Welcome to VALLEY’s manifesto against skinny jeans. There is some unsaid rule in society that originated in the last few years, since the global pandemic, that we would no longer accept nor discuss skinny jeans and their abrupt disappearance from street wear. Apparently, Alix Earle never got that notice and has decided to try to bring back the forbidden style of jeans. While styling an outfit with her sister Ashton for a Miami Dolphins game, Earle decided to wear black skinny jeans, sparking conflict online of whether the controversial pants were back. Here is why society should, for once, ignore Earle and stay in the 2020s jean style.
The 2010s and Skinny Jeans
Pre-pandemic, skinny jeans were the norm. Whether light or dark wash, with rips or without, these were seen everywhere in the 2010s. Perhaps paired with checkerboard Vans or Air Force ones, skinny jeans were often given little thought when added to an outfit because of their popularity.
But, skinny jeans seemed to be the only jeans on the market. High schoolers and college students alike feared the look of mom jeans. The popular 2003 Saturday Night Live skit helped skinny jeans’ cause, as it poked fun at “mom jeans” and their elastic waist bands, long zippers and full coverage look.
With the fear of looking maternal, young adults clung to skinny jeans, even purchasing some store’s “super skinny jeans” that were offered. This made skinny jeans a staple of 2016, along with razor back tank tops and choker necklaces.
The Diversity in Jeans Today
Once the pandemic hit in 2020, and students were home from school, a new era of jeans emerged, perhaps due to the rise in value of comfort over style. Between hours of watching Emma Chamberlain in her Levi’s 501 jeans, and the discarding of uncomfortable clothing, straight leg jeans emerged to the forefront as the world began to open up.
Since then, styles like boot cut, boyfriend, barrel and yes –– even mom jeans, have grown in popularity. The skinny jeans in Gen Z and Millennials’ closets were being shipped off to Goodwill.
This variety of jean styles has allowed for more individuality in street wear today. It allows for consumers to select which pair of jeans look best on them, rather than what jeans look best on society.
Individual Style v. A Step in the Wrong Direction
While everyone can pick and choose whether to accept skinny jeans into modern style, even Earle, perhaps it is a step backwards in style evolution. Skinny jeans are attached with the notion that one style fits all, while modern jeans allow for a variety of styles, sizes and fits.
Many former trends have come back into style, such as graphic tees, tube tops and even capris, but skinny jeans don’t have to be one of them. Perhaps, it’s better to keep them in photographs of the 2010s where they belong.
What are your thoughts on skinny jeans and whether they should come back? Let us know by tagging us on Instagram or X @VALLEYMag!
