Baggy clothes originated in the 1990s, inspired by hip-hop culture in the U.S. Rappers and dancers embraced oversized fits as a statement of rebellion and individuality.
It is also generally accepted that French stylists Marithé et François Girbaud were one of the first designers to integrate baggy in the fashion industry, though the style can be seen originating in the Northern soul scene.
So why is the oversized trend so popular? Comfort: Oversized clothes are, yes, comfy! They offer a relaxed fit that doesn't restrict movement, perfect for lounging or whatever you might be doing with your days. Versatility: Oversized garments can be styled in so many different ways.
They were largely an underground trend in the early 1990s, but took off in popularity in the mid-1990s. The baggy jeans were very popular along with baggy bondage pants during the nu metal era which lasted from the late 90s to the early-to-mid 2000s along with pop punk during the same time.
The Origins of Preppy Style
Back in the late 1890s and early 1900s, the "preppy" style was a sort of status symbol worn by wealthy guys who went to preparatory and Ivy League schools—hence the name. Brooks Brothers button-downs, knit sweaters, and loafers were all part of their closet must-haves.
Preppy in its new definition is anything girly and pink and cute according to Gen Z. A far cry from all the 90s girls in my school who were sporting polo t-shirts in pastel tones and wearing plaid skirts or well cut jeans.
Celebrity Influences
Britney Spears, with her iconic crop tops and low-rise jeans, became synonymous with the early 2000s pop culture. Paris Hilton, known for her glamorous and often sparkly attire, popularised the "it-girl" look. Gwen Stefani, with her eclectic mix of punk and glamour, brought a bold edge to fashion.
Baggy clothes originated in the 1990s, inspired by hip-hop culture in the U.S. Rappers and dancers embraced oversized fits as a statement of rebellion and individuality.
Yet, there are others who remain steadfast in their love for the 2010s skinny jean trend, asserting it came to an undeserved demise at the hands of the younger generation during the start of the 2020s. Then, skinny jeans were dubbed, at best, out of style.
Most sources report that sagging pants began in the prison system. Belts are not allowed to be worn, due to the fact that they can be used as weapons or as a means to suicide. This resulted in the ill-fitting generic pants, too large to stay up on their own, to ride low on prisoner's hips.
She explained that wearing baggy jeans to bars and clubs serves as a subtle rebellion against societal expectations of “dressing up” in the same way previous generations did, such as the millennial trend of opting for business casual for nights out.
The fashion industry continues to develop new trends, and oversized sportswear emerged as the main fashion statement in 2025.
Baggy refers to clothing that's loose but often less structured and casual. It is commonly associated with streetwear. Oversized is a deliberate fit that's designed to be roomy. It maintains a more polished or trend-driven aesthetic.
Origins of the Trend
The fashion crowd's current fascination with puffer bags can largely be traced back to one design that debuted in the late 2010s. We're talking about Bottega Veneta's Pouch.
In Tudor times, these breeches were loose-fitting, but by the 1660s, tight breeches were fashionable. These were popularised by Frenchmen at the court of Louis XIII, as part of the three piece suit that also included a type of frock coat called a Justacorps, a tricorne hat, a powdered wig, and a long waistcoat.
The History Of The Hoodie
While hooded garments originated before the common era, the hooded sweatshirt or “hoodie” that we know today was invented in the 1930s by Knickerbocker Knitting Company, which eventually became the brand 'Champion'.
Historically skinny jeans have been favoured by millennials, whilst Gen-Z have embraced the baggier look, but is that changing? Before we delve into the debate, it's worth asking why there's so much chat about trousers in the first place.
Let's be real, leggings were never out of style. They've been a wardrobe essential for years, evolving with fashion trends while critically remaining a 'no-throw' item in our closets.
"Clients ask me if they can still wear their ripped or distressed jeans, and most of the time, they're referring to skinny or low-rise styles from the 2000s," she explains. "My advice is always the same: if you love distressed denim, keep wearing it, but try updating your wardrobe with fresh silhouettes.
Baggy jeans can be traced to a mix of the 50s surge of rock and roll and the 70s birth of hip hop. The 1990 hit “U Can't Touch This” (a true banger) by MC Hammer, introduced the “Hammer Pants,” an interpretation of the Middle Eastern harem pant, which can be best described as baggy on top with cuffs at the ankles.
The shift to life spent mostly at home in loose, comfortable clothes kicked the movement into overdrive; nearly four years later, it's an adjustment designers can't shake. Now more than ever, runways are displaying ease in the form of billowy or slouchy silhouettes, elasticated waistbands, and softer fabrics.
Influence from Prison Culture: Some of the influences for baggy clothes came from prison culture. In prisons, belts are often not allowed, leading to a sagging style of the pants. This style was then adopted by some in the hip-hop community as a sign of rebellion or to maintain a connection with life on the streets.
“There's a certain nostalgia in Y2K because a lot of Gen Z kids grew up in the early 2000s. Revisiting the old styles from when we were little, it feels like it's comforting in a way and it's cool to draw inspiration from those things.”
The name Y2K is derived from an abbreviation coined by programmer David Eddy for the year 2000 and its potential computer errors. The Y2K aesthetic can include synthetic or metallic materials, inflatable furniture, and computer interfaces of the dotcom era.
Software and hardware companies raced to fix the bug and provided "Y2K compliant" programs to help. The simplest solution was the best: The date was simply expanded to a four-digit number. Governments, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom, worked to address the problem.