Denim Fit Finder
Find Your Perfect Gen Z Style
Based on the latest Australian fashion trends, Gen Z prefers styles that prioritize comfort, movement, and individuality. Answer these 3 questions to find your ideal jeans fit.
Five years ago, if you walked down any busy street in Melbourne, Sydney, or even a small town in regional Queensland, you’d see skinny jeans everywhere. On teens, on twenty-somethings, on people who swore they’d never take them off. But now? They’re harder to find. Not gone-just not the default anymore. And Gen Z, the generation that grew up with them as the only option, is the one who quietly moved on.
What Changed?
It wasn’t one event. No brand announced, "Skinny jeans are out." No viral video started it. It was a slow shift, built on comfort, self-expression, and a rejection of rigid fashion rules. Gen Z didn’t wake up one day and say, "I hate skinny jeans." They just stopped buying them. And when they didn’t buy them, the stores stopped stocking them.
Think about it: if you’re 18 in 2026, you were 13 in 2021. That’s when TikTok started pushing baggy jeans, cargo pants, and dad sneakers as the new cool. Suddenly, the tight, high-waisted silhouette that once defined youth fashion looked like something your older sibling wore in 2015. And Gen Z? They’re obsessed with looking current-not nostalgic.
Comfort Over Conformity
Gen Z grew up with sweatpants as daily wear. They didn’t just tolerate comfort-they demanded it. Skinny jeans, by design, restrict movement. They dig in at the waist. They bunch at the ankles. They’re not built for sitting cross-legged on the floor, crouching in a café, or sprinting to catch a train. In a world where people work remotely, walk everywhere, and value authenticity over polish, that’s a dealbreaker.
One 20-year-old student from Perth told me: "I used to wear them because everyone else did. Now I wear wide-leg jeans because I can sit for hours without my legs going numb. And honestly? I feel more confident. I’m not trying to look like I’m in a 2012 music video."
What Are They Wearing Instead?
Gen Z isn’t avoiding jeans. They’re just choosing different cuts. The top three styles right now:
- Baggy straight-leg - loose from hip to ankle, no taper. Think Levi’s 511 or Uniqlo’s Relaxed Fit.
- Baggy boyfriend - oversized through the thigh, slightly cropped or rolled at the cuff.
- Flared - not the 70s disco kind, but a subtle flare from the knee down. It’s retro but not try-hard.
Brands like Madewell, Everlane, and even Zara have shifted their denim lines hard toward these cuts. In fact, sales data from Australian retail analytics firm RetailEyes shows that in 2025, baggy jeans outsold skinny jeans by 3.2 to 1. That’s not a blip. That’s a reversal.
Are Skinny Jeans Completely Dead?
No. But they’re not the norm. You’ll still see them-on people who never stopped wearing them, on fashion influencers doing throwback looks, or in vintage stores. But if you walk into a mainstream Australian retailer like Myer, David Jones, or even H&M, you’ll find maybe one or two styles of skinny jeans left. The rest? They’re all loose, wide, or flared.
There’s also a quiet resurgence among some Gen Z folks who wear them for specific reasons: to pair with boots, to look polished for a job interview, or because they’re into vintage punk or grunge aesthetics. But it’s intentional, not default. It’s a choice, not a uniform.
The Rise of Fit Flexibility
Gen Z doesn’t just want one style. They want options. That’s why brands are now offering "fit kits"-the same jean in three different cuts. You pick your waist, your thigh, and your leg shape. It’s not about fitting into a mold. It’s about finding what works for your body, your mood, and your day.
One 19-year-old from Brisbane said: "I have three pairs of jeans. One baggy for hanging out, one straight-leg for work, and one flared for going out. I don’t need one pair that does everything. I need three that do different things."
Why This Matters Beyond Fashion
This isn’t just about jeans. It’s about how Gen Z sees identity. Older generations were told what to wear to fit in. Gen Z was told to wear what makes them feel like themselves. Skinny jeans were once a symbol of belonging. Now, they’re a symbol of conformity-and that’s the last thing Gen Z wants to be.
They’re not rejecting denim. They’re redefining it. The denim industry is adapting fast. New fabrics are stretchier, lighter, and more breathable. Washes are more natural, less bleached. Pockets are deeper. Zippers are longer. Everything is designed for real life, not just Instagram.
What Should You Do?
If you’re wondering whether to keep your skinny jeans: keep them if they still fit well and make you feel good. But if they’re tight, uncomfortable, or you’re wearing them because you think you "should," it’s okay to let them go.
If you’re shopping for new jeans: try the baggy straight-leg first. It’s the most versatile. Look for a mid-rise waist (not too high, not too low), and a fabric with at least 2% elastane for movement. Don’t be afraid to size up. The goal isn’t to hug your legs-it’s to flow with them.
And if you’re curious about what’s next? The next wave is going to be wide-leg cargo jeans with functional pockets and adjustable hems. Brands are already testing them. By 2027, they might be everywhere.
Final Thought
Gen Z didn’t kill skinny jeans because they hated them. They moved on because fashion stopped serving them. And that’s the real story. It’s not about trends. It’s about freedom. The jeans you wear should help you move through your life-not hold you back.
Do Gen Z guys wear skinny jeans?
Rarely. While a few still wear them for specific looks-like punk or retro styles-the vast majority have moved to baggy, relaxed, or straight-leg cuts. Male Gen Z shoppers in Australia are buying 4.5 times more wide-leg jeans than skinny ones, according to 2025 data from the Australian Fashion Retail Association. Comfort and fit matter more than fitting into a narrow silhouette.
Are skinny jeans coming back?
Not as a mainstream trend. Fashion cycles do return, but not in the same way. You might see skinny jeans pop up in niche collections or as part of a vintage-inspired line, but they won’t reclaim their dominance. Gen Z’s preference for movement, individuality, and comfort has permanently shifted the standard. The future of denim is loose, not tight.
What’s the best alternative to skinny jeans for Gen Z?
The baggy straight-leg jean is the most popular alternative. It offers the structure of denim without the restriction. It pairs well with sneakers, boots, and even heels. Brands like Madewell, Everlane, and Uniqlo have perfected this cut. Look for a mid-rise waist, a slight taper at the ankle, and fabric with stretch. It’s the new universal fit.
Why did Gen Z reject skinny jeans?
They rejected them because they felt like a constraint-not a style. Skinny jeans were tied to a time when fashion was about fitting in. Gen Z values self-expression, body autonomy, and practicality. If a jean makes you uncomfortable to sit, walk, or breathe, it’s not worth wearing-even if it’s "in style." They chose freedom over conformity.
Is it weird to still wear skinny jeans?
Not at all. If you love them and they work for you, wear them. Fashion isn’t about obeying trends-it’s about personal expression. But understand that in 2026, wearing skinny jeans will likely draw questions, not compliments. It’s no longer the default. It’s a deliberate choice, like wearing a vintage band tee or platform shoes.