In Defense of the Skinny Jean

The fashion sphere has let loose and gone baggy, ditching constrictive styles in the process—but what are we sacrificing in the name of comfort?

Paris Hilton (Photo by Sam Levi/WireImage) Available via Glamour © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

These days, it seems fashion has never felt more like rolling out of bed. Slouchy knits and oversized jackets paired with ultra-wide denim cut-offs have become the average youth’s daily co-ord, where style takes the form of a comfort blanket. While Gen Z basks in this newfound mantra of “effortless chic”, the sartorial approach to slim-fitting, restrictive apparel has been shunned to near obsolescence—with skinny jeans being the most notorious casualty. Often seen as a dated token of textbook “Millennial-core”, many solemnly swear to never go back to skinnies—I mean, who wants to wear a piece of clothing so suffocating (and possibly unflattering) when they could slip into what feels like a cozy embrace? Well, that’s only part of the problem. In the pursuit of irresistible ease, we've traded the structure and sleekness that once defined stylishness for a laid-back, almost careless approach to the notion. Don’t get us wrong—surely relaxed silhouettes can be appealing in their own right and, after all, it’s easy to surrender to them. However, skinny jeans are not the enemy here, and a quintessential part of what makes a certain fashion so riveting is that it really isn’t about comfort.

Lasting over a decade longer than the average lifespan of a clothing trend, can one forget how the skinny jean was truly the pinnacle of them all? It was birthed at the cusp of fashion pushing its limits; after the 90s’ rebellious attitude towards streetwear had fizzled out, designers approaching the 2000s began tightening their reins. With an emphasis on high fashion and top model culture, style became largely synonymous with sex appeal—heels got higher, fabrics got slinkier, and tailoring certainly got slimmer. The most digestible item to this sudden nod to allure was the skinny jean, quickly becoming a staple in millions of closets in all washes, colors, and prints. Notable trendsetters of the era including Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, and the Olsen twins rocked them to the nines, often adorned with statement stilettos and a jumbo leather carryall tucked at the arms. Body-con, streamlined, and sexy—what could go wrong? After a long decade, it was clear that this vision of fashion was exhaustive for most. The peak of vogue couture and pop culture stressed unrealistic body types, celebrity worship, and an expectation for near-impossible “hotness” that just wasn’t sustainable. It’s understandable why the majority turned away from skintight denim, as it was a grim reminder of the ideals that led to its eventual demise.

Street style of Milan Fashion Week in 2009 via Bellazon. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

That said, the industry today is freshly enlightened through years of recalibrating—a new sense of inclusivity and self-expression has been woven into the meaning of style, and there is no better time than now for skinny jeans to reclaim their place. No longer must they be tied to the admitted toxicity of the 2000s but simply stand alone with respect for their design. At its very best, fashion demands refinement, and the world’s current egregore of being content with comfort diminishes the idea of being dressed with intention when we walk out the door. One’s attire should represent thoughtfulness, propelling us to decorate ourselves at a deeper level rather than just throwing on what makes us feel “safe”. The skinny jean not only offers an undeniably polished aesthetic but also reminds us that the ability to strut the streets with confidence and flair is worth the extra pain—despite the occasional chafing. Besides, what else is there to wear under a pair of sultry thigh-high boots?

Now, to nail the skinny jean in present time without risking looking “cheugy” is ultimately about going all out. Embracing the sexy, form-fitting silhouette and not holding back is the only way—just as it was intended. Such a casual yet sleek pant as a base beckons wearers to play up all other elements of an outfit, say with chunky accessories, a lavish jacket, high-heeled shoes, or even a bold makeup look to truly embody this lost chicness. We urge trend aficionados to take note of the aforementioned style icons (they knew what they were doing), dig up their old wardrobes, and seize the opportunity to bring the abandoned garment back to life because, well, it looked damn good.