Warning: we are about to discuss skinny jeans. And no, not in a “thank God that's over” type of way. If you were an avid follower of trends between roughly 2006 and 2015, there's a good chance you've spent the past few years praying that this particular fit of jeans never, ever enters the trend cycle again. Regretfully, we have to inform you that your pleas were ignored by the fashion gods. Skinny jeans are officially back.

Listen, it's not going to be as bad as you think. You're remembering the skintight drainpipes, styled with glitzy tops and platform heels; the indie girls with their Chelsea boots and Alexander McQueen skull scarves; the OG autumn girl blueprint of jeggings tucked into Uggs. There are elements of those looks that still hold up today (Kate Moss, we salute you) and there are others that send a shudder down our spine (we won't name names). But we'll be the first to admit that… choices were made.

The current skinny jean re-up, however, isn't about totally shunning our past sartorial misadventures. Styling them for a new decade requires a penchant for nostalgia, an eye for modern details and, occasionally, a sense of humour. Want to go full noughties Victoria Beckham glamazon? Believe it or not, there's a modern update for that. You've just got to figure out how to make it work for you, right now, in the big year of 2026. And usually, the key to nailing it is actually really simple: just be more intentional with your shoe and top pairings.

But don't just take our word for it. Off the back of trends such as indie sleaze, skinny jeans have made a runway revival over the past few years, too. From Gucci to Celine, Balenciaga to Chloé, the message from all the major fashion houses is loud and clear: it's time to to put the baggy jeans away and slip into something a little more snug.

Still not convinced? We reckon the following modern skinny jeans styling formulas might change your mind. From cropped cuts with ballerinas, to second-skin jeans with oversized shirts, there's something here for everyone – even the most reluctant skinny jeans sceptics. You'll be back in your Joni Jeans in no time.

Alexa Chung was (and still is!) one of our ultimate skinny jeans style inspos. But where her 2010s looks were all indie sleaze and undone glamour, her more recent outfits tend to be a little more prim and proper, leaning into her love for vintage cuts with a modern twist. As it happens, that's also a pretty genius way to style skinny jeans, entirely removing them from the 2010s context and into more sophisticated territory. Naturally, we'd suggest picking up a piece from Chung's latest Reformation collab to help you on your way – and don't forget this season's hero shoe, the heeled ballerina. Outrageously chic.

The next skinny jeans style muse we're looking at is Kate Moss. The supermodel typically likes her jeans dark and extra tight, opting for shades of black, grey and indigo, and styling them with off-duty rock star energy. For 2026, you can channel that vibe by gravitating to classic pieces with subtly modern details – sleek riding boots with a slightly more streamlined shape, for example, or an oversized check shirt in a more sophisticated colour palette than the ones hipsters used to wear. Finish the look with an attention-seeking, fur-trimmed jacket. You wouldn't want to blend in, would you?

Remember what we said about updating peak noughties VB glitz for 2026? Well this is how you do it. The key is to practice restraint without sacrificing glamour. Our suggestion? Stick to a colour palette of black and brown to keep you in a sleek-neutral zone. For the jeans, you can't get more classic than a good ol' pair of skinny Levi's, especially when paired with kitten heels. And listen, just because we're practicing restraint, that doesn't mean you can't wear sequins. Look for tops that balance their shimmer with an earthier texture such as knit, then top whole thing off with a timeless leather trench. Posh Spice would be proud.

Now that we're officially in the throes of autumn, comfort is king when we're getting dressed in the morning. And just because you have memories for feeling restricted in skinny jeans, it doesn't mean your should write them off when you want to feel cosy. In this instance, we suggest a slight sartorial slight of hand: don't go full skinny, try a snug straight-leg instead. Yes, it might seem like cheating, but with the right fit and styling, they'll read as skinny jeans. Pair with loafers, rolled up woolly socks, a striped jumper and fluffy fur coat. Pumpkin spice in an outfit.

Sometimes the simplest outfits are the ones we're most likely to wear again and again. Example: blue skinny jeans, a raglan tee, trainers and a cute chain. So easy it seems like scam. But – and this is an important but – there are ways to make it more interesting and fashion forward. When choosing your trainers, look for modern designs and textures, such as suede and balletcore-coded satin. For your raglan tee, opt for a boxier cut that feels lived in. Like we said, we're not reinventing the wheel here – but it doesn't hurt to polish the spokes.