Skinny jeans are cool again. But they come with these 2025 'rules.'

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After years of us (millennials) being absolutely roasted for our skinny jeans by our Gen Z counterparts, the tide has turned (back again).

Earlier this year we heard whispers of rumours, questions were being fired off in confusion within millennial group chats:

"Wait... what? Skinny jeans, are back?!"

Watch: Our experts unravelling skinny jeans. Post continues below.

Turns out they aren't going anywhere in a hurry.

On a recent episode of Nothing To Wear Lucinda Pickett, fashion brand PR and trend consultant, and Chelsea Hui, Mamamia's Entertainment Writer and Gen Z fashion oracle, were talking about denim trends.

"All the millennials are screaming inside, 'Is skinny back in?'" Lucinda said. "Yes, these aren't necessarily going anywhere."

"Spray-on jeans are around, but skinny is definitely a big trend," she added.

"I can't say I'm happy about that," (Gen Z) Chelsea responded.

I did a pulse check with the other cool Gen Z girls in the Mamamia office. When I asked them if they would ever wear skinny jeans now they're "in" again?

It was a resounding, hard-line, flat-out "no way."

Listen to The Quicky discuss the new rules for skinny jeans. Post continues below.

It's all about proportions.

L-R: Instagram @anoukyve / @aniyahmorinia / @madisonbaileybabe

"I love a skinny jean, it's just about how you style them," Lucinda explained.

"Millennials back in the day would wear skinny spray-on jeans with an ankle boot and then a tight top, and there was just no proportion or silhouette in that outfit,"

"If you're doing a skinny jean, whatever shoe you're wearing changes the whole shape and silhouette of the outfit," she continued.

"Plus having an oversized shape on top, like an Oxford shirt or an oversized jacket, to balance out the skinniness of the jean,

"So if you are a millennial and thinking, 'I don't want to touch skinny,' just try playing with different balances or proportions," she said.

Skinny jeans caveats for 2025.

L-R: Instagram @anoukyve / @trendingwithtinsley / @theabbybible

So other than playing with proportions for that perfectly balanced and modern silhouette?

• Darker washes like classic dark indigo and black washes, will elevate your skinny jeans to a more refined look.

• Bleached and faded washes, reminiscent of vintage 80s and 90s denim, add character without overwhelming.

• Slight distressing and fading is okay, but you really want to avoid the flashback to skin-tight jeans with big gaping holes in the knees. That look (still) belongs in fashion jail.

• Ideally, you want to aim for slightly looser ankles and relaxed hems, instead of super-tight fits, which helps avoid looking dated and keeping it fresh and modern.

So, did we donate all of our skinny jeans to charity and now feel the need to panic purchase more? We've delivered a round up of our fave skinny jeans 2.0 below.

The best skinny jeans to shop for 2025.

Levi's® Women's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans, $129.95.

Image: Levi's.

Good American Good Legs Skinny Jeans, $207.

Image: ASOS.

Calvin Klein High Rise Skinny Ankle Jeans, $159.

Image: The Iconic.

River Island High Rise Sculpt Skinny Jeans, $103.

Image: ASOS.

Levi's® Women's 721 High-Rise Skinny Jeans, $100.

Image: Levi's.

Decjuba Riley Skinny Jean, $90.

Image: Decjuba.

New Look Coated Skinny Jeans, $63.

Image: ASOS.

Fayt The Label Zetler Jeans, $109.

Image: Fayt The Label.

Sosandar Perfect Skinny Jeans, $135.

Image: The Iconic.

Levi's® Women's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans, $130.

Image: Levi's.

Levi's® Women's 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans, $130.

Image: Levi's

ASOS Design Curve Skinny Jeans, $42.

Image: ASOS.

Next Super Soft Skinny Jeans, $74.

Image: The Iconic.

Decjuba Evie High Rise Skinny Jeans, $100.

Image: The Iconic.

Dr Denim Moxy Skinny Jeans, $120.

Image: The Iconic.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

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Feature Image: Instagram @anoukyve.