The bottom half of 2026's menswear silhouette is shifting away from the slim, skinny cuts that have dominated for over a decade. Pleats and straight legs are both making a real comeback — here's what's driving it.
Pleats Return
Pleated trousers are trending specifically for the added length and subtlety they bring to a silhouette — the extra fabric at the waist creates a more relaxed drape through the leg than a flat-front cut, and the added visual length tends to elongate the overall look. It's a notable shift from the closely fitted trousers that have dominated menswear tailoring for years.
Straight-Leg Jeans as a Classic Revival
Straight-leg jeans are having their own comeback as what stylists describe as a "classic revival," moving away from both the skinny cuts of the 2010s and the extreme baggy cuts that trended briefly after. The straight leg offers a middle ground that reads as timeless rather than tied to any single trend cycle, making it a safer long-term investment for anyone rebuilding a denim rotation.
Updating a Denim Rotation
A straight-leg cut is one of the most versatile ways to update a denim wardrobe for 2026 without chasing a more extreme silhouette. The VacationGrabs High Rise Flare Jeans offer a similarly classic, elongating silhouette for anyone building out this trend on the women's side.
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