While ‘Four lads in skinny jeans’ once heralded the end of tight-fitting pants, Gen Z has now embraced this style once again. How are you navigating this ‘trouser journey’?
This spring, the fashion scene is straying from the usual floral patterns – a departure that would surely delight Miranda Priestly, as reported by Vogue, GQ, and Cosmopolitan, reports the BBC.
Instead, the spotlight is on cargo pants. This trend is gaining momentum, particularly after the UK’s ‘four lads in skinny jeans’ garnered attention four years ago with their viral photo. Recently, they posed for another picture, this time donning a variety of loose-fitting trousers and cargo pants.
In an interview, these individuals predicted that skinny jeans would not make a comeback for a while. However, glimpses of Lila Moss and Emily Ratajkowski sporting them suggest otherwise. Designers like Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton have been showcasing skinny jeans in their autumn/winter 2024 collections, contributing to their resurgence.
The ongoing debate between baggy and skinny styles is intensifying, especially as cargo pants regain popularity. While millennials typically favored skinny jeans, Gen Z has leaned towards looser silhouettes. Is this preference shifting?
According to Chicago-based stylist and content creator Jabari Sandifer, this trend reflects a change in people’s approach to fashion. “The pandemic has made comfort a priority, leading to the popularity of baggy pants. Now, individuals are looking to fuse comfort with style,” he explains to the BBC. The wide-leg trend has been gaining traction, particularly as streetwear brands adopt it. Sandifer notes that brands like Off-White and Yeezy played a role in popularizing this style, along with fashion influencers like Harry Styles and Luka Sabbat who have transitioned from skinny jeans to a looser fit.
Traditionally, men’s fashion cycles have been slower to change compared to women’s, but Jabari believes that social media is altering this dynamic. Platforms such as TikTok deliver fashion content directly to users through algorithms, which has led to trends like ‘POV: you stopped wearing skinny jeans’ gaining popularity.
Currently, cargo pants are the trend du jour, but Jabari is unsure about their staying power. “Skinny jeans fell out of favor about four years ago, but we might find a middle ground. Timeless styles like Levi’s 501s always remain fashionable,” he suggests.
On the other hand, Elona and Lediona Zharku, co-owners of Tired Thrift in Brooklyn, have noticed a resurgence in skinny jeans. Their vintage shop caters to a Gen-Z clientele and showcases skinny jeans in various styles, from capris to full-length options paired with knee-high boots or ballet pumps. They attribute this comeback to nostalgia, drawing inspiration from icons like Amy Winehouse and Beyoncé’s recent Western-inspired looks.
Elona observes that Gen Z often adopts styles playfully. From basketball shorts to Ugg boots, and now skinny jeans, they tend to embrace trends ironically.
Fashion expert Lauren Glazer, who grew up in the 90s, recalls when skinny jeans gave way to looser fits. She believes that the fashion landscape is changing for the positive. “We are now celebrating diversity in body shapes and encouraging individuals to wear what makes them happy,” she states.
According to Lauren, while millennials may feel a sentimental attachment to skinny jeans, there is a movement towards moving beyond them. Her suggestion? “Try straight-leg jeans such as Levi’s, which offer a timeless appeal.”
