Gen X women will remember the shift: bell bottoms were the pants of our youth until suddenly, they were embarrassing. Straight leg jeans were in, and the deeper we moved into the ‘80s, the slimmer they became.
Jordache’s cantering horse logo led the charge towards tighter and skinnier. I could barely breathe in my first pair, and that seemed a reasonable price to pay for the privilege of displaying the Jordache stallion on my back pocket.
Since then, skinny jeans have fallen in and out of fashion so many times we’ve all lost track. On social media, the cycle of what’s in and what’s out spins so quickly that sometimes it seems every style could be in (or out) at any given time. It’s a bit Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Nevertheless, skinny jeans seem to be gaining traction lately, which is to be expected following fashion’s fascination with barrel-leg jeans and other large-scale versions (but they’ll be back, so keep them in storage—or keep wearing them. Anything goes!). Skinnies began appearing on runways last year at Isabel Marant, Celine, Miu Min and Diesel.
The most recent skinny jeans are made of hefty fabric, and are less likely to bring to mind sausage casing. They hug the body but don’t smother. There’s a bit more looseness at the waist as well as the ankle. And no one seems to be able to make up their minds about the rise: Low slung is seeing as much daylight as ultra high waist versions—so feel free to pick your poison in that department.
Jordache Modern Black High Rise
Jordache is once again leading the way, with several skinny jeans offerings including this Modern Black High-Rise style ($78). The denim is 57% cotton, 37% modal, and 6% stretch. The combination makes for a hefty fabric that moves with the body. The ankle opening is generous enough to accommodate fall ankle boots.
G-Star Moto 3D Slim Jeans
Part of G-Star’s Anatomic Denim collection, the Moto 3D Slim jeans ($210) offer a slim fit with diagonally-placed knee panels and seams at the hip, back, and knee to hug the body’s natural form. The denim is made of 65% organic cotton, 27% regular cotton, with 8% stretch. The zip opening at the ankle creates a flare effect, or kept zipped retains the skinny silhouette.
Levi’s Wedgie Slim-Fit Jeans
These aren’t the constricting skinny jeans of yore—the Wedgie Slim-Fit ($69, down from $98) offers a skinny silhouette while allowing you to breathe freely. They come in a variety of washes from light to black. They’re just 1% lycra, so they’re not super stretchy and will hold their shape. Levi’s calls them “the cheekiest jeans in your closet,” and claims their “special construction will lift and flatter your backside.”
Aflalo Bishop Jean In Rigid Denim
For the hardcore denim nerd who wants to participate in the skinny trend: Presenting, the rigid skinny jean from Aflalo ($185, down from $370). The brand admits you’ll have to “wiggle, jump and lay to get them on and off,” but the resulting look is well worth it. They are 100% cotton, rigid Japanese denim, high-rise and made in Los Angeles.
Mother The Looker Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
For a more traditional skinny, these The Looker from Mother ($258) are a cult favorite. They offer comfort with 2% elastane, and a mid-blue wash with just enough whiskering and fading at the knees. They’ve got a 10-inch high rise and are make in Los Angeles.
Rag & Bone Wren Slim-Straight Jeans
The brand calls the Wren ($268) the perfect hybrid of skinny and straight. They’re cut with a high rise, with a slim leg that hits at the ankle. They’re crafted from Rag & Bone’s Flexi denim with 2% spandex, which the brand says will smooth, sculpt, and stretch for a perfect fit. The lighter indigo wash is reminiscent of 80s acid wash, in the best way.
AG Farrah Skinny Ankle Jeans
With a lower front rise clocking in a at 9.5 inches, AG’s Farrah Skinny Ankle ($215) jeans are for those who might not care for an ultra high rise. Made of organic Japanese denim, these have 2% stretch. The 28” inseam falls to approximately ankle length.