In today’s denim landscape, there’s no longer a singular, dominating trend. This spring and summer season has been defined by personal style, according to leading denim brands. With collections that span low to high rises, vintage to clean washes and modern takes on nostalgic silhouettes, brands are delivering variety to satisfy consumers’ every denim whim.
Rises are gaining special attention from brands and consumers.
“It’s an interesting time in denim because there isn’t one predominant ‘winner.’ There seems to be a desire for low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise,” said Ricki Robinson, women’s senior designer for Hudson. She added that there are fewer extremes in denim—whether it be rises that are super high or super low.
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Christina Choi, creative director for Judy Blue, also sees extremes leveling off. “We’re seeing a growing preference for mid-rise jeans—the perfect balance between high-rise and low-rise styles,” she said.
“What’s shifting is the rigidity around a ‘one-rise-fits-all’ mentality. Women are dressing with more nuance now; understanding their proportions and reaching for rises that serve the moment. High rise isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving into one of many tools in a woman’s wardrobe,” said Natalie Nelson, Denim Forum creative director.
Blue Revival’s consumers have embraced low rise, but mid-rise continues to be a top seller as demand slows for high-rise jeans. “Our mid-rise fit, with its 9.5-inch rise, hits the sweet spot sitting just below the belly button for all-day comfort, while still channeling the low-rise vibe customers are craving,” said Lindsay Steinberg, Blue Revival’s VP of sales.
In general, Carly Smith, denim design director for Favorite Daughter, said the mood this season is “less high and cinched, lower and easier.” However, she noted that high rises continue to be relevant because belts are having a major moment in women’s fashion.
While high-rise jeans are not dominating trends the way they used to, Janice Marks, Silver Jeans Co.’s senior VP of design, said they remains a reliable choice for a more structured, classic look, especially for older millennials and Gen X customers.
It’s a different story for Silver’s younger consumers. “For Summer 2025, women’s denim is all about range. Low and mid-rise styles are making a major comeback, especially with Gen Z and younger millennials. They bring a sense of nostalgia that feels reworked and more relaxed than the ultra-low-rises of the early 2000s. Mid-rise is carving out space as the middle ground: flattering, easy to wear, and adaptable to different body types,” she said.
What ties it all together this season is comfort. “No matter the rise fits are looser, more laid-back, and built for versatility—reflecting a broader shift toward denim that feels lived-in and effortless,” Marks added.
“There’s definitely still a strong demand for high-rise fits, and it really comes down to personal preference,” said Charis Chiu, AG Jeans public relations.
Lee is a devoted fan of high-rise jeans, but the heritage brand is open to all. “High rise will always be a focus for Lee and we have a plethora of styles from our Rider jeans to the popular Ever-Fit Flare,” said Sara Brenner, merchandising manager for Lee female, North America. “However, our focus is to ensure we offer a broad range of rises to address trends and cover consumers’ needs.”
Consumers are also into Lee’s mid-rise styles such as the Rider Low Slung Barrel and Button Fly Ankle which are meant to be worn lower on the hips for a more relaxed, easier fit. “These styles have been incredibly successful, and we’re seeing this trend continue into fall,” Brenner said.
High-rise fits remain the bread and butter of Joe’s Jeans’ business, particularly The Mia, which has an 11.5-inch rise. “Our customer is still gravitating to a high rise, but we have also seen more demand in our low and loose jeans and Bermuda shorts,” said Leore Arik, Joe’s Jeans general manager.
While high-rise will always have a place in Artizia’s Denim Forum collection, Nelson said there’s a distinct gravitation toward mid-rise silhouettes. Mid-rises offer a relaxed yet refined fit and feel, which she said is especially relevant as women move toward more intuitive, personal proportions.
“There’s a quiet confidence in a rise that doesn’t overstate itself,” she said.
Bestsellers
The straight fit remains Lee’s best-selling across all its collections. “It’s a classic with broad appeal as it flatters many body types and can be paired with endless shoe options for multiple wearing occasions,” Brenner said.
Lee has also seen a strong uptick this season online for bootcut and wide leg, particularly trouser and barrel fits. Though skinny jeans are not in high demand, consumers still show interest in body-hugging silhouettes. Lee’s Ever-Fit Flare, which is made with a super-high recovery denim that gives consumers a sewn-in look, is a best seller this season.
Joe’s Weightless Denim collection, made with cotton and Tencel fabrics, is resonating with consumers this spring and summer. “We offer this in a variety of fits and washes; it is a customer favorite due to its lightweight drapey feel making it a very comfortable wear while keeping the authentic denim look,” Arik said.
Hudson’s best-selling jean of the season is Unravel, a version of the Jodie high-rise loose wide leg with frayed seams. “I think a lot of retailers offer a cleaner look, so in my opinion, our destructed styles or distressed styles do well, because the market is not as saturated with those types of styles,” Robinson said.
The Farrah Wide Leg is Denim Forum’s best-performing jean. The non-stretch high rise jean is made with regenerative cotton that molds to the wearer’s body over time.
“It’s an everyday jean with an elevated sensibility; soft structure, authentic wash, and a silhouette that elongates while moving with ease,” Nelson said. “It transitions seamlessly from casual to considered, embodying a modern uniform for women who dress with clarity and conviction.”
VRG GRL’s best-selling jean is the Lex, a barrel leg style with a mid/high waist. “We think [the jeans] appeal to customers as they are so flattering, and often it’s hard to find a style that is comfortable and flattering for every body shape and size—the rounded leg and mid to high waist are a great combination,” said Daniella Dionyssiou, VRG GRL co-founder and co-CEO.
Blue Revival’s Cropped Wide Leg was a breakout hit, selling out quickly and still in high demand. “We believe its popularity stems from its versatility,” Steinberg said. “The cropped length makes it perfect for summer, flattering on all heights. Petite customers get a slightly longer look, while taller customers love it styled cropped with a sandal. Plus, the mid-rise fit, a clear favorite among our shoppers, made it even more of a must-have.”
Shorts are in the spotlight for Judy Blue, especially styles with all-day comfort. “You can do a squat in ours without showing your cheeks,” Choi said. “Our inseam is a little longer to cover just enough while giving you the comfort and breathability you need.”
Seasonal styles like capris and shorts are consistently among Silver Jeans’ top performers for spring and summer. Within these categories, Marks said the Suki, Elyse, and Avery capris stand out. “Each offers a different rise and shape through the hip and seat, making them a go-to for customers who want mid- to high-rise options with a bit of built-in ease. They also fill an important white space in the market, delivering accessible pricing without compromising on denim quality,” she said.
Silver’s Suki Ankle Wide Leg also has strong momentum, resonating with consumers for its flattering shape and versatility.
During a time when no single fit is dominating the trend cycle, Favorite Daughter is seeing consumers give its medium Margate wash special attention.
“Our girl is obsessed with the Margate. We now have several fits to choose from, and they are all checking,” Smith said, adding that it’s available in the brand’s Tommy Low Slung Bermuda, Tommy Low Slung Straight, Masha High Rise Wide Leg and Otto High Rise Boyfriend Ankle.
Washes
Denim washes veer off in two opposing directions this summer. On one hand, consumers are embracing summery boho trends with light, worn-in washes; on the other, they’re dressing up denim with inky, clean washes.
In Lee’s premium collections, Brenner said it’s all about vintage-inspired washes on fabrics that offer a lot of character. The brand sees a return to some levels of destruction as well as interest in novelty washes. “We paneled our barrel jean with two contrasting shades of denim, offering it in both indigo and grey versions,” she said.
More overt destruction and patch and repair are trending in Lee’s younger women’s collection, while Lee’s mainline always does well with subtle wash patterns, as well as cleaner, dark indigo washes. “It’s all about offering choice, as consumers want different washes for different wear occasions,” Brenner said.
Authentic, vintage-inspired washes continue to lead Silver Jeans season after season. “This year, both mid-light and rich dark tones have performed especially well—particularly when the wash has strong high/low character that adds depth and dimension,” Marks said. Distressed styles have also done incredibly well for the brand, with two of its top seasonal styles featuring varying degrees of abrasion, from light fading to medium destruction.
Marks added that Silver Jeans has also seen strong sell-through on its new white and black denim programs. “Offered in more directional fits like Ultra Wide Legs and Kick Flares, these styles add a slightly dressier edge to the summer lineup,” she said.
VRG GRL is seeing interest in non-indigo washes too. “For us the dark grey/black wash and the plain white denim have been our best sellers. The dark grey is slightly more worn in looking and we think people like these as they can be worn 9-5 or 5-9, whereas the white is a lot more of a cleaner and chic look, which is something that always resonates,” Dionyssiou said.
AG’s best-selling washes this season are Helios, 17 Years Divergent, 12 Years Odyssey, and Central Coast, all of which fall into the clean, light-wash category. “It’s clear that customers are gravitating toward more refined, polished denim looks right now,” Chiu said.
Medium to light authentic washes have been performing well this season for Joe’s. “Our customer prefers a cleaner look when it comes to washes,” Arik said.
Blue Revival’s standout wash is Athens, featuring a clean aesthetic with light whiskering and a soft high-low effect. Steinberg said the wash “perfectly aligns with our customer’s shift toward more polished denim,” adding that customers are looking for cleaner denim with subtle details like special buttons.
Overall, Smith said Favorite Daughter’s clean and fresh blues like Margate and Los Angeles are ticking at the register. “Distress is not for everyone but is being sought out with our Lennox vintage light denim with busted holes just above the knee,” she said.
Judy Blue’s customers are not interested destroyed denim. “Consumers are looking for clean looks—distressed is no longer a thing,” Choi said.
Authentic, clean indigo continues to resonate with Artizia’s customer base. “There’s something timeless and trustworthy about a pure, unbroken wash; it grounds the silhouette and allows for versatility from day to night,” Nelson said. “That said, there’s also a place for worn-in character. It’s about balance, pieces that feel lived-in, but not overly treated. Understatement wins.”
