This Outdated Jeans Trend Makes 2025 Comeback And Millennials Wince

The world of denim trends is as exciting as it is unpredictable. Every year brings us new and surprising fads — for instance, the biggest denim trends of 2024 included baggy jeans, barrel-leg jeans, and even jorts. Now in 2025, we're seeing a throwback to a denim style that may make millennials cringe. Welcome back, cuffed jeans. 

As we head further into spring, there have been too many celebrity sightings of this style for it to be a drill. Back in January, Gwyneth Paltrow was papped in Santa Barbara donning a pair of wide-leg, light-wash jeans with a very prominent cuff, which she wore with sneakers. Around the same time, Nicole Kidman chose cuffed, mid-wash denim for a long flight from Sydney, Australia, to California. Fast-forward to March, and Jennifer Aniston wore a pair of dark, straight-leg cuffed jeans (with a noticeably thinner cuff) out to dinner in West Hollywood. Add to that Reese Witherspoon posing in her cuffed denim on Instagram, plus Natalie Portman and Joanna Gaines being spotted out and about in their cuffed jeans, and it's clear that a pattern has emerged. 

Millennials are no strangers to the cuff, though the Gen-Y version tends to be skinny, cropped, and worn with sock-free sneakers or ankle boots. This time around, the consensus tends to be that cuffed jeans are actually being worn at a normal length, and en-vogue styles are fluctuating between straight-leg and wide-leg, meaning that this look isn't quite ready for the skinny resurgence just yet. But as we can see from the stars leading the way, there's a lot of versatility with how you can wear the cuff. 

The best part about the return of cuffed denim is that it doesn't actually require you to go out and purchase a new pair of jeans. We're doing single, simple folds, so it's easy to just roll up a pair you already own. The cuff can be as wide or as narrow as you'd like since we've seen A-listers rock both, and the size of yours can be determined by the excess fabric you have. To ensure a put-together look that isn't falling apart at the seams, just secure your cuffs with some pins and be on your way. From what we've observed in Hollywood, this look is ideal for a casual dinner or outing, so there are ample potential pairings.

If you're going to buy a new pair, wide-leg and straight-leg styles are trending, so go with what your heart tells you. Light, medium, and dark denim all suit this look, though each wash carries a different air. In general, dark-wash denim tends to be more formal, so this is a good choice if you'll be going on slightly fancier outings. Light-wash denim is super casual (and as Reese Witherspoon has shown us, perfect for a breezy spring 'fit). And medium denim gives you the best of both worlds; you could pair it with a black top for date night or a blouse or sweater for brunch. Every denim wash has its ideal color pairings, so check out our guide of palettes to pick the perfect garments with which to match yours. Multi-colored cuffed denim is also a great choice for those who prefer an edgier vibe. 

When it comes to footwear, you could dress it up with heels, go for some trans-seasonal boots, or even wear sandals as the weather warms. Nicole Kidman, of course, is a shining example that you really don't need to reach for anything further than your go-to classic white sneakers, which will always be stylish when worn well.