New silhouettes, interest in vintage fashion and Gen Z’s revival of Y2K helped to reinvigorate the women’s denim category in recent seasons. It will share that spotlight with men’s in 2023.
With men’s fashion week season in full swing, new data from New York-based data analytics firm Trendalytics points to a growing interest in non-basic denim pieces for men.
Though straight and slim jeans in comfort stretch constructions have become the category’s bread and butter, men are beginning to take style cues from women’s vast range of fits. As seen on AMI’s and Dsquared2’s runways, Trendalytics said searches for men’s flare jeans are up 51 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, brands like Closed and Hudson are testing the consumer appetite for the retro fit in their current collections.
“Men’s denim that’s often overlooked is finally having a moment,” the company said.
The utility trend that resulted in a 109 percent spike in searches for women’s “satin cargo pants” last year is finding its footing in men’s fashion with denim. Considered to be a “safe bet,” Trendalytics said searches for men’s denim cargo pants are up 28 percent year-over-year.
The workwear-meets-Y2K bottom is enjoying a designer glow-up. Cargo jeans are part of the Pre-Fall 2023 collections of Givenchy and Jacquemus.
Newness is giving the traditional Canadian tuxedo a boost. “Denim on denim” searches remain steady one year after photos of Ye and Julia Fox wearing coordinating double-denim outfits at men’s fashion week in Paris went viral. The search term saw 8 percent year-over-year growth.
Denim on denim “is making a comeback, and we are seeing a variety of denim jackets and vests paired with blue jeans, too,” Trendalytics said.
Loose denim jackets, like ones in MM6’s and Balmain’s Pre-Fall 2023 collections, give men an alternative to the classic Trucker. Searches for loose denim jackets are up 45 percent-year-over-year.
Denim vests—linking to the utility trend and the growing moto-inspired trend—are flexing their muscles. Denim vests are “experiencing accelerated growth rates,” Trendalytics said, pointing to searches up 23 percent year-over-year.