For years, stereotypical millennial trends have been a huge no-go in Gen Z fashion.
Side parts? Absolutely not. Peplum tops? Heinous. Skinny jeans?? The ultimate crime.
But, one by one, each has come back in style with a bit of a twist, and now skinny jeans are having their time to shine – again.
However, not everyone is happy about it.
They’re baaaaack!
If you’ve been on TikTok at any point in the past few years, chances are you’ve heard of Alix Earle — a content creator from the US fondly known as TikTok’s ‘it girl’, with over 7 million followers on the platform.
TikTok is where just about all Gen Z trends circulate from, and when it comes to skinny jeans, you can blame it on Alix.
The popular creator recently teamed up with Los Angeles-based brand Frame on her perfect skinny jean, dubbed ‘The Alix’, and now everyone is weighing in on whether or not they’re ready for the formerly retired staple to make a comeback.
“Thank you Alix Earle!”
Businesswoman Barbara Corcoran, formerly a shark on Shark Tank in the US, has taken to the app with glee.
“When Alix Earle says skinny jeans are back after what felt like a lifetime,” she said in her video.
“Thank you Alix Earle!”
Other Gen Z-ers have also gotten on board with the message, posting styling videos showing you how you can rock your skinny jeans in 2025.
“I hate to tell you this, but the skinny jeans are back,” said Brigette Pheloung, or @acquiredstyle, on TikTok with 1.5 million followers.
However, some aren’t so sure the movement will stick around for long.
“The skinny jean isn’t back, because if it was really back, you guys wouldn’t be putting boots on to hide the whole part that makes it the skinny jean,” said @marinnnnnnaaaaaaaaa.
“You’re not showing your ankles and the terrifying truth of skinny jeans, they just fit into your boots better.
“So, if you’re going to say that ‘skinny jeans are back’, go put on some low-top Converse with them, then they’ll be back for real.”
So… are they back or not??
I’m a proud member of Gen Z myself, born in 2000, and while I’ll admit I can see them making a return, it’s not something I’ll be participating in.
If you want to wear them, go for it! Maybe I could be tempted with a pair of boots… MAYBE. But otherwise, if I can avoid spending half an hour squeezing myself into a pair of jeans, that would be a dream.
But, ultimately the message here is to wear whatever you like, and if there’s a particular piece you like, maybe keep it for your future kids — as it’s bound to come back in style.
