After a period focused on dark denim, the coming season introduces lighter blue washes, bringing a softer and more relaxed feel to jeans.
Soft blue is trending across fashion, according to Heuritech, and the AI-powered trend forecasting firm predicts the shift will influence upcoming denim washes. In its Fall/Winter 2027–2028 trend report, the company forecasts future consumer adoption of several light-wash denim trends.
Within men’s denim, consumer adoption of bleach denim is projected to rise 3 percent compared with Fall/Winter 2025–2026. Overall, bleach denim is forecast to grow 13 percent, largely driven by strong demand from consumers age 16 to 25.
The wash aligns with other color denim trends like pale pink and butter yellow.
Describing “The Soft Blue Story,” Heuritech links the delicate blue’s popularity to the return of gray as a key neutral. As gray evolves, it shifts toward softer blue tones, offering a sense of calm and a more versatile approach to color. Pastel blue hues also tap into celestial trends through iridescent finishes, metallic coatings and liquid-like textures.
Elsewhere in fashion, Heuritech said consumer adoption of powder blue dresses is expected to increase 12 percent. Softer tones like baby blue are also returning to men’s wear across all age segments, up two percent.
Heuritech’s report calls out other denim-related trends. The “Riviera Rodeo” aesthetic—a theme based on soft ruggedness—is sparking demand for denim tops. The adoption of the button-down shirts is expected to rise 3 percent amongst men, “arriving in washed finishes that indicate many hours immersed in sun and saltwater,” Heuritech said.
The effortless shirts strongly appeal to consumers aged 45 and older.
Meanwhile, Heuritech connects baggy pants to emerging “kidadult” themes in men’s and women’s fashion, alighing the roomy bottoms with retro ringer tees and colorful stripe patterns. Forecasted growth for baggy pants is 1 percent in the men’s market. The nostalgic trend is largely driven by consumers age 16 to 25.