Peplum jeans are the most contentious denim trend of 2026, and H&M has just released a $40 version.

      Back in January, one of my colleagues confidently asserted that peplum jeans would emerge as the leading denim trend of 2026. Now, three months later, I must acknowledge that she was correct. Our senior editor, Allyson Payer, tried on Agolde's Peplum Jeans ($298) for her earlier piece, and they flew off the shelves. Fortunately, other denim brands have taken notice and offer a variety of peplum jeans, including more affordable options. For instance, H&M has just released its new Wide High-Waist Jeans ($40), featuring that recognizable peplum shape that always sparks conversation. Should we have left peplums behind in 2011? Are they genuinely back in style, or is this just another attempt to make "fetch" relevant? Only time will reveal the answer, but H&M's $40 price point is a reasonable way to experiment with the trend right now. Scroll down to shop H&M's latest jeans before they inevitably sell out.

      (Image credit: Getty Images)

      (Image credit: Getty Images)

      (Image credit: Getty Images)Shop H&M's New $40 Peplum Jeans

      H&M

      Wide High-Waist Jeans

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