Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Gen-Z men are throwing out their skinny jeans in favour of baggier silhouettes.
With the ongoing skinny jeans debate causing a generational divide on TikTok, young men are showing viewers why they think baggy jeans are the superior fit. They’ve opted for straight-leg styles and mom instead of the skin-tight styles that dominated the late 00s and most of the 2010s.
While women on the platform have already deliberated extensively on the topic, men have begun to throw in their two cents on the contentious debate, largely saying that baggier silhouettes are more comfortable and less restrictive.
“POV you finally stopped wearing skinny jeans,” LA-based creator Ethan Glenn posted on 16 May. The video has since received 2.3mil views. In the video, Glenn showed how he transitioned from wearing tight-fitting black skinny jeans to experimenting with wide-leg jeans, tailored pinstripe trousers, and green utility pants.
It isn’t just Glenn showing off his style evolution, with many men this week alone taking to social media to compare and contrast their skinny and baggy jeans looks to the sound of Lana Del Rey’s “Radio.” Women have gotten in on the fun, posting their boyfriend’s much-needed closet makeover and throwing out their skinny jeans. Commenters have praised them for switching up their style, but others maintained their love for skinny jeans.
While women have been quick to hop on the baggy jean trend, men have reportedly embraced baggy jeans at a much slower rate, primarily because the trend cycle for men’s fashion moves at a much more glacial pace. “Men are really reticent to change,” Bloomingdale’s men’s fashion director Justin Berkowitz explained to the Wall Street Journal last year. “They found something they liked, they’re sticking with it.”
Since 2021, the silhouettes of men’s jeans and pants have only gotten bigger, baggier, and arguably better – at least according to fashion insiders. Both luxury fashion houses like Balenciaga and classic, affordable brands like Levi’s have increasingly been selling their twist on the trend.
Levi’s global VP of men’s design Janine Chilton-Faust noted to the outlet that the brand’s take on the trend – nine styles categorised under the “Loose” collection, including the 90s-inspired “Stay-Loose” jeans – pays homage to the street style found in modern-day skate culture. She found that “skate kids” often opted for wider, vintage-looking denim that allowed for greater comfort and mobility as opposed to skinnier silhouettes. She added that although the younger generation is “really gravitating toward the looser, baggier fits,” older customers are also notably gravitating to the baggier look.
While many say that the shift in style is all a part of the 15-year trend cycle, harkening back to when ultra-wide JNCO jeans were all the rage, some say that the transition is indicative of the state of the economy and replacing the hemline index.
The hemline index – first recognized in 1926 by Wharton Business School professor George Taylor – followed the idea that the hemline of women’s skirts signaled where the stock market was headed. If short skirts were in style it meant that there was an economic upturn, while the rise of maxi and midi skirts pointed to an economic downturn.
Douglas French of the Mises Institute argued that theory also applied to popular styles of jeans, regardless of gender. He said that skinny jeans were like mini-skirts, often donned during times of economic success. Millennials rocked skinny jeans in the mid-2000s as the housing and stock markets reached their peak before the recession hit in 2008. At the time, brands like Saint Laurent sold the thousand-dollar skinny jeans in their men’s fashion lines, meanwhile Pacsun and Hot Topic peddled super tight jeans to the so-called edgy subsect of early aughts mallrats.
Skinny jeans, however, continued to be popular up until the years leading into the Covid-19 pandemic, a period undoubtedly dogged by uncertainty. Baggier jeans and looser-fitting pants ultimately emerged as a happy medium between the athleisure worn throughout multiple lockdowns and the constricting skinny jeans of the previous decade. The silhouettes could be sleek and comfortable without compromising one for the other.
Men are more open to experimenting with these styles, whether it’s at their behest or the urging of their long-suffering girlfriends. Flared, baggy, or straight, the world is their oyster.
FAQs
Baggier jeans and looser-fitting pants ultimately emerged as a happy medium between the athleisure worn throughout multiple lockdowns and the constricting skinny jeans of the previous decade. The silhouettes could be sleek and comfortable without compromising one for the other.
Why is everyone wearing baggy jeans? ›
Additionally, Halet believes that baggy jeans are widely worn because people now prioritize comfort over fit. This style's popularity also lies in the fact that, according to Halet, “anybody can wear baggy jeans.”
What kind of jeans does Gen Z wear? ›
The baggy v skinny fit is a debate that persists – only more so now that voluminous cargo pants have become popular again. Historically skinny jeans have been favoured by millennials, whilst Gen-Z have embraced the baggier look, but is that changing?
Are men baggy jeans in style in 2024? ›
Baggy jeans, once synonymous with the laid-back style of the '90s, have staged a triumphant comeback in the fashion scene of 2024 - for men and women. These loose-fitting denim wonders, rooted in a fascinating history, are reclaiming their place as a trendy and comfortable wardrobe staple.
Are baggy jeans in style for guys? ›
Comfort and Practicality
Unlike their skinny and slim-fit counterparts, baggy jeans for men allow for greater freedom of movement and are less restrictive, making them an ideal choice for everyday wear. This shift towards comfort-driven fashion has been a significant driver in the revival of baggy jeans.
Why do men wear baggy pants? ›
Teenagers and men in their twenties were quoted as explaining they sagged "because everyone else does", "to conform", and because "people think you're really uncool (if you don't)": sagging had become so popular that young men chose to sag in order to fit in and avoid ostracisation.
What are the trending baggy jeans called? ›
In the United Kingdom, during the 1990s fad they were known as "baggies". However, this term faded with the original fad and now they are generally known as Phat pants and "wide-leg jeans".
What is the baggy pants condition? ›
“Baggy pants” is a sign of severe marasmus. The best management is urgent referral to a hospital.
Are skinny jeans out of fashion for men? ›
Now that Gen Z has pronounced the death of skinny jeans, men are flocking to TikTok to show off what they're wearing instead. An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.
Are millennials still wearing skinny jeans? ›
While social media might be full of influencers telling us that skinny jeans are a thing of the past, there may still be life in them yet. According to a poll by YouGov, 54 percent of millennials still think they're a fashionable style, compared to 48 percent of Gen Z.
“As a generation raised in the streetwear era, [Gen Z] are true connoisseurs and avid archivists who value knowledge, exclusivity, community and craft,” says Marta Indeka, senior foresight analyst at strategic foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory, on Gen Z's new-found fascination with manufacturing content.
Does Gen Z wear bras? ›
As a result, wearing a bra is no longer as natural as it was in the early 2000s: many Gen-Zers now even do without one altogether.
Who started the baggy jeans trend? ›
Baggy jeans can be traced to a mix of the 50s surge of rock and roll and the 70s birth of hip hop. The 1990 hit “U Can't Touch This” (a true banger) by MC Hammer, introduced the “Hammer Pants,” an interpretation of the Middle Eastern harem pant, which can be best described as baggy on top with cuffs at the ankles.
What jeans should a 40 year old man wear? ›
Relaxed and Roomy – But Not Sloppy – Jeans
For a fit that offers slightly more room from hip to leg opening, a relaxed straight leg jean is the perfect option. A relaxed straight leg style is a great pair of jeans for older men that are looking for a pair with more freedom to move and crave a roomier fit.
Are baggy jeans making a comeback? ›
Baggy jeans are a style of jeans that are loose-fitting and baggy in the legs. The style became popular in the 1990s and has seen a resurgence in recent years.
Why are baggy clothes attractive? ›
One of the most attractive things about oversized fashion trends is effortless comfortability. The clothes generally just hang off your body's frame without any chance of showing skin or constricting you.
What generation wore baggy clothes? ›
Oversize clothing rose to popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, especially among hip-hop, street dance, and skateboarding fans.
What is Gen Z obsessed with? ›
5) They see gaming as more than a hobby
As it turns out they're the most likely of all generations to play games, and even as they grow older and take on more responsibility, they're still finding time for serious button mashing. Gaming is ingrained in Gen Z's culture.
