Jean’s Jean Gene: Highsnobiety and Levi's® Think Baggy is Better
When it comes to styling your fits, there is undoubtedly no shortage of trendy silhouettes and niche fashion aesthetics from which to pull inspiration. Straight fit, cropped, tailored, flared, and so many more have experienced their moment in the spotlight, serving as the reference point for myriad looks observed across our timelines. And yet, among all the cheeky GRWM posts and daily fit inspo, it would appear that the more relaxed, baggy look still reigns supreme—well, at least according to Highsnobiety’s resident style expert Sebastian Jean.
Holding the coveted title of Fashion Director, a role comfortably situated at the forefront of the cultural conversation, Jean’s well-trained eye can easily detect which trends are en vogue and which belong én the tràsh. Harnessing the legendary prowess of Levi's®, the iconic denim purveyor known for its deep catalog of timeless garments, Highsnobiety is here to dish out exclusive tricks of the styling trade from the best in the business.
“We all know that fashion tends to circle back on itself, but it feels like the baggy look has always hung around—think the early '90s, 2000s hip-hop, and R&B,” Jean shares while going about his daily duties at Highsnob’s New York HQ. “But more than that, I think it's grown past a trend, and everyone has recognized this style as just more comfortable, especially after something like a pandemic.”
It would make sense that, following a significant period where everyone was held up in their homes, most would opt for the more comfortable clothing they’ve grown accustomed to even as regular society slowly began to bloom again. Not only is it comfortable, but one could argue that the dynamic depth of the baggy fit allows for more textured and exciting looks than its slim fit counterparts—here’s looking at you, Lil Yachty, our sovereign leader of slouchwear.
As a brand with more than 150 years of heritage, Levi's® has seen every style trend come and go and remains the go-to for every one of fashion’s distinctive eras. “I think my first pair of jeans were Levi's®. I always had them throughout high school and again when the skinny jeans were what everyone was doing,” Jean jokes. “Now that we’re into the baggy thing, they’re still relevant. Levi's® is synonymous with denim, regardless of the specific era.”
Putting his bold claim to the test, the professional trendspotter styled himself in a host of Levi's® looks that express both the historic brand's range and the baggy aesthetic's diverse nature. First, Jean showed off a more contemporary verve by matching Levi's® Striped Red Tab™ Vintage Tee with a pair of 569™ Loose Straight Fit Denim. Next, leaning more into the preppy flavor, Jean donned the 568™ Stay Loose Double-Knee Pants and Coit Boxy Cardigan. Mixing his naturally laid-back demeanor with Levi's® classic style profile, the seasoned stylist officially laid all doubt to rest—baggy is, indeed, better.
“[Fashion] doesn’t look the same from when I was younger, and I have to be open to that,” our resident style expert shares candidly. “But now it’s my responsibility to facilitate some of the energy I appreciated into today’s conversation. I enjoy creating looks that feel eclectic. I want the past, present, and future to all come together. And, to their credit, a brand like Levi's® has a bit of all three.”
Serving as a beacon of inspiration, our in-house style savant and his dedicated team take pride in meticulously sourcing from brands that emulate the highest level of quality while remaining unwavering in their core value codes—two complimenting philosophies the Levi's® brand has proudly stood on throughout its historic run within the culture. Jean points to the brand’s willingness to innovate on its classics as one of the main reasons Levi's® has yet to see any kind of decline.
Now, while Levi's® baggy looks might be here to stay, our beloved Fashion Director needs to get back to masterminding his latest mood board. But, before finally stepping away to tie up any loose ends on the day, Jean leaves us with this one piece of invaluable advice when it comes to putting together the proper baggy fit: "Styling baggy jeans is like making rice, the ratio has to be just right. My favorites are to go three parts loose (i.e., pants, top, and chunky shoes) or two parts baggy on the bottom and a slightly cropped or fitted top. As long as it feels cohesive, you’re good to go.”
Alright now, enough talk, it’s time to get working on the next issue already!
