To Rise or Not to Rise
As Gen Z falls victim to our most regretted style, this millennial asks — seriously?
As millennials, we embraced the return of the early ’90s mom jean. We enjoyed the loose fit of the long-popularized boyfriend jean. And for some, the high-rise skinny would have to be pried from their cold, dead hands. However, the return of one Y2K staple has left Gen Y feeling less than enthusiastic.
It wasn’t the butterfly clips that perturbed us. It wasn’t the baby tee or the crop top. Nor was it the Juicy Couture velour sets, surprisingly enough. No — the generational divide can only be traced to a single, unforgiving culprit: the low-rise jean.
The guilty party has become a topic commonly debated by millennial moms and Gen Z teens until the elder is blue in the face. To rise or not to rise — is this seriously a question?
Low-rise jeans are versatile and come in various cuts. You can wear a fitted pair with a white tee and blazer for a more tailored look. Photo by Unsplash: Dalton Smith
I had to consult my favorite Gen Z teen for some guidance. “Please,” I asked my 14-year-old niece, Ashlynn. “Tell me it’s not true.”
“I currently think they’re in, and I think they’re pretty cute,” she informed me. She foresees the style sticking around for a while but doesn’t consider it timeless.
“They did already go out of style from the early 2000s, so it’s bound to happen again,” she said.
Maria Hurst, owner of Gypsy Rose Boutique, agreed.
“I don’t see low-rise jeans sticking around, and let me tell you why — the younger generation is always looking for the next trend,” she said.
There are many reasons millennials were glad to leave the low-rise behind, one being the snug, below-the-belly fit. Not to mention, the flared length of those bad boys didn’t stand a chance in the rain — you were guaranteed to be stuck with a pant leg wet up to the top of your calf and torn, tattered and mud-stained within three wears.
But the simultaneous resurgence of the platform sneaker comes in handy here enhancing the look and preventing wear from the elements. For tops, the low-rise pairs best, then and now, with a spaghetti strap tank or a baby tee. But if the baby tee feels too bold, Hurst recommends pairing your low-rise jeans with a button-up shirt and sweater vest.
“The look is trendy and a throwback to the ’90s, but it still has a classic vibe,” she said.
Hurst also advised those who prefer a preppier look to bust out a classic white tee and Ralph Lauren’s signature blue blazer.
“I’m drooling,” she laughed.
Go slouchy-chic with a wide-leg or cargo style. Photo by Unsplash: Dash Khatami
The wide-leg cargo is another improvement to the style, and according to Hurst, “it’s everywhere.” As the baggy fit à la Billie Eilish takes the spotlight, this jean fit offers style, versatility and comfort and works for a slouchy-chic look as much as it pairs with the classic baby tee. My Gen Z niece gave this look her stamp of approval and predicts it will outlast the low-rise flare.
As for timeless trends, Hurst encourages women “to be their own trendsetters.”
“I think you should wear whatever look you identify with,” she said. “Some women are boho chic and like everything oversized. Some women like everything tailored. I think it’s super important to take whatever makes you feel comfortable and add a modern twist.”
As for young ingenue Ashlynn, comfort is less of a concern for now.
“I get dressed up for any event, even going to the grocery store,” Ashlynn said. “I just love to get dressed up.” It’s true. I’ve waited endless hours for her for a bank trip.
Sara Santora contributed to this article.
Send in your denim
Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: NadinPanina
Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program collects denim (made from cotton) so that it can be recycled back to its original fiber state and transformed into something new.
Mail your denim for free thanks to Zappos for Good
BOX IT UP Make sure it’s at least 90% cotton and doesn’t have any hangers, tags, stickers or plastic attached. PRINT A LABEL Create or log in to your Zappos account, and print a shipping label to include with your denim. DROP IT OFF Take your box to your local UPS store, and they’ll take care of the rest. Go to bluejeansgogreen.org for more details.
