Meghan Markle Proves Skinny-Flare Jeans Are the Best Denim for Casual Dates in Spring 2026
Meghan Markle found a pant trend that works for her in 2026, and she’s sticking to it for date night.
Everyone knows that a basketball ticket on the court requires denim, or even elevated sweatpants, but choosing the right pair of jeans can be a daunting task. For Markle, who attended the NBA All-Star Game with husband Prince Harry on Feb. 15, baggy jeans and barrel silhouettes don’t quite fit with her refined, effortless approach to dressing. Sure, she’s been embracing the wide-leg trend recently, but usually in the form of flowy pants that give her classic, fitted aesthetic a more casual edge. When it comes to casual denim, skinny jeans continue to dominate one’s denim drawer.
So, what should a duchess wear for a more casual date night? As 2026 denim trends move in a slimmer direction, Markle has found an option that meets her needs: bootcut jeans. Since 2025, mid-rise denim with a fit-and-flare silhouette has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance just in time for the humble ankle boot’s own spike in popularity.
Surprisingly versatile, many beloved Gen Z stars, like Bella Hadid, have embraced a more relaxed silhouette, while Markle, unsurprisingly, has gravitated toward the more slimming versions with a more prominent edge. Earlier this year, Markle made a surprise appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in a monochrome black look, pairing black bootcut pants with a mock-neck sweater and simple gold jewelry.
She took a similar approach to her skinny-flare bootcut look at the All-Star Game in California, pairing slim indigo jeans with a soft navy sweater and minimal jewelry, completing the look with black pointy-heeled boots. Meanwhile, Prince Harry looked equally sharp in a button-down shirt, baseball cap, gray cigarette jeans and green suede sneakers.
