This article was published by 303 Magazine.
Leggings peeking out from under dresses, animal print scattered across outfits on scarves and Breton caps, are all cool again, and yes, you guessed it — the infamous skinny jeans.
No, it’s not 2011 again, but as fashion cycles through trends and silhouettes like clockwork, we could all see form-fitting denim returning from a mile away. Much like leopard and cheetah print, chunky belts, graphic tees, low-rise jeans, and other early 2000s trends have come back into the forefront, the “ugly chic” or “indie sleaze” aesthetics of the 2010s are next.
“2010s revivalism hit hard in 2024, driven by an increasingly short nostalgia cycle, cultural moments like the indie sleaze revival (with a 43% increase in searches on Depop), and the comeback of ‘recession’ pop-led by artists like Kesha, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan,” Depop trends expert Agus Panzoni told Vogue Business.
However, just because skinny jeans have made their way back to the fashion zeitgeist, doesn’t mean they have to bring their negative or cliche connotations with them — it’s not only time for a comeback, but it’s time to make them chic again, including just a touch of messy, cheeky maximalist flair.
“I don’t think the style has ever really left, but I think skinny jeans are going to be something people are more comfortable wearing again considering how fast fashion moves these days,” Stylist Aliah Zamudio, otherwise known as Pinkk Bluntz, said.
Those who deny it can turn their heads, but the fashion months have already proven successful and dissemination to the public.
Runways like Alexander McQueen this past season showcased straight leg denim being exaggeratingly restricted with denim lacing, as well as Miu Miu’s A/W24 low-rise denim with contrast piping and Balenciaga’s subtle skinny tucked into over the knee boots.
On and off the runway, the denim can be styled in various ways, some more “Indie Sleaze” reminiscent than others. For Miu Miu, the loafers, black belt with a silver chunky buckle, and accompanying denim top showcase an air of on-trend elegance. But the balance of the oversized fur coat, black sunglasses and exposed torso bring about a bit of ‘the-day-after’ attitude.
Balenciaga’s styling of tucking the ultra-skinny pants into an equally skin-tight, over the knee, heeled boot with an oversized scarf and bomber jacket looks like it would fit right in on the streets of New York’s Lower East Side this Winter.
But, nothing is ever black and white–the numbers and the clothes seem to be speaking different tones right now. According to fashion data analyst, Madé Lapuerta of the Instagram page, @DataButMakeItFashion, slim and skinny jeans are down 27% according to Cyber Week sales from Salesforce.
The comments under this post are mixed reviews. Some state baggy jeans are for the win, while others say this just means skinny jeans will bounce back into 2025. One user said, “[This] now makes skinny jeans avant garde again, brace yourselves for the comeback very soon” while another said, “As a baggy jeans fan, I have never turned my back on skinny jeans! For the right occasion they are still very cute!”
Regardless of the data, we’re still riding the ebb and flow of the indie sleaze look, seeing skinnies out in the wild and mostly tucked into boots. As Stylist Allison Bornstein told Byrdie, skinny jeans can be implemented into a person’s everyday attire naturally through her “Dipping a Toe” method – over time incorporating and working toward a tighter-than-usual pair of jeans or straight leg fit, rather than immediately opting for the ultimate skinny jean.
In the same vein of this method, other skinny pants sightings include styling them in a more posh way, like the Sportmax S/S25 runway, with color coordinating button-up blouses and slim-fit bottoms until the ankle where they have a slight flare over the foot. For a more maximalist or nostalgic look, try layering long shirts or dresses over pants, like the Proenza Schouler S/S25 runway.
Very Disney Channel Chic.
Whether you pair skinny jeans with a blazer and kitten heels or a fur coat and disheveled hair, is ultimately up to you. Reddit discourse threads may say it best when it was stated,“I consider them a staple jeans. As regular as a straight cut or bootcut. Standard top 5 styles. They’ve been around long enough and suit enough people to just stay.”
Shops like Blue in Green, Arc, Big Sky Supply, Rags Consignment, Garage Sale Vintage, and Sustainable Supply Co. are just a few shops to start your search for denim in the Denver area.
Just because skinny jeans are having a social media ‘moment’ doesn’t mean that’s all you have to wear, or that you have to wear them at all. The beauty is that now more than ever, it’s cool to go against the grain or follow trends in a personalized, unique way.
Trends come and go so consistently that dressing to fill the criteria is painstaking. Instead, use the trend coming back into popular culture as an opportunity to decide if you like the fit and style in general.
If you’re curious about trying new looks or want to build a capsule wardrobe of timeless pieces, then a quality pair of slim-fit denim may deserve to be included in that list. It’s a staple basic that can be worn with anything from a chic button-up to an oversized hoodie, from Isabel Marant to Ralph Lauren.
Or, if you’re simply ready to hit a scummy bar with your friends and take photos on your digital camera, smudge that eyeliner, and shimmy your way into those black wash skinnies. Paired with a Balenciaga City leather handbag, big black sunnies, layered necklaces, and chunky rings, and you’re golden. Time is of the essence.
“Experiment with different silhouettes, different patterns, different textures,” Zamudio said. “Experimenting with different shoes is huge for skinny jeans considering the ankle is the main part of the pants, sneaker heels might be an older style but looks great, or a pointed toe, heeled boot looks timeless.”
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