Between baggy and barrel: the return of the wide jean trend
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After years of contorting ourselves to fit into jeans that were way too tight, our legs finally regain their freedom in 2025, with the return of the wide leg jean! Yes, the Y2K style continues to influence trends, bringing back the baggy and barrel cuts. In raw denim, colorful, or printed with leopard patterns, these styles give a fresh look to our silhouette. And let’s face it, when fashion and comfort align: we say yes!
Is the baggy the flagbearer of Y2K style?
Following the cargo and more recently the cuffed jean, pants have been making a statement in recent seasons. A touch of character that continues to assert itself at the beginning of this year, with the resurgence of the wide leg trend, linked to the popularity of Y2K style. And leading this movement is an old friend we thought we’d never see again: the baggy!
Fashion has always had a cyclical nature, with its favorite patterns and cuts returning over the years. However, this mechanism seems even more pronounced in the age of social media. Indeed, while we lose track of all the “cores” and other micro-trends, we notice a common thread among them all: they revolve around pieces belonging to trends of the past. A strong nostalgia for the 2000s that resonates deeply with Gen Z, shaping their style between modernity and retro notes. The Y2K style has notably become a love letter from a generation to their middle or high school years, or even to a time when they were still being bottle-fed.
Following the unexpected return of charm bags, it’s now the baggy’s turn to step back into the limelight. An iconic piece from a whole era, it carries with it a strong image that brands and creators are once again embracing today. They are reimagining it in more modern designs, like LOEWE. Alternatively, some are reusing the piece’s iconography and certain details, as seen with Alexander Wang, incorporating elements like visible underwear inspired features.
Which cut to choose to adopt the wide leg jean trend?
Several options are available to you to adopt the wide leg trend at the start of this year. On one hand, there’s the baggy, which features a relaxed cut, often accompanied by a low waist (but don’t worry, high waists are also making a comeback in some models). Then, for a more graphic look, we have the barrel jean, which is characterized by a silhouette that resembles a barrel. Its more pronounced and curved lines distinguish it from the former and will add character to your outfits.
Worn by both women and men, wide leg jeans have a retro vibe that perfectly matches other current trends, such as brown leather jackets! We find these Y2K-inspired pieces in versions of raw denim or playing with darker or faded hues. Red, which is set to make a comeback, also answers the call, alongside pieces with animal prints.
However, if you prefer pieces that are closer to the body, flare, skinny, bootcut, mom, or straight jeans will shine just as brightly this spring!
Discover our selection of baggy and barrel jeans on Modalova
If you’ve unfortunately parted ways with your faithful baggy jeans from another era, here are some wide leg jean models that might catch your eye!
Photos: dupephotos
