boot or oxford, just as beautifully as they’ll work with a pointy bootie or pump.

If you’re a bootcut gal looking for an easier fit, this style from NYDJ is for you. The dark wash and subtle bootcut silhouette is modernly fashionable, yet timeless. The even wash is very flattering, with just enough flair to give nice balance to a woman’s hips. As with most NYDJ jeans, they do run a bit bigger, so you may want to size down. These jeans will work on any weekend day, as easily as they will for a casual dinner with a pretty blouse thanks to the dark wash and clean look. Because the leg is not too wide, you can also wear these with flats – they should just skim the ground.

2. Skinny: As we’ve been talking about, skinny jeans work on all body types. CJ by Cookie Johnson’s pair proves that in a fabulous clean, dark wash in a large array of sizes. The rise is not high, but high enough to prevent muffin top – always an important characteristic, but especially when you are creating a slim line with your skinny jeans. These will look great with a tunic, button-down shirt, sweater, or blazer. Dress them up with heeled booties or keep them more casual with oxford or high flat boots. You will get endless use out of these, so don’t be shy.

These Rag & Bone/JEAN denim skinny jeans are as soft and comfortable as leggings. The front hip pockets are even faux, which is a great trick for creating the leanest look possible. (Tip: you can even have a tailor remove the pockets of any pants or skirts if they are providing any excess bulk.) The deep black color and super stretchy lightweight denim are perfect to wear with boots, especially high or over-the-knee versions . These are a sure winner.

3x1 is a new contemporary denim line that we are big fans of – they started as a bespoke denim line, so fit is their “thing”. And that is why we chose this pair of not super-skinny, skinny jeans – when choosing a pair of jeans, especially a skinny version, fit is more important than ever. This pair is the perfect staple – the denim has a great stretch to it, is very soft, and comes in that perfect dark shade of blue that dresses up as easily as it dresses down. The leg is certainly skinny, but not “jegging” skinny (jeans that are cut more like leggings), so they look great with heels and loafers, too. These jeans are in 3x1’s W2 rise, which is about 9”, hitting just around your belly button.

Coated skinny jeans are a great replacement to all of the leather leggings and pants that emerge in the fall and winter. Not only are they a fraction of the price, but over the last few seasons, the industry has found ways to get them softer, and stretchier…basically, even more comfortable than leather, but with the same sexy look. This is one of our favorites because the fabric is so soft and stretchy, and made to look like real textured leather. (Click through the “shop it” button for a closer look.) While they are a contemporary fit, they do run a little bigger, so you may consider sizing down – especially if you are sometimes between sizes. Pair these with a sophisticated, feminine blouse - you can add a blazer, too - and you are ready for any date night. Additional sizes can also be found at Anthropologie. And if you are looking for a  bit of an easier fit, Eileen Fisher offers a great version, too.

3. Boyfriend->Girlfriend: This is a universally versatile boyfriend style – the slimmer leg doesn’t’ look sloppy and the perfectly worn wash is timeless. It's an ideal option for someone who wants to do this trend in a more classic way. If you haven’t tried FRAME Denim yet, the fit is modern but easy, so it looks great on most women’s bodies. The effortless look is complete with a plaid – yet polished -  button-down. . Throw on a navy blazer to complete the mens inspired feel.

We adore the wash and silhouette of these Citizen of Humanity “slim boyfriends”. The darker wash actually has a greyish hint to it, paired with the light whiskering, makes for a cool weekend look that is great for brunch to a casual night out. These look edgy with a bootie and sleek silk blouse; or, easy with a soft, fitted cashmere sweater and flat low boots. These go up to size 32, so if they are out of your size, try Citizen of Humanity’s website.

Eileen Fisher’s exquisite relaxed fit is the perfect match for a boyfriend styled pair of jeans. In a large range of sizes, including petite and plus sizes, the even, perfectly distressed wash looks great with a cozy open cardigan or blazer and tee.

J. Crew did a great job incorporating just a bit of ripping into their boyfriend style. It’s not too much, just 1 gentle rip on each leg that works with the perfect whiskering in the wash. We love that this is done by hand, so no two are exactly alike (but they are similar to this picture, so feel comfortable that your pair will be close). Adding a smart button-down shirt keeps the look from getting sloppy, and a great pair of sneakers or oxfords complete this easy look.

4. Straight: Madewell, J. Crew’s sister company, has become a great resource for all things casual – the prices are really fair, the fits are modern and universal, and the styles are on trend, yet classic. So, why wouldn’t we pick these straight leg jeans as one of the best of the season? They come in a longer inseam for you lucky tall ladies, too. The straight leg, not too skinny and not too wide, really suits the season’s trend of menswear inspired shoes, in that it nicely balances the weight of heavier shoes and creates a lean leg line – not always an easy task when you’re not in heels. Add a easy fitting, but not too oversized, sweater and you are ready for any casual day in style.

One of our favorite things about these Citizens of Humanity jeans, and there are many, is the dark stitching. Jeans traditionally have a mustard yellow stitch, but when they have a stitch that matches the fabric, it dresses them up a little – and creates an even slimmer look in its tonality. These are a perfect basic – the wash has just a little distressing, and the rise hits just below the belly button so no muffin top. The wash is so soft, with just the right amount of stretch, completing the contemporary feel. Like the Madewell jeans, you’ll be able to wear these with anything, and they’ll be your go-to jeans for those easy-dressing days.

A straight leg style, doesn’t have to be just blue denim. Have some fun with color in these more relaxed fitting jeans from NYDJ. The sueded denim fabrication is soft as can be, and the colors are deep and jewel toned – perfect for fall, and for an extremely slimming look. All of the colors are so stylish, but the port is our favorite. With all shades of red being so important this season, these will go with all neutrals. Black, brown, taupe, or grey shoes work, too.

While we are talking about straight jeans today, we are including this pair of corduroys done in a 5-pocket straight jean style. Just like we mentioned with the NYDJ jeans here, straight styles are a great place to do some color – the silhouette is so clean, it easily takes color and stays flattering since the line of the leg is so balanced. We love J. Crew for it’s modern fit and large range of sizes (petite, tall, and up to size 33). The neutral saddle and grey options will look great with a colorful cashmere sweater. For a pop color, the deep forest is a beautiful shade of dark green that is perfect for a fall day with a camel color sweater and boots.

5. Grey: If you are not yet familiar with the Shya fit from Genetic denim, it is really one of the best fitting, contemporary skinny styles out there. Lots of stretch, very soft, and this dark grey/black color really seals the deal. The distressing is very subtle, and the stitching is done in a matching dark thread – so slimming. These look amazing with high boots (heeled or flat) and really, any top. Whether you dress them up with sophisticated sleeveless top  (add a blazer for a perfect Casual Friday look) or keep them more casual with a cozy sweater, we bet they stay towards the front of your closet all season.

If you are looking for a more relaxed fit, NYDJ always delivers. The eclipse color is a moody dark grey with a clean finish (no distressing) that we really like for fall. But they also have a lighter grey – Silverado – that looks beautiful with all the pastels that are out this season.

Velvet’s launch of denim this season has gotten us very excited. We showed you the boyfriend style in an amazingly cool grey a couple of weeks ago, and this week we just have to tell you about this skinny in their petrol wash. Most of the important greys we’ve been talking about are just that – shades of true grey/black. These are a blue-grey – so very chic and different. You don’t have a pair like these, and for those of us that are big jeans fans, it’s also exciting to find a truly new color to add to our collection. Velvet’s fit is great – contemporary, but easier. And just like their tee’s, these jeans are so soft. Because of the unique shade, they really work with everything – you can even wear a grey top with them. Any shoe works – we like a high boot with them, since they fit snug to the leg and will slide in without bunching at the knee.

We’re going to wrap up with one more corduroy version that simply can’t be overlooked. These J Brands have a higher rise – 9 ½” – which can sometimes be too high if you are curvier or on the petite side. But not in these pants. The fine whale and deepest grey/black color and stretch of the corduroy fabric create an unbelievably slimming silhouette – the higher rise actually creates a longer line that really smooths out the hips. They feel very Audrey Hepburn, so add a turtleneck and flats for a more casual work look. Easily dress them up with a pair of heels for any night out in style.