Trend Hiatus – Recall of the Baggys?

The 1990’s through till the early 2000’s was and still is a point of reference when it comes to trends. From hot pants to neon oriented ensembles and almost all things chunky, that period in the fashion timeline definitely made its mark. In speaking of chunky wears, generally but particularly in menswear, that period was also the debut of maxi denim pants which were popularly called “Baggy Jeans”. There was hardly any hip-hop artiste or style conscious individual who did not step out in one of those with their signature big chains and bogus eye-wear and at that time it was quite a style must have.

Being a young boy of about 5 years old then, I recall asking myself “Why is uncle wearing big shokoto?”. Maybe that was because of the fear that I could have gotten my petite-self lost in them and also because it wasn’t really a trend in kids’ fashion at the time triggered my amazement, however, it was quite an intriguing spectacle looking at the big guys wearing the big things!

It has been about 10 – 12 years since the Baggy Jeans have been spotted heavily anywhere and I, recalling its glory days, think its hiatus should come to an end. We have seen the redefinition of maxi skirts and the steady creeping in of the 70’s men’s crop tops and I feel a yearning for such a redefinition for the baggy’s. Recalling that time when Rihanna stepped out in maxi denim pants sometime last year and how that sighting turned the heads of fashion observers in its direction, it just might be a silver of hope for this retired trend.

Though the baggy jeans suffered a lot of mismatches and style errors in the past, there is this feeling that something new awaits it in the 21st Century if it is recalled from its slumber. Numerous fashion houses have been time traveling and bringing back ghosts of fashion trends past; like the ripped-jeans for instance, with a new twist that makes us question the debut period of these trends. The baggy trend can equally bask in such a rebirth although, in “re-awakening” the dead, not everyone would be ready for the accompanying blast from the past.

If or not the fashion world is ready for the end of this particular trend hiatus is a question one can’t really give a quick response to at present. However, by the unpredictable ways of time, the recall of the baggy’s might just be closer than we think.