For Summer 2026, Ditch Your Basic Jeans For This Elevated Denim Trend

Denim trends are seldom fleeting. Even when a particular cut, silhouette, or wash goes out of style, it typically returns back to the mainstream within a couple years — or retains a cult following. Such is the case with split-hem jeans; now, we're seeing the cut make a slow yet steady comeback. While split-hem pants were one of the leading denim trends in fall 2025, they've since proven that their return is not a fluke. With celebs like Venus Williams bringing them into summer 2026 in an updated, chic manner, the straight-leg, split-hem style should be your go-to denim cut this season. 

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One of our favorite ways to style trendy split-hem jeans is by pairing them with high heels. While heeled boots — like the stiletto boots Kendall Jenner wore with her split-hem jeans in 2017 — are a particularly stylish option, for summer 2026, heeled mules or on-trend wedge sandals are updated takes appropriate for warmer weather. While jeans and heels never go out of style, there are plenty of other shoes and clothing items to pair with split-hem jeans this season.

Split-hem jeans are incredibly versatile, and can be dressed up or down depending on how you style them. The most elevated take on split-hem jeans has to be the straight-leg cut that is on-trend for summer 2026. Straight-leg jeans can flatter every body shape, whether you are petite, curvy, and/or tall, and straight-leg jeans suit older women stylishly as well. So, no matter how old you are or what your figure looks like, this trend can work for you. In terms of styling split-hem straight-leg jeans for this season, try pairing them with flats instead of the expected high heels.  

While heeled shoes of different varieties (like the aforementioned heeled mules, wedge sandals, and boots) are excellent choices if you want to give your split-hem jeans a dressier vibe, flat shoes can provide a unique edge. Sneakers, mules, ballet flats, and even chunky loafers like the kind Venus Williams wore with her split-hem jeans in Paris for the 2026 French Open all pair perfectly with the elevated denim style. You can also experiment with trendy tops to go with your split-hem denim, like sleeveless muscle tanks or sheer t-shirts, both of which are en vogue for summer 2026. Of course, a blazer always looks great when paired with denim, so you can always try one in a light color and thin, warm-weather-appropriate fabric for a more classic-looking split-hem jeans ensemble.