\n\tDenim reclaimed its place in the zeitgeist in 2025. From global campaigns to stage-worthy looks, it was a year when celebrities, influencers and emerging style icons made headlines not just for their work, but for the jeans they chose to wear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Denim Hot List recognizes the movers, shakers and boundary-pushers who shaped the conversation. SJ Denim highlights the figures whose bold fashion choices, inspiring personal style and consistent influence transformed denim from an everyday staple into a cultural marker of identity and effortless cool.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe SJ Denim editors selected them for their influence on current trends \u2014 and for where denim is headed next. Though some are the faces of campaigns, their influence on the category runs far deeper than advertising. While Sydney Sweeney, for example, generated significant buzz with her American Eagle campaign, she was not included. While the ads sparked controversy and conversation, the overall affect on style and trends was muted.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t1.\t<\/h2>\n
\n\tFashion\u2019s Muse: Mahmood<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tThe Italian star\u2019s avant-garde take on denim is exactly why he sits at the top of this year\u2019s trendsetter list.<\/p>\n \n\tMaking music may be his day job, but setting trends has become Mahmood\u2019s unofficial side hustle.<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the Italian singer slightly stepped back from the spotlight this year \u2014 recovering from the emotional intensity of his third studio album, \u201cNei Letti Degli Altri\u201d ( \u201cIn Other People\u2019s Beds\u201d) \u2014 the trend driver didn\u2019t take a break from delivering jaw-dropping, gender-blurring looks.<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, oversize denim anchored his wardrobe, surfacing in some of his most memorable looks. One moment, he was strolling along the beach in oversize jorts and a leather jacket punctuated by a hyper-realistic tiger-head backpack; another, he paired slouchy, light-wash jeans with a deconstructed, lace-up top featuring a dramatic keyhole cutout \u2014 a silhouette that pushed his gender-blurring aesthetic even further. And on more than a few occasions, he customized his denim himself, layering brooches and charm-like accessories around his waist for an avant-garde-like finish.<\/p>\n \n\tFor red carpets, however, Mahmood dialed things in. At Prada\u2019s runway show, he opted for a snugger pair of jeans styled with a flannel \u2014 still effortless, but with a sharper, more tailored edge.<\/p>\n \n\tCementing his status as a formidable fashion force, the influential artist walked the runway for Yohji Yamamoto\u2019s fall 2025 menswear show in Paris, appearing in a sculptural layered look including a long, ivory coat worn over a structured black jacket and billowing cream trousers tucked into heavy black boots.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tTaking his relationship with designers to the next level, he followed the runway with a rare red carpet appearance at The Fashion Awards alongside designer Willy Chavarria earlier this month. On paper, it was one of his more pared-back looks \u2014 an oversize black coat worn with nothing underneath, giving a sensual, almost monastic edge, paired with slouchy black trousers. But the styling is what pushed it over the top. Mahmood debuted a new hairstyle, far removed from his usual clean-cut look, transforming the outfit from simple to striking.<\/p>\n \n\tAdding to an already impressive style r\u00e9sum\u00e9, he also landed a major campaign with European fashion giant Zalando for its spring 2025, starring alongside \u201cSex and the City\u201d actress Sarah Jessica Parker.<\/p>\n \n\tY2K Fever Dream: Zara Larsson<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tZara Larsson\u2019s latest era is powered by Y2K-infused denim, charms and sequins.<\/p>\n \n\tSwedish pop sensation Zara Larsson has the world in a trance.<\/p>\n \n\tThough Larsson first broke out in 2013 with her debut EP, \u201cIntroducing,\u201d it was this year that the tastemaker fully seized the zeitgeist, propelled by the runaway success of her infectious single \u201cMidnight Sun.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe track became a staple of her opening set on Tate McRae\u2019s sold-out \u201cMiss Possessive Tour,\u201d where Larsson leaned heavily into Y2K-inspired looks \u2014 most often built around a chic pair of micro denim shorts. But instead of treating denim as a simple base, she ignited a full-blown craving for jean accessories, adorning her denim and sequin shorts with an explosion of trinkets and charms that quickly became a signature.<\/p>\n \n\tLarsson carried the aesthetic offstage, too. She was spotted hiking in acid-wash purple jeans with a matching bra top and a charm-laden chain belt. And to promote her new album, she doubled down on the nostalgic energy, dancing in low-rise True Religion jeans with a chain draped across her hip, cementing her status as one of the most influential forces behind denim\u2019s latest Y2K resurgence.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Culture Curator: Beyonc\u00e9 Knowles-Carter<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tBeyonc\u00e9 Knowles-Carter\u2019s \u201cCowboy Carter\u201d era puts denim back in the cultural spotlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tBeyonc\u00e9 Knowles-Carter brought a jolt of excitement to the denim industry in 2025 through music, collaborations, stage costumes and one of Levi\u2019s largest global campaigns to date.<\/p>\n \n\tDedicated to honoring her Texan roots, the 35-time Grammy Award\u2013winning artist embraced custom Western denim \u2014 and trompe-loeil denim \u2014 throughout her nine-city \u201cCowboy Carter\u201d tour, wearing looks crafted by Diesel, Dsquared2, Levi\u2019s, Roberto Cavalli, Telfar and more. The Beyhive rose to the occasion as well, showing up in bootcut jeans, denim vests, Western shirts and personalized pieces that matched the tour\u2019s boundary-pushing spirit.<\/p>\n \n\tFor Levi\u2019s, the four-chapter \u201cReiimagine\u201d campaign featuring the \u201cLevii\u2019s Jeans\u201d singer became a platform to reintroduce its signature products to younger audiences while revitalizing the brand\u2019s iconic advertising through the vision of filmmaker Melina Matsoukas. \u201cI am honored to work with Levi\u2019s to create quintessential American iconography,\u201d Knowles-Carter said. \u201cDenim on denim has often been seen through a male lens, so this reimagining campaign, which celebrates the iconic female perspective, is important to me. I look forward to exploring innovative ways for our visions to align in empowering women and honoring their strength.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBeyond the commercials, the collaboration introduced a denim capsule collection inspired by Knowles-Carter\u2019s denim-on-denim looks, along with a series of reimagined logo ringer T-shirts. The moment positioned Levi\u2019s to own the head-to-toe denim lifestyle space in 2025, expanding further into denim skirts, dresses, tops and jumpsuits.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cLevi\u2019s isn\u2019t a legacy brand it\u2019s a brand with an incredible legacy that has consistently remained at the center of culture,\u201d said Kenny Mitchell, global chief marketing officer of the Levi\u2019s brand at Levi Strauss & Co. \u201cThrough Reiimagine and our partnership with Beyonc\u00e9, one of the most influential artists of our time, we\u2019re building on decades of classic Levi\u2019s iconography and celebrating what it means to lead with intent and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe campaign was a focal point in several of the company\u2019s earnings calls this year, during which Michelle Gass, Levi Strauss & Co. president and CEO, noted Knowles-Carter\u2019s cultural impact.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cOne of the things that really is significant about the Levi\u2019s brand, and we place a lot of emphasis and investment in making sure that Levi\u2019s brand remains in the center of culture. And I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any better evidence or proof point than having someone like Beyonc\u00e9, who is a culture shaper to actually name a song after us,\u201d Gass said.<\/p>\n \n\tDenim\u2019s Leading Cowgirl: Lainey Wilson<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tWrangler collaborator Lainey Wilson pushes the boundaries of Western denim.<\/p>\n \n\tFashion can\u2019t keep up with country music star Lainey Wilson.<\/p>\n \n\tWith deep roots in Western culture, it\u2019s no surprise that the ACM-, CMA- and Grammy Award-winning musician has a wardrobe anchored in denim. What is surprising, though, is the speed at which she\u2019s gone from wearing the category to shaping it \u2014 largely through her ongoing partnership with Wrangler.<\/p>\n \n\tWrangler first teamed with Wilson in 2023, tapping her for a fall campaign. The collaboration quickly evolved into codesigned collections, including styles for kids. By August of this year, the brand unveiled the fourth installment of the ever-growing partnership. Each drop pulls directly from Wilson\u2019s signature aesthetic: a fusion of vintage Western references, curve-accentuating flare and bell-bottom silhouettes and modern glam.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Wrangler x Lainey Wilson collections have exceeded expectations, delivering strong global sell-through and exceptional engagement across digital and retail channels. Beyond performance, Holly Wheeler, Kontoor Brands vice president of global brand marketing, said Wilson has helped \u201creinforce Wrangler\u2019s place at the center of culture, proving that Western wear can be both iconic and unmistakably current.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cLainey embodies the spirit of modern Western culture in a way that feels both deeply authentic and completely of-the-moment,\u201d Wheeler told SJ Denim. \u201cThe collaboration has been a driver of Wrangler\u2019s strategic initiative around female growth and has introduced the brand to her rapidly expanding fan base \u2014 from country music loyalists to fashion-forward consumers and those discovering Western style for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, the Kontoor Brands-owned heritage label even signed on as the exclusive apparel sponsor for Wilson\u2019s \u201cWhirlwind World\u201d tour, where Wrangler hosted on-site activations, photo ops, giveaways and retail pop-ups.<\/p>\n \n\tWilson\u2019s denim style shines on the road. Crystal-embellished three-piece suits, studded jeans, metallic coated flares and printed jumpsuits are paired with chain belts and oversize belt buckles.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cLainey\u2019s style is unmistakable \u2014 bold, confident and rooted in a real sense of identity. She blends classic Western elements with a contemporary, fashion-forward edge, making the look both aspirational and accessible. Consumers connect with her authenticity and the way she uses style as self-expression. She isn\u2019t following trends; she\u2019s shaping them, which is why audiences across genres and geographies are embracing her influence,\u201d Wheeler added.<\/p>\n \n\tDenim\u2019s Leading Man: Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tTimoth\u00e9e Chalamet turns denim fashion into pop culture moments.<\/p>\n \n\tFrom wearing a Haider Ackermann halter top at the Venice Film Festival to walking the Oscar\u2019s red carpet in a butter yellow tuxedo, actor Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet has built a reputation on fearless style. But even devoted followers of his fashion evolution couldn\u2019t have predicted his latest twist: a full-blown embrace of True Religion, which he debuted this year across a string of high-profile appearances for his Bob Dylan biopic, \u201cA Complete Unknown.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWhile True Religion has been steadily working to reintroduce its signature Y2K aesthetic \u2014 think statement stitching, low-slung fits and nostalgic collaborations \u2014 Chalamet has given that effort an unexpected jolt of cultural relevance. By choosing the brand\u2019s velvet denim coordinates for a film premiere, he\u2019s reframed its early 2000s identity into a vibe that feels sharp and modern.<\/p>\n \n\tTina Blake, True Religion\u2019s SVP design and brand image, said that having trendsetters like Chalamet wearing True Religion means the brand is doing something right. \u201cAs a brand, we love to stay ahead of the trends, and when someone as fashion forward as Timoth\u00e9e wears pieces from our collections, it\u2019s validation that we are hitting the right marks,\u201d she told SJ Denim.<\/p>\n \n\tChalamet did the same for Wrangler this year, wearing the heritage brand\u2019s black denim jacket and Western shirt to a film festival. He also wore the first custom men\u2019s look made by the Zac Posen-led GapStudio \u2014 a duchess satin Icon jacket and loose jeans \u2014 to 97th annual Academy Awards nominee dinner.<\/p>\n \n\tBrands are feeling the impact of Chalamet\u2019s fashion influence. According to Blake, buzz around True Religion surged after his appearances in the label. \u201cThere has been a lot of positive coverage, from Vogue to Hypebeast, Esquire and more, which is drawing global attention and helping the brand reach new audiences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Denim \u2018Rush\u2019: Troye Sivan \n\tIt\u2019s Troye Sivan\u2019s world, and everyone else is simply living in it.<\/p>\n \n\tAlthough the Australian heartthrob spent most of 2025 offstage \u2014 and much of it promoting his brand, TSU Lange Yor \u2014 his street style continued to solidify his status as a fashion trendsetter.<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, Sivan embraced a laid-back denim uniform, frequently pairing baggy jeans \u2014 a silhouette he unintentionally cemented as a signature through last year\u2019s Gap campaign \u2014 with an oversize shirt.<\/p>\n \n\tEven during rare returns to the stage \u2014 such as his surprise appearance at Dua Lipa\u2019s Melbourne show in March \u2014 Sivan kept the denim theme going, wearing sweat-like gray jeans with a matching hoodie.<\/p>\n \n\tThe denim streak extended into his birthday celebrations as well. While performing alongside longtime friend Charli XCX at 2025 Primavera Sound Barcelona, the pop star wore a custom Levi\u2019s look designed for the festival and constructed from vintage 501 jeans with repurposed leather detailing.<\/p>\n \n\tRooted in the Classics: Christopher Nissen<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tTimeless denim is a uniform pop star Christopher Nissen never seems to outgrow.<\/p>\n \n\tFor better or for worse, Christopher Nissen\u2019s life is anything but ordinary.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2023, the Danish pop star stepped into the global spotlight with Netflix\u2019s feature film \u201cA Beautiful Life,\u201d playing Elliott \u2014 a humble fisherman whose raw musical talent catapults him to overnight stardom \u2014 a role proved eerily parallel to his own trajectory.<\/p>\n \n\tShortly after its release, the film shot to number one in 72 countries, and its title track, written and performed by Nissen, quickly surpassed 100 million streams, cementing him as a breakout voice beyond Denmark.<\/p>\n \n\tWith that momentum, he launched an international tour in 2024, performing the movie\u2019s soundtrack alongside fan-favorite cuts from earlier albums.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen [I] did my first sold-out show in L.A. at the Troubadour\u2026and the Bowery Ballroom in New York, that\u2019s when I started realizing, like, \u2018Oh, damn, we\u2019ve been reaching a lot of people with this film, and people really connect with it,\u2019\u201d Nissen told SJ Denim. \u201cI was very surprised. Surprised how it traveled, and how it just kept growing. That\u2019s when I realized I really connected with a lot of people.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the idea of becoming a global pop star overnight might sound like a dream \u2014 and in many ways, it was \u2014 it also came with its own complexities.<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the singer, the whirlwind pace, relentless travel and sudden shift in lifestyle brought challenges he\u2019d never faced before. But the hardest part, he says, was being away from his wife and kids \u2014 something he \u201ccould\u2019ve never prepared for, or understood how much it would hurt,\u201d until he was living it.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cBeing the father of two girls and touring so much [has] by far been the hardest thing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe girls are [young], so you can miss out on a lot in their first years. So yeah, I was missing out on a lot. But I was also gaining a lot and building my career at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBeing a pop star and missing out on monumental life moments is no easy feat, but Nissen says it\u2019s something he\u2019s wished for since he was a kid \u2014 so finally getting to live it feels like a dream come true. That push and pull sits at the heart of his new documentary, \u201cChristopher: A Beautiful Real Life,\u201d which offers an intimate look at his rise toward global stardom as he navigates the very real challenges unfolding at home.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen you let people in [the way I did through my documentary], you give them the opportunity to have an opinion,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is my life \u2014 my wife, my kids, how we talk, how we communicate when we\u2019re stressed \u2014 and I worried whether people would relate to our struggles or just write them off as trivial. But people really connected with it. At the end of the day, we\u2019re all just trying to figure out the same work-life balance.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBeyond showing fans a more personal side of Nissen\u2019s life, the film also pulls them directly into the world he builds onstage \u2014 one shaped by emotion, movement and fashion.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019ve always been a very simple guy when it comes to fashion,\u201d he said. \u201cI have my few items that I really love, and denim has always been something I\u2019ve had a real connection with. It\u2019s one of the few things that has followed me through the years and through the different versions of myself, even musically. I grew up wearing it, I tour in it, I wear it with my girls\u2026 it just feels timeless and fits every part of my life without making it seem like I\u2019m trying too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAs he prepares for his 2026 shows \u2014 including early dates that have already sold tens of thousands of tickets \u2014 Christopher says his stage looks will continue leaning into that denim DNA. For him, it always comes down to fit and feeling; \u201cif something looks great but doesn\u2019t sit right, it\u2019s out.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI just love that feeling of putting on the perfect pair of jeans,\u201d he said. \u201cThe wash, the craftsmanship\u2026when it hits, you just know. I was never the Elton John type who\u2019d wear a big feather boa,\u201d he added with a laugh. \u201cI love it stupid-simple \u2014 a denim jacket, jeans and a white T-shirt. Whenever I imagine the future, there\u2019s always a denim jacket hanging in my closet. That simple style, with the right wash and the right fit\u2026that\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite denim brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tChristopher Nissen:<\/strong> Levi\u2019s.<\/p>\n \n\tFirst denim memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> I skateboarded a lot as a kid and [was almost always] in Carhartt jeans.<\/p>\n \n\tMost-worn pair of jeans right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> It\u2019s a pair of jeans from Loewe.<\/p>\n \n\tVintage or new \u2014 what do you reach for more?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> Vintage.<\/p>\n \n\tLast clothing purchase?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s those Loewe jeans.<\/p>\n \n\tBest fashion moment of 2025 so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> It\u2019s actually what I wore on the cover of a Scandinavian music magazine called Gaffa \u2014 a long beige trenchcoat with jeans and a white T-shirt.<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite trend of 2025?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> I have a hard time believing skinny jeans are coming back, but I\u2019m experimenting with it. My fits are getting slimmer and slimmer. I do love baggy jeans, but I\u2019m open. I also love all the \u201990s stuff that\u2019s coming back. I\u2019m such a \u201990s kid, so seeing the \u201990s return is kind of amazing.<\/p>\n \n\tWho or what inspires your fashion most?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.N.:<\/strong> Jeremy Allen White.<\/p>\n \n\tGRWM Trailblazer: Alix Earle<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tInfluencer Alix Earle takes a playful approach to denim fashion.<\/p>\n \n\tLike many women navigating denim\u2019s ever-evolving silhouettes, Alix Earle is figuring out how to style the trend \u2014 but she\u2019s doing it in front of millions on TikTok.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Gen Z creator-turned-entrepreneur first rose to prominence in 2022 during her senior year at the University of Miami, known then for a wardrobe full of bikinis and going-out outfits that fit South Florida\u2019s party culture. Since then, Earle\u2019s style has undergone a major evolution, now featuring elevated designer pieces, thoughtfully styled looks and, more than ever, bold new takes on denim.<\/p>\n \n\tHer collaboration with Frame in January \u2014 a brand that has borrowed a page from Guess\u2019 playbook by partnering with rising female talent \u2014 helped catapult skinny jeans back into the spotlight, despite her generation having relegated the style to the backs of their closets just five years ago.<\/p>\n \n\tEarle\u2019s commentary in her \u201cget ready with me\u201d videos is relatable \u2014 she\u2019s often candid about not knowing which shoes work with a certain pair of jeans or what top to wear with an oversize denim jacket. Baggy fits, cargo jeans and paint splattered barrel jeans are often paired with a shrunken top. The \u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d runner-up is also willing to take denim risks like wearing stretch denim capri pants and bra top for day out on the Jersey shore, or a pair of Y2K-inspired low-rise bootcut jeans by True Religion for a college football game. On TikTok, Earle said the jeans made her \u201cfeel vintage.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDenim has taken up more space in her wardrobe since her NFL boyfriend Braxton Berrios was traded to the Houston Texans in March. She wore a Jean Paul Gaultier denim set for her first visit to the city, and since opted for cutoff Levi\u2019s shorts and cowboy boots for her game day looks.<\/p>\n \n\tMidwestern Grit: Slayyyter<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tSlayyyter\u2019s raw, denim-driven aesthetic is shaping her most defining chapter yet.<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, the hyper-pop princess \u2014 who first surfaced on SoundCloud in 2016 before breaking through with early hit singles like \u201cBff\u201d and \u201cMine\u201d \u2014 has been on a relentless creative streak, rolling out back-to-back infectious tracks like \u201cCannibalism!,\u201d \u201cBeat Up Chanel$\u201d and \u201cCrank.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the singer, each song is laying groundwork for a fully realized new era, one slated to culminate in a larger release next year.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI definitely have a larger project\/album planned for next year, I am just taking my time with the roll out,\u201d Slayyyter told SJ Denim. \u201cEverything moves so damn fast now\u2026but I\u2019m taking a [more meticulous approach] and having a ton of fun with putting things out this way.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThough the St. Louis\u2013born performer centers music above all else, her fashion footprint has expanded just as quickly as her musical career. That growth is especially clear in her latest visuals, each arriving with a sharply defined aesthetic code \u2014 campy, nostalgic and abrasive in the best way possible \u2014 with denim anchoring many of the looks.<\/p>\n \n\tTake, for example, the punk-slashed jorts in \u201cBeat Up Chanel$\u201d or the shredded, Americana-leaning silhouettes in \u201cCrank,\u201d helping crystallize the character she\u2019s building.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI think denim is [undeniably] classic, [so], with this album I wanted to paint a self-portrait of a Midwestern American girl\u2026and blue jeans go hand in hand with that,\u201d Slayyyter said. \u201c[That\u2019s why] some of my more boyish looks in \u2018Beat Up Chanel$\u2019 or \u2018Crank\u2019 utilize a lot of shredded denim.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWhile this era is shaping up to be one of her most defining \u2014 both visually and sonically \u2014 Slayyyter notes that the creative approach behind it has shifted from previous projects.<\/p>\n \n\tInstead of building outfits purely to \u201cserve crazy looks and fashion,\u201d she\u2019s treating the styling as character work, approaching the wardrobe the way a costume designer would for a film. The intent, she said, is to construct a persona rather than just assemble outfits.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI style myself and sometimes hand-create wardrobe pieces for visuals. It\u2019s an extremely important part of my creative process,\u201d she said. \u201cI have felt so inspired by many things [this go-around]. Men\u2019s streetwear, 2014 internet fashion, the whimsy and sparkle of childhood princess costumes, \u2018Uptown Girls\u2019 and Brittany Murphy over-all. I love putting something soft and feminine with a rugged or boyish piece. Midwest-core or whatever you want to call it has also inspired me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThat mix of references fuels the visual identity she\u2019s shaping and denim helps define the character. Though that intention is driving Slayyyter\u2019s visuals, it\u2019s also showing up in her day-to-day style, where the same denim-heavy, Midwest-coded, rugged-meets-glitter signatures play out off camera.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI wear jeans and a T-shirt with some kind of leather jacket almost every day,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of the pieces I have styled with during this album are from my own wardrobe\u2026the sparkle star shoes and pink and the pumpkin trick or treat bag are all things I would wear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWhile this chapter and its fashion language are only beginning to unfold, Slayyyter says the response from fans has already been \u201cthe best part\u201d of the journey.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI went in to make this album saying it would be the last one I\u2019d ever do, and the positive response to everything made from a very pure place has been nice to watch,\u201d she said. \u201cOverall, I feel extremely tapped in with my sound and style, and I\u2019m excited to expand on more things an try new directions for whatever comes after.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite denim brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tSlayyyter: <\/strong>Levi\u2019s.<\/p>\n \n\tFirst denim memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.:<\/strong> My mom putting me in mini overalls for school.<\/p>\n \n\tMost-worn pair of jeans right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.:<\/strong> Levi super low, low-ride jeans.<\/p>\n \n\tVintage or new \u2014 what do you reach for more?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.: <\/strong>Vintage! I hate most things new out [of] the store.<\/p>\n \n\tLast clothing purchase?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.: <\/strong>Some 1930s dancer costumes off eBay.<\/p>\n \n\tBest fashion moment of 2025 so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.: <\/strong>Me wearing mud boots.<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite trend of 2025?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.:<\/strong> I don\u2019t like trends.<\/p>\n \n\tWho or what inspires your fashion most?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tS.:<\/strong> Brittany Murphy, the Midwest, princess costumes, rhinestones and whimsy.<\/p>\n \n\tPop Star Treatment: Addison Rae<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tAddison Rae makes a case for throwback denim.<\/p>\n \n\tOne-part Y2K and one-part coquette, pop star Addison Rae has established a unique personal style based on lingerie as outerwear, slogan T-shirts and loungewear that nods to her dancing roots.<\/p>\n \n\tWhen she wears denim, she goes for bold items like a vintage Tony Alamo New York denim jacket, shrunken shortalls, knit indigo pieces by Knorts and denim booty shorts by August Barron. The \u201cDiet Pepsi\u201d singer is also known for adding feminine accoutrements to jeans, from showgirl-worthy rhinestone belts and to simple satin ribbons around her waist.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tIn August, Lucky Brand unveiled the Addison Ultra Low Flare, a jean codesigned by Rae that captures the essence of pop girlies past and present. The 100 percent cotton, hip-hugging jean is fitted from hip to knee and has a 2000s flare leg opening and comes in two custom washes \u2014 the dark wash Hidden and light wash Bare.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAddison\u201d decorates the jean\u2019s limited-edition back patch, while the fly sees the return of the brand\u2019s vintage \u201cLucky You\u201d label.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThis was a truly organic and authentic partnership. Addison was already a fan of the brand and spotted wearing Lucky,\u201d said Jimmy Carter, senior vice president, merchandising at Lucky Brand. \u201cShe reached out to us about a particular style from our archives and that\u2019s how the conversation developed. Partnering with her to design and launch her own jean style flowed naturally as she shared with us her inspirations including what makes her feel Lucky. She was very hands on with the jeans as well as the marketing.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe first three deliveries of the jean sold out and there are no signs of slowing down. Carter added that the style has performed well on the brand\u2019s site, in its stores and for its wholesale partners.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAddison embodies what we aim to achieve at Lucky Brand in our denim assortments; she\u2019s fashion forward, innovative and playful in her approach to style,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been great seeing current and new customers discovering Lucky through the partnership; purchasing and styling the jean their way.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBest in Cass: Cass DiMicco<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tFor Aureum founder Cass DiMicco, denim becomes a backdrop for the statement-making accessories she loves.<\/p>\n \n\tCass DiMicco has truly mastered the art of accessorizing, often using denim as her blank canvas.<\/p>\n \n\tA T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans and a statement belt is the go-to uniform for the Miami-based cofounder of Aureum, the jewelry and Italian leather accessories brand known for simplistic designs and luxury-quality materials. The uniform suits Florida\u2019s casual and laidback attitude not to mention her work-from-home lifestyle.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI worked corporate jobs before this and we weren\u2019t allowed to wear jeans, but now denim is what I reach for the most,\u201d DiMicco said.<\/p>\n \n\tDiMicco\u2019s work is increasingly taking out of her abode, but denim continues to follow. This year, the designer partnered with Chelsea Parke Kramer, a fellow Miami entrepreneur and founder of Parke, the women\u2019s denim-focused lifestyle brand. The duo launched the Parke x Aureum collection in April, a 10-piece capsule wardrobe of timeless essentials like premium sweats, basic T-shirts and tanks, sculptural stud earrings, a leather belt and oversize denim.<\/p>\n \n\tThe collaboration gave DiMicco the chance to design the denim pieces she\u2019s always envisioned \u2014 from a refined shacket and versatile jean shorts suited for both the beach and the city, to high-waisted, wide-leg jeans she describes as \u201celevated sweats.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI knew exactly what type of silhouettes I wanted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tSilhouette and color are the qualities DiMicco prioritizes most when shopping for denim. She favors simple, easy-fitting jeans in cream or off-white, though she also gravitates to deep indigo and black washes. These hues work seamlessly into her year-round wardrobe, she said, providing a clean, chic foundation for the bolder accessories she loves.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI do wish I could find more interesting neutral colors. A lot of brands offer stark white, but I\u2019ve been on the hunt for colors like brown, tan and dark khaki. I\u2019ve lived through a decedent amount of trend cycles, and I still just prefer simple uncomplicated denim,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tDiMicco is also venturing to Italy more frequently these days as Aureum expands its footprint in handbags. The brand introduced the Vittoria bag this year, a full-grain Italian leather top handle bag created in Florence, distinguished by minimal hardware and logos. The bag\u2019s handle stitching is a subtle nod to the brand\u2019s Irina earrings.<\/p>\n \n\tThis month, the brand will launch the Cassandra clutch named after its dedicated founder. \u201cI\u2019ve been working on it for over a year, perfecting it,\u201d DiMicco said.<\/p>\n \n\tHandbags were a natural next step for Aureum. The brand\u2019s Italian-crafted leather belts already account for roughly 80 percent of sales, with customers appreciating the strong value for the quality offered. Expanding that same value proposition into handbags was a seamless progression.<\/p>\n \n\tPlus, DiMicco enjoys a good denim and leather moment. \u201cI love the look of casual denim with dressier accessories. That balanced, effortless look is so chic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite denim brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tCass DiMicco:<\/strong> It changes all the time, but right now I really love Redone, Khaite, DL1961 and Levi\u2019s.<\/p>\n \n\tFirst denim memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.: <\/strong>Growing up, there was a store on Long Island where I would get bell-bottom jeans. My mom would bring there to shop for school.<\/p>\n \n\tMost-worn pair of jeans right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.:<\/strong> Redone\u2019s \u201990s High Rise Loose in cream.<\/p>\n \n\tVintage or new \u2014 what do you reach for more?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.:<\/strong> New. Vintage seems more like an L.A. thing.<\/p>\n \n\tLast clothing purchase?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.:<\/strong> A pair of black loose-fitting jeans from DL1961.<\/p>\n \n\tBest fashion moment of 2025 so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.:<\/strong> Launching handbags. I\u2019ve been a lover of designer handbags my entire life \u2014 I got it from my mom. It\u2019s been an amazing experience going to Italy, selecting leathers and meeting the team crafting the bags.<\/p>\n \n\tFavorite trend of 2025?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.: <\/strong>I\u2019m into zebra lately. We just launched a zebra belt. I like to keep my clothes simple and have more fun with accessories.<\/p>\n \n\tWho or what inspires your fashion most?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tC.D.:<\/strong> I love Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elsa Hosk. I\u2019m also inspired by how brands style their looks for the runway, especially YSL, The Row and Khaite.<\/p>\n \n\tFirst Lady of Denim: Michelle Obama<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tMichelle Obama votes blue \u2014 jeans.<\/p>\n \n\tFormer First Lady Michelle Obama continued to flex her ability to pull off runway-worthy denim looks in real life in 2025. Long known for championing American fashion talent, Obama has evolved her style from the colorful J.Crew knits and skirts of her early White House years to embracing core American staples like designer denim in her post\u2013White House life.<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, the 61-year-old podcast host and author made a strong case for statement-making denim. Metallic silver coatings, balloon-shaped fits, two-tone constructions, laser print florals and tinted washes were some of the ways Obama \u2014 and her stylist Meredith Koop \u2014 expressed her personal style through denim. An eye-catching belt often punctuated her looks, which spanned chic boho to edgy and oversize.<\/p>\n \n\tDouble denim is a favorite styling trick. A cinched khaki denim jacket with bold gold buttons and matching maxiskirt was the ideal casual uniform for Obama\u2019s sit down with actress Tracee Ellis Ross. For an interview with Robin Roberts on \u201c20\/20,\u201d Obama wore a boxy jacket and cuffed, wide-leg jeans. A trio of brooches by Alexis Bittar popped against the denim set\u2019s yellow-tinted wash. And naturally, an appearance at SXSW in Austin called for a denim tuxedo \u2014 a rust colored set by Rabanne accented with lace details.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Denim Muse: Jaden Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tJaden Smith leans into his denim heritage.<\/p>\n \n\tJaden Smith\u2019s unconventional style shines in denim. The former G-Star collaborator and Levi\u2019s campaign face understands the fabric\u2019s transformative range, pulling references from streetwear and luxury to shape an aesthetic that defies traditional gender norms and keeps fans guessing what he\u2019ll step out in next.<\/p>\n \n\tThough the multihyphenate has taken a step back from designing denim \u2014 Smith was appointed the first men\u2019s creative director of Christian Louboutin in September \u2014 he continues to bring memorable denim looks to Paris Fashion Week.<\/p>\n \n\tIn March, Smith styled a tweed peplum top with light wash jeans for Louis Vuitton\u2019s fall 2025 show in March. This fall, he went shirtless in Louis Vuitton denim coordinates at the fashion house\u2019s spring 2026 show. He chose a raw denim tuxedo \u2014 plus Louboutin red accessories and body paint \u2014 for the BOF 500 Gala.<\/p>\n \n\tSmith has proven to be somewhat of a muse for Pharrell Williams, the creative director of Louis Vuitton Men\u2019s. Smith and Williams collaborated on a line of sustainable denim for G-Star in 2018.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tOff-Duty Denim: Aitana<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tThe Spanish hitmaker turned denim staples into the foundation of her fast-growing fashion influence.<\/p>\n \n\tRising global star Aitana is quickly making her mark in fashion.<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the Spanish singer \u2014 who first gained national recognition in 2017 as the runner-up on \u201cOperaci\u00f3n Triunfo\u201d \u2014 turned heads this year with a series of jaw-dropping red-carpet moments, she also kept fans hooked with her off-duty style.<\/p>\n \n\tAhead of Formula 1 in October, Aitana arrived in a Marine Serre denim tuxedo emblazoned with the designer\u2019s signature crescent moon motif. The look wasn\u2019t an outlier, either. Serre\u2019s denim has become a staple in her rotation, including a looser, more relaxed version she wore during rehearsals for the Latin Grammys.<\/p>\n \n\tDenim also appeared across her brand collaborations throughout the year. Aitana teamed with Adidas on a limited capsule rooted in shared codes \u2014 energy, legacy and community. In the campaign, she leaned into a sportier denim aesthetic, wearing oversize jorts, a baseball cap and a zip-up sweater marked with the label\u2019s iconic three stripes. In the beauty space, she kept things notably pared back as light-wash jeans and a white T-shirt became her uniform across multiple YSL Beauty campaigns.<\/p>\n \n\tRock \u2018n\u2019 Roll Baby: Yungblud<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tBritish rocker Yungblud brings back the low rise.<\/p>\n \n\tLeather, denim and skin have been the quintessential uniform of rock \u2018n\u2019 roll since the \u201960s, but the brazen style has taken a back seat in recent years to relaxed fits, overzealous stylists and head-to-looks plucked straight from the runway. However, 28-year-old U.K. rock star Yungblud is stirring up sartorial chaos with his gender-fluid wardrobe, punk-driven aesthetic and frequently shirt-less looks \u2014 plus his new apparel label, B.R.A.T.<\/p>\n \n\tWhile jeans are not a centerpiece to his stage wardrobe, low rises often are, signaling a return of gravity-defying bottoms. The dangerously low leather pants he wore during an Ozzy Osborne tribute at the 2025 MTV VMAs sparked an online debate about flashing pubic hair. Chunky wallet chains and belts with hearty hardware are also part of Yungblud\u2019s look.<\/p>\n \n\tOff duty, Yungblud\u2019s style choices are just as unpredictable. While the Chrome Hearts fan is regularly seen in basic black jeans, a shrunken tee and matching denim or leather jacket, he\u2019s also known to rock a kilt or high-waisted suit.<\/p>\n Denim reclaimed its place in the zeitgeist in 2025. From global campaigns to stage-worthy looks, it was a year when celebrities, influencers and emerging style icons made headlines not just for their work, but for the jeans they chose to wear.\u00a0 The Denim Hot List recognizes the movers, shakers and boundary-pushers who shaped the conversation. SJ Denim highlights the figures whose bold fashion choices, inspiring personal style and consistent influence transformed denim from an everyday staple into a cultural marker of identity and effortless cool. The SJ Denim editors selected them for their influence on current trends \u2014 and for where denim is headed next. Though some are the faces of campaigns, their influence on the category runs far deeper than advertising. While Sydney Sweeney, for example, generated significant buzz with her American Eagle campaign, she was not included. While the ads sparked controversy and conversation, the overall affect on style and trends was muted. 1. Fashion\u2019s Muse: Mahmood The Italian star\u2019s avant-garde take on denim is exactly why he sits at the top of this year\u2019s trendsetter list. Making music may be his day job, but setting trends has become Mahmood\u2019s unofficial side hustle. While the Italian singer slightly stepped back from the spotlight this year \u2014 recovering from the emotional intensity of his third studio album, \u201cNei Letti Degli Altri\u201d ( \u201cIn Other People\u2019s Beds\u201d) \u2014 the trend driver didn\u2019t take a break from delivering jaw-dropping, gender-blurring looks. This year, oversize denim anchored his wardrobe, surfacing in some of his most memorable looks. One moment, he was strolling along the beach in oversize jorts and a leather jacket punctuated by a hyper-realistic tiger-head backpack; another, he paired slouchy, light-wash jeans with a deconstructed, lace-up top featuring a dramatic keyhole cutout \u2014 a silhouette that pushed his gender-blurring aesthetic even further. And on more than a few occasions, he customized his denim himself,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9737"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9737\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Mahmood\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST15.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Mahmood.jpg?w=819\")
\n\n\t\t2\t<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\t\t3<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Beyonc\u00e9\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST13.jpg?w=819\")
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\n\n\t\t4<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\t\t5<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\t\t6<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>
Troye Sivan has turns laid-back denim into his signature uniform.<\/p>\n![\"Troye](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST10.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/TroyeSivan11.jpg?w=1024\")
\n\n\t\t7<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Christopher](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST9.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PC-Nikolaj-Thaning-Rentzmann2.jpg?w=1024\")
\n\n\t\t8<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Alix](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST8.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Alix.jpg?w=820\")
\n\n\t\t9<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST-new.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Slayyyter\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/CRANK-9-credit-alexa-zeliger.jpg?w=1024\")
\n\n\t\t10<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Addison](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST6.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2218905913.jpg?w=682\")
\n\n\t\t11<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Cass](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST5.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Parke.png?w=1000\")
\n\n\t\t12<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Michelle](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST4.jpg?w=819\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michelle-copy.jpg?w=768\")
\n\n\t\t13<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Jaden2.jpg?w=682\")
\n\n\t\t14<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Aitana\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST2.jpg?w=819\")
![\"Aitana\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/571683688_18349324444203716_3960969527267496986_n.jpg?w=1024\")
\n\n\t\t15<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n
![\"Yungblud\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SJ-DENIM-HOT-LIST.jpg?w=819\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sourcingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Yungblud.jpg?w=819\")
\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"