You see low-rise jeans on celebrities and wonder if you can pull them off. This Y2K trend feels like a big risk, and you don't want to invest in something that's already out.

Yes, low-waisted jeans¹ are definitely in style. Driven by the powerful Y2K fashion revival², this silhouette has made a major comeback on runways and in stores. It's a key trend that signifies a shift away from the long dominance of high-rise styles.

The debate over the rise of a jean is one I hear constantly. For the last decade, high-rise has been king. In my factory, we produced millions of them. They are safe, comfortable, and flattering for many.

But fashion never stands still. My friend Dean, a designer in New York, told me two years ago, "Mike, get ready for low-rise. It's coming back." I was skeptical at first, but now I see the orders pouring in.

The low-rise jean is back, but it's not an exact copy of what we saw in the 2000s. It's a new chapter, not just a re-read of the old one.

Are low-rise jeans in style in 2025?

You want to buy clothes that will last more than one season. Seeing the low-rise trend makes you wonder if it's a fleeting moment or a style with real staying power.

Yes, low-rise jeans will continue to be a prominent style in 2025. The trend has moved beyond the early adopter phase and is now a mainstream fashion choice. It represents a larger shift toward more relaxed and diverse silhouettes.

Fashion moves in cycles, and the Y2K revival is one of the strongest I've seen in my 20 years in this business. Low-rise jeans are the centerpiece of that revival.

At first, it was just the most fashion-forward brands³ ordering them. Now, I see tech packs for low-rise styles from major commercial brands. That tells me the trend has long legs.

However, the 2025 version is different. In the 2000s, the look was often a super-tight low-rise jean. Today, the most current expression is a baggy low-rise jean. It's a much more relaxed and confident fit. The new low-rise is less about showing off your midriff and more about creating a slouchy, effortless silhouette.

It's being styled with oversized shirts⁴ or simple crop tops, not the flashy tops of the past. It’s an evolution, and that evolution is what gives the trend its staying power.

What body type should wear low-waisted jeans?

The old rules about low-rise jeans haunt you. You think you need a specific body type to wear them, which makes you hesitant to even try a pair on.

While traditionally favored by slender, long-torsoed figures, the modern take on low-rise jeans is about the cut, not the body type. Finding a baggy, straight, or bootcut version⁵ can create balance for many different shapes.

The old advice was very restrictive. It made people feel excluded from a trend. Today, as a manufacturer, I can tell you we approach it differently. It's not about making one shape for one body; it's about engineering different cuts to work for more people.

A "curvy low-rise" is a great example. We design these with a smaller waistband but more room through the hip and thigh. This eliminates the dreaded waistband gap for people with hourglass figures. The key is to ignore the old rules and focus on the overall silhouette.

A baggy low-rise jean⁶ can look amazing on a curvier frame, creating a cool, relaxed vibe. A low-rise bootcut can balance wider hips. The secret isn't having the "right body," it's about finding the "right jean." Don't let old fashion magazines scare you away. The best body type to wear low-waisted jeans is a confident one.

Are low-rise jeans out of style?

You see high-waisted jeans everywhere, and they feel like a safe, timeless choice. This makes low-rise feel like a rebellious outlier that might already be on its way out.

No, low-rise jeans are not out of style; they are the challenger to the long-reigning champion, high-rise. High-rise is the established classic, while low-rise is the fresh fashion-forward statement. Both are currently popular and coexist in the market.

It's a mistake to think that only one style can be "in" at a time. The denim market today is very diverse. Think of it this way: high-rise jeans are like a classic white t-shirt. They are a dependable, versatile, and universally popular staple. They won't be going "out of style" anytime soon.

My factory still produces an enormous volume of high-rise jeans because they are the commercial bedrock of many brands. Low-rise jeans are the trendy, exciting piece you add to your wardrobe to feel current.

They are the fashion statement. When my designer clients like Dean create a new collection, they include high-rise styles for their core customers and low-rise styles to show they are on the cutting edge.

They are not mutually exclusive. One is your everyday workhorse, the other is for making a style statement.

What style of jeans is most popular now?

Navigating the world of jeans is confusing. With so many cuts, rises, and washes, you just want to know what the single most dominant trend is right now to make a safe and stylish choice.

The biggest overall trend in jeans right now is a shift away from skinny fits toward looser, more relaxed silhouettes. Straight-leg and wide-leg jeans are the most popular and versatile styles, available in high, mid, and low rises.

For the last five years, the most significant change I've seen in the production orders at my factory is the death of the skinny jean's dominance.

The patterns we are cutting today use much more fabric in the leg. This reflects a broad consumer demand for comfort and a more relaxed aesthetic.

The specific rise—whether it's high, mid, or low—is a secondary choice that fine-tunes the look. But the foundation of modern denim style is a looser leg.

Current Most Popular Jean Styles

Jean Style	Description	Why It's Popular
Straight-Leg	A classic fit that runs straight from the hip down to the ankle.	Extremely versatile. Can be dressed up or down. Looks good on almost everyone.
Wide-Leg	Flares out from the hip or thigh and remains wide all the way down.	Offers a dramatic silhouette. Comfortable and has a retro, 70s or 90s feel.
Baggy/Slouchy	Loose all over, from the seat through the entire leg.	The ultimate in comfort and casual, streetwear-inspired style. Center of the Y2K trend.

These three cuts form the core of today's denim market. If you are looking for the safest, most popular choice, a high-rise straight-leg jean is your best bet. If you want to embrace the current fashion moment, a low-rise baggy jean is the perfect pick.

Conclusion

Low-waisted jeans are definitely in style, marking a shift toward more diverse and relaxed fits. While high-rise remains a classic, the real trend is looser legs and personal expression.

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