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A stylist and trend forecaster break down the latest denim trend — plus 14 options to shop

"The ‘90s has been making its way back into our zeitgeist."
Split image of a women in a jean skirt
Vivian Le/ TODAY

Whether you cringe when seeing photos of the all-denim outfits celebrities used to rock or you are fully committed when it comes to sporting blue jean basics, we're here to tell you: Denim maxi skirts are the most recent '90s trend that is back.

You read that right — denim maxi skirts, which were once popular in the last millennium, are among a surge of trends from the decade that younger generations are bringing back.

From light wash to ankle-length options, we found the best for every body type, style and aesthetic. Trend forecaster Kendall Becker broke down the craze for us, while stylist Kat Eves explained how to shop and style this comeback trend.

Finding a denim maxi skirt| How to style | Why are these trending? | Denim maxi skirts to shop | Meet the experts

How to find the best denim maxi skirt for you

Eves has one thing she wants everyone to keep in mind when shopping for a long denim skirt, and it's how comfortable you'll be in one.

"With anything you're going to buy, really focus on how comfortable you are in it," she says. "I know that sounds really straightforward, but especially for women shoppers who will try to choose clothing based on trying to make their body fit the clothing versus making sure that the clothing fits the body."

With denim in particular, the buttons and zipper areas near the hip and midsections tend to be constricting. Purchasing a piece that you're most comfortable in will lengthen the lifetime of the product, according to Eves.

"If it doesn't fit comfortably, you're just never going to wear it," she says. "The purpose of shopping should be that it's going to be something that you're actually going to wear and love. And so don't try to force it."

Let's say you find a denim maxi skirt at the store and fall in love while trying it on but it's too long, the size isn't right or it doesn't seem to fit in the places you want it to, Eves recommends taking it to a tailor to ensure a perfect fit.

"Just like any other item of clothing...a good denim skirt can be tailored," she says. "So if you find something that's just a little too big but you like the style of it, I say go for it. If you have a good local tailor you can take things to, then you have a whole world of possibilities."

How to style a denim maxi skirt

When styling a denim maxi skirt, in order to ensure it has a long lifetime and surpasses stereotypical trend cycles, Eves suggests purchasing one similar to a classic pair of jeans. You want to find one that has "classic lines and a fit that you feel really good in," suggests Eves. This way, it stands the test of time.

Eves notes that while it's fun to play with a pop of color or patterns from time to time, what's really going to help the longevity of your denim maxi skirt and ensure that you wear it more often than not is reaching for those classic options.

"The nice thing about [a] denim skirt is like a pair of jeans, they don't go out of style," she says. "The more you step out of those classic cuts and colors and styles, the less likely you are to hold onto it forever, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't play with things, but as for something that's going to last the test of time, there's nothing like a classic black or blue skirt that's always going to be comfortable in your closet."

In terms of what to wear with your newfound (or found again) staple, it's as simple as thinking about what you would match with your favorite pair of jeans, she adds.

"When it comes to styling then, you're always going to have different options," she says. "You can dress it up with your going-out tops, which are making a comeback right now. You can also wear it with a classic T-shirt. There are lots of different ways."

Why are these skirts trending?

"Previously, denim maxi skirts ruled the ‘90s and ranged age groups at its peak," says Becker. "As new 'it' decades hit the trend scene post-Y2K boom, we’ve seen consumers pulling inspiration from their favorite eras; most notably, the ‘90s has been making its way back into our zeitgeist. From the little white tanks to vintage-feeling jackets, the denim maxi skirt is a natural fit for minimalism but “make it cool.""

Claw clips and disposable cameras are just two of the many examples of products that have come back into style thanks to today's generations of teenagers and young adults. Becker believes that due to the overall modernity of this trend, and the way denim itself is considered a staple in many closets, this trend isn't going anywhere.

"Maxi skirts are rising at the same time as this overall market trend; while its classic lengths align with the trend cycle, making denim maxi skirts feel more like a trend, even though denim itself is a staple," she says. "This trend will undoubtedly stay strong through the upcoming fall/winter 2023 season and we’ll start to see it fade and evolve into newness come next spring."

"Thanks to Gen Z’s infatuation with vintage and sustainable ways of shopping, past decades are becoming a popular point of interest, but instead of sticking to just one decade, consumers are picking and choosing their favorite pieces from across the years that most align with their personal style," Becker explains.

Best denim maxi skirts, according to shoppers and stylists

Cider Denim Washed High Waisted Split Skirt

This budget-friendly pick comes in a just-right blue wash with soft fading for a perfectly worn-in look. Thanks to its smart and flattering slanted front slit, wearers won't be sacrificing comfort or mobility for style.

Skirt BL A-Line Maxi Jean Skirt

Here's a frugal find from Amazon with nearly 2,000 perfect, five-star ratings. This classic denim maxi skirt comes in a few different wash options and sizing ranges up to size 20.

Fashion2Love Long A-Line Stretch Denim Maxi Skirt

If a darker wash is your thing, give this jean skirt a try. This dark indigo number, which is available at Walmart, comes in both regular and plus sizing.

LISUEYNE Casual Stretch Waist Washed Denim Skirt

As the ultimate one-stop-shop, don't discount the fashion gems you can find at Amazon. This maxi-length option comes in over 20 different colors and styles, ranging from classic straight blue washes to fishtail shapes with embellishments, and has over 700 perfect, five-star ratings. Reviewers note to pay attention to the size chart and consider sizing up, as this affordable find runs a bit small.

YAL New York Tiered Denim Skirt

For a textured look, reach for this tiered denim skirt that includes four buttons on the first tier in place of a zipper. With elastic on the rear side of the waist, this skirt offers both a stretchy and fitted fit. Relish in the fact that this denim skirt has pockets, perfect for keys or chapstick.

Urban Outfitters BDG Mandi Denim Maxi Skirt

Urban Outfitters always has their finger on the pulse for the latest trends, and the denim maxi skirt did not escape the retailer's fashion forecasts this season. This option comes in a solid black wash or a blue-tinted denim wash for a casual, worn-in look.

NA-KD Slit Detailed Denim Maxi Skirt

Whether you prefer lighter tones or are a true-blue denim person, this flattering, high-waisted maxi skirt comes in both washes. The brand places an emphasis on sustainability in their pieces, so this skirt is made from 100% recycled cotton. So, in addition to looking chic and on-trend, you can feel extra good about your purchase.

NYDJ High-Waisted Denim Skirt

Available in white and black colorways, this denim skirt from NYDJ comes in sizes 00-18. Channeling the pencil skirt silhouette, this skirt has the same slimming effect as your favorite pair of high-waisted jeans.

Boden Denim Trouser Skirt

Eves recommends the brand Boden to anyone on the hunt for a long denim skirt. "I think that they have some pretty good options that are going to appeal to lots of personal style choices," she muses.

Free People Come As You Are Denim Maxi Skirt

We love the boho vibes of this wide, floor-grazing pick from Free People. While the skirt is made with a quality, rigid denim, it's got a loose enough shape to be comfortable to wear all day. In addition to classic light washes, this style comes in shades of black, white and rust.

Boden Denim Paneled Skirt

Another long denim skirt style we're eyeing from Boden is this floaty, loose midi. The dark, over-dyed wash is super wearable, and the cut is really fun — just imagine twirling in this!

Anthropologie Mare Mare Denim Flounce Skirt

This denim skirt lives up to the 'flounce' description in the name, as the design and silhouette make way for a little extra bounce when walking. This low-waisted skirt sits right at the hip bones, ample for those who are wanting to try the controversial trend.

Wool& Greta Denim Wrap Skirt

Another one of Eves' recommendations is this midi-length jean style.

"It's a wrap denim skirt, which I think is great," Eves gushes. "I love that because that's not something that you see in denim in particular, but wraps are something that a lot of people will feel a lot more comfortable in, it's a great fit."

Reformation Nila Long Denim Skirt

This trendy style from sustainably-minded fashion brand Reformation just dropped, and we think it's worth the splurge. The ultra-cool design features a crossover waistband for a super-flattering look that creates the illusion of a really cinched waist. If you want an option with a couple of extra inches in length, check out the brand's Tazz Maxi Denim Skirt, too.

Meet the experts

Kendall Becker wears lots of hats, including being a trend forecaster. Currently, Becker works as the fashion and beauty trends editor at Trendalytics. Formerly, she served as the assistant fashion director for Women’s RTW at Bloomingdale’s.

Kat Eves is a stylist who dresses everyone from, "celebrities to chefs to musicians to CEOs to new moms." A large portion of her work includes finding sustainable options to stock her clients closets, plus educating others on the harmful effects of the fashion world.