6 ways to style ’90s straight jeans and flats

Despite the popularity of baggy and balloon silhouettes, 90s straight-leg jeans continue to be a favourite. The proof? This season’s collections and the best-dressed street style looks. With them, you don’t need much to stand out — their charm lies in their near-perfect fit. Not as tight as skinnies and not as loose as baggies, their cut strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined. Back in the day, they were the uniform of the most iconic supermodels and actresses of the decade and to this day, they remain a fashion insider’s secret for looking effortlessly put-together.

The Spring-Summer 2025 jeans trend report has crowned them one of the season’s key styles. If you’re still unsure, a quick glance at the runways of Coach, The Row, Bally and Diesel confirms it. It would be a mistake not to consider them for your daytime looks. Best of all, they adapt to every kind of style — you decide how minimalist or modern you want to go. This is where footwear makes all the difference. While they pair well with almost anything, this season’s runways suggest styling them with flat shoes — the idea is to look polished yet effortless, and you don’t need sky-high heels to achieve it.

The straight jeans of the 90s come back with flats in 2025

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If there’s one thing we’ve learned from 90s icons like Julia Roberts and Kate Moss, it’s that straight-leg jeans are the easiest solution to the morning “what to wear” dilemma. Whether you’re heading to the airport or strolling through Los Angeles, they work for any kind of occasion — and with any kind of footwear. They’re the key to looking sharp with your favourite sneakers or with a pair of normcore booties, two very different styles that show just how versatile this cut can be.

This season, however, the new styling proposals point to low-profile shoes that are dominating both on and off the runways. Think Mary Jane shoes, ballet flats and moccasins — ready to complete a polished look that feels effortless and unplanned. Need inspiration? These ideas might be exactly what you’ve been searching for. Here’s how to wear ’90s straight jeans with flats in 2025.

Blue straight jeans and white Mary Jane shoes

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