S/S ’26 Preview: Denim Mills Follow Loose-Fitting, Oversize Trends
Mills are preparing for several denim trends for Spring/Summer 2026 with collections that offer variety and unique effects.
The denim market is undeniably crowded. Bossa is taking steps to stand out. “We’re responding to the increasing demand for uniqueness and individuality by perfecting techniques that give our fabrics a distinct character and visual appeal. From advanced wash treatments to exclusive fiber blends, we’re ensuring that our collections not only reflect but also lead the fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2026,” said Jordan Nodarse, Bossa design consultant.
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Cone Denim set out to develop fabrics that address commercial denim trends and inspire designers to create new silhouettes. “We are still seeing trends driven by the ’90s and early 2000s era with looser silhouettes continuing and we’ve designed a collection of fabrics that are perfect for those types of silhouettes from a weight, construction, and shade perspective,” said Pierette Scavuzzo, Cone Denim design director.
Evlox has two collections that capture the essence of summer. Inspired by the sea, Deep Dive offers “captivating shades of blue, mirroring the natural beauty and complexity that the color takes on as it deepens in the ocean,” said Francisco Ortega, the mill’s R&D manager. Through a specialized finishing process, Evlox enhances the saturation of these hues to achieve extea depth and intensity for a unique and sophisticated look.
The second campaign, called Colorful by Evlox, focuses on adding colors on the reverse side of denim fabrics. The color palette includes mustard, navy blue, sea green and beige.
While there’s a need for lighter-weight fabrics, brands are requesting heavier-weight 100 percent cotton authentic denim. Cone’s Icon capsule addresses this demand with seasonal fabrics that have archive-inspired constructions, Scavuzzo said.
With denim trends all over the map, Cone is trying to simplify with versatile fabrics that can do it all. The new Ever One capsule allows brands to take one fabric and use it for multiple silhouettes and washes, thus promoting the reduction of development waste.
“The demand for classic rigid 501-style looks remains strong, but we’re seeing a growing interest in styles that feature more visual effects, including vintage and Y2K-inspired elements,” said Ampelio Dal Lago, Siddiqson’s head of research and development. “Our articles are designed to create the illusion of a heavier aesthetic while ensuring a lightweight feel and elasticity, striking the perfect balance between traditional rigid styles and modern comfort. We expect this trend to continue growing as consumers seek products that offer a fresh appearance and comfort.”
“Fashion today is defined by diversity and inclusivity—no single trend dominates,” said Imran Tanveer, Crescent Bahuman, assistant VP, research and development. Instead, the mill is seeing demand grow for innovative fits and finishes and a return of stretch for skinny and loose fits. New silver grey and baby blue colors were designed specifically for summer.
Gender-neutral silhouettes, athleisure, and multi-functional garments that transition effortlessly between work, leisure, and activewear are key to SM Denim’s collection. The mill said there’s a clear move toward versatility, with oversized fits, utility detailing, and nature-inspired tones leading the aesthetic for S/S ’26.
Twin Dragon is embracing the nostalgic trend of 2×1 weaves that capture the vintage aesthetic of JNCO and Carhartt, while also shifting toward cleaner, bright washes without heavy dry processes or distressing, said Stephani Poon, the mill’s director of marketing and merchandising.
This shift is complemented by the rise of “liquid denim,” or lightweight, drapey and flowy fabrics for wide-leg silhouettes, one-pieces and shackets. “These trends blend retro influences with modern comfort, appealing to a broad range of fashion-forward consumers,” she said.
Sapphire Finishing Mills is responding to the growing demand for minimalist, wellness-inspired fashion with fabrics that have natural textures, soothing colors and functional silhouettes. The mill integrates modular designs and versatile pieces that align with consumer demands for durability and slow fashion.
Advance Denim is responding to several trends influencing men’s and women’s denim fashion. “We see customers diversifying their fabric bases to find the best fabric to match the newest trends thus moving away from platform fabrics that attempt to cover all trends with one option,” said Mark Ix, Advance Denim director of North American marketing.
The mill is seeing a resurgence of clean dark washes, some with slight tints that shift shades, he said. Softness and comfort are overarching themes that cover a variety of silhouettes including trendy low-loose, barrel shapes and the reemerging ’90s skinny jean.
Interest in refined denim with a clean aesthetic is growing, said Tim Huesemann, Tat-Fung sales director.
“This shift began gaining traction last year and continues to build momentum. That said, the fashion landscape is now more diverse than ever with countless micro-trends shaping the industry in ways we didn’t see decades ago. Vintage looks and washed denim remain strong, with a clear demand for novelty denim that offers fresh, innovative finishes and optics. The market is hungry for unique takes on classic styles, blending heritage with a modern edge,” he said.
Isko always has a finger on the pulse of fashion. The Turkish mill frames its S/S ’26 collection of rigid and stretch fabrics across themes such as Y2K aesthetics like loose fits, bold slub texture and broken twills and vintage-inspired styles that call soft slub textures and rich colors. Influences from luxury and high-end fashion are resulting in fabrics with softness and shine and non-traditional statement finishes.
The West Coast inspired Soorty’s range of easy-to-wear silhouettes with vintage-inspired aesthetics. Nature inspired a range of garments designed for movement and flexibility.
However, the mill eliminates stretch in Beyond, a collection for consumers who dare to be different. “Beyond is purely innovative and bold,” said Eda Dikmen, Soorty senior marketing and communications manager. “It introduces fresh and striking looks with new colors, compositions, and textures. With loose silhouettes and baggy jeans, it almost entirely excludes stretch, as it’s no longer a priority for this consumer group.”
Sebla Onder, Orta’s marketing and sustainability manager, said fabrics with natural stretch are superseding super-stretch constructions. This is evident in the mill’s three themes inspired by popular vacation destinations.
St. Tropez shows a fresh take on the French maritime tradition of navy stripes and offers lightweight, breathable denim and denim with the polished look and feel of sateen. Kyoto fabrics are all about constructions paired with Japanese aesthetics and perfectionism. Multi-slub crosshatch denim with green cast colors, short slubs, and broken twill and French linen blends are part of this group. Loose fits, drapey fabrics, and soft, breathable fibers are also key in New York City, a family of fabrics with clean twills and slow-spun cotton for a soft natural feel.
Global Denim is meeting the demand for cowboy, western and Americana denim with rigid and comfort stretch fabrics in a variety of heavy-weight options. “We’re focusing on 3×1 constructions with an emphasis on left-hand twill for added softness and a unique character twist, which has gained significant traction,” said Anatt Finkler, the mill’s creative director. “We’re also highlighting authentic texture, featuring marbling and crackling on fabric surfaces.”
US Group is embracing “modern authenticity” by creating denim fabrics for relaxed, loose-fitting styles. Fabrics are soft, breathable and comfortable without blending. Rigid, slubby constructions give the fabric more depth and character.
“Active denim continues to evolve with performance-driven materials focusing on sustainability and flexibility. While classic rigid denim remains a staple, we emphasize eco-friendly blends. Current trends also highlight summery, lighter washes, which are in high demand, adding a fresh and airy feel to the collection,” said Intizar Ali, US Group general manager research and business development.
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