'Apparently these jeans are "over" in 2026, and I have thoughts.'

At this time of year, people tend to declare that certain styles are "in", and others are definitively "out".

Recently I was served an article that conveniently wrapped up the expiring trends of 2026, and was surprised (or maybe I wasn't) to see barrel jeans right at the top of the journalist's list of 'outs'.

This was disappointing.

It feels like the moment we finally get used to a style, it's due to retire. Old news. DATED. Cue 7000 TikToks on the next cool thing.

I'm a fashion editor, I get it. I've seen it a hundred times. But I really hoped barrel jeans would have more staying power.

Watch: Jorts are apparently sticking around this year too, as Chelsea Hui explains on our fashion podcast Nothing To Wear.

Perhaps, just maybe, they could be ushered into a superior league of denim, and join the other perennially chic styles that never age, like Levi's straight-leg jeans and… well I actually can't think of another example.

This is how fickle we've become.

In the article, the writer predicted that barrel jeans will exit the market soon enough, making way for "more wearable and flattering" styles.

"Did anyone actually look good in these?" she asked of the horseshoe-inspired denim cut.

YES! I looked good in them. My friends looked good in them.

Back in early 2025, I declared these Big W Barrel Jeans one of the best pairs I've ever worn. Legions of women agreed — the style sold out, and when Big W dropped them in an ecru colour, I bought those too.

Wearing my Big W barrel jeans jeans on a styling job. Image: Supplied.

Australian brand Feather + Noise released their Lola Barrel Jeans in a variety of cuts and washes last year (I got them in white), and the style was a huge viral hit.

Maybe because finally, just finally, women were finding jeans they actually felt comfortable in.

Jeans that skim their curves and sit right on their waists and bums; jeans they can do a full day of mumming in, or wear to the office with a blazer, or wear out at night with a nice top, and not wish to peel off of themselves immediately.

In the Lola Cropped Barrel Jeans by Feather + Noise. Image: Supplied.

Apparently it's all about a stovepipe jean now. The literal opposite of a barrel leg, because fashion is one giant pendulum that just swings from one extreme to another.

My question: can't they coexist? Why can't we all just get along?

According to Mamamia fashion contributor and stylist Emelia Morris, barrel jeans are not due an untimely death just yet.

"For 2026, barrel-leg and horseshoe silhouettes will still be going strong," she says.

The personal stylist has even devoted an entire content series on her Instagram to trialling different barrel leg styles. So safe to say she's on board, too.

Emelia wears the viral Feather + Noise barrel jeans. Image: Instagram/@emeliamorrisstylist.

"But honestly, trends aside, the most important thing is finding denim that makes you feel confident," Emelia adds.

When I'm styling clients, it's more about what works with their natural shape than what's trending. Think about the rise, the length, the proportions, and how the jeans sit on your body."

The truth is, there will always be new trends cycling in and out of style, but the right ones are those that feel good on you.

Curious about what else is in store (or not) for your denim wardrobe in 2026?

Here's everything you need to know, according to our experts.

Denim trends we'll see this year.

The cigarette jean.

Images: Instagram @haileyrhodebieber; @smythsisters.

It's true, the cigarette leg is coming for our wardrobes — and it's already won celebrity fans in Hailey Bieber and Alexa Chung, as well as a host of influencers.

Slim through the thigh and narrow and straight through the leg, this style is bordering on skinny, but less tapered.

While the hemline traditionally hits at the ankle for an elongating effect, we'll also see cropped styles pop up — perfect for teaming with sneakers or heels.

Trend forecaster and Nothing To Wear host Lucinda Pikkat encourages playing with proportion to offset the tighter silhouette of the denim.

"Go a bit more oversized on top — an oxford shirt, an oversized jacket, something like that to balance out the jean," she says.

Clean, dark-wash denim.

Image: Instagram @taylachantelle_, @dissh, @vrggrl.

While pale denim is a casual wardrobe staple, darker washes have the effect of adding instant polish — especially in clean silhouettes.

This is a trend we'll continue to see across all denim items, from matching sets to shirting and, yes, skinny jeans.

Neutral denim shades.

Images: Instagram @_santinaharrison; @emeliamorrisstylist; @shopwithfifi.

If thoughts of coloured denim conjure up scary sartorial memories of the early noughties, rest assured you can leave your fluoro cut-off miniskirt in the past.

Although we did see bright blue and purple jeans on the Versace runway recently, the way we'll adopt coloured denim in Australia is a little more subtle — think straight-leg jeans in neutral shades like ecru or white, and barrel-leg styles in chocolate brown and khaki.

Distressed denim.

Images: Getty.

Ripped jeans were all over the runways at New York Fashion Week last September, meaning this is a trend we'll likely see emerge for winter. It's a full-circle moment for those that remember wearing distressed denim to death in the 2000s.

This time around, rather than going for a grungy look all over, we'll be paring back our ripped jeans with more refined pieces up-top. Again, it's all about the contrast.

Animal print denim.

Images: Instagram @julietkaz, ZARA, @biancaheavenn.

Lucinda said to keep an eye on zebra-print in particular, which is set to take over from cheetah print as the animal motif du-jour. If you're feeling adventurous, cow print is around too.

Double-waist denim.

"This is one thing I'm seeing that is relatively new," says Lucinda.

You know that bit at the front of your jeans where you button them up? That's essentially doubled, so you have the effect of two waists.

It's a styling technique used recently by high fashion houses Loewe and Jacquemus, and by Nagnata here in Australia.

"Are we going to start seeing it at Cotton On? I don't know yet. It's more a watch this space," says Lucinda.

Trends we're keeping from 2025.

Lowrider jeans.

Images: Instagram @bhavithamandava; @sofiagrainge.

Chanel has spoken, and low-rise jeans aren't going anywhere.

The opening look of the brand's Metiers D'Art runway show in December, staged in the New York subway, was a casual one for the high-fashion house: a model in a beige jumper and slouchy wide-leg blue jeans worn low on the hips.

Designers use their opening look to signal the shape of things to come, so expect to see lots more low-rise, wide-leg jeans enter the market for our autumn-winter season… the type that intentionally cover your shoes and even (gulp) sweep the ground.

The trick is to style them so they're more cool-girl and less skater boy: think a cropped jacket or fitted tee up-top, and minimal shoes like pointy heels or leather thongs. Best to avoid sneakers altogether.

Bermuda shorts.

Marianne Smyth styles her denim bermuda shorts. Image: Instagram/@smythsisters.

If you embraced the jort (aka the jean short) this year, good news! According to our fashion experts, the style is sticking around for another season.

On the Nothing To Wear podcast, Mamamia's Chelsea Hui spoke to the style's continued popularity, polarising as it might be.

"I don't think they're going anywhere," she said. [The jort] is on-trend, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a trend now, just because we've seen it stick around for the last few seasons."

If you're looking for an upgrade, swap baggy jean shorts for tidier bermuda styles in lighter colourways — they're more in-line with fashion's preppy new mood.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

Feature image: Instagram/@_tamaradavis_@emeliamorrisstylist.