The 2026 Version of Skinny Jeans Is Here, and I Tried It On—This Is Why It's a Game Changer

The subject of whether or not skinny jeans are in is a frequent debate, and the most current argument is that a comeback is upon us. Despite this, I haven't found a pair I love enough to recommend or wear in years. That changed this week. Agolde, one of my favorite denim brands, just released what I consider to be the 2026 version of skinny jeans, and I tried it. The jeans I'm referring to are the new Agolde Cocktail Jeans.

The Cocktail Jeans, which come in a few staple washes, feature a low waist and have a hint of stretch, but they don't look like the dated skinny jeans of decades past. At first glance, they have the look of a 100% cotton pair. They also have a button fly, which sets them apart from the low-rise skinny jeans I wore years ago and gives them a classic look. The jeans don't have as small a leg opening (13 inches, for reference) as the aforementioned dated skinny jeans that had more of a tapered silhouette. Because of this, you could even call the Agolde Cocktail Jeans a skinny-straight hybrid. Something else that I was struck by was how soft and comfortable the jeans are. I could honestly wear them on an hours-long flight.

These are undoubtedly all-seasons jeans, but during winter, in particular, I gravitate toward jeans that are a bit slimmer to offset the oversize coats and sweaters I wear almost daily. This is why the arrival of the Cocktail Jeans was particularly timely. I'm aware that buying jeans online without trying them on is tricky, so I'm sharing more of my insights into the new skinny jeans everyone will wear in 2026 below. Scroll for thoughts for pics and to shop the jeans along with the Agolde tops I paired with them.

Agolde Cocktail Jeans in Immersion

Black skinny jeans are my favorite skinny jeans, so I was eager to try this inky pair. The Agolde Cocktail Jeans in Immersion are super saturated and could easily be dressed up or down. The fit is slim without being tight. There's the slightest bit of slouch to them that makes them look modern and cool. For reference, I'm 5'4" and am wearing the jeans in size 26, and the 28.5-inch inseam was perfect for me. That said, they weren't so short that they'd seem too cropped for someone taller. (Side note: I paired them with Agolde's Adine Shrunken Tee, and I think it's my new favorite T-shirt. It's extremely soft and the perfect weight and slightly boxy fit.)

Agolde Cocktail Jeans in Reissue

The dark-wash denim trend is one of my favorite denim trends in recent memory. It's just so elegant and works beautifully for any occasion. Given this, Agolde's Cocktail Jeans in Reissue are the perfect skinny jeans for the fashion moment we're living in. Unlike many dark-wash jeans, these weren't the slightest bit stiff—quite the opposite, in fact. I found them to be a tiny bit roomier in the waist than the black pair, so I just wore them a bit lower. I usually only wear slim-fitting jeans with something loose or boxy on top, but Agolde's Eve Twist Tee complemented the jeans perfectly, which was likely thanks to the subtly slouchy fit of the jeans.

My Verdict

If you read my previous words, you can probably tell I'm a big fan of the Agolde Cocktail Jeans and predict they'll start selling out across the internet as soon as shoppers catch wind of them. With the slightly relaxed fit, not-so-tapered legs, button fly, and low-but-not-too-low rise, they're updated skinny jeans in every way. (Fun fact: They even come in recycled leather.) Scroll on to join me in adding the new It jeans to your denim collection.

Shop Agolde Cocktail Jeans

Shop the Tops