London: The skinny jean is seeing a revival as influencers and designers reintegrate it into contemporary style, buoyed by a significant rise in consumer interest. Experts predict a widespread return by autumn, indicating a potential shift in seasonal clothing preferences amid diverse denim options.

A resurgence in the popularity of the skinny jean, once considered out of fashion, indicates a potential shift in contemporary clothing choices. Reports over the past several months have noted a notable appearance of various skinny styles on fashion runways, in influencer content, and a marked increase in search activity on platforms like Google, suggesting this divisive garment could reclaim its place as a closet staple.

The trend appears to have gained momentum significantly following TikTok star and Gen Z influencer Alix Earle’s recent collaboration with denim brand Frame, where she debuted a pair of exclusive skinny jeans at the end of January. “For like the last six months, we started to hear rumblings of skinny jeans making a comeback,” said Janine Stichter, a retail analyst and managing director at BTIG. She noted a promising trend in the data, citing a surge in Google Trends for skinny jeans, which saw a 50% increase in searches the week following Earle’s announcement, although still remaining below peak levels recorded in 2009.

Retailers have also confirmed growing consumer interest in skinny jeans. Reformation reported an uptick in customer searches for skinny jeans on their website. Similarly, American Eagle’s president and executive creative officer, Jen Foyle, acknowledged heightened activity surrounding skinny styles, remarking on a favourable styling complement with high boots that has contributed to the trend. “Certainly, there’s a lot of activity on skinny. I would like to say there’s a styling thing that’s happening… Our job is to be nimble, right?” she explained.

The return of skinny jeans is significantly influenced by their recent reappearance on fashion runways, where designers such as Prada, Isabel Marant, and Tod’s have unveiled their interpretations of skinny styles. “They’re doing them in plaid, not just solids. They’re doing them in these very tailored fabrics,” explained Shawn Grain Carter, a fashion professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He noted a divergence from earlier iterations; the “skinny” silhouette now allows for a more relaxed fit that does not conform as tightly to the legs as previous versions did.

Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi Strauss, anticipates that the skinny jean trend will officially return, asserting, “While we don’t have a crystal ball, don’t get rid of your skinny jeans… It’s going to look and feel different.” Experts like Grain Carter predict that skinny styles could appear in retail stores by summer, with Stichter suggesting a wider return might be seen by autumn when consumers start their seasonal shopping for trousers.

The revitalisation of skinny jeans may prove beneficial for the apparel and footwear industries, as an influx of new trends typically leads to increased demand for fresh stock. Stichter pointed out that significant shifts in fashion silhouettes can stimulate restocking cycles, driving sales across various categories. “If we are to get a full fledged restocking in any of these styles, it tends to be a big positive for the sector,” she remarked.

Despite this trend, consumers still have a diverse range of denim options available. Stichter emphasised that fashion today often reflects a lack of consensus among various demographic groups. Changes in consumer preferences have resulted in many individuals maintaining a combination of styles in their wardrobes, without the necessity of eliminating any particular fit. Gass noted, “The denim closet really should have all varieties of denim. It really is about what you’re wearing, what your mood is, and people still wear skinny today.”

This nuanced landscape highlights the dynamic nature of fashion, suggesting that while specific trends emerge and re-emerge, individual expression remains key in shaping personal style choices across generations.

Source: Noah Wire Services