And did they even leave? Who makes these decisions, anyway?
For years, skinny jeans were the go-to denim style. But in the last few seasons, they’ve taken a back seat to looser silhouettes like flares, straight-leg, and wide-leg jeans. Still, they never completely disappeared. Some women kept wearing them (and loving them), while the fashion world moved on to more relaxed fits. But recently, there’s been chatter about their return. So, are skinny jeans really making a comeback? Let’s discuss.
skinny jeans circa 2020 // outfit details (all in stock!)
What the “Experts” Are Saying
A quick Google search this morning turned up a surprising mix of opinions. Glamour’s The 2025 Denim Trends We’ll Be Wearing Everywhere This Year doesn’t mention skinny jeans at all, focusing instead on relaxed fits like wide-leg and baggy styles. But over at Who What Wear, Kelly Harrington confidently declared, “I’m a Denim Expert, so I Already Know Skinny Jeans Are 2025’s Hottest Comeback Trend.”
Here’s more of what Harrington had to say:
“After years of increasingly voluminous, oversized denim dominating the landscape, the pendulum is swinging back towards a more streamlined silhouette, proving that fashion really is cyclical.”
The Mud Jeans blog also chimed in:
“Fast-forward to the autumn-winter 2024 collections and skinny jeans might be poised for a revival.”
But they made an important distinction: the new wave of skinny jeans doesn’t look like the low-rise, ankle-length versions we wore in the early 2000s. (And honestly, I think that’s a key piece of the puzzle!) This time around, we’re seeing full-length, high-rise skinnies that offer a more modern take on the classic silhouette.
Even Southern Living and Us Weekly are weighing in on this “controversial” topic, which makes me think there might actually be something to this resurgence.
How Trends Work (and Why It Matters)
Before we dive deeper, let’s talk about how trends work. Back in 2021, I shared a post about denim trends, where I addressed the trend cycle. As a reminder, trends aren’t fads—they don’t just appear and disappear overnight like, say, cold shoulder tops (remember those?).
Trends exist more or less on a spectrum, and they follow a gradual rise, peak, and decline. As each trend rises and falls in popularity, it overlaps the other trends that are also rising and falling, but they rarely rise and fall in synchrony. Older styles get phased out as newer styles arrive on the scene.
Envision one of those line charts from 8th grade math class. (I literally made a line chart to demonstrate. Yes, I’m really a nerd masquerading as a fashion blogger.) By the way, I’m totally making this up as far as the actual data goes; this is just intended to be a visual to illustrate my point about how trends rise and fall.
All that to say, skinny jeans have been on the decline on the mainstream fashion scene for the past few years, and looser, more relaxed silhouettes—like straight-leg, wide-leg, and flares—have taken center stage. In fact, I’ve actually had trouble finding skinny jeans on popular retail websites lately, which tells me they’ve taken a serious backseat in the current denim lineup.
So, Are Skinny Jeans Really Coming Back?
photo credit: Banana Republic
I don’t think skinny jeans will ever dominate our closets the way they did in the 2010s. Fashion has shifted towards variety, and I love that we can feel modern and stylish while embracing the silhouettes that work best for our bodies, lifestyles, and personal style.
That said, I do think we’ll start to see skinny jeans return as an option after being pretty much “canceled” for the past few years. But I expect it’ll be a slow, subtle comeback—especially for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who’ve grown fond of more relaxed fits.
While fashion magazines give us a glimpse of where trends are headed, I prefer to rely on my favorite retailers to see what’s actually current for everyday women. Right now, skinny jeans are noticeably absent from Evereve’s Denim Guide or Shopbop’s latest arrivals. (The MOTHER Dazzler is about as skinny as it gets.) To me, that signals the return of skinny jeans as a mainstream trend is still a ways off.
That said, if you’re ready to dust off your skinnies, there are definitely fresh ways to style them and keep your look current.
How to Style Skinny Jeans in 2025 (If You’re Ready)
photo credit: Bloomingdale’s
If you’re thinking about giving skinny jeans another shot, here are a few tips to keep them looking fresh and modern:
- Update Your Footwear: Ditch the ankle boots and opt for kitten heel slingbacks, ballet flats, loafers, or sleek low-profile sneakers. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, boat shoes—the surprise trend of 2025—are making waves! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself…) If you’re set on wearing boots, knee-high or over-the-knee styles feel much more current with skinnies than the old ankle boot pairing.
- Balance Proportions: Skinny jeans work best when paired with boxy blazers, oversized button-downs, or chunky sweaters to create contrast and keep the look current.
- Go for Darker Washes: Blacks, greys, and deep indigo rinses feel more modern than the light-wash skinnies from years past.
- Embrace High Rise Styles: Higher waistlines will look more current than the low-rise versions we all wore in the early 2000s.
Just keep in mind: the skinny jeans you tucked away in 2019 might not feel as fresh now. If you’re aiming for a modern look, compare your old pairs to what’s currently in stores and see if they still work for you. Sometimes, it’s easier to invest in an updated pair with a more contemporary fit and details to play around with.
Shop Skinny Jeans for 2025
Will I Be Wearing Skinny Jeans in 2025?
Gap Factory High Rise Universal Legging Jeans (29) // Schutz Arissa Woven (8) // fair isle sweater (S)
Frankly, I’m in no rush to bring skinny jeans back into my closet. I’ve fallen back in love with flares, which feels like the most flattering fit for me. And I’m also enjoying slim straight-leg jeans and even some wide-leg styles. They feel modern, flattering, and, most importantly, comfortable to me right now. But hey, never say never! Fashion is cyclical, and as my eye adjusts, I’m sure I’ll be open to giving skinny jeans another shot down the line.
At the end of the day, it’s all about wearing what makes you feel good. Trends come and go, but personal style is forever.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to welcome skinny jeans back into your wardrobe, or are you sticking with the looser fits? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your take!
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43 Responses
I appreciate that there are so many denim options right now. Frankly when skinny jeans dominated the fashion world I STOPPED wearing jeans for many years. TBH skinny jeans do not fit me well and just are not flattering on my slimmer/straighter body. Flares and wide legs are and have always been my favorite style of jean. For me, I will stick with the NON skinny jeans. It’s great that whatever your style and preference is, it’s available vs several years ago when it was just pretty much only skinny jeans. I hope it stays this way !
I was a late comer with skinny jeans in the first place. When they first came out, remember they were very low and seemed very unflattering on most women. I stayed with straight and flared. But then the rise became higher, so I bought a pair and they were flattering and around 2017 I began reading your blog and started buying based on your recommendation. But I was ready for a change and immediately embraced straight and flares and especially cropped flares. I must admit during the cold snap recently, I fondly remembered that skinny jeans went inside tall boots nicely and were warm. I haven’t worn them that way yet, but I did buy a pair of Talbots high rise skinny jeans and tried them out at home and they were soft and comfy. But it turned warmer, so I haven’t tried wearing them out with boots. I’m not planning on embracing skinny jeans at this point, but I’m open. At 5’1”, the wide leg is not my most flattering look, but I own so many styles that I like right now, and I love that women can stylishly wear the styles that work for them. Thanks for this post; it clarified my thoughts.
I prefer skinnies to other styles- I particularly miss their versatility with footwear and not having to have jeans hemmed differently for flats and heels. But I only own one pair right now and I admit, they don’t feel as current to me as my other jeans. I’m excited about the prospect that they might feel current again someday.
I have a couple of high rise skinny jeans that I wear with my UGG knock off boots as they are easily tucked in. Would consider wearing with taller boots too. Got really old pair of good leather riding type boots that I could wear with them. But overall I like wider legs and have embraced that style for a while as well as baby boot cut jeans
I have almost every style of jeans in my closet right now and I’m wearing them all! I even bought a pair of flares the other day and I haven’t worn those since high school! I have stovepipe jeans from madewell that are the closest thing I have to skinny jeans and I pulled them on yesterday and the felt sooo tight after mostly wearing relaxed straight jeans all winter so I would have to readjust. But I don’t hate the idea of them coming back in style, especially with longer tops that don’t pair well with looser jeans. One style I will NEVER go back to is low rise. I can’t believe I wore them for so many years- so unflattering and uncomfortable. Now even a 9 inch rise feels too low to me.
It’s funny, I’ve said a few times lately to myself- I’d like to wear skinnies today. But I don’t have any in my closet. I’m sure if I go dig through my “I plan to sell” box I’d find a few😊
I would like to try a few in to see how I feel in them. I’m interested in investing in 1 pair, probably a pretty inky wash or a black. The part that makes me nervous is the “high rise” on a skinny jean that could super elongate the rear view and even the front too. What say you? I’m going to look for a 10” rise… which used to be considered high rise!! lol.
I do remember having skinnies my friends and I called “standy pants” because you didn’t dare sit down or squat in them, standing was the only option! Hahahaha.
Hahaha standy pants!! I have to remember that one!
I actually wore a pair of skinny jeans last week with an oversized flannel shirt. They worked since the shirt was oversized, but I found that I didn’t really like wearing them as much as I do my slim straight jeans with the higher rise. I agree with the commenter who said she really liked skinny jeans because you could wear just about any style of shoes or boots with them. I just hope the slim straight jeans stay popular for a long time! I don’t plan to purchase any more skinny jeans.
Never say never, but I’m not eager to pull on skinny jeans again. Granted, I embraced the “new” style when they started appearing everywhere way back when. However, they are not the most flattering style for my body. I’m naturally muscular, swim and play pickleball, and have muscular thighs. (The fashion industry sometimes kindly calls them “athletic” thighs. I can’t wear regular-width tall boots, but the wide-calf gives me that pirate boot look.) Many years ago, I mastered the “stand, use the top of my foot to push the leg of my jeans over one calf, then Switch!” But I do not miss that– in fact, I soo don’t miss it that I have 2 pairs of spendy “straight leg” jeans that catch on my calves and I’ve worn them so infrequently that they’ve moved into the “Quarantine Box” That’s where my nice clothes live for a few months before being donated even though there’s nothing wrong with them other than that they don’t naturally work into my rotation. All that said, at some point, I will try a pair of high-waisted, full-length skinnies because I love changing it up sometimes.
It’s only been about 3 years at the most that fuller leg jeans came back on the scene. They talk like it’s been years. I bought my first wide leg and bootleg back in 2022 as soon as I saw them at Loft and Macy’s. I think the fact that skinny jeans didn’t go away fully shows women aren’t influenced by what the so called experts say anymore. I’m not wearing skinny jeans because they make my hips look two miles wide compared to my lower legs and I’m skinny. I’m seeing more fuller styles now in the stores. I see young women wearing more wide legs and flares too. I also see women wearing more wide legs pants in commercials. For a while nothing but skinny. I just hope we can find the styles we like no matter what’s trending.
Terri I’ve noticed the same thing about the cycles shortening! I think the fashion industry did this to try to increase sales (maybe especially when inflation was so high and people were buying less)? I think they’ll find it backfires, since frugal women will catch on to this and just keep the outgoing styles stored away and pull back out in two years! Then of course they’ll go back to trying to make each cycle last a decade!
I appreciate that most people feel confident wearing whatever makes them feel good.
Jo-Lynne, Thank you for doing the research and providing us with some visuals so that we can have a better understanding of what trends are and how they work. The old skinny jeans are not for me. I always got aggravated with the legs not moving when I’d go from a sitting position to standing. However, when wearing boots, especially knee high ones, they do create a cleaner look. For my body type I prefer jeans that are either straight legged, a flare, or an itty bitty bootcut. I bet the snow is so pretty. If you want spring fever, fly to GA now! I’m sitting on the front porch wearing a short sleeve tee and Birkenstock’s without socks, and it’s wonderful.
I’m glad skinnies are on a return. Wide leg jeans are not becoming to many figures. The public has spoken.
Being busty, skinny jeans always made me feel very top heavy. I’m enjoying the more wider styles now. Mainly bootcut and straight on me.
I’m ready. Never really quit and I’m good with the updating options of kitten slingbacks or ballet for sure. Im good with highrise too (even back in the day that was my preference). My current closet and shoe preference just leans more toward this trend but I’ll still wear my straights and crops and the 1-2 wides/flares
The most important element in dressing was at the end of your article…personal style works best when you choose a current style that is flattering on you and fits your lifestyle. Skinny jeans or straight cut jeans are usually my first choice, but only because that style works well for me with a shirt and blazer after work.Trends and colors are always changing, but happiness for me is choosing an outfit whose colors or style I like. My first choices are tailored, surprisingly because I am active all day and can easily move from one responsibility to another in an outfit of straight cut jeans and blazer/sweater. Flares and loose fit jeans for me are less appropriate because I work with teenagers who wear those styles…along with pajama bottoms to school everyday! Keep encouraging your readers to choose what is best for them!
I can’t go back to the skinny jeans of yesteryear because after wearing looser styles for awhile, skinnies seem too snug and revealing. My current favorite denim style is slim straight. It’s easy to style and lends itself to any number of footwear options. I also think that flares flatter most, if not all, body types. I don’t think wide legs do any favors for anyone. I think they make most people appear disproportionate, making the wearer seem shorter and wider from the waist down and much smaller on top. I’ve given my eyes a few years to adjust, and I’ve tried a few pairs of wide legs myself, but I just end up saying, not for me.
Trying to find the right footwear for wide legs is a lot more challenging and frustrating, and I just want getting dressed to be easy. Also, on a practical matter, I pretty much live in jeans, so I can’t stand having a bunch of extra fabric flapping all over the place when I’m running around the house, playing with my dogs outside, going on walks, etc.
Rhonda I fully agree! With the exception of tall skinny models, wide legs do exactly as you said – they widen the leg which will proportionately make it look shorter! By the same logic, skinnies are not universally flattering either since by clinging to the leg they showcase a thigh that’s significantly larger than the calf. I fully believe that every woman should wear what flatters her own body type – and what she feels comfortable in! I agree that often the most flattering is a slim straight. It’s one of my favorites, although I have dipped my toe into the wide leg trend with a very slim trouser type wide leg. But I will probably pass on the skintight skinnies if they come back, just as I’ve passed on the huge wide legs.
I love that right now it is pretty much anything goes as far as denim, and as others mentioned when “skinny jeans” were all that was in the stores, I stayed with my boyfriend jeans and thrifted some really cool old school styles and tbh it didn’t bother me at all because for the most part I don’t follow trends, I wear what works for me, having an athletic, slim straight body – skinny jeans just don’t work but I love that they are available for those who love them, something for everyone.
I quit wearing my skinny jeans but funny you did this post today. I want to wear my Sorel snow boots today as we got snow and my frayed hem skinny jeans look best for my casual outing.
I like the variety of jean styles right now. Flare jeans are fun as are boyfriend jeans. I kept one pair of skinny jeans to wear in the winter with my boots. I never gave up boot cut jeans, but I live in Idaho so they’ve always been available.
Interestingly getting older does a world of good in deciding what you like to wear rather than what fashion might seem to dictate. I like skinny jeans & have continued to wear them because I like them. Wide leg/flared pants do nothing for me except making me heavier & uncomfortable – I’ve actually stepped on all the extra fabric going up or down stairs & for me at 71 years old that’s very dangerous. I have all types of jeans, dress pants, casual pants & leggings that I’ve earned the right to wear when & how I want to. No judgement on any folks who disagree!!
I was never so happy for any trend to fall off the radar! I tried for years to make skinnies work on my muscular legs because that’s about all any of the shops carried and the ONLY style any fashion source featured. Then I discovered the slim boyfriend cut by AG, which grazed rather than strangled my legs, and there was no going back– comfort isn’t overrated! 😉 Those serve the same purpose for me in my wardrobe that skinnies might for my very casual lifestyle, tho’ I wear straight and wide-leg more frequently these days. I am curious to see where trends will go next, but I suspect the “return to skinnies” will be given a pass by quite a lot of us.
As a petite, I never stopped wearing skinny jeans entirely, although mine might better be described as “slim straight” based on how I see them described in other blog posts. For me, they tend to look better with the flats and sneakers that my finicky feet prefer for day to day wear. But I do wear bootcut and straight jeans when I wear heeled boots and shoes. Wide leg jeans are just too much on a 5′ 1″ petite frame IMO. Nice to have a variety!
I wore skinny jeans with longer tops when they were in style and loved them, except for the rise being low. When skinnies first went out of style and I tried straight, they seemed Off. But once my eye got used to straight leg and the comfortable fit…well I’m not going back to skinny and certainly not mid rise. High rise fits right at my waist and feels the most comfortable. No need to keep pulling them up or pulling the legs back down. Straight or flare fit my body type better (slight pear). I’ve also felt that as I got older, comfort is key. No more tight anything for me! I might try a pair if they are not super skinny, more like a cigarette leg and if they are still high rise. But, at the moment it’s a no. Besides, we’ve changed footwear styles and tops/jackets are all shorter. It would mean a bigger investment to buy all those new.
I am with you on skinnies as I am a slight pear too. I never really felt comfortable in skinnies….they were just ok. I much prefer straight leg, boot cut or slight flare now and feel theses styles are more flattering for my body type. In fact, I just took my AG skinny jeans that had been sitting in my closet to the consignment store
I was a jeans only person for many years – until I found athleisure. So I don’t wear denim very much anyway now. But as a 5’1” person, I always liked skinny jeans because they looked better on me. That said, I love that there are styles for everyone! And thankfully, as we get older, we are more free than ever to wear what works for us!
Love this post, including your nerd graph! I was reminded of a trip to London in May 2006. The street style was overwhelmingly skinnies that I hadn’t seen before. As soon as we got home I hit the stores, intending to try a pair. Nope, not a single store from Macy’s to Barney’s and N-M had them. I even talked to the buyers in a couple of stores. Skinnies just hadn’t hit the U.S. yet. When they did, I bought them in every wash and color. Sadly a couple of years ago, I folded them neatly and put them away. We’ll see.
But I have fallen in love with slim-straights (slim, i.e. fitted through the hips and thighs) and slim-baby boots (itty-bitty boots). They are flattering, but not so much the wide leg style. I have a pair of wide-leg gray trousers, but they are just “not me” because they are almost a relaxed fit. Beautiful drape, but on me they look a bit like clown pants. I think they will be donated with the tags on. 🙁
Realistically, for me, I think it’s the fit (slim vs relaxed) that makes more difference than the leg style.
Skinny jeans look awful on my overweight body. I stick with straight leg and boot cut. They are much more flattering!
I was a latecomer to the skinny trend, but found a way to style them that pleased me. Since then, I’ve kept them in my closet, along with my straight leg and baby boot. This year, I added the trouser jean as well. I decided I like all those different styles, so each one has a permanent place in my wardrobe.
I’ve never stopped wearing skinny jeans! They feel the most “me” over other styles, particularly the wide flares that just don’t flatter many body shapes. But clothing trends will always change because that’s how retailers make money! They convince us our current styles are now out of date, so we need to buy the next new style. Ladies – wear what you love & looks good on you & forget following all the latest trends! You will still look fabulous if you FEEL fabulous!
I’m enjoying the variety of jeans! I’m no interested in the skinny, but I learned a long time ago to never say never in regards to fashion 😄
I will say never! I finally broke down and bought skinnies the last year before they started to become less popular, and never liked them. They were so uncomfortable and as an older woman, I never was comfortable styling them. I do like wide leg, but have settled more into boyfriend, boot cut, and 90’s jeans. A lot of women (and men) wear skinnies where I live, but while I may buy some slim styles, true skinnies will not be happening for me.
I only stopped wearing skinny jeans due to sudden weight gain from a medical condition, but now that I’m recovering – and losing weight – I’m mixing in my skinnies with baby boot cut jeans without fear for a multitude of reasons; they fit, they’re comfortable, I like how I look in them, they’re practical because they work with my winter boots, and I already own them. While I still enjoy new things to spice up my wardrobe, I’m trying to be more financially responsible. I’ve also gained the hard-won attitude of not giving one rip about what anyone thinks of me, especially for something as superficial as how I choose to clothe myself.
I always liked the skinny jeans because my legs are super skinny and I carry a little extra weight around my midsection so the longer looser tops are flattering on me. I tried the wide legs but they tend to swallow me, but I have found that I like the flares that fit snugger in the seat and thigh! I put a pair of my skinnies on the other day and they were extremely uncomfortable! I think I like the newer styles better!
NO way to skinnies!!! I love wide leg and flared jeans……have fully embraced those styles!!
I never stopped wearing my skinny jeans (Mother Looker style) and I never will.
When a piece feels and looks great, why ditch it?
If they become “a thing” AGAIN (aarrghh!, lol): I’m just gonna cheat with a pair of dark wash Spanx jeggings instead (which, do look cute and modern and all that with knee-high boots).
As much as I love having splurged on a pair of Mother flares (bc they really are perfect with either a black turtleneck or a crisp, white long sleeve button shirt in the Fall): I’ve been “living” in athleisure since 2020, for the most part(!), and do not wish to wear (real) denim pants for 6+ hours a day anymore.
I cleared my closet of skinny denim a few years ago and have no regrets. I am happy with a slim straight or cigarette pant look. I think they achieve a similar enough aesthetic. I’m wearing denim less and less, partly because it’s just too warm (VA). There are so many other options for pants out there!
Skinny jeans are a definite NO for me. They’re not comfortable and very unflattering on me. I think straight leg look better on everyone.
Love my skinny jeans. When I heard they may be out in 2025 I went out and got a couple more in case stores stopped selling them. I still wear them with black ankle boots and will welcome warm weather to wear with my sandals. I also wear the mermaid style long denim skirts in faded and dark wash.
I have a nice figure and skinny jeans look good on me. But I do love having variety in my wardrobe and wide leg, straight leg and boot cut are all there too as well as a pair of wide leg leopard print that also look cool. Mix it up and have fun!! That’s what fashion should be in my view!!