The trend was called out on TikTok, with videos condemning the body-hugging pants and calling for their prompt removal from all closets in some very dramatic ways.
In this melodramatic and hopefully sarcastic video by user @momohkd , she instructs her 450,000 viewers to either throw the pants away, light them on fire or cut them up into something new.
Millennials and above are understandably upset by this sudden switch to baggier pants, as skinny jeans are a staple for most and were thought to be the elevated next step after the baggy mom jeans and super low-rise denim of the ’90s.
With all that being said, maybe Gen Z has a point, and it doesn’t hurt to expand our pants wardrobe a bit to keep up with the times.
Since skinny jeans are constricting and many are spending work at home (at least, some of the time), the Post Wanted team has decided to try on some looser and cooler options, from wide-leg denim to mom-and-dad jeans and trendy styles from Abercrombie , Levi’s , lululemon , and more.
Below, find the best editor-tested, non-skinny Gen Z jeans and pants for men and women.
Abercrombie was around for the millennials, and now the brand has undergone a major Gez Z makeover that The Post Wanted team is here for.
These 90s-style high-rise relaxed jeans feature built-in stretch for superior comfort and a slimmer fitting at the top with a wide-leg silhouette for the ultimate fit. They’re also available in more washes than we can count on our fingers.
“My oh my, what would I do without Abercrombie’s Curve Love Jeans,” supposed Commerce Reporter, Miska Salemann . “When I say these are ultra-flattering, I mean it. I feel snatched in these.”
“They hold you in, but they’re not restrictive either,” she added. “I consider them the perfect pair of jeans for those graduating from skinny jeans. The relaxed shape isn’t overly baggy, but they aren’t flat either. It’s the ideal everyday pant. You won’t be counting down the seconds until you can change into sweatpants when you’re wearing these.”
Size: 23-37 | Inseam: extra short-extra long | Material : 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane | Colors: 29
We’ve already talked about Gen Z-approved jeans, but what about other pants?
Love it or hate it, twenty-somethings have a major admiration for athleisure wear, and joggers have pretty much become the staple of the trend. Sophie Cannon, The Post’s Manager of Commerce Strategy and Development, is all about the lululemon Scuba joggers.
“From the outside, these lululemon joggers appear to be a sturdy pair of black cotton joggers,” she explained. “The inside, however, is made of a cotton fleece fabric, which translates to soft and warm but also lightweight should you choose to work out in them.”
There are a few other features she loves about them: they have a drawstring, making them easy to adjust, and they come in three colors. She added that the cuffed ankles hit at just the right spot, rather than bunching at the feet.
Pull out your matching cowboy boots. Gen Z is obsessed with cowboy-core , which means flared, boot-cut pants are back in — big time.
These vintage-inspired jeans from Good American are a staple piece — not just for their fun, flared legs, but also for the wonderfully flexible material that smoothes in all the right spots. They’re designed with advanced stretch recovery, so they hold their shape wear after wear.
“Like many women, I find jean shopping frustrating and anxiety-provoking. I’m lean, but I definitely have a rear, and it’s difficult finding denim that comfortably fits my waist, butt, and thighs,” shared The Post Wanted Updates Editor, Holly J Coley. “Good American is supposed to be the brand to remedy these types of issues, so I’ve always wanted to test its denim.”
Holly. J Coley wearing Good American jeans Holly. J Coley
Coley was shocked by how much she loved the Good Legs Flare Jeans. She says the fitted silhouette is versatile enough to wear casually with boots or to dress up with a cami, blazer, and heels.
“They’re shy of being a tight glove fit, but around the butt and thighs? Oh.my.gawd . They really lift and snatch, which is why I’ve decided to keep them and try to break them in a bit. They sort of feel like jeggings with the material being heavy and thick (ideal jeans for falls and winters in NYC), but they’re really nice,” she shared.
Size: 00-32 plus | Inseam: 33.5″ | Material : 98.5% Organic Cotton, 1.5% Elastane | Colors:
While skinny jeans may be out of style, shapewear is not.
Kim Kardashian made shapewear cool again with Skims , but Spanx has not lost its touch with Gen Z and millennials. Cannon swears by the Spanx brands for all the bottoms you can imagine — faux leather leggings, suede options, velvet couture, and more.
“Bonus points do need to be awarded here for the tall girls and the shorter ones like myself, as they offer options for petite, regular, and tall and range in sizes extra small to a 3X,” shared Cannon.
If jeans aren’t for you, try a pant that has perfect in its name and also follows the no-skinny-leg rule. The Perfect Pant is a high-waisted option that uses Spanx’s magic control top to keep your tummy in check while highlighting your backside and elongating legs with the flared ankle.
They’re simple enough to dress up or down, a little edgy, made with quality denim, and not completely overpriced like some other jean brands. Most reviewers agree they fit true to size, so you can save the nightmare of try-on sessions in-store, and just order yourself a pair from Amazon.
“I have had these jeans since High School. I might have been ahead of the time, because I thought these were cooler than skinny jeans back then, and I am still loving them now. They never went out of style. The low-rise has that casual street-style look that is very in right now,” shared Salemann.”If it’s not proof enough, I’m wearing them as I write this.”
The lululemon ABC joggers are the ideal transitional pants for the guy who is heading from work right to the gym, and then dinner on the couch, or date night (take it from us: they can do anything)
Frank Massaro, Manager of Commerce Partnerships, owns a pair, and our Deals Writer P.J. McCormick can’t ignore the fact that he sees them all over the place.
“In years past, millennials loved to flaunt their shape,” said McCormick. “Billie Eilish and other fashion icons have since moved the needle towards the baggy trends of the 90s, and Gen Z has taken note. However, everything comes back. Some members of Gen Z are beginning to flirt with the idea of a ‘skinny renaissance,’ and these joggers are proof!” McCormick pointed out.
Frank Massaro in lululemon joggers. Frank Massaro
Trends aside, Massaro says he likes his ABC Joggers because they are exceptionally adaptable to city life.
“Living in New York City, I am always on the go and my environments are always changing. I need clothing that can handle the transitions from Work to Central Park and date night. The ABC joggers look versatile enough to dress up or down, which feels like a style cheat code,” he explained.
These 100% cotton, extra-slouchy jeans are a favorite among Gen Z men. They have just enough room in the hips and legs for maximum comfort all day long, and they’re not dipping on style points either. They’re handsome enough to dress up, but equally suited for casual events.
“It’s hard to talk about jeans without mentioning Madewell — specifically their 1991 Straight Leg jeans,” Personal Stylist, Kin Moy , told the Post.
“This is the perfect pant for recovering skinny jeans aficionados and a great introduction to modern pants silhouettes. Mid-rise, slim-straight leg, and a variety of options in terms of fabrics and colors.”
Moy loves the combination of rugged and refined and is certain these will be sticking around for a while.
You might be looking at these jeans, thinking, ‘Wait, aren’t those skinny jeans?”
News flash! They are not. These are the ultimate, tried-and-tested dad jeans, which Gen Z has suddenly deemed cool again. Mugsy jeans are far from the ridged, tight-fitting skinny minis of the past. In fact, they’re not even skinny jeans at all — they’re tapered.
Our Live Experiences Reporter and dad-of-one, Matt Levy swear by his Mugsy pair for every occasion.
“Mugsy Jeans aren’t built like your standard, stuffy pants,” said Levy, who loves his pair of Lake Shores Jeans .
“They’re stretchy, form-fitting, flattering, and likely the first thing you’ll want to pull out of your dresser every morning since they’re so damn comfortable,” he said. “In fact, these pants are so relaxed around the waist, that you might even forget you’re wearing jeans.”
Fashion is a form of expression, and pants don’t have to be uniform. Bonobos offers denim in a sea of color options, from blue to red. You’ve probably already seen these work-ready and travel-friendly pants all over your #foryoupage, and even the personal stylists agree — they’re pretty solid pants.
“As much as I rail on about the Mainstream Style Zeitgeist and what silhouettes are ‘in,’ style is a personal matter,” shared Moy. “Some of my clients have been sticking to their guns and are adamant about keeping their jeans slim and their rise low. In which case, I point them to Bonobos. Their travel jeans in particular have great texture and a few elevated colorways that make them look almost like chinos.”
As for styling, that’s up to you.
“Wear them with an untucked button down, a polo sweater, or a heavyweight tee for an effortlessly smart-casual vibe,” he suggested.
For a modern, trend-forward look, consider these straight-leg pants from A.P.C.
These simple, understated unisex jeans are made with real, Japanese selvage denim and are Gen Z adored — even by some of the toughest critics like our very own Deals Reporter, P.J. McCormick . They’re on the baggier side, but not completely loosey-goosey.
“I’m not usually really a jeans guy,” noted McCormick. “Typically I’ll go for a looser look.”
P.J. McCormick wearing A.P.C. jeans A.P.C Jeans
But, something about A.P.C jeans sits very well with McCormick, “I’ve been totally charmed by these jeans from A.P.C. Dark wash jeans go with everything and look as good on a hungover trudge to brunch as they did paired with a blazer the night before. Better yet: they’re incredibly comfortable. I love a pair of jeans that feel more like a set of pajama bottoms.”
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