If you've got your finger on the sartorial pulse (or you've just been reading the Cosmo fashion section – hi, friends!), then you'll no doubt know distressed denim is a big autumn 2025 jeans trend. What you might be less confident about is how to wear the look...
Well, that's where we come in. We're happy to report that anyone and everyone really *can* wear this trend. It's all about finding your sweet spot on the distressed scale, from frayed raw-edge hems to fully shredded rips adorning a variety of jean silhouettes, including straight leg styles all the way through to baggy fits.
Once you've found the jeans for you, you'll then (more importantly) need to think about what to wear with them. Sure, you might want to lean into the rebellious teen associations, but you might be surprised to find that intentionally damaged denim can actually look quite polished when paired with the right pieces. Below, find the super stylish ways to wear distressed jeans that we're planning on recreating ASAP.
Go grunge
Distressed denim in its very nature has a rugged, tough vibe. Lean into this with the rest of your look by wearing your jeans with a leather jacket. Oversized designs work best, and you could try layering a hoodie underneath, too, for extra warmth *and* style points. Boots provide the perfect finishing touch.
Cool and casual
As well as looking grungey, distressed denim is inherently at the more casual end of the denim spectrum. Again, don't fight the fabric; instead, lean into the existing style cues with a jumper and trainers. To keep your ‘fit feeling intentional as opposed to thrown together, opt for a statement jumper as opposed to your go-to post-workout sweatshirt and colour-coordinate your trainers to your knitwear.
Dress them up
That being said, there's no reason you can't dress up distressed denim. Depending on your workplace dress code and the distress level of your jeans, there's no reason you couldn't wear yours to the office when paired with a tailored blazer and heels. A small tear with minimal fraying should be totally acceptable, but we'd advise sticking to a maximum of two tears to avoid tipping into inappropriate territory.
Everyone's clicking on...
Head West
Combine two trends in one and style your distressed jeans with a Western fringed or suede (or both!) jacket and cowboy boots. Your jacket and footwear should be the statement pieces in this look, rather than trying to compete for attention against your distressed denim. Opt for a pair of jeans with minimal rips and tears or white jeans to keep everything looking and feeling clean.
Cute and cosy
Not convinced about distressed denim? Start small with a pair of jeans that feature just a small rip or two. A white t-shirt and cosy cardigan will keep you firmly in your comfort zone, while Mary Janes or ballet flats on your feet will add extra contrast and provide a soft, feminine feel.
Stick to dark wash denim
If you want to smarten up a pair of distressed jeans, the easiest way to do this is by sticking to dark wash denim. A deep navy or almost-black shade has more polish than a true blue or light wash hue. A button-down shirt feels less out of place in your ensemble when worn with dark-wash distressed jeans.
Failsafe formula
Jeans and a nice top is a fail-safe outfit formula for good reason, and that extends to distressed denim, too. We love how this stylish Fashion Week attendee has dressed up her jeans with an eye-catching, one-shoulder satin top that is perfectly colour-matched to her bottom half and accessories.
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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!
