1 week ago
8
Madewell
Skinny jeans are back in a big way, but just because we're reviving the style from the trend graveyard doesn't mean we should style it exactly as we did in 2016. We've grown! We've evolved!
Thankfully, we won't have to rely on our own instincts this time. Celebrity stylists and sister duo Elana and Dina Solomon are breaking down the skinny jean comeback and how to style the denim in a way that doesn't send you back 10 years.
"The biggest mistake is treating trends as literal throwbacks instead of evolving them. For example with skinny jeans, people try to recreate a 2008 outfit by pairing ultra low rises, tiny tanks, and tilted belts. Instead of leaning into what was popular back then, you want to reinterpret it through the lens of today’s styling," the Solomon sisters told E!
"That means letting go of dated outfits and accessories in favor of modern cuts and current attitude. It’s about evolution, not nostalgia."
Keep scrolling our full guide to styling skinny jeans in 2026—plus, our favorite denim styles and what to wear with them.
The Best Skinny Jeans in 2026:
Stylist tip: "The updates are all in the details. Skinny jeans today are mid rise or high rise, not super low. The washes are clean and minimal instead of heavily faded or whiskered. Designers like Alaïa, The Row, and Helmut Lang are focusing on streamlined silhouettes and elevated fabrics."
Key updates are:
- Waist and fit. High-rise or mid-rise over insanely low rises. Current skinny jeans hug but don’t collapse into the hips.Lose the busy embellishment.
- No heavy whiskering and huge logo patches.Pairing vibes matter.
- When you balance skinnies with a structured blazer or modern oversized shirt, it’s instantly contemporary, not nostalgic.
Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jean
These A&F Super Skinny Jeans check every box. The design keeps it simple with a high-rise fit that's just right—remember: "Current skinny jeans hug but don’t collapse into the hips."
Gap High Rise True Skinny Jeans
The Solomon sisters recommend a skinny silhouette with slight stretch and a defined ankle, a.k.a. "something that looks streamlined but comfortable." Gap's High Rise True Skinny Jeans accomplish exactly that.
Madewell The Pencil Jean
As far as fabrics go, the Solomons recommend "Italian denim blends or coated denim," which they said feels so much more "elevated" than more traditional styles. This High-Waisted pair from Express is proof!
Express High Waisted Black Coated Skinny Jeans
As far as fabrics go, the Solomons recommend "Italian denim blends or coated denim," which they said feels so much more "elevated" than more traditional styles. This High-Waisted pair from Express is proof!
How to Style Your Skinny Jeans:
Stylist tip: "One of our favorite formulas is an oversized Frankie shop blazer with a fitted white tee, Same pencil skinny jeans, white socks and loafers. It has that classic Céline energy, and you’re also seeing it at Zara and Mango right now. Celebrities wear this look with a polished, modern feel."
Open Edit The Icon Relaxed Blazer
If you're looking for a more affordable style to The Frankie Shop Blazer, this Open Edit version is a perfect pick. It has the same oversized, boxy fit and just the right amount of stretch to make it comfy.
Stylist tip: "Another go to is a fine knit turtleneck with coated black skinny jeans and sleek ankle boots. Add a long suede or leather trench to bring it to 2026. It feels very Saint Laurent, and brands like COS and Massimo Dutti are doing great versions of it. We love this formula because it looks elevated but effortless."
Trendy Queen Leather Trench Coat
Toss this gorg leather trench on over to finish the look. Shoppers raved over the "luxurious" Amazon find and said their friends were "shocked" at how much they paid for the jacket considering the quality.
Steve Madden Stasia Black Ankle Boots
These booties are a must, especially if you're hopping back on the skinny jean trend train. The kitten heal is equal parts cute and comfy with a pointed-toe design that makes them feel that much more polished.
Stylist tip: We also love an oversized button down (colored button only), with classic blue skinny jeans (Frame’s Le High is great) and square or pointed toe ballet flats, inspired by the balletcore moment seen on influencers during Paris Fashion Week and reflected in brands like Aritzia and & Other Stories. For something more casual, try an oversized tee with a lace bottom paired with dark skinny denim and a cropped leather or suede bomber to truly make it on trend."
Cotton Oversized Shirt
It doesn't get much more classic than Uniqlo's Cotton Oversized Shirt. It has the perfect lived-in fit and feel with a curved side profile and hem line that adds movement.
Madewell The Mylie Ballet Flat
Madewell's buttery-soft Mylie Ballet Flats will look so effortlessly cool with your skinny jeans. Snag 'em in classic black or make a statement in snakeskin or cow hide.
Zara Combination Lace T-Shirt
You will instantly achieve it girl status by pairing the Combination Lace T-shirt with your best fitted denim. The oversized silhouette will balance out the jeans perfectly.
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
English (US) ·