Gen Z Deems Skinny Jeans Out of Style — Flare Jeans, More to Wear Instead

The fashion culture seems to be loosening up — specifically from the knees down.

If there’s a single play the shopping team took away from Super Bowl 2025, it is that skinny jeans are out. Not just out, but dead — well, maybe with the exception of Alix Earle’s Frame Skinny Jeans. Yes, we’re slightly obsessed with those itty-bittie blues.

But, besides the influencer-approved skinny style, we seem to be experiencing a great untightening — a shift from skinny to flare. We take Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show as proof. The Song of the Year winner rocked a pair of light wash flares along a motorcycle jacket, and millennials and Gen Z quickly stormed to social media to make a ruckus about it.

Opinions on the look were somewhat divided. Some suspected Lamar was donning Levi’s vintage 567 Relaxed Flare Jeans ($98), later discovering they were a $1,300 pair from Celine. Many echoed sentiments of a nostalgic Y2K fashion revival, a time when baggy mom jeans, low-rise, boot cuts, and flattering flares were all in vogue.

According to the younger generation, skinny jeans have been officially over for quite some time. The trend was called out on TikTok back in 2020, with videos condemning the body-hugging pants and calling for their prompt removal from all closets. In one melodramatic clip, a woman instructed her 450,000 viewers to either throw the pants away, light them on fire, or cut them up into something new. At least the last option was thrifty, right?

Besides, 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.

Best Levi’s Flare Jeans

Best flare jeans for men: Levi’s 567 Relaxed Flare Men’s Jeans

The 567 Relaxed Flare jeans flaunt a relaxed, casual fit making them an easy, comfortable go-to for everyday work or play. They offer a wide, flare leg that delivers a touch of attitude and makes a nod to the millennial fashion sense. Made with non-stretch denim, and available in a vintage light wash.

Size: 28-38 | Inseam: 30′′, 32′′, 34′′ | Material: 100% Cotton | Colors: 1

Best flare jeans for women: 726 High Rise Flare Women’s Jeans

Levi’s iconic 726 High-Rise Flares are designed with a slim fit from the hip to thigh, before flaring at the knee for a more dramatic look. Part of the signature ‘Lot 700’ fits, these jeans are designed to flatter all forms while providing excellent built-in recovery, without sagging or bagging.

Size: 23-34 | Inseam: 32′′ | Material: 65% Cotton, 21% Viscose | Colors: 7

Best Non-skinny Jeans for Women

Pants that show your curves: Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans

Abercrombie was around for the millennials, and now the brand has undergone a major Gen 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

Cowgirl flare jeans: Good American Good Legs Flare Jeans

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 smooths 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 compresses 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.

Size: 28-40 | Inseam: 30′-34′ | Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane. | Colors: 9

Secretly stretchy dad jeans: Mugsy Lake Shore Jeans

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.”

Size: 28-44 | Inseam: 30′-36” | Material: 68% Cotton, 19% Rayon, 11% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Colors: 22

Colorful jeans: Bonobos Extra Stretch Travel Jeans

Gen Z is not afraid of adding some color.

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.

Size: 28- 46 |