12 of the most flattering pairs of mom jeans on the high street right now

June 7, 2021

While wide-leg, flared and straight jeans have all made a comeback this year, the days that the mom jean was labelled a short-lived fashion trend are long gone. Thanks to its flattering tapered fit, this high-waist, straight-leg denim style has become a staple in our wardrobes – and rightly so.

In fact, so loved is the mom jean, that Matalan recently discovered the flattering style is the most searched for jeans cut around the world – 13 out of 18 countries where Google data was analysed revealed it to be the most searched for style of jeans, including in the UK, USA, Spain, Italy, Germany and Canada.

Available in vintage washes, bleached colours, with cropped hems and distressed details, the shop rails and our Instagram feeds are flooded with the look, so we asked the denim experts at Levi’s how to pull them off.

What are mom jeans?

‘Classic mom jeans are the perfect blend of early 90s nostalgia and a super flattering fit,’ says Levi’s Women’s Head of Design, Jill Guenza.

‘Ours sit high on the waist and are a little roomy through the hips and taper to the ankle. One of our favourite details of this ironic/iconic fit are the slightly smaller back pockets that sit high on the butt and angle out, just like the pockets on the jeans our moms used to wear. The end effect is an uber feminine silhouette, accentuating the waist and flattering the hips and legs.’

Why are they back in fashion?

‘The seed of the trend comes from a collective, nostalgic love for the 90s,’ she adds. ‘It’s been fuelled by women looking for cool denim styles that go beyond skinny jeans. The stretchiness and ease of skinny jeans have secured them a permanent role in our wardrobes, but mom cuts offer a fun, new look that’s flattering and comfortable.’

How should you style them?

‘Because they draw attention to the waist, we recommend tucking in a top or wear something cropped to just above the waistband,’ Jill advises. ‘They look great with a slim bodysuit or a ribbed tee, a skinny belt, and a dad sneaker for a youthful look or a pointy sling-back kitten heel for a more refined statement.’