What jeans will be especially relevant in the spring-summer 2026 season? Ankle-length in the style of the 1990s. We tell you how to wear them best.
Cropped jeans: a 1990s style is back this spring
Not so long ago, relaxed, loose silhouettes dominated fashion. One of the main models was jeans that completely covered the shoes. Everyone remembers well the summer of 2024, when socks could barely be seen from under the trousers. Now the mood has noticeably changed. Straight jeans have established themselves as the leading denim trend, and cropped models have returned to the spotlight. We are talking about ankle-length – these are the options that were especially loved by the style icons of the 1990s: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Jennifer Aniston to Julia Roberts.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
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Ankle-length jeans in street style
It's no surprise that ankle-length jeans, or cropped jeans, from the 1990s are making a comeback. After the Love Story craze, it seems like everyone has collectively started copying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's style. And she was known to regularly wear cropped jeans, especially Levi's 517s, with a slightly flared leg. Ankle-length jeans have been everywhere lately, including on the runways. For example, at Celine's Spring/Summer 2026 show, they were paired with socks and classic derbies.
However, ankle-length jeans are not always easy to style. Finding the right length that ends at the ankle and creates the right silhouette is not easy. If the model is too short, it feels like the jeans are too small. If it is not short enough, the effect of this model disappears. That is why the cut, fit and exact proportions are crucial. Before buying, you should consider not only the style, but also how the jeans fit on your height.
Based on material from vogue.de