Buzz
From high-waisted jeans and extra-wide legs to bold cut-outs and double denim, jeans have experienced a series of questionable trends (and even full-blown fashion flops). Here are nine (sometimes cringeworthy) denim trends and the stories behind them.
1. Acid Wash
Much like many '80s slang words, the acid-washing technique can be traced back to 1960s surf culture. According to CRFashionBook, the trend truly exploded in the 1980s when Guess released ‘the first pair of pre-washed’ bleach-splattered jeans.
If you were part of the acid jean generation, you may have had a kit that allowed you to create the look yourself. You could even have matched the acid-washed jean jacket with your pants to complete the style. Today, acid wash is often applied more subtly, but there are still many DIY options available.
2. Mom Jeans
The term mom jeans immediately brings to mind high-waisted, stiff denim jeans with straight (but not tight!) legs. The idea was that the high waist would cover the tummy, preventing the dreaded muffin top, but more often than not, it just highlighted any visible fat and made you look frumpy.
Here's something that may surprise you: According to fashion historian Emma McClendon, author of Denim: Fashion’s Frontier, “The high-rise, straight-leg, no-stretch denim [style] is actually quite typical in the history of jeans as a garment,” McClendon told Ashley Fetters at The Atlantic—not just for women, but for men too. “The earliest jeans designed specifically for women—ladies' Levi’s from the 1930s—could arguably be considered mom jeans. They were basically 501 jeans [the classic Levi’s cut] but with a higher rise.” This basic design continued into the 1960s. Fetters pointed out that the term mom jeans didn’t become widespread until 2003 (the era of low-rise, super-stretchy jeans) following a Saturday Night Live sketch.
3. JNCO Jeans
These oversized, baggy jeans made a brief appearance in the '90s teen classic Clueless as the go-to style for skater guys—who were initially the main target audience—before their popularity spread everywhere. Designed by brothers Haim and Yaakov Revah, the jeans debuted in 1993 and eventually featured leg openings as wide as 50 inches. The brand's slogan? “Challenge conventionalism. Explore the unfamiliar. Honor individuality.” Despite peaking in popularity during the '90s and fading for a while, JNCOs have seen multiple comebacks since.
4. Super-Ripped Jeans
The first ripped jeans likely originated from genuine wear and tear, and some speculate that the trend was born in the 1970s, thanks to punk bands. Eventually, fashion embraced distressed denim, and the trend became excessive: Jeans with cuts and tears all over could be purchased brand new, often at inflated prices. In some cases, these rips were so extensive they became massive holes in the jeans. If you’re into the distressed look, heavily ripped jeans are still on the market today.
5. Bellbottoms
While bellbottoms are most commonly linked to the peace and love movement of the 1960s and early '70s, their roots might stretch all the way back to the 17th or 18th centuries, when sailors wore them aboard American Navy ships (where they were eventually phased out after World War II). According to Brittany King writes at The Establishment, bellbottoms gained traction among 1960s youth as a rebellious statement: "Instead of opting for the fitted pencil skirts of the more conservative generation prior, young people chose to literally wear their distaste for the current social climate on their sleeves. Thus, bold pieces like wide-leg jeans were adopted—defying the mainstream as a statement against the very unpopular involvements of the government."
6. Denim Stirrup Pants
Stirrup pants likely trace their origins to jodhpurs, the trousers worn by horseback riders; the small fabric loops, later replaced by elastic bands, were added in the 20th century to prevent pants from riding up while cantering on horseback or skiing. In the 1980s, stirrup pants made their mark as a fashionable trend, often in bold colors and denim. Recently, the trend has been revived with people pairing them with sandals, though we’re not entirely sure this is a look to recommend.
7. Denim Hot Pants
Denim hot pants are a daring version of jean shorts, where coverage of the cheeks seems optional. According to CRFashionBook, the style began with "short shorts" in the 1950s and later, in the late '60s, British designer Mary Quant created the iconic hot pants (with some styles possibly inspired by fashion icons of the 1930s and 40s). They were designed with an inseam of only two inches. Made from various fabrics, including denim (famously as daisy dukes, named after the character from The Dukes of Hazzard), they were popular with both men and women. Like many styles on this list, you can still purchase a pair today.
8. Capri Jeans
These jeans can vary in length from just above the knee to just below the calf, and they can either be form-fitting or loose. While their origins remain a bit unclear, they were originally a snug trouser style named after the Italian island of Capri before transitioning to denim. Both men and women can wear them, though when worn by men, they are often referred to as "man-pris."
9. Pleated Jeans
Originally, as Max Berlinger from Bloomberg explains, pleats in pants were a "practical design feature to enhance mobility and comfort at the hip." The denim variant of pleated pants gained significant popularity in the 1980s. After the trend faded, Americans quickly retired them from their wardrobes... until now. Yes, pleated jeans are making a comeback. So, choose wisely before jumping back in.
