90s Jeans: Straight, Mom, Low Rise and Baggy Styles

90s Jeans: Straight, Mom, Low Rise and Baggy Styles

Straight From The Decade

90s jeans have a straight or slightly loose leg, a rise that sits at the hip or higher, and a wash that looks worn rather than treated. I sorted them into straight leg, mom and high rise, and low rise baggy pairs.

Straight leg

The straight leg is the most nineties cut there is, and it works because it skims rather than clings. Look for a mid to high rise and a leg that stays the same width from knee to hem. These are the straight ones.

Mom and high rise

Mom jeans put the volume at the hip and taper slightly at the ankle, which is the shape that gets called nineties most often. A rigid non stretch denim holds the line better than anything with elastane. These are the high rise ones.

Low rise, baggy and loose

Low rise is the harder half of the revival and it works best with a longer top. Baggy and loose cuts are the middle ground, wide through the thigh without the rise dropping. These are the roomy ones.

Our honest take

Rigid denim in a straight leg is the version that still looks right in five years. Buy the waist that fits and get the hem shortened, because the break at the ankle is the whole look. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Jeans That Hold Their Shape and Cosy Boots And Straight Jeans.