16 Alternatives to Jeans That All the Cool Girls Will Be Wearing Instead of Stiff Pants This Spring

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After living in jeans for an entire fall and winter, it’s time to look ahead to spring and summer. When temperatures rise, you might want to consider trading in your bulky denim for bottoms that are more lightweight and comfortable. But what could possibly replace a wardrobe staple as timeless and versatile as jeans? I whipped up a few ideas that you can shop right this second.

Alternatives to Jeans at a Glance

• Best Trousers: Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant, $90
• Best Linen Pants: Quince 100% European Linen Wide Leg Pants, $42
• Best Leggings: Lululemon Groove Nulu High-Rise Flared Pant, $118
• Best Jorts: Levi’s Baggy Dad Jort, $66 (originally $70)
• Best Maxi Skirts: Trendy Queen Boho Maxi Skirt , $25 (originally $40)
• Best Capris: Rat Boi Ruffle Capri Pants, $88
• Best Track Pants: Reformation Julien Poplin Pant, $198
• Best Culottes: ELOQUII Wide Leg Culotte, $70

When looking for jeans alternatives, you should think about silhouette, length, and fabric. If you want the same shapes, certain pant styles, like trousers and leggings, have similar silhouettes. Do you want the same amount of coverage? If so, stick to long pants and maxi skirts. If you don’t mind showing a little skin (you’re going to see sunnier and warmer days, anyways!), check out jorts, capris, and culottes. And finally, for those who heat up easily, opt for lightweight, breathable materials, like linen.

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Clearly, the options are endless when it comes to alternatives to jeans. I put on my thinking cap and came up with the outfit ideas; now all you have to do is shop below!

Trousers

Trousers are perhaps the most obvious alternatives to jeans. They typically come in similar silhouettes—as in, you can find cropped, wide-leg, low-rise, and the list goes on—but are made from lighter fabrics so you don’t sweat buckets as temperatures rise. The best part about these pants is their versatility. They’re office-appropriate, but won’t look out of place at your weekend plans.

Editor-Approved

Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant

$90 Buy Now

I don’t own a whole lot of trousers because I found a pair that fits the bill and has stuck in my closet since I bought them: Abercrombie’s Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant. They come in a wide variety of colorways and patterns (though my faves are the solid, neutral ones), an extensive size range, and multiple lengths. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding your perfect fit or styling them since they’re so easy and timeless (they also come in low-rise, linen, Curve Love, and other versions). Check out our team’s Quince review to see how I style these wide-leg pants in both black and beige.

Sizes: 23-38
Lengths: Short, Regular, Long
Colorways: 14
Material: Body: 80% polyester, 16% viscose, 4% elastane / Pocket Bag: 98% polyester, 2% elastane

All the Ways Ava Trousers

$80 Buy Now

One way fashion girls and off-duty models like to wear trousers is with boxers peeking out from underneath. The Ava Trousers from Revolve give the same effect with a thin, white waistband. The contrast will help instantly elevate your look—whether you pair the pants with more neutrals or a pop of color on top.

Sizes: XXS-XL
Colorways: 1
Material: 100% polyester

Linen Pants

Linen pants are similar to trousers, but they feature an even more airy and breathable construction. No incessant sweating here!

Cotton On Haven Wide Leg Pant

$50 Buy Now

There are three things linen pants should be: lightweight, loose, and comfortable. This style from Cotton On ticks off all the boxes with ease. Peep the elastic at the back of the waist and side pockets, too!

Sizes: 0-14
Colorways: 3
Material: Linen blend

Quince 100% European Linen Wide Leg Pants

$42 Buy Now

Somehow, some way, Quince always finds a way to design super affordable, stylish, and earth-conscious clothing. Take, for example, these wide-leg pants that are crafted from 100% European linen (an eco-friendly fiber made from European flax requiring less water, fertilizers, and irrigation), but sit at just $42.

Sizes: XS-XL
Inseams: 26,” 28,” 30″
Colorways: 12
Material: 100% linen

Leggings

If your qualm with jeans is that they’re stiff and uncomfy, don’t think twice about changing into leggings. Our suggestion is going for a flared style because they look a little more put-together than your average pair of skin-tight, cropped leggings, but they still prioritize comfort.

Lululemon Groove Nulu High-Rise Flared Pant

$118 Buy Now

This cute pair from Lululemon is soft, smooth, and lightweight. You can also dress them up for outside of the studio. I’m envisioning a cardigan or off-the shoulder top with ballet flats.

Sizes: 0-14
Lengths: 30,” 33″, 35″
Colorways: 8
Material: Body: 81% nylon, 19% lycra elastane

DLOODA Flare Leggings with Pockets

On Sale 30% off

$14 Buy Now

Don’t have $118 to drop at Lulu? These flared leggings from Amazon are on sale for a jaw-dropping $14. They look just like the Aerie crossover leggings that went viral on TikTok a few years ago but have a much lower price tag.

Sizes: XS-XXL
Colorways: 8
Material: 80% polyester, 20% Spandex

Jorts

So you might not want to wear long jeans, but you can still wear them in a shorts version! You won’t catch me in anything but jorts when it’s warm out because they match with almost anything and are a fashion trend that’s not dying down anytime soon.

Levi’s Baggy Dad Jort

On Sale 6% off

$66 Buy Now

Scoop up these Levi’s jorts for a wear-everywhere pair of shorts that’ll never do you wrong. They can take you from grocery shopping to a bar, no problemo.

Sizes: 23-34
Colorways: 1
Material: 100% cotton

We The Free Montana Shorts

$78 Buy Now

I love a light denim wash and a distressed hem combo. Size up in these Free People jorts if you want a baggier, more low-rise fit.

Sizes: 24-33
Colorways: 5
Material: 100% cotton

Maxi Skirts 

Although not technically pants, there’s no question people will trade in their jeans for skirts this spring. Maxi skirts give almost the same amount of coverage as jeans but come in flowier and more lightweight fabrics. They also come in more distinct silhouettes that are way more creative than regular jeans.

Topshop Saloon Maxi Skirt

$70 Buy Now

Drop waists are another skirt trend you should add to your regular rotation this spring. This Topshop maxi skirt is made from a light cotton twill and will give your ‘fit a more sophisticated flair.

Sizes: 0-14
Colorways: 3
Material: 100% cotton

Trendy Queen Boho Maxi Skirt

On Sale 38% off

$25 Buy Now

Tiered maxi skirts (especially in white ) were huge last year, and I have a feeling they’ll still show up everywhere this spring and summer (including at Coachella 2026 and other music festivals).

Sizes: XS-XL
Colorways: 6
Material: Shell: 75% rayon, 25% nylon; Lining: 100% polyester

Capris

You can’t complete a Y2K resurgence without capris. This style of bottoms is perfect for spring because they provide just enough coverage and come in all sorts of bright colors and patterns to make a statement. They’re also way more unique and interesting than any old pair of jeans or basic pants, and they typically are made from stretchier fabrics.

Rat Boi Ruffle Capri Pants

$88 Buy Now

Expect to see polka dots gracing the streets in Q2 and Q3. This playful pattern is mostly found in tops and dresses, but Rat Boi just brought it into a pair of ruffle-adorned capris.

Sizes: XS-XXL
Colorways: 1
Material: 91% cotton, 9% Spandex

Jaded London Beach Capri Trousers

$89 Buy Now

If you’re headed to Europe in the coming months, you’re going to want to pack these Jaded London capris. While they’re quite out-there, they’ll look so cute with kitten heels and dramatic sunglasses.

Sizes: 0-12
Colorways: 1
Material: 82% polyamide, 18% elastane

Track Pants

If I had to whip up a fashion girl-approved uniform for spring, it’d consist of track pants, an oversized sweater, a white tee underneath, ballet flats, a leather bomber jacket, sunglasses, and an edgy shoulder bag. This kind of OOTD is both casual and chic, but it’ll also keep you warm through fluctuating spring temps.

Reformation Julien Poplin Pant

$198 Buy Now

Get that sporty vibe with Reformation’s Julien Poplin Pant. They come in a gorgeous deep green colorway and have two stripes down the sides. These pants’ subtle sheen look so luxe.

Sizes: XS-XL
Colorways: 1
Material: 98% organic cotton, 2% Spandex

GAP Relaxed Satin Straight-Leg Crop Pants

On Sale 20% off

$64 Buy Now

Try these GAP track pants for a more affordable option. You have more color and size options for a fraction of the cost.

Sizes: XS-XXL
Lengths: Regular, Tall, Petite
Colorways: 5
Material: 100% polyester

Culottes

Similar to capris, the girls are wearing more unique pants with different crop lengths. Culottes are smack dab in the middle of long pants and shorts. I love culottes because they usually offer more shape and structure than some of the flowier jeans alternatives in this story.

ELOQUII Wide Leg Culotte

$70 Buy Now

I’d highly recommend getting yourself some culottes if you’re at a loss for what to wear to the office when it gets warmer. This quiet luxury pair remains work-appropriate (for some professions) and follows current fashion trends.

Sizes: 14-26
Colorways: 1
Material: 78% polyester, 17% rayon, 5% Spandex

Lucky Brand Low Rise Culotte Denim Shorts

$80 Buy Now

For a more casual, everyday option, go for these Lucky Brand extra long denim shorts. The faded wash and raw hem give off a super laidback feel.

Sizes: 25-29
Colorways: 1
Material: 76% cotton, 24% lyocell