Gen Z has canceled skinny jeans — here’s what’s replacing them (2024)

Here’s the skinny on the latest fashion trend.

The men of TikTok have finally caught on — skinny jeans are an ick. That is to say they’re out, uncool, cringe-worthy, totally yesterday.

Gen Z already denounced the slim-fitting denim for women, and now men are following suit by trading their skinny jeans for baggier trousers — to much applause.

In the latest TikTok trend, men are showing their style transformations after ridding their wardrobes of the dreaded jeans.

Content creator Marco Corradi revealed how his fashion sense improved after ditching skinny jeans, opting for wider leg trousers, cargo pants and relaxed denim.

Captioned “POV: you finally stopped wearing skinny jeans,” the video features Corradi wearing distressed skinny jeans before cutting to a snippet of his style after tossing them.

Now, he sports earth-toned slacks and loose-fitting light wash denim, paired with breezy white tees, neutral-hued sweaters and relaxed button-downs.

The clip scored over 22 million views as thousands of viewers praised his style evolution.

“All men need this transformation,” one user commented, which garnered more than 96,000 likes in agreement.

Tips for guys: pls don’t wear skinny jeans,” another person chimed in.

“I don’t understand why skinny jeans were the thing for so long they were so bad,” wrote another, while others said Corradi’s style now seems “timeless.”

In fact, dozens of other men are shelving skinny for sophisticated, as women plead for “all men” to hop on the trend.

“I hope this inspires all men,” one person commented on a video from creator Ethan Glenn.

“The greatest clothing transition. it was like a whole new world,” commended another.

“This should be a public service announcement,” agreed someone else.

One woman even shared her boyfriend’s pants progress, taking credit as his personal stylist. Viewers championed the creator for “doing God’s work” and “changing lives.”

Perhaps it’s an ode to the throwback trends of late: Breezy, short-sleeved button-up shirts, loose-fitting bottoms, chunky sneakers, oversized sweaters.

This new spin pays homage to ’90s dad fashion in all its slouchy glory.

It also coincides with the resurgence of Y2Kflip phones, low rise jeans and tramp stamps, oh my.

Because nowadays, one millennial’s eye sore is a Gen Z slay.

The young generation — who are fond of donning lingerie and see-through mesh for girls’ night out — declared skinny jeans unfashionable two years ago, while also slamming side parts, dubbing blonde “cheugy,” and canceling the thumbs-up emoji.

But Levi’s chief executive Chip Bergh told Insider in January that skinny jeans, while supposedly uncool now, will never be obsolete.

“The skinny jean is not going anywhere anytime soon,” Bergh declared at the time.

I'm an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of fashion trends and style evolution, with a track record of staying abreast of the latest shifts and nuances within the industry. My expertise extends beyond casual observation; I have closely followed the trajectory of fashion trends, analyzed the sociocultural factors influencing style preferences, and delved into the dynamics of fashion subcultures.

Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. Skinny Jeans Decline:

    • The article discusses how skinny jeans are considered "ick," out of fashion, and cringe-worthy.
    • Gen Z had already denounced slim-fitting denim for women, and now men on TikTok are following suit by opting for baggier trousers.
  2. TikTok Trend:

    • The TikTok platform serves as a medium for men to showcase their style transformations after abandoning skinny jeans.
    • Content creators, such as Marco Corradi, share their fashion evolution, receiving positive feedback and applause from viewers.
  3. Fashion Transformations:

    • Marco Corradi's video illustrates his style improvement after discarding skinny jeans in favor of wider leg trousers, cargo pants, and relaxed denim.
    • The shift in wardrobe is emphasized by the contrast between his previous distressed skinny jeans and his current attire, including earth-toned slacks, loose-fitting light wash denim, breezy white tees, neutral-hued sweaters, and relaxed button-downs.
  4. Public Reaction:

    • The TikTok trend has garnered significant attention, with viewers praising the style evolution and expressing agreement with the move away from skinny jeans.
    • Viewers comment on the need for a broader transformation, with some describing the style shift as "timeless."
  5. Throwback Trends:

    • The article references a resurgence of throwback trends, including breezy, short-sleeved button-up shirts, loose-fitting bottoms, chunky sneakers, and oversized sweaters reminiscent of '90s dad fashion.
    • There's a mention of the resurgence of Y2K trends like flip phones, low-rise jeans, and tramp stamps.
  6. Generational Divide:

    • The fashion shift from skinny jeans aligns with the preferences of the younger generation (Gen Z), who declared skinny jeans unfashionable two years ago.
    • The article contrasts millennial perceptions with Gen Z preferences, highlighting the evolving fashion landscape.
  7. Levi's CEO Statement:

    • Levi's chief executive Chip Bergh is mentioned, asserting that despite the current perception of skinny jeans as uncool, they are not going away anytime soon.

In summary, the article provides insights into the evolution of fashion trends, especially the rejection of skinny jeans in favor of more relaxed and baggy styles, as showcased by TikTok creators. The narrative also touches upon the generational dynamics and the cyclical nature of fashion with references to throwback trends from the '90s and the Y2K era.

Gen Z has canceled skinny jeans — here’s what’s replacing them (2024)

FAQs

Gen Z has canceled skinny jeans — here’s what’s replacing them? ›

Content creator Marco Corradi revealed how his fashion sense improved after ditching skinny jeans, opting for wider leg trousers, cargo pants and relaxed denim. Now, he sports earth-toned slacks and loose-fitting light wash denim, paired with breezy white tees, neutral-hued sweaters and relaxed button-downs.

What do Gen Z wear instead of skinny jeans? ›

The baggy v skinny fit is a debate that persists – only more so now that voluminous cargo pants have become popular again. Historically skinny jeans have been favoured by millennials, whilst Gen-Z have embraced the baggier look, but is that changing?

Are skinny jeans out of style in 2024? ›

The former fit model, who made a living trying on jeans before branching out on her own, has seen fashion peddling jean “cycles” over three decades, and the skinny is on track for 2024. “Equally, high rises are all the rage now, but they are about to get lower,” she teases.

Why were skinny jeans cancelled? ›

But those pesky Gen Zs – born between 1997 and 2012 – have decided that it's time to call time on one of the most uncomfortable pieces of clothing imaginable. The skinny jeans debate is taking place on Gen Z's favourite place, TikTok, where one user gave her '3 ways' to style the skin-tight trousers.

Do people not wear skinny jeans anymore? ›

Away from the catwalks, there are, of course, still plenty of skinny jeans being sold. Online retailers like Asos and Mr Porter still highlight skinny jeans front and centre on their denim sections, and while sales might have dipped considerably, the style continues to represent 30 per cent of total women's jean sales.

What body type looks good in skinny jeans? ›

Skinny jeans are best for these body types:

All (yes, all!). But we get it—they're divisive. It comes down to wash here: pear and hourglass shapes look best in dark wash skinny jeans, while apple and athletic shapes can try lighter washes year-round.

What is the jean trend for 2024? ›

'90s straight-leg jeans

Straight-leg light-wash jeans that you'd have seen Kate Moss or Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wear in the early '90s have been trending for several seasons now, and this will remain the favoured cut of minimalists in 2024 and beyond.

What is the denim trend in spring 2024? ›

Straight-leg jeans

The timeless appeal of straight jeans suits 2024 well, considering we're still in the grip of back-to-basics minimalism and stealth wealth. They're a little more relaxed than skinny jeans but more tailored than wider styles, lending themselves to almost any occasion.

Are bootcut jeans fashionable in 2024? ›

Flare jeans, also known as bootcut jeans, are making a grand comeback in the Fall-Winter 2024 season. This style, which was a staple in the nostalgic noughties, is being reimagined with a high-waisted design that sits close to the leg and flares out slightly at the bottom.

Do millennials wear skinny jeans? ›

I like to think most millennials abandoned the stereotypical skinny jean — or the jegging — years ago. Better yet, hopefully most of us never even dared wear a denim that flirted with 30% spandex. However, a nice structured skinny jean? That's something I'm mostly committed to.

What jeans are Gen Z wearing? ›

With the ongoing skinny jeans debate causing a generational divide on TikTok, young men are showing viewers why they think baggy jeans are the superior fit. They've opted for straight-leg styles and mom instead of the skin-tight styles that dominated the late 00s and most of the 2010s.

When did skinny jeans become unpopular? ›

Starting in the mid-2010s, high-waisted women's skinny jeans became stylish. In the late 2010s, skinny jeans declined in popularity. Stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a trend toward more comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and athleisure apparel.

Who shouldn't wear skinny jeans? ›

They only suit a specific body type

According to GQ Magazine, "skinny jeans really only work when they're worn by improbably skinny people." That being said, skinny jeans don't suit all men's body types. If you're muscular, big, or heavy, squeezing your legs into a pair of skinny jeans won't lead to a promising look.

What color jeans are in style in 2024? ›

Gray Denim

"If you're not a dark black jeans or light wash jeans person, a good middle ground is gray." The higher the hem, the more on trend, as with the Totême High-Rise Straight Jeans ($390). Styling Tip: If you're looking to update the trend for 2024, López says to look for a looser, straight- leg silhouette.

Will skinny jeans ever come back? ›

After years of loose-legged comfort, the skinny jean is wriggling its way back into fashion. Welcome to Reality Check: a new regular franchise from the ELLE fashion editors that asks: how well do the season's biggest trends really work in the wild?

What kind of jeans do Gen Z wear? ›

Gen-Z men are throwing out their skinny jeans in favour of baggier silhouettes. With the ongoing skinny jeans debate causing a generational divide on TikTok, young men are showing viewers why they think baggy jeans are the superior fit.

What kind of pants are Gen Z wearing? ›

Gen Z prefers comfortable and expressive clothing like loose-fitting jeans, crop tops, and oversized pieces.

What is the clothing style for Gen Z? ›

Gen Z infuses minimalism with individuality and personality, and it's anything but basic. Gen Z minimalist fashion is characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and simple silhouettes. It emphasizes wardrobe staples such as white shirts, oversized blazers, black trousers, and minimalist accessories.

What are Gen Z pants called? ›

Tight leggings have fallen out of trend as "flare leggings," or yoga pants, come back into style. Gen Z loves to pair the wide athletic pants with chunky shoes and crewneck sweaters. Flare leggings with slits at the ankles have also become extremely popular.

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