Getty ImagesThere's a reason jeans never go out of style.
Like T-shirts (and many other timeless wardrobe staples), denim trends are always evolving. Sure their silhouettes aren't particularly new (you can thank the '70s for your bell-bottoms and the '80s for your mom jeans), but today's designers keep them relevant by putting fresh spins on classic shapes.
Take Emma Roberts' cropped pair for example. Their slightly-baggy, straight-legged nature can be credited to the '90s, but it's the raw-hemmed edges that keep them current. This style didn't really become popular until 2015, and that's why although the overall cut of the pants aren't new by industry standard, they certainly feel and look like it. A styling tip to take from the Scream Queens actress would be to modernize the ensemble further by rocking a bomber jacket and some sneakers. Want to take this look to the office? Chunky heels would add a little polish.
Ankle zippers were originally created for bikers, so they could comfortably wear clunky, combat-esque boots with their tight pants. It's still an edgier trend (clearly fit for badass chicks like Fergie), but today's variations have given the look a more refined finish. Instead of being a short zipper on the outside seam, they've moved the embellishment to the inner ankle and positioned them a little higher up to flash a little more skin. The style goes with basically anything, like the cool mom's tied striped blouse and oversized tote bag, so have fun playing into the moto look or dress yours up with pointed-toe pumps and a cozy, light grey cashmere sweater.
Victoria's Secret angel Romee Strijd is wearing the beloved '90s-inspired bootcut jean...just in a new way. First things first, the pants have been reinvented. About a decade ago, denim waists were almost always low-rise, but that's a little outdated for today. As any fashion lover knows, high-waisted anything is where it's at. Also, more new than a frayed hem is the two-toned accent you've been seeing at the bottom of many fresh-on-the-scene styles. The model chose a more laid-back approach in the outfit department, topping off her look with a bandana.
It used to be that in the '80s you earned the holes in your jeans a.k.a. wore them until they wore out. Clearly (see Diane Kruger's crazy-distressed pair), that's no longer the case. The point of all the tears is for your denim to look lived in and a baggier fit ties into that theme well. Do as Diane and mix your menswear-inspired, high-waisted boyfriend jeans with more feminine pieces like a fitted striped top and cat-eye sunglasses.
Here's another fine example of a new kind of distressing. Rita Ora's double knee rips are extremely common in today's denim styles because of their controlled rebellion. Instead of going with more femme garments on top, the singer chose to pair her look with sporty accents—tapping into another new trend: athleisure. A pair of sneakers seals the deal for this new style of skinny jean.