My first pair of skinny jeans was a terrible mistake. Perhaps because they were. My mom bought me a pair of Wet Seal boots when I was 12 years old. I was sick of the bell-bottoms and bootcut she had always given me. I was primarily looking cool. Cropped hemlines weren’t a common trend back then. We wore ours for a bit longer than we needed and rolled the hemlines to hide our ankles. We wore ours with platforms on our feet. However, 15 years later, I still have not got a single pair of skinny jeans. After I decided that I was done with this trend, I gave the last pair of Everlane jeans I purchased to a friend in 2019.
When skinny jeans were banned by Zoomers earlier in the year, I was shocked at how many millennials took it personally. Most people know by now that millennials are familiar with the pain of being blamed for everything, including marriage, diamonds, beer, and napkins. It was hard to give up skinny jeans. I was most curious to find out if the Zoomers disapproval was enough to end skinny jeans.
It turned out that it wasn’t. It doesn’t matter if you like skinny jeans or not.
In 2021, skinny jeans had not seen a decline in popularity despite the rapid growth of looser styles, be they slim-fit or barrel. The top fashion searches for in were skinny jeans. Although most searches were probably from people looking for the jeans, queries such as “skinny jeans dating you” and “side part skinny jeans” were most popular. It appears that any press is good news. Lyst reports that searches for skinny jeans have increased by 77% per month since September, according to global fashion platform Lyst. (But that doesn’t mean shoppers don’t want other styles. Data shows they prefer wide-leg and baggy Jeans for the majority of 2021. Searches for both have increased by 110% each month since January.
Designers defying TikTok’s directive have been seen wearing skinny jeans on the runway. Saint Laurent’s prefall 2021 jean boot made us wonder what would happen if they were worn to a no-shoe party. Tom Ford has also featured skinny jeans in recent collections. He also included leather-looking, low-rise options in his fall 2021 collection. Givenchy has also approved skinny jeans in its prefall 2022 collection, including washed and ruched denim. Both luxury and retail brands still sell skinny jeans in low-rise and high waisted styles. This includes Balmain, Balenciaga, Levi’s, Good American and Everlane.
Spring 2022 collections already predict that the 2010s- the age of skater skirts, thigh-high socks, and colourful jeans- will be back. This includes high-low hemlines and gladiator sandals. A recent surge in demand for skinny jeans could signify that a dormant trend is waiting to see if its partners are ready for spring. Don’t forget your skinny jeans, millennials. They may come in handy very soon.
The options below may be an option if you are missing a pair.