Baggy jeans have recently become a frontrunner in the fashion scene. Wherever you go–whether it be walking across the streets of Tulane, grabbing brunch with your friends in your hometown, or even just chilling in the residence halls– you will see baggy jeans everywhere.
Whenever I see someone wearing a pair of baggy jeans that are slightly ripped at the bottom from excessive wear or damp from water, I immediately know that they know ball. In recent years, baggy jeans have made a comeback. But let’s look back at how the trend first began.
Baggy jeans originated in the late 1980s, emerging through hip-hop culture, skateboarding, and the new fashion trend of “sagging”. These jeans served as a form of rebellion against cultural norms and the tight, acid-wash style that was popular at the time. Not only did its cultural significance play a key role in the style’s desirability, but its extremely comfortable nature also drew the public’s eye. In the 1990s, baggy jeans became less of a fashion trend, confined to only skateboarding and hip-hop subcultures. Instead, they ventured outside of these scenes and became more popular with the everyday crowd. Soon, baggy jeans were seen as a staple of 1990s street fashion, grunge culture, and, honestly, everyone’s wardrobe. If you didn’t have them in your closet, what were you doing? Brands that specialized in jeans, such as Levi’s and JNCO, began to explode in popularity.
And then the 2000s rolled around. Baggy jeans started to fade out, and what replaced them instead? The controversial skinny jeans. Everywhere you looked, skinny jeans adorned the legs of all the famous celebrities at the time. Haute Couture fashion shows would constantly display them on their models. And just like that, skinny jeans became the thing to wear.
Thankfully, in the late 2010s, as I was growing into my teenage years and started to care more about what I wore, the fashion world started to see a decline in the trend of skinny jeans. Y2K nostalgia was emerging, and street fashion and hip-hop culture saw a resurgence. With the rise of Gen Z, a desire for comfort and familiarity resurfaced, leading to a shift away from restrictive clothing. Then came COVID-19, and loungewear and comfort became the norm. Hence, baggy jeans returned to the fashion scene.
Ever since I tried on my first pair of baggy jeans, I knew I was locked in for life. I honestly think I have worn a pair of baggy jeans every day I can. They are just so effortlessly cool and comfortable. In this day and age, having clothes that can accomplish both is no small feat.
I have too many pairs of jeans to count. They help elevate my style: I can wear them for a more Y2K look, make my outfit grungier, or even just wear them for a simple but put-together outfit. They are so versatile and can go with any style. They can be dressed up or down. They come in different types of bags (I always go for the baggiest). They come in different shades. They come high-waisted or low-waisted. Can you tell that I’m obsessed?
I wouldn’t be writing this article right now if I didn’t leave you all with my favorite suggestions for the best jeans.
Motel Rocks
Motel Rocks, an online store, is probably my favorite place to shop for jeans. They have so many options, all at relatively good prices for the quality. I have found that Motel Rocks jeans are extremely body-hugging, comfortable, and stylish. They have many options to choose from, including but not limited to roomy jeans, parallel jeans, flare jeans, and wide-leg jeans. The denim is very soft, and the best part is that the delivery time is considerably faster after ordering. My favorite pair of jeans from Motel Rocks is the “Low Rise Roomy Jeans”…I have them in two different washes!
Pacsun
Pacsun may seem like an obvious choice, but I still had to include it in this list. One of the things I love the most about Pacsun’s jeans is their price. Another great quality is that there are multiple different washes, designs, and types of jeans available at Pacsun. They have pinstripe baggy jeans, plain jeans, bootcut jeans, and studded jeans. These are only a fraction of the extensive selection that PacSun offers. Another plus is that PacSun is available online, and you can try the jeans on in person before you buy them.
Urban Outfitters
Another notable favorite is Urban Outfitters. Among the many things that Urban Outfitters sells, jeans are hands down my favorite item of apparel they offer. Like PacSun, Urban Outfitters operates both online and in person. PacSun and Urban Outfitters offer similar styles of jeans, but Urban Outfitters is slightly more expensive. I do find that Urban Outfitters offers more distinct designs on their jeans, as well as some more alternative options. BDG Jeans, Urban Outfitters’ exclusive denim collection, has some of my favorite jeans as well.
JNCO
Lastly, I just had to include JNCO as an option. JNCO is the brand that I mentioned earlier. They provide the original wide-leg and extremely baggy jeans. JNCO was founded in 1985 in Los Angeles and was a staple brand in skater, rave, and hip-hop cultures at a time when baggy jeans first entered the fashion industry. However, because they are so renowned, I will say their jeans are fairly expensive. But if you are looking for a solid, true pair of very baggy jeans, I highly recommend this store as your go-to.
The return of baggy jeans shows how fashion often moves in cycles, constantly reinventing itself while drawing inspiration from the past. What began as a cultural statement in hip-hop and skate communities has evolved into a widely embraced style that prioritizes comfort, individuality, and self-expression. Today, baggy jeans represent more than just a trend; they reflect a shift in how people approach fashion, valuing ease and authenticity over restriction. If their recent resurgence is any indication, baggy jeans may continue shaping the fashion landscape for years to come.
