Kate Middleton joins Gen Z in bringing back controversial fashion trend and millennials might not like it
Fashion trends come and go, and there's one fashion trend that came in during the noughties and appeared to fade away.
Yet it's now back with a bang this year, and looks like Princess Kate is leading the charge alongside a wave of Gen Z who have already reclaimed the skintight silhouette and ditched baggy jeans and looser styles.
While every form of denim style has had its moment in the sun from flares, bootcut, mom jeans, and even the barrel leg and wide leg styles, there's something about the humble skinny jean.
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It first became a wardrobe staple in the noughties, with everyone from Kate Moss to Amy Winehouse spotted in the figure-hugging style, and while it dropped off the radar, it now seems it's back again - and it's here to stay.
Worn by the Princess of Wales at regular functions, dark denim or black skinny jean seemed to be her go-to, styled with a classic white trainer or ballet pump. Fashion journalist Laura Sutcliffe explained to Hello! magazine why Kate has always stuck to her skinny jean style.
She said: "The Princess of Wales has always championed skinny jeans, even though barrel and turn ups are widely considered more trendy at the moment.
"She has teamed them with a variety of fashion staples over the years; from her Breton striped tops to tailored blazers and pretty blouses."
It appears Kate has found a style she liked, and stuck to it, with the royal seen in skinny jeans regularly over the years, including some of her recent appearances now she's resumed royal duties this year.
Sutcliffe added: "The mum-of-three needs comfort when she takes part in sporty engagements and also when she does the school run. Everyone looks good in the mighty skinny, no matter what shape you are."
Kate isn't the only one bringing skinny jeans back, as the fashion catwalk has also seen the rise of skintight denim too. In 2023, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Prada looked to bring back the skinny silhouette, with everything from figure-hugging cigarette pants to tapered leggings being spotted on the runway. Just a year later, it was officially the time for skinny jeans to return, as Miu Miu took it one step further and squeezed their models into skin-tight denim.
Celebrities have also been spotted putting their legs back into skinny jeans, with Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski spotted wearing theirs with perfect off-duty model style.
According to Farfetch’s senior menswear editor, Luke Raymond, the skinny jean resurgence is likely to continue, as brands and influencers attempt to continue standing out from the crowd.
"It’s rare now to see skinny jeans in the wild, which subsequently means that brands and influential dressers will inevitably look to bring them back to the table," he told GQ.
"Add the nostalgic throwback to the #indiesleaze early ’00s that has been gaining steam, and you have a perfect storm for the return of the skinny jean."
Topics: Fashion, Kate Middleton, Shopping, Style, Gen Z, Royal Family
Niamh Spence