Shoulder pads! Perms! Mom jeans!
The Eighties will never cease to spark sartorial debate, as proven by the divisive aforementioned trends.
The era doesn’t seem to carry the same sartorial cachet as the predating Sixties and Seventies, which were beloved for their kaleidoscopic colourways, Mod silhouettes and flower power prints. In fact, the Eighties are almost considered a bad bookmark in the grand canon of fashion - bar a few exceptions such as Madonna, Princess Diana, Cher and breakout stars from John Hughes films. Here’s looking at you, Molly Ringwald.
Anyone with Sixties-born parents will understand. “I looked awful with a perm,” or “Why did I ever think hammer pants were a good idea?” are phrases commonly bounced around when asked about their teenage years.
Yet, a few steadfast trends from the era emerged. Oversized blazers, power suits, bomber jackets, scrunchies and of course, mom jeans.
The success of the relaxed style can be traced to their versatility. The silhouette didn’t slot into the dominant, binary punk or New Romantic dress codes. Instead, they existed as a laid-back staple unclaimed by any subculture and generously depicted onscreen over the years from the TV sitcom Friends to the classic Eighties hit Footloose. Mom jeans were wholly unpigeonholeable.
You might even go as far as to say they were an anti-fashion fashion statement. Let’s face it, mom jeans are not flattering. But they’re not really meant to be. A high-waisted cut is coupled with a baggy silhouette and tapered hems, causing the shape of the leg to be lost in voluminous swathes of denim.
Unlike the feline form of the Seventies flared trouser or the sensual low-slung cut of divisive Nineties denim, mom jeans weren't designed to flaunt the figure. Regardless, they stood the test of time, dominating the shop windows of Topshop (R.I.P) and making a splash on the runway.
Fashion houses from Dior to Isabel Marant championed the slobby chic look, with Bottega Veneta enlisting the help of Kate Moss to sashay down the runway in a blue lumberjack shirt and loose-fitting jeans for their spring/summer 2023 show.
Many other stars seemed to disregard the unflattering cut of the mom jean, marrying both function and fashion via their outfits. These include but are not limited to Lady Amelia Windsor, the poster girl for sustainable denim brand Fanfare Label, the Haim sisters, Mia Regan and Taylor Swift, whose Y2K butterfly-embellished Area jeans sent Gen Z into sartorial meltdown.
New Look has noted a 117 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for women's black mom jeans, which the brand says may be due to the recent release of Mean Girls. The iconic line ‘I’m a cool mom’ celebrates nonchalant matriarchs everywhere - and no item of clothing says imperturbable parent like a pair of mom jeans.
Tap into Eighties excellence and imbue your wardrobe with a nostalgic dose of informal fashion.
Shop now
Fanfare High Waisted Melt Patch Blue Jeans
Shop sustainably and browse Fanfare’s playful collection of patchwork jeans. Cut from mid-wash blue denim, these high-waisted mom jeans feature casual rolled hems and patchwork comprised of deadstock fabric and old curtains.
Buy now £195.00, Liberty
M&S The Mom Jeans
Add a timeless touch to your denim arsenal with M&S’ mom jeans. Available in a range of colours from black to dark-wash blue, these jeans make for the ultimate staple to be paired with knitwear in winter and tank tops in summer.
Buy now £39.50, M&S
Cos Arched Jeans
Made from organic cotton, Cos’ Arched jeans are for the conscious shopper. A loose fit offers up a casual look, while a high-reaching waist and tapered leg imbue any outfit with a relaxed feel.
Buy now £69.00, Cos
Area Embellished High Rise Butterfly Jeans
Area’s Y2K cut-out jeans made the headlines thanks to Taylor Swift. The star was pictured in the playful pair of trousers, which come complete with a sprinkling of crystals in the shape of a sweet butterfly cut-out on the thigh.
Buy now £660.00, MyTheresa
H&M Vintage Mom Fit Ultra High Ankle Jeans
With a low price tag but a long lifespan, H&M’s jeans will guide you through all the seasons. A dark wash combined with a slightly cropped-up and baggy silhouette ooze cool-girl charm.
Buy now £32.99, H&M
Calvin Klein Mom Jeans
Kick back in your Calvins. Known for its wide range of underwear and denim collections, Clavin Klein is synonymous with supermodel attire. Put your best foot forward in a pair of mom jeans made from recycled fabrics and high-quality, rigid denim to accentuate the waist and lengthen the legs.
Buy now £110.00, Calvin Klein
Abercrombie High Rise Mom Jean
Abercrombie is witnessing a renaissance. The Noughties label champions the quintessential, all-American look with its array of denim pieces. Order online, slip into some mid-range mom jeans and save yourself the hassle of scrambling through the dark, music-pumping shops in the name of trousers.
Buy now £75.00, Abercrombie
Saint Laurent Vanessa Tapered Cotton Jeans
Add a lick of luxury to your transitional wardrobe. Saint Laurent’s Vanessa jeans come at a price, but are set to stand the test of time. Their versatile appeal can be attributed to a high-rise waistline, practical pockets and a smart, tapered leg.
Buy now £700.00, Matches
Marant Etoile Corsy Tapered Jeans
Isabel Marant’s tapered jeans will transport the wearer to the rural ranches of Montana or the rowdy saloons of Texas. Tap into some Americana magic and pair yours with some cowboy boots for a thoroughly Western aesthetic.
Buy now £225.00, Matches
Citizens of Humanity Devi Low-slung Jeans
When it comes to denim, Citizens of Humanity is a brand to watch. The label has partnered with Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), a company empowering growers to implement scalable regenerative agriculture solutions. Not only are they constructed from planet-friendly fabrics but the brand’s designs are timeless, so it's a win for sustainability and a win for style.
Buy now £320.00, Matches
Levi’s 80s Mom Jeans
Do denim right with Levi’s. The brand is arguably the most iconic denim brand to ever exist and the 80s Mom Jeans show why. An elevated take on the relaxed style, these slacks offer a vintage-inspired fit updated with a flattering high waist and a tapered leg for tailored style. Everybody knows that one pair of Levi’s is enough to last a lifetime, so without further ado, it’s time to start shopping.
Buy now £100.00, Levi’s
Ashish Bouquet Floral Sequinned Jeans
Florals! Sequins! Denim! All of the above mesh together in Ashish’s loud but loveable mom jeans. Allow the compliments to roll in for the jeans, which feature a cross-stitch-inspired bouquet motif, a light wash and colourful mirrored sequins, all hand-applied in Ashish's Indian studio.
Buy now £1470.00, Matches
