The fashion world is a whirlwind of trends, constantly evolving and leaving us wondering what’s in and what’s out. Skinny jeans, once a ubiquitous staple, have been declared dead and alive countless times. Even in 2021, when oversized silhouettes dominated the runways, ultra-slim jeans still held a significant market share. Amidst the endless parade of trends – horseshoe jeans, distressed denim, pedal pushers, jorts, and countless others – one style has remained a constant: the classic straight-leg jean.
While fashion magazines have contributed to the rapid turnover of trends, the truth is that everything seems to be trending at once. This creates a dizzying blur of styles, leaving shoppers to navigate a bewildering array of choices. Should you embrace the wide-leg Valentino pants favored by London’s fashion editors? Or perhaps you’re drawn to Romeo Beckham’s mud-caked Acne Studios jeans? And what about the ever-popular straight-leg style championed by Gigi Hadid?
Gigi Hadid, known for her effortless style, has remained a staunch advocate of straight-leg jeans. Recently photographed in New York City, she sported a pair of Re/Done jeans, a classic ’90s-inspired silhouette, paired with a Rodeo Drive T-shirt, a cashmere Guest in Residence sweater, and Birkenstock Boston clogs. While her sister, Bella, is known for her more experimental fashion choices, Gigi’s style is rooted in a timeless elegance. Her consistent preference for straight-leg jeans, even opting for variations within that style, showcases a sense of conviction in her choices.
Gigi’s adherence to straight-leg jeans speaks to the inherent versatility and enduring appeal of this classic cut. It’s a style that transcends trends and seasons, offering a comfortable and flattering silhouette for any occasion. Vogue’s Alice Newbold aptly described the allure of well-cut jeans: “You will never look out of place in a pair of well-cut, fuss-free jeans because they never look contrived.” In a world where trends are constantly vying for our attention, straight-leg jeans offer a welcome sense of stability, a constant in the ever-shifting landscape of fashion. They are the denim equivalent of a boyfriend jean: reliable, comfortable, and timeless. They are the ‘lawful neutral’ in a denim cycle that often threatens to spin out of control.
