There are few garments as polarizing as the skinny jean. On TikTok, Gen Z has long held the belief that pin-thin denim is officially out of style—yet many millennials, who grew up with the trend in the aughts, still have a strong love for them. Personally, I am reminded of wearing skinny jeans in high school in the late 2000s, when they had a huge moment. I would quite literally squeeze myself into women’s jeans—the tighter, the better!—and modeled my entire jean wardrobe after the styles worn by stars like Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan.
These days, I’ve given my skinny jeans a rest, but the tight jean look still lives on. Denim brands such as J Brand, Levi’s, Wrangler, and more continue to sell them as a classic offering; skinny jeans have moved past a fad, and are now a seasonless wardrobe staple. Yet, in the land of celebrities, there’s another hot jean in town that’s threatening to steal the skinny jean’s spotlight entirely: Big, baggy denim.
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Over the past few months, stylish stars such as Emily Ratajkowski, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, and more have all stepped out in denim that is more roomy and wide-legged. The movement makes sense, given the current times: Over the last couple of years, we’ve all gravitated towards dressing for comfort, so why wouldn’t we approach our jeans that way? Celebrities have styled the big jeans in a variety of chic ways, offsetting their slouchy look with tailored blazers, sky-high stilettos, and the It bags. Whereas the skinny jean dresses up and streamlines any outfit, the baggy jean has the opposite effect and gives any outfit a cool, effortless feel. Plus, they are decidedly much comfier, too—what’s not to love?
Of course, not all baggy jeans are created equal. Some offer cozy wiggle room throughout the entire pant leg, while others fit a bit more snug on the hips and flare at the ankles. If you’re into a classic, trouser-like fit, slip on Khaite’s perfectly baggy Ian jeans or Magda Butrym’s pleated white denim pants. For an undeniably comfy feel that’ll rival any sweatpant, grab a pair of Rag & Bone’s silky soft Liquid Miramar pants. They’re just as freeing to wear, but offer the elevated coolness of a great pair of jeans.
