We are smack bang in the middle of winter now and, like clockwork, the wardrobe fatigue has hit. Yep, it happens around this time every season. We've grown tired of wearing the same thing on repeat every day – no matter how snuggly our faux fur coats are or how cosy our knit co-ords may be – but next season feels too far away to get excited about. Not that the current Baltic temperatures would even allow us to wear the majority of the spring/summer 2026 fashion trends.
That’s where the latest denim trends come into their own. There is a whole host of new silhouettes, washes and design details coming to your denim this year. And because jeans comprise the basis of almost all of our outfit formulas year-round, it's the quickest and easiest way to achieve the outfit update we’re so desperately longing for.
The best part? There's no need to wait. The high street is already full of fresh denim, like these dark red relaxed straight jeans from River Island that tick off not one, but two trends.
We've long loved River Island's denim collection for its of-the-moment styles and comfortable, well-fitting cuts, and this latest pair is no exception. Crafted from 100% cotton, they feature a flattering high-rise waist and a relaxed straight leg that taps into the long and loose shape that was favoured on the SS26 runways at the likes of Khaite, Tibi and Acne Studios.
Perhaps the main and most obvious trend is the colourway. You don't need us to tell you burgundy is everywhere right now, with no signs of slowing down soon, and the rich, red wine hue perfectly nails the look. This year, you can expect to see more coloured denim coming to the fore as people swap their true blues for jeans in shades of green, pink and brown.
As for how to wear these beauties, you can't go wrong with coats and knitwear in similarly luxe neutral hues like grey, cream, khaki green and camel brown for casual weekends. Or, try pairing with a pastel pink shirt, just like the model, for more formal occasions like work or post-office drinks. This colour combo is set to be big news come spring, so earn extra style points by showing you're ahead of the trend.
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!
