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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Lifestyle
Alaina Demopoulos in New York

A symbol of disenchanted youth: the history of skinny jeans from the 4th century to Gucci

band wears skinny jeans
The American post-punk band the Bush Tetras in Toronto, 1980. Photograph: Peter Noble/Getty Images

Skinny jeans have never been more uncool – or more popular. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that slim-stretch styles overwhelmingly make up the most sales in men’s denim – over 70% – even as the skinny look remains a fashion disaster.

In the early 2000s, skinny jeans were everywhere, paired with other trends of the era like ballet flats, peplum tops and Louboutin heels. They were sold by designer brands and fast fashion stores. But by the end of the decade they were falling out of favor. Now, it’s not just the runways that are full of roomy, tailored trousers (Dior, Saint Laurent, Prada and the Row all sent models down their latest runways in panoramic trousers that could have doubled as street-sweepers): even Gen Z fashionistas of TikTok have taken to proudly throwing theirs away in favor of roomier denim.

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