Designers are ditching the “old money” aesthetic with collections that contrast colors, focus on textures and use accessories to inject a touch personality of fashion. Despite their staple status, jeans are not immune to this sweeping shift toward bolder details.
A new report from WGSN, called “Women’s Denim Wash & Finish Spring/Summer 2025,” describes how designers are using these techniques unique to denim to add visual and textural interest.
Consumers’ growing interest in day-to-night fashion is creating an opportunity for designers to dress up their denim assortments. The trend forecasting firm said this demand is giving denim with sparkly surfaces, embroidery and embellishments a boost.
Related Stories
The crystal craze was evident on the S/S ’25 runway. Inspired by Tinsel Town, Casablanca decorated jeans and denim shirts with light blue crystals. Multi-color star motifs sparkled against the brand’s jeans with ombre washes. Dice Kayek embellished jeans with floral rhinestones. Glittery feather motifs, beaded fringe and clusters of crystals decorated Chanel’s black and indigo denim. The French fashion house also replicated its iconic quilting pattern with sequins. Staying true to its sustainability ethos, Stella McCartney blanketed organic cotton baggy jeans and coordinating shirts with glimmering lead-free crystals.
Giuseppe di Morabito, Dsquared2 and Philipp Plein have carried crystal-covered jeans into Fall/Winter 2025-2026, too.
Designers are also using metal hardware like studs to add a western-meets-boho vibe to denim. The metal hardware trend aligns with Pinterest’s “Moto Boho” forecast for 2025. Versace used various size studs to create scrollwork designs down the side of jeans. Flat silver nail heads added subtle shine to Monse’s jeans.
Embroidered denim fits into the boho aesthetic as well. Isabel Marant reclaimed its boho roots with Southwestern-inspired embroideries on men’s jeans for S/S ’25. Vintage-wash jeans were also the canvas for Vivetta’s romantic floral embroideries.
Meanwhile, mono-material decorations, like the floral rosettes used throughout Aknvas’ S/S ’25 denim collection, align with the circular economy. They’re also a way for brands to utilize scrap or deadstock materials.
Another way designers are refreshing basic denim is with distressed textures. However, WGSN said this trend should be approached responsibly to ensure ripped patches are double-faced and secured.
The destroyed look was prominent in S/S ’25 collection. MM6 Maison Margiela shredded skinny jeans. Philipp Plein showed ripped and patched jeans and jackets with bleached washes and Diesel slashed the hems of denim skirts into long, flowing fringe.
Alternatively, WGSN said designers can experiment with raw edges on hems, pockets and seams. Examples of this is Marques’Almeida denim peplum top with a frayed hem, Kobi Halperin’s denim shorts and suits with frayed edges.
