The most popular denim trend the year you were born ·

14 Jun 2024, 00:00

Back in the 1800s, when jeans were first invented , they were mainly popular with miners and workers who needed to wear something sturdy and reliable. It wasnt until the 1930s that jeans became more mainstream when they entered the Hollywood scene in popular Westerns. Back then, jeans were associated with cowboys and the movie stars who played them. It took about another twenty years before jeans became a casual staple worn by both men and women on a regular basis.

Below is a glimpse at what jeans looked like the year you were born. Most of these styles have come and gone throughout the years, meaning youre sure to see a resurgence of all of these trends at some point if you havent already.

1950 - 1953: Jeans were Western-inspired and just getting popular.

Hulton Archive

In the very early 1950s, jeans were just starting to become more of a fashion trend thanks to actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean wearing them on a pretty regular basis. Still, even as they became more "cool," they had a Western vibe to them and were primarily worn by men. It wasnt until 1952 when Marilyn Monroe wore a pair in her film River of No Return that they became a staple for women as well.

1954 - 1956: Boxy jeans were in style, and they were usually cuffed.

Getty/Ron Case

Throughout most of the 1950s, jeans had a boxy look to them they werent fitted or particularly baggy, they just looked more stiff. They were also almost always worn rolled up.

1957 - 1959: Jeans and a white tee became a trend.

Sydney O'Meara

Today, jeans and a white tee are a classic. This started back in 1957 when Brigitte Bardot became one of the first women photographed in cropped, less boxy jeans with a white t-shirt, according to Elle.

Early 1960s: Denim became more flared, more embellished, and more fitted.

In the very early 1960s, jeans were still boxy and cuffed, but as the years went on, they became more casual, more fitted, and more hippie-inspired . They became more mainstream and less Western-inspired.

1964 - 1965: Jeans were tight at the waist and flared at the bottom.

AP/Jean Jacques Levy

1966-1967: Bootcut jeans took over.

Getty/ed West

Flares might have been a defining denim moment in the 60s, but they werent the only trend. Bootcut jeans were also very popular during this time, especially after Brigitte Bardot was photographed wearing them in 1966.

1968: Denim became lighter.

In 1968, Levis ads showed that lighter jeans were coming into style rather than just darker washes.

1969: Flared jeans came back.

Bootcut may have taken over for a few years, but by 1969, flared jeans were back in business. Jeans were also becoming a little more low-rise.

1970: Jeans were more ragged and embellished.

An article in the New York Times about denim trends in the early 70s said that patched jeans, frayed cuffs, and lightweight jeans were becoming more and more popular.

1971: They were more fitted in the waist.

Getty/Jack Kay

While flares and bootcuts were still on trend, jeans had become much more fitted at the waist. They werent quite so boxy anymore.

1972: Bell bottoms made their way into the spotlight.

Getty/Central Press

Flares seemed tame compared to the bell bottoms that became super popular in 1972. Jeans were more fitted at the waistband and got wider as they went down the leg.

1973-1974: Unfinished hems were on the most popular jeans.

Flared jeans and bell bottoms were still very trendy in 1973 and usually came with frayed hems that made it seem like someone had cut off a sliver of fabric.

1975 - 1976: Elephant bells became the new bell bottoms.

Getty/David Ashdown

Bell bottoms got even more dramatic in 1975 with the introduction of elephant bells, which were basically just extremely wide-leg jeans that got even more flared around the calves.

1977: Slim, straight leg jeans had a punk-inspired vibe to them.

Getty/Aubrey Hart

In the late 1970s, jeans started to become more slim-fitting, with straighter legs rather than flares. The Levis 505 jeans were particularly popular, especially in the music scene. You can tell by getting a glimpse of the Ramones 1976 self-titled album, where they are all wearing 505s.

1978: Jeans became darker and tighter.

The punk-inspired look from 77 stuck around as jeans became darker. They also became tighter. Sasson jeans , which were known for being very tight, were incredibly popular in the late 70s.

1979: Daisy Dukes took the place of jeans.

Gene Trindl

In 1979, Catherine Bach wore very short denim cut-offs in "The Dukes of Hazzard" TV series, and they immediately became extremely trendy.

1980: Jeans became much more baggy.

AP/Ron Frehm

1981: Jeans became more sexy.

AP/Pete Kramer

It was 1981 when Calvin Klein released their ad featuring Brooke Shields that is still talked about today. The 14-year-old model infamously said, You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing. It wasnt the first time jeans had sex appeal, but it was definitely a big moment.

1982: Jordache jeans were the biggest trend.

Getty/Charley Galley

Jordache jeans , with their stiff looking fabric and embroidered back pockets, were one of the most popular brands at this time.

1983: Denim was high-waisted and cuffed.

In the early 80s, jeans were high waisted, cuffed, and slightly baggy. This was when "mom jeans" really became a thing.

1984: High-waisted jeans had a slightly tapered leg.

Getty/Jo Hale

1985: Jeans were tighter and cropped.

As the months went by, denim became a bit tighter instead of baggy or boxy. However, that slightly cropped ankle-length look stuck around the better to show off your thick white socks with.

1986: Faded acid-wash jeans took over.

Getty/Ian Gavan

Acid-wash denim will always be one of the first things people think of when they think about the 1980s, and for good reason. Faded, super light acid-wash jeans were a huge trend .

1987: The acid-wash jeans got a little more destroyed.

Getty/Jon Kopaloff

Eventually, faded acid-wash also became destroyed acid-wash, with light jeans full of holes and artfully arranged rips.

1988: Denim-on-denim was a big thing.

Mark J. Terrill/AP

As acid-wash jeans became slightly less popular, denim-on-denim (AKA the Canadian Tuxedo) got more trendy. People were regularly photographed in slightly baggy, straight leg jeans with matching oversized jean jackets.

1989: Stonewashed jeans still held on as one of the biggest trends.

Getty/Ben Gabbe

Similar to acid-wash jeans, stonewashed jeans were extremely popular. The worn-in, old look of brand new jeans was something everyone was wearing.

1990: Button-fly jeans were more popular than zipper-fly jeans.

Flickr/Housing Works Thrift

Button-fly jeans were first introduced in 1954, and they came back courtesy of Levis in 1990, when they became a trend once again.

1991: Overalls took the place of regular jeans.

Its hard not to think of the 90s and picture overalls. Overalls were around before the 90s, but this decade is when they really gained steam.

1992-1993: Simple, straight leg jeans were all the rage.

Getty/Michael Buckner

The jeans of the early 90s werent too crazy. The most popular style was straight leg, slightly stuff jeans in a medium wash. Denim also saw a slight decline in sales around this time.

1994: Low-rise jeans took hold.

Getty/Evan Agostini

In 1994, low-rise jeans came back into style thanks to Alexander McQueen and then Madonna, who wore the butt-grazing jeans in a popular ad.

1995-1996: Bootcut jeans came back.

AP/Mike Fiala

In the mid 90s, the bootcut style came back with a vengeance. They were straight, less baggy, and worn with everything.

1997: It was all about JNCO jeans.

Wikimedia Commons

And then, suddenly, JNCO jeans were everywhere. This huge, extremely baggy jeans were incredibly popular, accounting for an impressive amount of denim sales.

1998: And then it was all about Tommy Hilfiger jeans.

Getty/Frazer Harrison

Once JNCO jeans started to lose steam, Tommy Hilfiger stepped in. The jeans, which were usually darker and always included the American flag logo, were seen on everyone.

1999: Medium-wash, classic jeans became big.

Getty/Brenda Chase

In 1999, Britney Spears helped popularize simple medium-wash jeans that had a tiny bit of flair at the end of the leg.

2000: Blinged-out jeans were a trend.

Getty/Scott Gries

The early 2000s were a very weird time for jeans, where the trends got more and more intense with each passing year. It started with embellished jeans , with included lots of bling.

2001: Lace-up jeans were the new thing.

Getty/George De Sota

Blinged out embellishments changed to lace-up embellishments as the months went on. One brand in particular, Mudd , made some popular options: jeans that laced up at the fly, down the sides of the legs, or even up the front.

2002: The belt loops got very large.

Getty/George De Sota

The early 2000s is known for one strange accessory: extremely wide belts . As a result, jeans had very large belt loops to accommodate the trend.

2003: Super low-rise flares came back in style.

Getty/Chris Weeks

The early 2000s were somewhat reminiscent of the 70s thanks to the low-rise flared jeans that made a comeback. They were almost bell bottoms, but not quite.

2004: Back pockets disappeared.

Getty/Chris Weeks

For a brief period of time in the early 00s, jeans lost their back pockets . In their place was a semi-circle that called more attention to your butt.

2005: Capri pants made a comeback.

Getty/Sean Gallup

Back in the 60s, cropped pants known as capris were in style. In the early 2000s, they came back in denim form, in all different kinds of washes.

2006: Ombr jeans became popular.

AP/William Sanjuan

One popular look was for jeans to have a lighter wash in the middle of the leg, then darker at the bottom, supposedly to make your legs look longer. It gave almost an ombr effect.

2007: Jeans were low enough to allow your thong to peek out.

By this point in the early 2000s, low-rise jeans were so popular that many forgot what high-waisted even meant.

2008: Denim was anything but blue.

Getty/Brendon Thorne

Instead of your typical medium-wash (or even light or dark), denim became colored. From gray to snake-skin to random patterns, jeans were anything but boring.

2009: Jeggings took over.

Getty/D Dipasupil

It was only a matter of time before jeans decreased in popularity after having an epic few years, and around 2009, jeggings took their place. They were still technically jeans, but they were so stretchy that they could almost feel like leggings.

2010: Boyfriend jeans made their move.

Remember the boxy jeans from the 60s that were once in style? They sort of came back in the form of boyfriend jeans, which were loose-fitting, cuffed, and usually destroyed in some way.

2011: Dark wash skinny jeans became the norm.

Warp + Weft

It was either loose boyfriend jeans or tight skinny jeans, preferably in a dark wash. This was especially true after Kate Middleton was spotted in a pair.

2012: Jeans became bright and colorful.

Getty/Evan Agostini

It wasnt trendy enough to just wear skinny jeans you had to wear colorful skinny jeans. This year, almost any shade was good to go.

2013: Patchwork denim was popular.

Flickr/Heather

In 2013, jeans got a little bit more creative. Cut-and-wash combos were popular, as were patchwork and embellishments.

2014: Overalls made a comeback.

Getty/Carlos Alvarez /

For a short period of time, overalls became trendy yet again. Unlike the 90s, they were a little bit more fitted and cropped.

2015: Jeans were still skinny, but also high-waisted.

Getty/Theo Wargo

As we moved further away from the low-rise jeans of the early 2000s, high-waisted jeans started to become more popular. In 2015, high-waisted skinny jeans became very popular.

2016: Denim was cropped and flared.

Getty/Emma McIntyre

The style from the 70s was making a comeback, which was obvious in a big denim trend: jeans that were both cropped and flared out.

2017: Frayed hems were everywhere.

SilverGirl.org/Pinterest

In 2017, the frayed hems trend that was popular in the 1970s came back into style. Jeans were more undone than usual.

2018: It was all about exciting new ideas and going viral.

Stuart C. Wilson/Stringer/Getty Images

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The most popular denim trend the year you were born

1950 - 1953: Jeans were Western-inspired and just getting popular.

1954 - 1956: Boxy jeans were in style, and they were usually cuffed.

1957 - 1959: Jeans and a white tee became a trend.

Early 1960s: Denim became more flared, more embellished, and more fitted.

1964 - 1965: Jeans were tight at the waist and flared at the bottom.

1966-1967: Bootcut jeans took over.

1968: Denim became lighter.

1969: Flared jeans came back.

1970: Jeans were more ragged and embellished.

1971: They were more fitted in the waist.

1972: Bell bottoms made their way into the spotlight.

1973-1974: Unfinished hems were on the most popular jeans.

1975 - 1976: Elephant bells became the new bell bottoms.

1977: Slim, straight leg jeans had a punk-inspired vibe to them.

1978: Jeans became darker and tighter.

1979: Daisy Dukes took the place of jeans.

1980: Jeans became much more baggy.

1981: Jeans became more sexy.

1982: Jordache jeans were the biggest trend.

1983: Denim was high-waisted and cuffed.

1984: High-waisted jeans had a slightly tapered leg.

1985: Jeans were tighter and cropped.

1986: Faded acid-wash jeans took over.

1987: The acid-wash jeans got a little more destroyed.

1988: Denim-on-denim was a big thing.

1989: Stonewashed jeans still held on as one of the biggest trends.

1990: Button-fly jeans were more popular than zipper-fly jeans.

1991: Overalls took the place of regular jeans.

1992-1993: Simple, straight leg jeans were all the rage.

1994: Low-rise jeans took hold.

1995-1996: Bootcut jeans came back.

1997: It was all about JNCO jeans.

1998: And then it was all about Tommy Hilfiger jeans.

1999: Medium-wash, classic jeans became big.

2000: Blinged-out jeans were a trend.

2001: Lace-up jeans were the new thing.

2002: The belt loops got very large.

2003: Super low-rise flares came back in style.

2004: Back pockets disappeared.

2005: Capri pants made a comeback.

2006: Ombr jeans became popular.

2007: Jeans were low enough to allow your thong to peek out.

2008: Denim was anything but blue.

2009: Jeggings took over.

2010: Boyfriend jeans made their move.

2011: Dark wash skinny jeans became the norm.

2012: Jeans became bright and colorful.

2013: Patchwork denim was popular.

2014: Overalls made a comeback.

2015: Jeans were still skinny, but also high-waisted.

2016: Denim was cropped and flared.

2017: Frayed hems were everywhere.

2018: It was all about exciting new ideas and going viral.

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