Skinny has well and truly been cancelled. 5 years ago, skinny jeans were a staple of every man’s wardrobe, now in a crusade led by younger fashionistas, trousers are getting bigger by the day. But what’s brought about this return to oversized denim? Let’s explore the history of baggy trousers in men’s fashion and how they’re being worn today.
History of baggy trousers trend
Flared and wide-leg trousers can be traced all the way back to American sailors of the 19th century. But in terms of men’s fashion, you can largely thank the music scene of the sixties and seventies. Bands from all walks of life sported larger-than-life trousers: Bay City Rollers, Led Zepplin and Jackson 5 were just some of the famous faces that led the trend.
After a brief preference for tighter fits during the ‘Punk’ era of the early 1980s, baggy trousers made a return towards the end of the same decade. At this time, they were often referred to as parachute pants and were particularly popular with rappers, some even referred to them as Hammer pants in a nod to famous rapper MC Hammer and his iconic baggy trousers look.
Their return really boomed throughout the mid to late 90s. Characters from the hit sitcom Friends often rocked wide-leg jeans and trousers while modern-day rappers like Eminem also continued the trend throughout the music world.
The tendency for wider fits came crashing down towards the start of the millennium. The ‘Emo’ phase of the early 2000s is largely responsible for this, with black skinny jeans often paired with studded belts and graphic t-shirts.
From 2010 though, skinny was well and truly the norm. Tight-fitting jeans even had to be broken down into subcategories with slim, skinny and super skinny options available. As jeans got skinnier and skinnier, some male pop stars (we’re looking at you Harry Styles) even opted for women's jeans to get the ultimate tightness.
Oversized trousers in 2024
After a run that spanned over a decade, men are ditching the skinny jeans look. And as they say, what goes around comes around. Hence why we’re welcoming the return of baggy jeans in men’s fashion, and this time they’re bringing all forms of men's trousers with them. Here’s how you can jump on the oversized trend in 2024.
If oversized jeans weren’t loud enough, in 2024 they’re getting a whole lot louder, and a whole lot bigger. Baggy jeans have been switched out for super baggy jeans, with plain denim also substituted for statement-making, patterned jeans.
Justin Bieber is one of many celebs who like to take the oversized trend to the extreme, photographed last year wearing a pair of low-hanging, floor-traipsing denim jeans printed with a large ‘Drew House’ logo down each leg.
But as already mentioned, it’s not just jeans that are getting the oversized treatment in 2024. Some men, particularly those of younger ages, are opting to ditch the denim in favour of oversized cargo pants. F1 legend, Lewis Hamilton, showed us just how daring we can be with our oversized cargos when he rocked up to last year’s Sauda Arabia Grand Prix.
While some trends are reserved for the streets, the trend of oversized trousers is making its way to more formal settings this summer. Most high-street retailers are stocking smart, oversized linen trousers that can be paired with casual tops to create the perfect smart casual look for the office. If your work dress code is still suit and tie, check out how oversized suits are disrupting the formalwear sector.