You look in your closet and see a dozen pairs of skinny jeans¹ that used to be your favorite. Now, you hesitate to wear them, worried they might make you look dated in a world full of baggy denim².

Skinny jeans are no longer the dominant fashion trend, but they are not officially "out of style." They have shifted from a must-have item to a classic staple, much like bootcut jeans, that people wear based on personal preference.

From my perspective in the factory, the numbers tell the story. Five years ago, 70% of our production for women's and men's jeans was for skinny or slim fits. Today, that number is closer to 25%. We are making far more straight-leg, wide-leg, and relaxed styles.

But a 25% share is still huge. It means millions of people are still buying them. So, the story is more complicated than a simple "in" or "out." Let's dive into what's really happening.

Are skinny jeans out of style in 2025?

You are shopping for new clothes and want to make sure your purchases will feel current next year. Investing in fashion is tricky, and you want to choose styles with some staying power.

Looking ahead to 2025, skinny jeans will not be the primary trend. The fashion world will continue to favor looser silhouettes like straight-leg, wide-leg, and baggy jeans. However, skinny jeans will remain a valid choice for specific outfits.

Fashion moves in cycles, and we are currently deep into a cycle that favors comfort and looser fits. I see this in the design specifications clients send me every day. The measurements for thigh and leg openings are wider than they've been in 15 years.

This trend is driven by a larger cultural shift towards more relaxed and comfortable clothing, a change that was accelerated by the global pandemic. For 2025, expect this to continue. The main focus will be on refining these looser shapes.

However, this does not mean skinny jeans will disappear. They will evolve. We are seeing some orders for "slim-straight" styles, a hybrid that offers a fitted look without being skin-tight.

Skinny jeans will also remain essential for certain looks, like tucking into tall boots or for creating a sleek, rock-and-roll silhouette. Think of them less as the main character of fashion and more as a supporting actor that plays a specific, important role.

Is it okay to still wear skinny jeans?

You genuinely love the look and feel of your skinny jeans, but social media tells you they are a "cringe" fashion choice. This makes you feel insecure about wearing what you truly like.

Yes, it is absolutely okay to still wear skinny jeans. True style is about wearing what makes you feel confident and comfortable, not about chasing every new trend. A well-fitting pair of skinny jeans can look classic and stylish.

I have a long-term client from the UK whose brand is built entirely on high-quality skinny jeans³ for men. His sales are still strong. Why? Because he has a loyal customer base that loves that specific fit.

This proves a critical point: personal style is more important than fleeting trends. If you feel great in skinny jeans, you will look great in them. Confidence is the best fashion accessory.

There are many practical reasons why people stick with skinny jeans. They are incredibly versatile. They pair perfectly with oversized tops, creating a balanced silhouette.

They are the best style for tucking into boots in the winter. For many body types, they provide a flattering, elongating look. The fashion world moves quickly, but you don't have to.

The a goal of a good piece of clothing is to serve you and your lifestyle. If skinny jeans do that, then they are a perfect choice and you should wear them without a second thought.

What style is replacing skinny jeans?

You are ready to try a less fitted style, but you're confused by all the new names. You see "mom jeans⁴," "wide-leg," and "straight-leg" and don't know which is the right one to try first.

The main style that has replaced the skinny jean as the everyday standard is the straight-leg jean. It offers a more relaxed silhouette that is comfortable, versatile, and easy for most people to wear, making it the new go-to classic.

The move away from skinny jeans didn't lead to just one new style, but the straight-leg is definitely the most popular successor. In our factory, the classic straight-leg is now our number one most-produced fit. Here's a quick guide to the main styles that are popular now.

The Straight-Leg Jean

This is the new "normal." The cut is straight from the hip down through the thigh and to the ankle. It skims over your body without clinging to it. It's the perfect middle ground: not too tight, not too baggy. It works with almost any shoe and for any occasion.

The Wide-Leg Jean

This is a more fashion-forward choice. The leg is wide from the hip all the way down, creating a lot of volume and movement. These are often high-waisted and can make a dramatic statement. We are making a lot of these in softer, drapier denim fabrics.

The Relaxed or "Baggy" Jean

This style is all about comfort. Inspired by 90s skate and hip-hop culture, it's loose all over: in the seat, thigh, and leg opening. It’s the ultimate casual choice and is hugely popular with younger consumers.

Feature	Skinny Jeans	Straight-Leg Jeans	Wide-Leg Jeans
Fit	Tight all over	Skims the leg	Loose from the hip
Comfort	Lower (more restrictive)	High	Very High
Versatility	Good	Excellent	Good (more trendy)
Key Look	Sleek, fitted	Classic, relaxed	Bold, fashion-forward

When did skinny jeans go out of style?

It feels like one day skinny jeans were everywhere, and the next they were gone. You are curious about when this major fashion shift actually happened to better understand how trends work.

The popularity of skinny jeans started to decline around 2018, but the trend really ended for the mainstream in 2020. The global shift to working from home made comfort the top priority, accelerating the move towards looser, more relaxed fits.

From my position as a manufacturer, I can track these shifts very clearly. I started getting a noticeable increase in quote requests for "mom jeans" and vintage-style straight-leg fits⁵ back in 2018. The trend was bubbling up. But the real turning point was 2020. That year, everything changed.

Everyone was suddenly at home, and nobody wanted to wear tight, restrictive pants while sitting on their own couch. It was the ultimate catalyst for the comfort trend.

At the same time, social media platforms, particularly TikTok, gave younger generations a powerful voice.

They very publicly declared skinny jeans "over" and championed baggy, 90s-inspired styles. This created a perfect storm. The older millennials who grew up with skinny jeans were ready for a change focused on comfort, and the younger Gen Z consumers wanted a new look to call their own.

The demand from brands shifted almost overnight. By 2021, orders for relaxed and straight-leg fits had completely overtaken skinny fits.

Conclusion

Skinny jeans are not the top trend anymore, but they have settled into a new role as a classic. The most fashionable choice is always what makes you feel best, so wear them if you love them.

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