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here are very few things in fashion that can unite us all, but denim is one of them. Whether you’re a one good pair forever person or someone who owns 25 styles and is still convinced you need more,
The Denim Issue
PRESENTED BY
BY DEENA CAMPBELL
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2026
T
DEENA CAMPBELL,
Fashion and Beauty Director
denim is the backbone of our wardrobes. And at the heart of it all is cotton. It's the fiber that gives denim its structure, softness and that magical ability to get better the more you wear it. And yet, shopping for jeans is almost like taking a personality test. Do you go wide leg or straight? Vintage wash or ecru? Low rise…are we really doing this again?
In our Denim Issue, we’re cutting through the noise with real advice on how to style, shop and care for the pieces that deserve a spot in your closet. No unwearable trends. No mystery fabrics. And, we’re definitely not pretending everyone needs the same pair of jeans.
Consider this your permission slip to ignore the noise and embrace the denim that finally makes you feel good (and your butt look even better).
PureWow Editors on the One Pair of Jeans They Just Can't Quit
FASHION / DEENA CAMPBELL
If your closet is anything like ours, it contains at least one pair of jeans you’ve been meaning to donate, another that only fits after a very specific workout and one pair you swear you’ll wear once the weather cools down. Then there’s the pair. The jeans you reach for without thinking. The ones that somehow work with everything. So we posed an impossible question to our team: If you could only keep one pair of jeans, which would it be?
READ MORE
FASHION / CATRINA YOHAY
I Found the Holy Grail of Jeans—So Naturally I Bought Them in 3 Washes
How to Style Straight-Leg Jeans 7 Different Ways
FASHION / Deena Campbell
Denim Worth the Hype
Levi’s
Baggy Dad Women's Jeans
$59.98 | BUY IT
The Barrel-Leg Jean
madewell
$148 | BUY IT
Kenny High-Rise Tapered Barrel Jeans
pilcro
$148 | BUY IT
The denim Issue
septemBER 2026
READ MORE
shutterstock/dasha burobina for PureWow
dasha burobina for PureWow
SHUTTERSTOCK /dasha burobina for PureWoW
EDWARD BERTHELOT/GETTY IMAGES
The Case for Giving Up Your Skinnies
FASHION / Sarah Stiefvater
Nordstrom/SplashNews.com/Shutterstock/Quince
Yes, There's a Right Way to Wear a Denim Jacket
FASHION / Deena Campbell / Abby Hepworth
AYR /dasha burobina for PureWow
The Way-High Curve Jean
Everlane
$88 | BUY IT
Taylor Bandana Wide-Leg Jean
veronica beard
$398 | BUY IT
Taylor Relaxed Barrel Ultra High Rise 31" Jeans
DL1961
$249 | BUY IT
Finding the right pair starts with finding the right wash. Whether you’re debating between black jeans or vintage blue, here’s how to tell them apart and exactly when each one shines. (Pro tip: stick with natural fabrics like cotton which are versatile, durable and less likely irritate your skin.)
BY DEENA CAMPBELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA LAO
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2026
Straight Leg
From pointed-toe shoes to sharp slits, anything that comes to a sharp point can have a figure-lengthening effect. It draws the eye vertically and tricks the beholder into seeing a longer, sleeker figure.
SHARPEN YOUR ACCENTS - LITERALLY
STEPHANIE MAIDA, 5'1"
Senior Commerce Editor
Advice that applies to formalwear as well as cardigans and blouses. This draws the eye downward, creating the illusion of length. Don’t want to show so much skin? The same vibe can be achieved with a plunging neckline over a light-colored tank or shell.
GO FOR THE DEEPEST V YOU CAN STOMACH
JILLIAN QUINT, 5'1"
Editor-in-Chief
Yes, you can still wear a bold print when you have a shorter frame. The trick is to balance it with a solid color. A figure-hugging style—like this silky spandex-style top—also helps to define your silhouette. This way, a large print looks proportional without overpowering.
BALANCE A BIG PRINT WITH A SOLID COLOR
CHELSEA CANDELARIO, 5'0"
Beauty and Cultures Editor
The easiest way to improve the fit of a coat is to simply take the belt out of the belt loops. Oftentimes, those loops don’t hit at a petite person’s natural waist, so if you simply ignore them, it changes the whole fit.
IGNORE BELT LOOPS
RACHEL BOWIE, 5'2"
Senior Director, Special Projects
The Denim Trend Meter
The Wash Guide
shop the wash
mid wash
dark indigo
black denim
ecru
gray wash
The denim equivalent of a perfectly broken-in white T-shirt.
Crisp white
Buttery cream
Chocolate
Best Color Pair
When to Wear
TRENDY
TIMELESS
Slim Straight
Bootcut
Wide Leg
Relaxed
Barrel
The Denim Trend Meter
shutterstock/dasha burobina for PureWow
The Denim Issue
septemBER 2026
time-tested picks, starting at just 60 bucks
Brunch with the girls.
When to Wear
Navy
Red
Classic Breton stripes
Best Color Pair
Not too light, not too dark, mid wash is denim's happy medium.
After-work drinks!
When to Wear
Oxblood
Charcoal
Emerald
Best Color Pair
The best choice when the dress code calls for sharp casuals.
Date night. Concerts. Gallery openings. Tuesday.
When to Wear
Crisp white
Camel
Saturated jewel tones
Best Color Pair
The versatility of blue jeans with the edge of leather.
Daytime events or anywhere with a relaxed dress code.
When to Wear
Chocolate brown
Dusty blue
Terracotta
Best Color Pair
Easy to style, especially with other earthy neutrals and rich textures.
When black feels too serious.
When to Wear
Lavender
Forest green
Silver accessories
Best Color Pair
Plays especially well with monochromatic outfits and minimalist wardrobes.
Time-tested picks, starting at just 60 bucks.
shutterstock/dasha burobina for PureWow
The denim Issue
septemBER 2026
Dress it up or down. Wear it anytime you want!
vintage blue
shop the wash
shop the wash
shop the wash
shop the wash
shop the wash