I grew up in Southern California, so denim is practically part of my DNA. It’s typically my baseline for every outfit, so the thought of building a look around anything else honestly doesn’t even cross my mind. But after spending a few weeks in Paris and admiring all the über-chic French women in such a range of sartorial choices, I vowed to branch out from my denim uniform and push myself to experiment with new styles.
So off I went on my search for cool alternatives to jeans, and to my surprise, I found a treasure trove of options that are chic and wearable. As someone who’s just dipping a toe into the new world of pants, I wanted options that I felt confident styling to ensure I won’t get discouraged. From high-waisted trousers to fun printed pieces to trendy utility pants and elevated leather styles, the 27 options below are the best pant alternatives to jeans I’ve found—it would be rude not to share.