By FP contributor, Arden Andrews.

Is it me… or is unconventional denim suddenly looking so fresh?

Maybe it’s the promise of something new, like a straight leg jean in a money green wash, after a few years of seeing everyone in classic mom jeans and skinny-but-not-skinny slim cuts. Maybe it’s the change of seasons that has me asking where I stand on jorts (or, jean shorts, for the layperson). Or maybe that’s just fashion, baby.

“The reason why denim trends continue to evolve yet always remain at the center of everyone's wardrobe is their universal appeal,” says Victoria de la Fuente, founder of Zillion Trillion, and editorial stylist for the likes of Marie Claire Latin America, Glamour Latin America, and Nylon Mexico. “It opens the doors of what’s considered fashionable, and lets everyone experiment with fashion in ways that allow people to still feel like themselves.” She points to celebs like Zendaya as denim’s favorite trailblazers, never too shy to try a longline short or a roomy-in-new-places silhouette. That’s part of the fun – an American staple meets an unexpected spin.

Below, a guide to the five need-now denim trends – from pull-on waistbands to longline shorts – that we’re watching, styling, and wearing this summer:

1.Trend Barrel Leg

Our Pick: Lucky You Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

If you’re looking for what de la Fuente describes as “an edgier take on the mom-jeans,” meet the barrel leg. Although at first glance they have a kind of skater-meets-painter attitude, “these jeans feel instantly put together,” she says. With ballerina flats and a button down, they’re comfy all day. With a cropped jacket and tiny heel, they’re ready for a night out.

2.Trend: Waistband Details

Our Pick: Moxie Jeans

A built-in belt is summer’s best trick. Now that waistbands are dropping, having a chill tie that removes the need for any extra weight is ideal. Plus, it’s a nod to Y2K that feels as if it’s moving the trend forward. “Utilitarian touches and revealing midriffs are going to be all over this season,” says de la Feunte. “As fashion forward as these seem, their slouchiness makes them an easy wardrobe addition.” A white tee or stripey sweater and a sandal or lightweight sneaker are all you need when accessories are part of the pant.

3.Trend: Longline Shorts

Our Pick: Big Sur Boyfriend Shorts

At last, the boyfriend jort has arrived. “Long shorts can be a real fashion statement,” de la Fuente assures me. “Take cues from Zendaya, Kylie Jenner, or Anne Hathaway, who pair their long shorts with heels and more tailored pieces for a runway-inspired look.” Plus, if you do want to roll them up, there’s an ease to the asymmetry that happens when you work around the rips – perfectly imperfect.

4.Trend: Unexpected Washes

Our Pick: Pacifica Straight-Leg Jeans

Perhaps the most universally flattering denim cut is the straight leg, though the kelly green wash of this pair is like a mood-brightening surprise as you’re flipping through what to wear in the morning. “Blame this summer’s most anticipated film, Barbie, for a trend in bright unexpected denim washes,” says de la Fuente, who mentions that pink isn’t the only color that plays into the mood. “I’m really into this pair, which would feel equally fresh in the city as it would by the beach,” she says. Plus, a beat-up old band tee or a silky strappy party top work equally well with the classic shape.

5.Trend: Non-Trad Pull-On

Our Pick: Play Hard Low-Rise Jeans

The pull-on jean is the best of both worlds – the structure of denim, the flexibility of a sweat. “This is a testament that trends and comfort can go hand in hand,” says de la Fuente of what she calls “a modern take on the athleisure trend that took over,” though she points out that this option is “still chic and put together without trying too hard.” Barefoot pulled over a bikini or polished up with loafers and a deconstructed blazer, it’s evergreen, according to our stylist: “I will be wearing these for seasons to come!”