# I'm so happy that looser jeans are back in style **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736 "2026-11-09T16:47:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AshleyWilliams78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@AshleyWilliams78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshleyWilliams78)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/1 "2026-11-09T16:47:07Z")
As a 90s teenager I remember hearing some people talk about how “bellbottoms” were making a comeback, and they joked about how silly someone would look wearing that. At the time I sort of agreed, because I associated that look with the 70s and it seemed out of date. (This was my first experience of a fashion trend being out of style and then coming back, something I hadn’t been aware of.) Then one day as a college freshman in 1997 I was trying on jeans at the mall and I decided to try on this style called “bootcut.” I was amazed that it was the first time I felt like a pair of jeans actually looked good on me. (Possibly because I’m somewhat pear-shaped.) Even though they sort of resembled bellbottoms I didn’t care - and I actually started to like that aspect because I grew up on Nick-at-Nite and TBS reruns, so it reminded me of the clothes I’d seen on The Monkees and The Brady Bunch. So for many years, bootcut was the only style I wore. And then in the 2010s, when skinny jeans were super popular, I started feeling like I looked silly and out of date. I know, at that age (early 30s) I should have been beyond caring what anyone thought, but I worried that I was embarrasing myself out in public, so I grudgingly switched to wearing skinny jeans. And now I’ve heard that loose-fitting jeans (including bootcuts and flares) are back! Actually they’ve been back for several years now, but I wasn’t really paying attention to fashion trends by that point. So once again, I’ve gone whole-hog into this style, with an assortment of bootcut and flared jeans in different washes and lengths. I know this is such a minor thing, but it makes me so happy to wear this style again. It just feels more “me” than skinny jeans. So this is a lesson learned for me. I’m just going to keep wearing this style of jeans as long as I can get them. And I’m not going to let fashion trends dictate what I wear. If in 15 years, somebody comments “look at that old lady still wearing flared jeans!” I’m not going to let it bother me. One other thing I’ve noticed, I think it’s a lot easier today to disregard fashion trends. There are so many different companies making clothing that it’s easy to find something you’re looking for, even if it’s not stylish. And I think with society being less of a monoculture, there is more variety in how people dress anyway. In the early 2000s, if you went into a store selling jeans, like Gap or Old Navy, most of them would be similar styles with slight variations. Now, if you go into those same stores you can find jeans that are skinny, straight, bootcut, flared, tapered, barrel, plus full-length and cropped. Even though skinny jeans are apparently out, they are still easy to find in stores for people who like them. And that’s something I’m appreciating about today’s culture, the fact that despite trends existing, it’s so much easier, and more acceptable, to break them. ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/3 "2026-11-09T17:32:46Z")
Also the mixing of color, as an artist, I love how we are using color to enhance fashion. Orange and yellow and blue and chartreuse altogether? I am here for it! Born in the late 50s, I was a high schooler during the early 70s, so I did wear bell bottoms, tight and low waisted, with a bodysuit. I also had a pair of high waisted, loose fitting pants in the style of the 40s, which were all the rage in the early 70s, when everyone was redoing that era (skirts began to lengthen, etc.). I have to admit I liked how they fit better than my jeans, but they looked fashionable too. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/4 "2026-11-09T17:33:43Z")
I’m right with you, as a 90s teen! I hung on to my boot cut for a long time. Unfortunately for me I lost a lot of weight when tapered leg was the only thing and I had to get work clothes so I have tapered dress pants. Don’t like 'em at all. Especially since my legs are so short and my thighs are thick. I always look like I’m wearing [jodphurs](https://www.medievalcollectibles.com/product/elegant-steampunk-jodhpur-pants/). I was very happy when I went to buy new jeans and found out that “Y2K style” was a thing and this just meant bootcut. yay! I also found something called [barrel pants](https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=905502022&) which are wide all the way down but not as ridiculous as JNCO (bless 'em). We probably would have called them skater pants back in the day. I bought one pair of these at Old Navy and I could live in them! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/5 "2026-11-09T17:39:41Z")
As a registered fashion risk, I’ve always worn looser jeans. Bell-bottoms were amusing to me, as the dungarees worn in the Navy were exactly that. Ahead of their time for a change. My problem with all pants was in finding an odd-numbered inseam. Stores just seem to only carry even-numbered pants. Now that one can order online, it’s much easier of course. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/6 "2026-11-09T17:44:31Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Bell-bottoms were amusing to me, as the dungarees worn in the Navy were exactly that. Back in the early 70s, I wore those very dungarees. The Army Navy Surplus store was the hottest fashion house in town. I loved 'em! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/7 "2026-11-09T17:48:08Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Back in the early 70s, I wore those very dungarees. The Army Navy Surplus store was the hottest fashion house in town. I loved 'em! I went to visit my girlfriend in NYC after bootcamp and her sister stole a pair of mine, which I didn’t find out until I got back to CA. She wanted me to give her my peacoat, which was also the rage in the 60s and I told her that I’d have to pay to replace it, which just wasn’t an option on my paltry pay. I guess she figured I’d discover that she took it, as it took up a lot of seabag space. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/8 "2026-11-09T17:54:03Z")
You know, you don’t gotta follow trends. God knows I never have. I wear what I find comfy. Bigger sizes make tight jeans loose. If you want tight jeans, buy jeggings. They’re comfy and snug. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/9 "2026-11-09T17:57:04Z")
LOL, I had a peacoat, too. I still think both items look sharp. 🙂 I hope your girlfriend’s sister paid for the replacement. As I recall, they were kind of expensive – even for those of us not on a seaman’s salary. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/10 "2026-11-09T18:00:21Z")
> [@AshleyWilliams78](#): > > I was amazed that it was the first time I felt like a pair of jeans actually looked good on me. (Possibly because I’m somewhat pear-shaped.) This is key. If you’re somewhat hippy, the flares/bellbottoms balance out your hips, and you look more in proportion. Skinny jeams make your hips look even wider. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderMagnolia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@LavenderMagnolia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderMagnolia)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/11 "2026-11-09T18:02:44Z")
I was going to say the same thing. I don’t care what is trendy. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/12 "2026-11-09T18:04:15Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I hope your girlfriend’s sister paid for the replacement. As I recall, they were kind of expensive – even for those of us not on a seaman’s salary. Well, she didn’t get the coat, just the dungarees or I’d have been royally pissed off. I didn’t buy a replacement pair until after I came back from Vietnam and had to switch from green fatigues back to navy blue. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/13 "2026-11-09T18:05:01Z")
I feel the same way about high-waisted wide-leg jeans. I really don’t care what’s on trend. I have big thighs and a smaller waist. With wide-legs I can go down a size and have a pair that actually fits like it was tailored for me. And it fits my waist without gripping around the knees. Bonus! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/14 "2026-11-09T19:03:29Z")
It takes all shapes to make a humanity. As a skinny guy, ordinary men’s pants look like huge floppy bags on me even if the waist and inseam are correct. Skinny jeans are actually cut to fit the shape of my legs, midsection, and rump. Long live skinny (men’s) jeans! But yeah, I hear they’re already going out of fashion for guys too. Ugh! It was too good to last. I guess that during a 70 year life getting roughly 5 years of readily available fashionable clothes that fit you naturally is about all one can expect. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/15 "2026-11-09T19:06:00Z")
I decided quite a while ago to always wear straight-leg jeans. Also, high-rise is the only thing that looks normal to me. I guess that means “Mom jeans”, which… guilty? 🤷‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/16 "2026-11-09T19:54:48Z")
I have always though loose straight-leg jeans are ugly and unflattering. Skinny jeans are great. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/17 "2026-11-09T20:05:38Z")
> [@knavette57](#): > > Also the mixing of color, as an artist, I love how we are using color to enhance fashion. Orange and yellow and blue and chartreuse altogether? We are? All I see is black, more black, and maybe dark grey. Perfect for a night time stroll. 🙀 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/18 "2026-11-09T20:27:08Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I have always though loose straight-leg jeans are ugly and unflattering. Skinny jeans are great. They definitely look great on the right pair of legs! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/19 "2026-11-09T20:33:54Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Bell-bottoms were amusing to me, as the dungarees worn in the Navy were exactly that. Heck, [sailors **invented** the “bell-bottom trouser” in the first place!](https://www.folkwear.com/blogs/news/history-of-the-sailor-pant?srsltid=AYCX9vLQrhszFAbJRJoCu4G3CgjNi4ODWzLGcPet1JW_i21EOW7nbjTy) > [@](#): > > There is little agreement about the evolution of bell-bottom feature of the uniform, some scholars argue that the design was simply a variation on the pantaloon and the bell-bottom design was a touch of flair which set the sailor apart from his civilian counterpart. Others claim the bell-bottom appeared for practical reasons, because the leg of the pants could be rolled up securely to free the feet and ankles from getting tangled, while working on the rigging of navy sailing ships. Another theory is that this design would allow the pant leg to be easily rolled up to prevent it from getting wet when swapping the deck. The loose bell-bottom lower leg prevented the pant from chafing the legs when wet. ---
**Author:** ![billy-jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@billy-jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy-jack)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/20 "2026-11-09T20:57:17Z")
The shirts of today are invariably very subdued compared to what we wore in the 60s and 70s. Back then, our shirts were truly flashy. As for jeans, it has been a long time since I bought anything but boot cut jeans even though I no longer wear boots. ---
**Author:** ![billy-jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@billy-jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy-jack)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736/21 "2026-11-09T21:05:55Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > LOL, I had a peacoat, too. I have thought about trying a pea coat, but I am more drawn by a classic western duster. I used to have an overcoat that I really liked – I don’t know what happened to it, but I wish I still had it. It was given to me second or third hand by my sister’s husband. With my full beard and that overcoat and my hat, it made me look rather menacing. I seemed to scare the crap out of some guy taking a shortcut through my yard one day in heavy rain while I walked around the corner of the convenience store behind the house. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-so-happy-that-looser-jeans-are-back-in-style/1034736.md?page=2)