You see runway shows pushing extreme silhouettes and wonder if a high-waisted skinny jean is the next edgy style for men. But investing in a fit this niche could be a costly mistake for your collection.

From a commercial standpoint, high-waisted skinny jeans are not a good look for most men and represent a huge market risk. They are difficult to fit and flatter a very small percentage of body types.

Dean, your gut feeling on this is exactly right. You said they only look good on very specific women, and the same principle applies to men, but even more so.

In my twenty years of making jeans, the styles that sell in high volume are the ones that make a wide range of people feel good. The high-waisted skinny jean does the opposite.

It highlights every perceived flaw and creates uncomfortable proportions for the average male build. It's a combination of two very demanding fit elements.

While it might create a dramatic look for a photoshoot, it's a disaster for retail. It's a fit that generates more returns than profits.

Are High Waisted Jeans Good for Men?

You're considering a higher rise for your next collection. But you're worried that men will reject it as being too feminine or simply uncomfortable and unflattering.

High-waisted jeans can be good for men, but only when paired with a straight or relaxed leg. A higher rise can elongate the legs.com/why-does-anyone-make-jeans-with-a-button-fly/) can elongate the legs and offer a classic, vintage look.

We have to separate the rise from the leg shape. The problem isn't the high waist itself; it's the combination with a skinny fit.

When I get orders for vintage-inspired straight-leg jeans, we often use a higher rise. Think of classic 1950s workwear.

A higher waist sits on the natural waistline, which can be very comfortable. When the leg is straight or relaxed, the higher waist creates a clean line and makes the legs look longer. It looks intentional and classic.

However, it's still not a mainstream choice. Most men are used to a mid-rise that sits on the hips. So, while high-waisted jeans can be good, they are for a more fashion-forward customer who understands proportions. They are not a safe bet for a core, high-volume product.

Are Skinny Jeans Attractive on Guys?

For a decade, skinny jeans were the key to a youthful, modern look. Now you're wondering if that look has lost its appeal and if they still seem attractive to customers.

The mainstream appeal of skinny jeansm.com/moderated/i-am-recapitulating-the-history-of-our-dear-now-under-attack-of-gen-z-skinny-jeans-before-e83507838e4c) of skinny jeans has faded significantly. The current definition of "attractive" in menswear has shifted towards comfort, confidence, and relaxed silhouettes, making skinny jeans look dated.

The market has moved on. For years, all my production lines were running skinny fits. It was the uniform of the "rockstar" or the "indie" kid. It was seen as attractive because it was edgy and body-conscious.

But today, the cultural mood has changed completely. Comfort is the new cool. Confidence is shown not by wearing tight clothes, but by being comfortable in what you wear. My orders now are almost all for straight-leg, relaxed, and loose fits.

When young people see a guy in super-tight skinny jeans today, it often reads as trying too hard, or like he hasn't updated his wardrobe in ten years.

While a small subculture will always exist for them, as a mainstream trend, their time has passed. The most attractive silhouette right now is one that looks effortless.

What Body Type Do Skinny Jeans Look Best on Men?

You need to know who the target customer for a skinny jean is. Designing a fit without knowing the ideal body type for it is a recipe for high return rates.

Skinny jeans look best on one specific body type: very tall and very slender. On any other frame, they tend to create unflattering proportions and highlight problem areas.

This is the core commercial problem with skinny jeans, and it's exactly what your insight pointed to. They are not democratic. From a pattern-making perspective, they are designed with almost no extra room.

This means they only work on a frame that matches those minimal dimensions. For a tall, slender guy, they can create a sleek, long line. But for most men, they cause problems.

On a muscular guy, they can look sausage-like and restrictive. On a shorter guy, they can make the legs look even shorter. On a heavier guy, they highlight the midsection.

As a brand, this is a dangerous product. You are designing a jean that will make 90% of your potential customers feel bad when they try it on. That’s not a sustainable business model. Good design should flatter, and skinny jeans flatter very few.

Fit vs. Body Type Matrix

Body Type	Skinny Fit Effect	Recommended Fit
Tall & Slender	Flattering, elongating	Skinny, Slim, Straight
Athletic/Muscular	Restrictive, unbalanced	Slim-Straight, Relaxed
Short & Stocky	Shortens legs, widens frame	Slim, Straight
Heavier Build	Highlights midsection, tight	Relaxed, Straight

Are Slim Jeans Out of Style for Guys in 2025?

You're seeing the massive trend toward loose fits and are worried that even your core slim-fit products will soon be obsolete. You need to plan your inventory for the near future.

No, slim jeans are not out of styles.com/is-there-a-perfect-fit-between-slim-and-regular-jeans/) are not out of style and will not be in 2025. They have transitioned from a trend into a modern classic and a reliable core product for your collection.

It's crucial to distinguish between "slim" and "skinny." Skinny is the extreme, skin-tight fit. Slim is simply tailored to the body without being restrictive. It follows the natural line of the leg with a gentle taper.

While the fashion-forward crowd has moved on to looser fits, the majority of men have not. For the average guy who wants to look neat and put-together without taking a big fashion risk, the slim fit is the perfect solution.

It’s the safe haven for men who grew up on skinny jeans but want a more mature, comfortable look.

In my factory, while orders for skinny jeans have vanished, the demand for classic slim-fit jeans remains strong and stable. It’s the new default. It’s not trendy, but that's its strength. It’s a reliable seller that forms the backbone of any successful denim brand.

Conclusion

High-waisted skinny jeans are a commercial risk for men's fashion. Instead, focus on timeless slim fits and experiment with higher rises only on classic straight-leg or relaxed silhouettes for a broader appeal.