As far as denim styles go, straight-leg jeans offer the most versatility when piecing together a look. With slim-straight legs and a relaxed fit, they’re the perfect neutral base for nearly any outfit. So you’d think knowing how to style straight-leg jeans is as simple as putting clothes on.
And yet, it’s the silhouette I’ve struggled the most with. Where wide-leg jeans or boyfriend jeans create an instant statement, straight-leg denim can read so neutral that I find it requires more effort to create a non-boring look. But recently I’ve been wanting to make more use of my favorite straight-fit jeans (the Reformation Cynthia High-Rise Jeans, to paint you a picture). Unlike skinny jeans, this style of denim has a wider opening at the hem that makes it more comfortable and gives off a cool, laid-back vibe. There’s a reason it’s the denim of choice for that model off-duty look. And so, I have stepped in front of the mirror with several tops, jackets, and shoes with the ultimate goal of learning how to style straight-leg jeans. And I’m here to share what I learned.
A great source of fashion inspiration for me also comes from the streets of New York. If I ever want fresh outfit ideas, all I need to do is put on some dark shades and sit outside a café, espresso in hand, and people watch. But because taking photos of strangers is frowned upon, I’ve done the next best thing and curated the following professionally taken street style photos for you instead. Here are all the straight-leg jeans looks I’ll be recreating come spring.
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Old Navy Low-Rise Slouchy Straight Jeans
FindThy Oversized Faux-Leather Jacket
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Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans
Spanx SpanxShape Authentic 360 ’90s Straight-Leg Jeans
How to style straight-leg jeans for spring 2026
The Off-Duty Outfit
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