Are skinny jeans back? Here’s how to style them in 2025

By Elizabeth Elizalde

Say it ain’t so. Skinny jeans are making a comeback, sort of. 

While baggy and oversized jeans continue to reign supreme, the early-2000s trend was prominent on the Paris Fashion Week runways with a modern twist.  

From Celine to Chloé and Dior, their Spring/Summer 2026 collections featured glimpses of the controversial pant cut. Chloé’s high-rise skinny pants evoked a nostalgic feel and were beautifully paired with the house’s signature boho-chic silhouettes. 

Famously slammed by Gen Z as a “millennial fashion,” young fashionistas on TikTok have been encouraging their followers to eliminate skinny jeans from their wardrobes. Others were even on board to revive the trend. 

As a 30-something millennial mom, I still have my skinny jeans tucked away in the dark corners of my closet, wondering if I’ll ever use them again. Perhaps not – maybe with a long, oversized blouse and knee-high boots. Who knows. Anything is possible in fashion. 

If Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber made cropped pants hot again, then why not give skinny jeans a chance? Here are styles you can incorporate into your skinny jean fall lineup. 

Vintage inspired: 

A vintage-inspired cut is the way to go if you want to ease back into the Y2K trend. It’s not as skintight and resembles a classic slim fit. Acid and medium-wash jeans are timeless and can complete your retro vibe with a leather belt and a crisp white shirt tucked in. 

1. Old Navy High-Waisted Vintage Slim Jeans, on sale for $29
2. Lucky Brand Low-Rise Lizzie Skinny, on sale for $69.30
3. Express High Waisted Light Wash Skinny Jeans, $39

Slim fit: 

The lines are blurred when it comes to slim fit and skinny jeans, but there’s a clear difference. The slimmer cuts offer a tailored silhouette that leaves a bit more legroom than its ultra-skintight counterpart, such as body-hugging jeggings. 

1. Levi’s 1950s 701® Women's Jeans, $275
2. Madewell The Pencil Jean, $148
3. Agolde Cocktail Ankle Jean, $248

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High-rise: 

High-rise jeans offer a sleek look from the waist to the ankles, elongating the legs and creating an hourglass figure. The snug fit is best paired with chunky sweaters, flowy tops and blazers. 

1. Frame Le High Skinny, $159
2. Gap Sky High Rise True Skinny Jeans, on sale for $64.99
3. Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jean, $90

Best black skinny jeans: 

You can’t go wrong with black jeans, whether boot cut, flared, straight or skinny. They’re easy to dress up or down with sling-back heels, boots or sneakers. 

1. Mother The Mid-Rise Dazzler Ankle, $218
2. Citizens of Humanity Zurie Straight Leg Jeans, $258
3. Favorite Daughter The Sarah Super High Rise, $198 

Best white skinny jeans: 

White isn’t just for summer; it can be a fall/winter staple, too, especially if you’re going for a winter wonderland look. A beautiful cream coat and cognac booties can complement your white skinny pants perfectly. 

1. Banana Republic Skinny Mid-Rise Jean, $32
2. AG Farrah Ankle Skinny Jeans, $210
3. Levi’s 501® Skinny Women's Jeans, on sale for $63.98