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!
