How to Style Fashion’s Most Controversial Jeans Trend Once and For All

a woman walking down a street: Christian Vierig/Getty Images

To the skinny-jean enthusiasts’ dismay, body-hugging bottoms are out and loose-fitting mom jeans are in. However, unlike the (admittedly fashionably challenged) pair that became a (ruthless yet hilarious) punchline of an SNL skit, mom jeans of today are dripping with panache, and learning how to style mom jeans in 2021 will only take the modern look to the next level.

It’s true that there were rumblings of dad pants becoming a supermodel fave at the start of the season, but it was the resurgence of mom jeans that ended up dominating the market for #vaxgirlsummer. Details like frayed hems and ripped knees have cemented this new generation of ‘motherly’ denim as cool and fashion-forward, and even celebrities have taken note (see: Megan Fox and Sarah Jessica Parker, for reference).

To wear the new-again silhouette requires new style inspo material. From toughening things up with a moto jacket to tucking in your blouse to accentuate an hourglass figure, find styling inspiration below from renowned stylists, fashion influencers, and some of the best tips we at InStyle have picked up on our own style journeys.

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