Cropped Jeans Are The Hack To Wearing Denim All Summer

Another investment-worthy option, this pair combines ELLE editor-approved brand Jamie Haller’s signature cool with premium fabrics and an of-the-moment silhouette. The cargo pockets add utility-inspired ease, while the subtly curved leg makes these jeans fresh for the season. For a brighter pop, these also come in a buttery shade of yellow.

Sizes: 24-32

Colors: Blue, Yellow

A Levi’s signature, the ’90s-inspired Wedgie jean also comes in a cropped fit. It has the same ultra-high-rise waist and flattering straight leg, just with a shorter hem. The slightly faded wash only adds to its warm-weather, nostalgic appeal.

Sizes: 23-32

Colors: Unstoppable Wear

DL1961 is a denim favorite for its sustainability-minded practices, including the use of recycled fabrics and reduced water and energy usage. It also makes some of the best white jeans around: opaque, flattering, and free of visible pocket interiors. This bestselling style has a lot of stretch for maximum comfort, plus a billowy wide leg that hits just above the ankle.

Sizes: 23-34

Colors: Eggshell

While summer usually calls for lighter washes, a dark blue cropped jean is hard to beat for nights out or more dressed-up occasions. This pair comes in a deep inky shade that makes the yellow topstitching pop, and it’s made from rigid regenerative cotton that will soften and mold to the body over time.

Sizes: 23-33

Colors: Dark denim, Mid denim 1, Mid denim 2

Colored jeans are trending, but today’s versions are a far cry from the saccharine skinny pairs of the 2010s. This cropped style comes in the prettiest lilac shade, with a wide-leg, barrel-adjacent fit that makes the color feel modern rather than overly sweet.

Sizes: 23-32

Colors: Lilac, Black

Speaking of barrel legs, this darker-wash pair from Pistola offers a subtle take on the trending silhouette (it’s somewhere between a straight leg and a true barrel). Reviewers praise the cropped fit as especially good for petite shoppers and flat shoes, though many recommend sizing down as the style leans oversized.

Sizes: 24-33

Colors: Artisan, Metropolis, Bowie, Dolce Vita Vintage, Stellar Vintage

This Re/Done pair has the lived-in look of vintage denim without the treasure-hunt aspect of finding the perfectly faded pair. The slim straight-leg cut and abbreviated hem make them especially easy to wear with flat sandals, loafers, or sneakers, while the hint of stretch keeps the structured fabric from being too stiff.

Sizes: 23-32

Colors: Silver Springs

Black jeans are a year-round staple, but this ankle-grazing pair feels especially useful for summer nights when blue denim reads too casual. The slim straight-leg fit, high rise, and soft stretch denim give them a clean look that works just as well with a going-out top as it does with a blazer.

Sizes: 23-33

Colors: Plush Black

For anyone who wants a cropped jean with more flare, check out this light-wash style. The wide leg and ankle-length hem are relaxed without looking sloppy, while the soft, faded stretch denim makes them an easy everyday pair. AG notes that these run small, so consider sizing up if you’re between sizes.

Sizes: 24-33

Colors: Kings River

These are a good option if you prefer a mid-rise fit over the ultra-high waists that dominate the denim market. Made from 100 percent cotton, they have a more rigid feel, while the cropped straight-leg silhouette and slightly faded wash keeps them from looking too heavy for warm weather.

Sizes: 23-32

Colors: Mid Denim

For those on a budget, this Gap pair delivers a lot for its price, from multiple fit options to a versatile cropped length that hits above the ankle. The slight kick flare adds shape, while the stretch denim gives them enough hold for everyday wear. Plus, the dark wash makes them look more expensive than they are.

Sizes: Standard (24-35), Petite (23-30), Tall (27-33)

Colors: Blue, Black

Nothing says summer like a light-wash pair of jeans. The high waist, ankle-length straight leg and low-stretch denim give them that off-duty, broken-in feel, while the pale wash keeps the look fresh with sandals, tees, and breezy button-downs.

Sizes: 24-33

Colors: Glide

Cropped jeans can be a struggle for petite shoppers—most standard pairs end up being full-length for those who are 5’4” and under. Mother’s dedicated petite range solves for that with a shorter rise and inseam, plus a higher knee placement, so the proportions hit where they’re supposed to. This non-stretch pair from the line has a relaxed, slouchy fit that sits somewhere between straight- and wide-leg.

Sizes: 23-34

Colors: Green Thumb

Known more for its dresses and separates, Reformation also makes some of the best novelty denim on the market, from printed and eyelet jeans to drawstring denim pants. This low-rise pair, which also comes in blue, channels the capri-pant trend without the tight fit (or the Y2K tackiness).

Sizes: 23-34

Colors: White, Blue

Even when cropped, boyfriend jeans can sometimes look too baggy (especially on smaller frames). But this pair from Pilcro gives structure to the relaxed silhouette. The mid-rise fit, 100 percent cotton fabric, and five-pocket styling give the style a classic look, while the slouchier leg and rolled cuff offer a more effortless alternative to rigid jeans.

Sizes: Standard (23-34), Petite (23-34), Tall (24-34)

Colors: Dark Denim, Light Denim