5 Jeans Styles That Women Over 40 Should Avoid Wearing

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When you consider the alternative, it's clear that aging is a gift. Women, in particular, are told to resist getting older, but embracing those natural changes can be liberating. Your wardrobe doesn't have to transform drastically once you hit a certain age, but being aware of how different pieces feel as the years go on is a powerful way to keep looking your best. Jeans especially tend to be a source of stress for women of all ages, so understanding which styles typically work and which don't can make all the difference as you curate an intentional wardrobe after the age of 40.

Personal stylist Erin Stoll believes that choosing jeans after 40 largely comes down to how each style makes you feel rather than trying to follow generic, ageist rules. "One of the most amazing things about being in our 40s and beyond is that we finally start to dress for ourselves," explains Stoll, the creator of Style Thief Fashion. "My style philosophy, and what I help my clients try to focus on, is wearing what feels good to them." Speaking exclusively to Glam, Stoll warns against impulsively adhering to denim trends, as not every fad will suit every person. 

Feeling good is the primary criterion to consider when choosing jeans in your 40s, but there are some styles that are more likely to suit you than others. No jeans silhouette should be a total write-off if you feel good in it, but at the same time, some of the more controversial styles, such as skinny jeans and low-rise jeans, are often not flattering. "The good news is that because there are so many different jeans styles out there, we are in a time where anything goes," Stoll says, adding that for every style that might not work for you, there are many more than will, no matter your age. 

No denim style is as polarizing as skinny jeans. Popular with millennials in the 2010s, skinny jeans were largely rejected by Gen Z and the rest of popular culture at the start of the 2020s only to have brief stints of resurgence in between the baggier styles of the decade. But whether it's trendy or not, this silhouette is generally not the best move for women over 40. According to Erin Stoll, the "super skinny" style is one she'd "like to see women move away from" — but only if they no longer make you feel your best. "If you still have these pairs, you may notice that it's hard to style them, and you may feel stifled and limited when you try to pair them with ankle boots (often they are too long) and they feel unbalanced with the more oversized, relaxed silhouettes in tops and jackets we are seeing," the stylist shares.

Of course, a skinnier style doesn't have to be off the cards if that's the design you feel the most comfortable in, but there are ways to wear it that may help you look and feel better. "Now, I don't agree that skinny jeans are 'out' completely," Stoll notes in our exclusive chat, admitting that a slimmer design can still work with the right styling. One of the jeans mistakes making you look older is pairing a dated style — like skinny jeans — with other retro pieces. If you're devoted to your skinnies, team them up with contemporary silhouettes, like the oversized blazer. Skinny black jeans, in particular, complement an oversized blazer.

Several Y2K trends have resurfaced over the years, but for women in their 40s, low-rise denim might not be the best way to honor this era. Erin Stoll believes that "dangerously low-rise" jeans are the antithesis to the more flattering "bootcut/flare jeans that actually hit at your waist." The major problem with low-rise denim — and why it tends to be an unwise choice for women of all ages — is that it has a shortening effect on your frame, unlike high-rise jeans, which create the illusion of longer legs. Those who are petite might not want to go for high-rise jeans, either, since they can reach above the waist on a shorter torso, but mid-rise won't cut your stature the way low-rise will. There's also a plethora of other potential issues that result from this style, including the fact that they draw attention to your mid-section when you might not want them to, and they can also feel like they're slipping off. 

Speaking to Glam exclusively, Stoll recommends going for a higher-rise option, and while straight-leg works, don't be afraid to experiment with flared bottoms. "That style feels fresh again and looks great on so many body types and sizes. The slight flare balances fuller hips, thighs, and tummies, and elongates your legs (especially if you add a little bit of a heel)," she tells us. As an added tip, Stoll advises going for "pairs with larger back pockets" since they can have a flattering effect on your backside.

They had their place in the '90s, and now baggy jeans have returned to the fore as a favorite of the younger generations — some of whom are too young to realize that they are a throwback to a bygone era. Jeans got baggier in 2024 — and we're seeing new iterations of the same style in 2025 — but that doesn't automatically make them a great choice for those over 40. The main issue with baggy denim is it can have a swallowing effect on smaller bodies, but it's also just hard to get right. If your baggy jeans don't land, then they just look like denim that doesn't fit you properly. That can lead to your whole outfit feeling like it hasn't been put together well, which is energy we generally want to move away from as we get older. 

If putting aside your baggy jeans has left some space in your rotation, Erin Stoll suggests going for straight-leg denim instead. "This is different from the super-tight skinny jegging we got used to," she confirms exclusively to Glam. "A classic straight-leg jean, such as Levi's 501s or the Perfect Vintage Straight from Madewell, will stand the test of time no matter what other denim trends come and go. The straight leg is the most versatile to style from season to season shoe-wise." Older women can absolutely wear the straight-leg jeans trend, too, and styling them is easy. They work with just about everything, from heels and mules to denim jackets and sweaters. "You can pair them with a blazer and pumps for work, sneakers and a button down on the weekend," Stoll says, "[or] a silk blouse and heels for date night.

In our exclusive chat with Erin Stoll, the personal stylist makes it clear that skinny jeans tend not to be a great choice for women in their 40s, and that feeling also extends to jeggings. Similar to skinny jeans, jeggings maintain that slim silhouette but are typically crafted with more polyster or rayon — and sometimes, they aren't made with denim at all. "I'm talking about the super-tight, super-stretchy pairs that cling to every part of you, [and] are so stretchy that by the end of the day you can pull them off without unbuttoning them!" Stoll explains. Think of jeggings as having a similar feel to yoga pants but appearing as jeans. Comfy though they may be, Stoll doesn't love this style because the fabric is the opposite of flattering, noting, "The super-thin fabric clings where you don't want it to, and gets saggy and baggy or is so tight that it creates creases and wedgies in the back ... and front. No thank you!"

Even if you've always avoided jeggings, it's still important to take the fabric into account with every new pair of jeans that you purchase. "This matters and affects the fit so much," Stoll adds. "Look at the fabric content and try styles that are mostly cotton with 1% to 2% elastane or spandex. These will still stretch to move with your body, but they won't get stretched out and baggy. A little more cotton in the fabric, and one that is more substantial will hold everything in place, lift your butt, and last longer." As for specific brands, she says, "Brands like Madewell, Universal Standard, and, yes, the OG Levi's will have well-made, higher-quality denim."

Capri jeans are a trend that never stays buried for long. Forever returning to popularity before inevitably declining again, you'll always have the chance to rock this cropped style if it's one of your favorites. But if it's not, then you may want to steer clear of it as you build the perfect capsule wardrobe for your 40s. No matter what the trends say, capri pants are widely perceived as an outdated clothing mistake that makes you look older. It's simply a matter of proportions and lines: Even if you have Gigi Hadid-length legs, capris still cut you off in the widest part of the calf, which creates the illusion of the legs being shorter and wider than they are. If you're looking for a shorter or cropped style of denim, check out cuffed jeans, the previously outdated trend making a comeback in 2025.

Credit where it's due, capri jeans are comfy, especially in the summer months. Despite what the style gods say, you still shouldn't feel pressured to give them up if they're among your favorite denim styles. Erin Stoll tells Glam exclusively that it's worth experimenting with a wide variety of styles once you hit 40 and then sticking with what works, regardless of what looks good in theory. "And yes," she assures us. "Anyone can wear any style of jeans out there, no matter your size, shape, height, or age. It's about finding the fit, style, and length that feels best for you."