fancyyouthharmony

[fancyyouthharmony]

Shredded Jeans- Hot or Not?

Shredded jeans are a consistent member of the trend cycle. Starting in the 80’s and 90’s shredded jeans became stylish after regular wear and tear tore down a trusty pair of jeans. Still held together and serving their overall purpose, they stayed around due to practicality. Comfort has been slowly integrating itself into everyday wear, and this is a valid example. Being a staple in most everyone's wardrobe, re-wearing the same pair of pants even through the tears and rips, helps save money and creates a new fashion. Torn-up jeans symbolize just how well-loved a garment can be. The reliability and resilience are carried through an authentic pair of worn jeans. However, as time went on, pre-shredded jeans became more and more manufactured as the rise of fast fashion became more prominent. Though fast fashion started up more in the 90s, it became more prominent and ever-growing- especially in the modern age. With retailers and online shops such as H&M, Shein, and Forever21, fads and trends are more readily accessible to the consumer, considering the cheaper prices and availability. Contributing to that, clothing is now made with cheaper fabrics and lower quality products- therefore regular jeans are more prone to becoming ripped. Plus, with the availability of so many clothes and accessories, people can afford to buy into these trends and fads. 

The topic of “Are pre-distressed jeans an homage to comfortable clothing or a streetwise trend?” could go either way. I personally don’t find it leaning strongly either way. To a certain extent, it is an homage to comfortable clothing, as that is relatively where the trend started. However, it also leans to a streetwise trend as it is a staple in certain styles and gives off a relaxed and cool vibe. I don’t think it’s fair to say that it is all one or another. From where the trend started, to where it developed, it has seen both ends of the spectrum. Overall- I don’t think it’s that important to pinpoint exactly why the trend started, and how it has been developed over time.

I think this trend is something that even though - hated by some - it is not something we can toss out anytime soon. It is a basic that many young people partake in and wear in their daily life. I find them cute, but sometimes too aggressively ripped. That being said, fashion is subjective, so anybody can wear what they want as long as it brings them joy.

Overall take: Ripped Jeans are hot

HOWEVER- not ripped jeans as a whole. Baggy-fit ripped jeans are seen more often in 2024, rather than 10 years ago, when ripped skinny jeans were prevalent