Denim is undeniably a year-round staple. In fact, our jeans are easily the most-worn pieces in our entire wardrobes. But this spring, the fashion set is ditching their true blues in favour of something fresher.
Admittedly, we're not straying far. We're *still* wearing jeans, we're just opting for alternative shades that tap into the SS26 trend for coloured denim. If you hear the phrase ‘coloured denim’, we wouldn't blame you if you instantly pictured skinny jeans in bright, bold, saturated shades resembling the contents of a Skittles packet. This look was the unofficial pop punk uniform of the noughties and 2010s.
Thankfully, the look has been updated for spring 2026 and favours softer hues pulled from nature. Think washes of khaki and olive green, beige and off-white, plus Easter-adjacent colourways of pale pink and lemon yellow that feel so aligned with the season.
See Next's lemon yellow cropped straight leg jeans as the perfect example. The straight leg fit is ideal for a sunny wash of colour. Anything bigger, like a wide-leg or baggy silhouette, would risk being overwhelming. A mid-rise waist promises a comfortable and flattering fit, with the hems finishing just above the ankle, making them an ideal choice for showcasing your favourite footwear.
Style these jeans with neutral staples like white tees and slouchy brown leather jackets. It's the easiest way to look effortlessly chic and on trend, as it requires very little change to the rest of your outfit yet manages to feel like a whole new ensemble.
An instant spring update!
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
