When it comes to denim trends, we have been well and truly spoiled this season. The autumn/winter 2025 runways were full of varying silhouettes, different washes and extra design features, making our go-to true blues more exciting than ever. Be it barrel legs taking us out of our straight leg comfort zone, drawstring designs offering maximum comfort or embellished details promising a party feel.
But the latest stand-out style to catch our eye is patch pocket jeans, easily distinguishable by the external front pockets situated like patches – you know, like the kind you'd usually see on the *back* of your jeans – positioned on your hips. While the silhouette has an inherently ‘70s feel, with patch pockets traditionally most commonly found on flared jeans, the style has been updated for 2025 and can now be seen adorning a variety of different cuts, shapes and leg lengths.
When it comes to finding the perfect pair for you, we'd recommend looking for a high waist fit that has plenty of room for the patch pockets to breathe. Oversized pockets or those with flap details will immediately draw the eye, ideal for creating the illusion of curves on boyish figures. However, if you prefer a more streamlined look over hips, try opting for smaller pockets. With endless variations of patch pocket jeans taking over the high street, social media feeds and even TV screens (via the flared denim Victoria Beckham was seen wearing in her Netflix documentary), there really is a style for everyone.
The best thing about this trend is you don’t have to break the bank to get in on the look. We spied this pair of Denim Rinse Cropped Patch Pocket Jeans from Next, retailing for just £38.
The key to styling these jeans is to tuck in whatever you're wearing on your top half to put the patch pockets on full display. Try adding a belt – like the popular studded styles at Khaite – to highlight your waist and balance out the proportions of the pockets. If you opt for knitwear, rather than tucking your jumper or cardigan entirely into your jeans and creating a bulky silhouette, go for a French tuck where you tuck just the front of your knit in.
Finally, footwear. When it comes to what shoes to wear, we'd recommend either boots or ballet flats with an elongated, pointed toe that will help create the illusion of length by drawing the eye down and offsetting the patch pockets.
So, if you’re looking to mix up your denim game and add a new style of jeans into your weekly rotation, you definitely need to give pocket jeans a try.
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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!
