25 '90s Jeans to Try If the 2000s Low-Rise Look Isn't for You

What goes around always tends to come back around—at least that's the case with '90s fashion. You've seen plenty of coverage from us on the nostalgic trends that are back on the scene, some new and some you've probably already been wearing for years. While you may have seen headlines on the return of 2000s-era low-rise denim and started to get alarmed, don't fret, because this is a safe space with high- and mid-rise jeans. We'll be discussing '90s jeans today, including the pairs to try among the trends that reigned back then and still have a spot in our closets right now.

From baggy pairs to simple mom jeans, we've included 25 selects organized by a specific '90s style. Take a look through the jeans below if you're on a search for a denim upgrade.

Washed Black

90s-jeans-271609-1620681113900-main

(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Baggy

90s-jeans-271609-1620681127014-main

(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Extremely loose-fitting jeans have been some of the most popular on the market recently, particularly for their comfortable and relaxed fit. In the '90s, you'd have spotted these even on the red carpet.

Mom

90s-jeans-271609-1620681560601-main

(Image credit: @meccajw)

Remember when people used to poke fun at those who wore mom jeans? Looks like the joke was on them because the denim style has proved its staying power on the fashion scene. Why not embrace the high-rise and comfy fit?

Distressed

90s-jeans-271609-1620754071601-main

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Whenever I think of ripped or distressed denim, I think of the Full House episode from the '90s where D.J. wears a very well distressed pair of denim and Danny asks her where the rest of her pants went. Rumor has it parents may still be making the same jokes at the style today—since it's still fashionable.

Bootcut

90s-jeans-271609-1620681104472-main

(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

If the '70s flare is a little too much for you, bootcut jeans provide the tiniest touch of flare that still has a stylish effect without going overboard.

Explore More:
Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.