How To Style Mom Jeans For 2025

Mom jeans became a symbol of the Normcore movement circa 2014, however they have slipped in popularity in lieu of baggy silhouettes and ’90s straight-legs that have dominated the denim landscape over the past few years.

The name “mom jeans” is in many ways loaded, and should be taken with a pinch of salt, as Susan Orlean wrote in The New Yorker in 2011 “since when did the word mom become a swear word?,” in relation to the sneery undertone behind this phrase. “I guess the current definition of “mom” is someone who wears their jeans high enough to hide their tramp stamp; is attractive but genderless; is, in other words, nice, slightly frumpy,” she wrote at the time.

These jeans – which have a high waist, a slightly loose leg that tapers at the ankle and no stretch – were found predominantly in the suburbs in malls and Wallmart in the Noughties. However, this silhouette is also aligned with the fundamentals of model off-duty style, worn by Cindy Crawford in the ’90s and Gigi Hadid throughout her runway career to date.

Cindy Crawford in 1991.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

They will function in your wardrobe just like a straight-leg or baggy jean, as all have a throwback feel. In 2025, the most popular styles have a softer, slightly tapered fit that isn’t too exaggerated – Levi’s high-waisted Mom jeans and Toteme’s tapered style are two hero pairs that feel very relevant for 2025. During the Normcore era, these jeans were worn with tucked-in T-shirts – a combination that will forever be popular, but can be updated with some subtle tweaks.

From a lace-trimmed camisole to a relaxed linen shirt, here is Vogue’s guide for how to style mom jeans in a way that feels fresh for 2025.

With linen shirt + suede bag

The Weekend – With Nothing Underneath

Mom High Waisted Colour Ankle Grazer Jeans – M&S

Matina Sandals – Ancient Greek Sandals

Buckled Suede Bucket Bag – net-a-porter

With a white T-shirt + loafers

Crewneck T-Shirt – & other stories

High-Rise Organic Tapered Jeans – Net-A-Porter

Lucy Williams Arco Cord Necklace – MISSOMA

Slim Suede Loafers – Arket

With suede bomber + camisole top

Suede Bomber Jacket – Net-A-Porter

Black Toe Post Kitten Heel Mule – Whistles

With strapless top + mules

Strapless Tie-Back Cotton-Blend Top – Net-A-Porter

High-Waisted Mom Jeans – Levi’s

Trompette 45 Embellished Patent-Leather Mules – Net-A-Porter

LE 5 À 7 Supple Small Shoulder Bag – Saint Laurent

With a cardigan and boho boots

Circle-Cut Merino Wool Caridgan – COS

Mom Fit Comfort High-Waist Jeans – Zara

Edrika Suede Ankle Boots – MyTheresa

Oval Frame Sunglasses – Gucci

Also read:

6 ways to style your Birkenstocks with jeans

How to wear grey jeans like a street style expert

How to wear skinny jeans, for those who don’t do skinny jeans