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How to wear granny jeans for summer 2026, with outfit formulas from fashion insiders
Look to the likes of Khaite and Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2026 collections for further context – the runways are firmly leaning towards classic denim styles.
Courtesy of Khaite
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The granny jean’s charm lies in its versatility: they happily slot in to a very classic wardrobe, but equally can act as a base for your personality pieces to shout from (look to Dior‘s use of dramatic capes with classic jeans on the runway, for example).
Your favourite stylish celebs are already on board, too. What do Margot Robbie, Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber all have in common? They’re all fans of a simple denim staple:
What are granny jeans?
It’s a fair question. And there isn’t an exact answer. Think of the granny jean as a concept, rather than a specific cut.
In terms of silhouette, the granny jean leans more into a vibe rather than a shape, but as a rule of thumb they’re never going to be oversized or extreme. Think a simple tapered or straight-leg denim, in a classic wash without bells or whistles. Like your mom jeans, but a little more demure. Definitely no rips or fades (Grandma would not approve).
How do you elevate a granny jean, you might ask? The key is to pair them with the right tops and shirts – depending on whether you want to lean classic or modern. And if you need more inspiration, there’s our guide on the best shoes to pair with granny jeans this season, to round out your look completely.
How to wear granny jeans, per a fashion writer.
1. Granny jeans + a matching denim top
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: A guest wears long straight dark hair with a center part, small stud earrings and a gold-tone wristwatch, a small red suede handbag with a gold metal ring handle, a dark indigo denim corset tank top with a scoop neckline, contrast yellow topstitching and a slight peplum hem, matching dark indigo denim straight-leg trousers with vertical contrast topstitch seams, and leopard-print pointed-toe pumps with stiletto heels, outside Jonathan Simkhai, during New York Fashion Week, on September 11, 2025 in New York, New York (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)Edward Berthelot/Getty Images