The winds of change are blowing through the world of men’s fashion, and they’re bringing a familiar silhouette back into the spotlight. After several seasons of wide-legged, baggy trousers reigning supreme, from luxury labels to mainstream retailers, a new trend is emerging: the return of the skinny jean.
Slim Cuts Sighted on Global Catwalks
The shift was evident at the recent men’s fashion weeks, where amidst the sea of flowing trousers, a few notable designers bucked the oversized trend in favor of a slimmer, more tailored look.
Nowhere was this more apparent than on the Prada runway. The Italian fashion house, known for setting the tone for upcoming trends, showcased several pairs of slim-cut trousers that hugged the models’ calves. In stark contrast to the brand’s dinner plate-sized pant widths from previous collections, these trousers were decidedly more streamlined.
It’s less about trends and theories and more about what feels right.
Raf Simons, Prada Co-Creative Director
Other designers followed suit. At Tod’s, fine wool trousers sat snugly around the knee, while at Paul Smith, the doyen of dapper tailoring, cuts were slim and ramrod straight. This trifecta of influential brands all homing in on a narrower silhouette suggests a sea change is underway in men’s trousers.
The Pendulum Swings Back to Skinny
Fashion is, of course, cyclical by nature. Wide-leg trousers, cargo pants, and baggy jeans have all had their moments in the sun over the past few years, often credited to a collective desire for comfort dressing in the wake of pandemic lockdowns. But as lifestyles normalize and people return to offices and social events, a sartorial shift seems inevitable.
The skinny jean, which first hit the fashion mainstream in the mid-2000s thanks to trendsetters like Hedi Slimane and indie rock bands, has been waiting in the wings for its revival. Trend forecasters are already betting on its comeback, with terms like “indie sleaze” and “the new indie vanguard” being tossed around to describe the re-emergence of slim denim.
Reactions to the Skinny Renaissance
While some fashion enthusiasts are welcoming the return to sleek tailoring with open arms, others are more hesitant. Vogue, for instance, dubbed the skinny jean its “most feared denim trend revival.” There’s also the question of comfort—after years of prioritizing ease and flexibility in clothing, will men be eager to squeeze back into body-hugging denim?
Theories abound as to why slimmer silhouettes are cycling back into style now. Some point to the end of widespread remote work and a return to more polished dressing. Others see it as a conscious shift away from the “pandemic pant.” There’s even a “hem-width index” hypothesis, suggesting that pant width mirrors economic trends and downsizing.
Preparing for the Skinny Jean Invasion
Regardless of the underlying causes, it seems clear that skinny trousers are poised for a resurgence in the coming seasons. However, fashion experts caution that it may take some time for this runway trend to trickle down to the average consumer.
Retailers will need to phase out their wide-leg inventory and introduce slimmer styles gradually. Men who have grown accustomed to a looser fit may need some convincing—and guidance on how to style a sleeker trouser. Fit, too, will be key; skinny jeans have a reputation for being unforgiving, so brands will need to put extra care into perfecting their cuts and fabric choices.
As with all trends, the skinny trouser renaissance will likely be adopted by fashion early adopters first before spreading to the mainstream. But if the designer collections are any indication, men should start preparing their wardrobes—and their calves—for the return of the skinny jean. Love them or loathe them, it seems these polarizing pants are primed for their next chapter in fashion history.
