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Are Skinny Jeans Really Dead? We Delve Into The Gen-Z vs Millennials Debate

Are they really as uncool as we're told?

Last Updated on January 31, 2023

Are skinny jeans in or out in 2023?

When it comes to the noughties denim staple, the consensus over the last few years has been that these tight-fitting jeans are on their way out. Instead looser styles are gaining attention, and there’s a few reasons why.

READ MORE: Jeans Trends 2023: Which Jeans Will Be In Style This Year?

Firstly, the rise of Y2K fashion, which favours baggy trousers, low waists and loose fits. As a result, Gen-Z make no secret of their disdain for the previously popular skinnies, while Millennials tend to keep a soft spot for them.

Olivia Palermo wearing skinny jeans
Shutterstock

But let’s not forget the pandemic, which undeniably changed our relationship to clothes. Whatever location or occasion you used to get dressed for, whether it’s the office, dinner with friends or a trip to your local coffee shop, comfort was rarely the top priority.

Comfort is now an important element of fashion, and whatever skinny jeans might be, they’re not comfy.

Let’s delve a little further into the denim trends of 2023.

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Are skinny jeans in style in 2023?

If you love skinny jeans, wear them. At Wear Next, we prioritise comfort and confidence over trends, so if skinnies give you that, embrace them wholeheartedly.

If you really want to know about the fashion trends of 2023 though, skinny jeans are certainly fading out of the denim trends for the time being.

However searches for the staple remain stable (and interestingly far higher than searches for baggy jeans) so it’s clear there’s still a market for them.

Can you still wear skinny jeans?

Of course! I can’t say this enough: wear what you love.

grece ghanem wearing baggy jeans at fashion week
Imaxtree

What jeans are trending for 2023?

Y2K jeans are reigning supreme for 2023, including baggy jeans, cargo and puddle pants.

TLDR: the look is relaxed, loose-fitting and casual.

You can read more about about the biggest denim trends for 2023 and where to shop them now in our denim guide.

READ MORE: 7 Spring Summer 2023 Fashion Trends To Get To Know Now (and Where to Shop Them on the High Street)

When did skinny jeans stop being popular?

It was around early 2021 when publications like Refinery29, Who What Wear and ELLE reported that the skinny jean was ‘dead’.

It’s no coincidence that this coincided with the latter end of the pandemic, signalling a shift towards more relaxed fashion.

What should I wear instead?

What jeans do you love? Finding the perfect pair is really challenging, but if you spend a day trying on a selection, you’ll find the pair that suits you best.

My personal favourites are barrel-leg, straight and mom jeans, all of which aren’t too loose or too tight.

READ MORE: The 7 Biggest Prints of 2023, by a Self-Confessed Prints Lover

Shop jeans

Fern Light Stonewash Slim Ripped Boyfriend Jeans

Fern Light Stonewash Slim Ripped Boyfriend Jeans, £25.50, SimplyBe – buy now

Z1975 Palazzo Jeans, £35.99, Zara – buy now

Z1975 Palazzo Jeans, £35.99, Zara – buy now

Pocket cargo jeans, £49.99, Mango – buy now

Pocket cargo jeans, £49.99, Mango – buy now

Low Rise Loose Jeans, £120, Calvin Klein – buy now

Low Rise Loose Jeans, £120, Calvin Klein – buy now

501 Splice Jeans, £110, Levi’s – buy now

501 Splice Jeans, £110, Levi’s – buy now

Mid Blue Cargo Jeans SimplyBe

Mid Blue Cargo Jeans, £35, SimplyBe – buy now

Main image photo credit: Shutterstock