The Skinny Jean Resurgence
Exploring the deeper implications of skinny jeans
—By Ashley Glabicki
Claire’s journey to recovery was far from easy. From withholding food for days on end, missing family and friend gatherings, meeting with countless different therapists, to accepting she was struggling from an eating disorder, Claire’s patience and determination was tested. After struggling with anorexia for nearly five years, she found that clothing further instilled her dangerous thoughts and actions: “I remember wearing them, and they became a symbol of how ‘in control’ I felt, but it wasn’t healthy at all,” she says, referring to the skinny jeans that once fueled her unhealthy habits. “I was so focused on fitting into them perfectly, thinking that if I could get into those jeans, I would be validated.”
During her recovery, Claire realized that these jeans were now reminders of the unhealthy habits she needed to let go of. “I had to get rid of them. They no longer represented control; they represented a time in my life when I wasn’t treating my body with love and care.”
In early 2025, skinny jeans made a comeback due to influencers like Alix Earle and her collaboration with FRAME. This resurgence, however, brings up the question of while trends may change, what are the lasting effects these styles have on the way we perceive our bodies.
History of the skinny jean
An article in Medium explains how skinny jeans became popular in the 1960s, when they were worn by Mod girls and rock and rollers as a symbol of rebellion. Eventually, they moved from a niche style to mainstream fashion, becoming a staple of fashion in the 1980s and beyond. Over time, the skinny jean faced a decline with the rise of looser, more relaxed fitting styles that aligned with the body positivity movement. This rise of inclusive styles helped many women embrace their body types with comfort. However, trends are cyclical, and it was only a matter of time before the skinny jeans reemerged.
Influencers’ impact on trends
The release of Earle’s collaboration with FRAME saw an increase in popularity of skinny jeans. According to a CNBC article by Gabrielle Fonrouge, searches for skinny jeans surged by 50% year-over-year following the collaboration, signaling a shift back toward slim-fit denim. This increase in demand was reflected across retailers like Reformation and American Eagle, with more customers flocking to their websites in search of skinny jeans.
However, this renewed desire for skinny jeans isn’t without obstacles. Noted by Grain Carter in the same article, skinny styles are expected to become more widely available by summer, although some experts, like Stichter, predict their return will peak closer to the fall when consumer interest in jeans typically increases.
Though retailers are seeing financial gains from the reintroduction of this style, it is crucial to consider the deeper emotional toll it has on certain consumers who may feel pressured to conform to certain beauty standards. When people, particularly young women, see influencers promoting these jeans as flattering for all body types, it reinforces a dangerous belief that fitting into these jeans equates to value or self-worth.
Devon, an 18-year-old high school senior, is a frequent user of social media and a follower of Earle. As someone who stays up to date on all of the latest trends, she is aware of the impact of influencers like Earle. Devon expresses that the pressure to meet the ideal body type displayed by influencers can be intense. Despite purchasing a pair of the FRAME jeans and fitting into them, Devon still said that “Alix [Earle], and others like her, have these idealized body types, and it can make you feel like you have to look like that to pull off the same things. It’s hard not to feel that pressure when influencers make it seem like it’s so easy to fit into something, but it’s not always that simple.”
Devon recounts seeing the comments on a TikTok of users saying, “Please no I don’t want to wear these” or “Looks like I won’t be eating today,” and feeling uncomfortable. Devon said, “I saw these videos after purchasing and wearing the [FRAME] skinny jeans and it made me upset that an article of clothing is clearly causing other people stress and negative thoughts about their appearance.”
Connection to body image
This pressure is not without consequences. In an article for Cosmopolitan, Cynthia Bulik, PhD, an eating-disorder specialist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, highlights the connection between clothing trends and disordered eating. “Many young women think that if they keep their eating habits regulated, everything else will fall into place—if they fit into their skinny jeans, they’ve achieved some order and perfection,” she says.
For Claire, who has recovered from anorexia, skinny jeans once symbolized control: “I remember wearing them, and they became a symbol of how ‘in control’ I felt, but it wasn’t healthy at all.” For her, recovery meant letting go of those jeans, as they became a reminder of her unhealthy obsession with body image. Now, post-recovery as a 22-year-old senior at Parsons School of Design in New York City, Claire is more focused on comfort and self-acceptance, rather than fitting into a certain mold. “I’m not interested in the idea of skinny jeans or any trend that doesn’t fit with my life today,” she says. “I wear what works for me now, not what fits some trend.”
Fashion’s impact on mental health
The role of fashion in shaping beauty standards has never been more pronounced, thanks to the influence of social media. Krishna Sabaratnam, writing for the June Adaptive Community Blog, says, “When we feel self-conscious or uncomfortable in our clothing, it can lead to negative feelings about ourselves. Additionally, the pressure to conform to certain fashion trends or societal beauty standards can lead to body image issues, which can have a negative impact on mental health.” Fashion should be about self-expression, not about conforming to a singular beauty standard.
Amy, a 54-year-old mother, has seen firsthand the toll that the pressure to conform to beauty standards can take. Her daughter, who once struggled with body image, went through a long journey with self-confidence and disordered eating. Amy explains that in the height of her daughter’s battle, the number on the scale and the size of clothes were at the forefront of her daughter’s mind. At the age of 16, her daughter would try on a pair of jeans from middle school that were built to fit her prepubescent body at the age of 12 everyday to ensure that she was ‘thin enough’. While Amy’s daughter has since gotten rid of these jeans and is now living a healthy lifestyle, these memories remain vivid in her mind. Amy states, “Fashion should be about expressing yourself, not about trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t serve you. Your body is not something to be ashamed of.”
Trends come and go
As we witness the return of skinny jeans in 2025, it’s important to remember that trends come and go. Whether you choose to wear skinny jeans or a looser fit, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel good. Fashion is not about conforming to a specific ideal but, instead wearing what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
As Devon wisely points out, fashion should remain fun and empowering: “If something doesn’t fit or doesn’t look the way you thought it would, that’s okay. Find something that makes you feel confident and comfortable, even if it’s not the trend of the moment.”
Embracing yourself beyond trends
With influencers setting the tone on social media for what’s “in”, it’s important to be mindful of the content you consume. If you find yourself following creators or engaging with content that triggers negative thoughts or makes you feel inadequate, it is crucial to take a step back. Fashion is about self-expression and feeling confident, not fitting into a trend created by someone else.
Instead, wear what makes you feel comfortable, and focus on pieces that make you feel empowered. If you do use social media, follow creators who promote body positivity and self-acceptance, such as Carly Weinstein and Spencer Barbosa. Both creators’ content encourages followers to embrace their natural bodies and celebrate their uniqueness.
Weinstein recently shared an unedited swimsuit photo on Instagram with a caption that appeared to deeply resonate with her followers: “I absolutely do not like what I see in the mirror all the time and that is fine. But I want to remind you that no matter what, how you look on the outside does not and NEVER WILL determine the human being that you are.”
Next time you find yourself having negative self thoughts, remember the wise words of Barbosa shared in a viral TikTok: “You were crafted and created to be exactly who you are.”
Feature Photo, Woman Legs in Jeans and High Heels, by José Martin Segura Benites on Pexels.com