There’s no denying it, the 90’s denim trend is here. And it seems to be here to stay. Overall, the 90’s trends are making a huge comeback with many styles. But the denim is the most shocking to us Millennials and Gen Xers. I do love the 90s jeans as they are a welcome alternative to skinny jeans. While I don’t think you need to toss your skinny jeans, I do think it’s nice to add some new silhouettes to your denim rotation. And the relaxed 90’s jean could be the perfect pair.
The thing about the 90s jeans is that they feel very different than what we’re used to. For years we’ve been wearing tight jeans with loose-fitting pieces to balance them. And this just flips it on its head. So today I want to share some of my favorite ways to style a pair of jeans that are more relaxed for a fresh take on 90s fashion. Plus, with so many 90’s denim trends coming back from baggy jeans, to flared jeans and even mom jeans, there’s a lot of styles and options to choose from.
How To Style 90’s Jeans
Pair With More Fitted Pieces
Since 90’s jeans are a more relaxed fit starting from the hip, it can feel sloppy at times. That’s why it’s important to pair your looser relaxed 90’s denim with more fitted pieces. Try a fitted tee or tank top, bodysuits are great for this too.
Keep Proportions In Mind
The same idea here as pairing with fitted pieces. Proportions are key when you’re dealing with a looser fit on the bottom. What this means is to keep less loose things on top to balance it out. We wouldn’t want to wear a giant oversized sweatshirt with loose jeans. If we did want to wear something looser, we keep proportions in mind by creating a waist so that we are balancing our body out. Maybe you pair a high-rise 90’s looser jeans with a boxy tee but you tuck it in and add a belt to create a waist and balance the proportions out. We never want to cut our body in half, instead, we aim for the rule of thirds as much as possible.
This is also why I love to make the case for the crop top. The crop top is often the answer to the more relaxed denim to balance it out. And still allows you to not wear something super tight on top. But the shorter hemline and little front tuck helps to balance you out.
When In Doubt, Add Heels
There’s something about the puddling of the 90s jeans that really throws me off when I go to style them with flats. If they don’t hit perfectly with a flat or sneaker, I’m feeling too much like my 12 year old self listening to Spice Girls. So when in doubt, I like to just add a heel. Then the 90s jeans feel more like a trouser jean. This trick really elevates the whole look and I think is the perfect way to make this Gen Z trend work for us Millennials.
Choose 90’s Jeans You’ll Love
There are several types of ’90s jeans that have made a comeback. It’s not just the looser relaxed JNCO style jean. It’s also the flared leg, and the mom jean style. There are options! You don’t have to try all the trends. But maybe try one that you’ll feel most comfortable in. For me, I love the 90’s mom jean trend and find myself reaching for a more straight-leg or tapered leg jean. I also like the 90’s baggy jean when styled right.
There are definitely ways to style this trend so you can look like you’ve been inspired by Princess Diana, but brought your look into the new Millennium. Just choose a style you feel good in and that will work with your closet the most.
Five 90s Jeans Outfit Ideas
Baggy 90’s Jeans With Sneakers And A Tank
This feels the most 90s fashion look to me. And while I still feel a bit funny in it, I do like it! And let me be honest, man are these jeans comfy. These are the Abercrombie & Fitch relaxed 90’s straight jeans. You can read my A&F denim review here. Paired with a platform sneaker and a fitted tank to balance it all out makes it feel like a fresh take on this trend. This is one of those 90s outfits that are great for just running errands, or grabbing a casual lunch in. I would even travel in this outfit as it is so comfy and can easily take you from the plane to exploring a city all day and staying comfortable yet stylish.
Baggy 90’s Jeans With Heels and A Blazer
I have worn this look out to do dinner with friends. It feels dressed up, and perfectly on point for spring. You can swap these pieces out for fall too by adding a wool blazer and a suede heel. But the formula still works. The trick is to keep the piece under the blazer fitted. Too loose of a top paired with the long blazer and looser jeans will definitely feel sloppy. And the blazer has a regular fit to it and isn’t too oversized.
By adding the heel, these baggy 90’s jean feels more like a trouser style of jean that feels polished. It’s one of my favorite ways to style this trend as a Millennial.
90s High Waisted Straight Leg Mom Jeans For Summer
This is one of my favorite combinations for spring and summer. Simple straight leg mom jean style denim with a cotton white t-shirt and neutral summer accessories. You can typically find me in some variation of this outfit once the weather starts to warm up. This straight-leg denim is a fresh update to the 90’s mom jean that is a bit more relaxed. When thinking about which shoes to wear with straight leg jeans, I aim for a sandal for spring and summer. Or a cute sneaker that’s light for summer.
90s Wide Leg Jean Outfit Idea
Whether it’s a flared jean or super wide leg, this is really a great trend to jump on. It feels 70s, but also 90s, but also 2020s. Things always come back (but different!) and I love this trouser-style denim that’s back. I’d pair with cropped leather jacket and a fitted tee or tank. And of course your tallest platforms to really elongate your legs like crazy!
Straight Leg Black Wash 90’s Denim
One of my favorite pairs of jeans in my closet is my black wash 90’s straight leg jeans. I love to wear them year round. For spring, I pair them with a cotton tee and my favorite comfy Birkenstock EVA sandals. These are the Madewell Perfect Vintage Straigh jeans and they are truly my favorite. The perfect update to the 90’s straight leg. It’s a bit more slim and really easy to style. It’s a solid transition to take you from your beloved skinny jeans to the new straight leg styles that are making a major comeback from the 90s.
