Gen Z trend-setters are embracing the low-rise jeans trend first made popular by stars including Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Paris Hilton in the early 2000s – but not everyone is convinced by their comeback.
Jhene Aiko, Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid are among the celebrities who’ve been leading the return of the style, while designers including Alexander McQueen, Gucci and Chanel have featured low-rise jeans and trousers on their catwalks.
On TikTok, almost 35 million people have viewed #LowRiseJeans, with many offering advice on styling and gushing about their love for the denim trend.
But not all social media users are convinced it will be the look of the summer, with some jaded millennials pointing out they didn’t enjoy the midriff-baring fashion the first time round and others claiming it only suits ‘skinny people’.
Celebrities including Bella Hadid (pictured) are leading the return of the low-rise jeans trend, which peaked in popularity in the early 2000s
Pictured left: Dua Lipa took to Instagram last month, wearing low rise jeans with a fluffy cropped blue cardigan, right: Model Suki Waterhouse, was spotted wearing low rise corduroy trousers with a hoodie and leather jacket
Stuart McClure of Love The Sales said they’ve seen a 311 per cent increase in searches for low rise jeans. Pictured: Jhene Aiko donned the style for her performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live
The style of trousers that usually sit low on the hips have been around since the 1960s. However low rise jeans didn’t spike in popularity until pairing them with a crop top became the norm in the late 90s and early 2000s.
According to UK-based marketplace Love The Sales, there has been a 311 per cent increase in shopping searches for ‘low rise jeans’ in April 2021, compared with the same time last year.
Co-founder Stuart McClure, told FEMAIL: ‘TikTok is definitely the planet’s new fashion barometer. Users on the platform (many who wouldn’t have been alive in the year 2000) are debating the pros and cons of the denim trend made famous by Britney and Christina Aguilera.
‘Low rise jeans are on the rise once again – and our figures show that this divisive style is going to be all the rage in pub gardens and parks this summer.’
Global fashion shopping platform Lyst have also reported a 57 per cent increase in searches for low-rise jeans adding that baggy styles are especially popular.
However some commentators, including Kelsey Weekman, claim the trend is representative of the ‘fatphobia’ that was inherent in fashion in the early 2000s.
Writing in InTheKnow, she said: ‘The low-riding and skin-tight outfits… embody the hottest styles of the era for the ideal body type of the time: as thing as possible.
‘For everyone else, they magnify perceived imperfections and make healthy weight gain seem like excess.’
Jasmine Sanders (pictured) who boasts over 4 million followers on Instagram, donned low rise bottoms with a check print crop top
Kelsey Weekman said the trend magnifies ‘perceived imperfections and makes healthy weight gain seem like excess’. Pictured left: American actress Prymrr, right: American model Hailey Bieber
Kelsey added at the height of low rise jeans popularity, the ideal body shape was to be as thin as possible. Pictured: Rapper Saweetie donned the trend at the Million Dollar Bowl
Many people have taken to Twitter to admit they don’t want the return of low rise jeans, with one saying the trend contributed to their eating disorder
Twitter users responded to agree with Kelsey’s views, with one writing: ‘Am NOT looking forward to low rise jeans when I head to stores again. I hated them even at the time and was so relieved to see go.’
‘We need to unite as a society and stop low rise jeans from coming back,’ a third added.
Another wrote: ‘This current trend is literally ‘is she stylish or just skinny’ personified’
Dua Lipa (pictured) has been a long time fan of the trend, with the style also worn in her most recent Instagram posts
TikTok users (pictured) have filmed how they style low rise jeans, with many comments gushing they shouldn’t be blasted for having body confidence
The backlash has sparked claims that critics are ‘skinny shaming’ fashionistas who want to try the trend.
A TikTok video of a woman wearing low rise jeans, that racked up over 173,000 likes has received a flood of comments from people arguing those who are comfortable in their body shouldn’t be criticised for embracing the trend.
‘So y’all tell girls to be confident but then when a girl shows off her confidence y’all attack her,’ one wrote.
Another said: ‘Honestly, let her flex, because if you looked similar you’d do the same thing. Don’t blame people for your insecurities and problems, live and let live.’
A third added: ‘Imagine being mad about other people being comfortable and confident in their bodies when that’s all you want for yourself.’
TikTok users have argued those who don’t like the trend are blaming others for their insecurities