The 90’s is back! Some may have seen this coming but to what extent could never have been guessed. When skinny jeans started gaining popularity in the early 2000s, thanks to rock bands like The Strokes and the rise of the ‘indie sleaze’ style, it seemed like they were here to stay, dominating runways, streets, and closets alike.
However, thanks to Gen Z that trend has begun to whither. Due to the rise of Tiktok and their mocking of previous trending clothing and denim preferences, the baggy jean look is back. The question is how did we get here, and where did baggy jeans originate from? How did they become such an iconic staple in the 90s?
A Brief History of Baggy Jeans
The classic baggy jeans trend emerged in the 1990s, becoming a staple in fashion, popularized by style icons like Tupac Shakur and Will Smith. A trend that was heavily infleunced by hiphop culture, skater style, and the grunge movement, symbolizing rebellion and youth culture, all in which we have seen become popular in the last few years. Departing from the more classic, tailored, and tapered styles, baggy jeans represented a sense of freedom, rebellion, and anti-establishment values, making them a symbolic piece of clothing for many subcultures.
By the early 2000s, with their arrival on fashion runways and the rise of indie rock—a style inspired by early punk rock—baggy jeans gave way to skinny jeans. Young people abandoned the comfortable, oversized style in favor of a “tighter is better” approach. In the 2010s, brands like Cheap Monday, American Apparel, and Ksubi helped make the skinny style go viral, becoming the foundation for what is now known as ‘indie sleaze.’
The Baggy Revival
There has been a battle on tiktok between Gen Z and millenials as Gen Z have a strong stance on what is considered ‘Millennial style’ and this definitely pushed skinny jeans back into the closet. By 2023, baggy jeans were officially back in fashion. Experts at Boohoo analyzed Google searches for “baggy jeans” and found that they increased by 52% worldwide between 2022 and 2023, with searches for “boyfriend jeans” peaking at 72%.
One trend contributing to their comeback could be Dopamine Dressing, an idea popularized due to a need for comfort and happiness created through the clothes you wear. Dopamine fashion promotes oversized clothes and comfortable fabrics like hoodies and sweatpants while encouraging experimentation with colors and patterns. This had a significant impact on denim, which not only returned to its more oversized shape but also began embracing more colorful and patterned styles.
How Baggy Is Styled by VIPs
Emily Ratajkowski’s Classic Stacked Look
Emily opts for a minimal style with low-waist, tapered, boyfriend-fit jeans that stack over high-ankle sneakers. She pairs them with a simple cropped sweater that reveals her midriff.
Rihanna’s Bold Runway Look
Rihanna goes for a bold style with a hip-hop-inspired oversized fit. She pairs straight baggy jeans with chains, a baby t-shirt, and a big, bright purple fur coat. Her tennis shoes match the bright colors of the outfit creating a look that’s both daring and playful, perfectly capturing her fearless fashion sense.
Jennifer Lopez’s Comfortable Fit
J-Lo styles her baggy jeans in a comfortable yet stylish way. She chooses high-rise, flared jeans and pairs them with a black turtleneck shirt, a small leather bag, and chic, lined slippers.
Hailey Bieber’s Glam-Casual Style
Hailey Bieber’s look could take her from a walk around the block to a dinner party. She pairs her baggy jeans with simple black high heels and a tucked-in, colorful polo shirt. She tops it off with an oversized leather jacket, a small black bag, and sunglasses to complete the look.
Conclusion
The resurgence of baggy jeans highlights the cyclical nature of fashion. Where what was once old becomes new again in a modern style. From their rebellious origins in the 90s to their modern-day revival, baggy jeans have proven to be a versatile and enduring style. Whether embraced for comfort, nostalgia, or self-expression, this trend shows how fashion evolves while continuously drawing inspiration from the past, allowing each generation to reinterpret it in their own unique way.
