It's no secret that the '90s fashion is all the rage right now, and mom jeans that we used to consider passé or 'out of style' are now back in vogue. Perhaps the fashion pendulum swung back, which gave way to looks that valued comfort over showing off figures. Contrary to the figure-hugging jeans, mom jeans have a loose fit, a high-rise waist, and a straight-leg cut.
But apart from providing a more comfortable fit, these mom jeans are also stylish. You can style them in several ways, whether hip, laid back, or even formal. If you're ready to ditch the skin-tight jeans, hop on as we provide you with a guide reviewed by former visual merchandising manager Gio Ocampo and mom jeans recommendations!
Quick List - Top Mom Jeans
Forever 21
Best for Creating an Effortless and Summery Look
Gio Ocampo loves fashion! She previously worked as a visual merchandising manager for a global fast-fashion brand overseeing a store’s overall visual experience — from the windows to the indoor displays. She has a wide experience in styling different customer profiles that fit a certain lifestyle and mixed with the current fashion trends.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Mom jeans cut sits high on the waist, making them the perfect pick for tucked-in looks. Contrary to the common belief that they are baggy, they are only noticeably loose on the back and thigh part. They also tend to be tapered and have longer back pockets that make the bum appear flat and long.
On the other hand, boyfriend jeans appear baggy and straightened all over fit as they aim to give off that borrowed-from-the-boys look. They are usually worn mid-low on the hips to emphasize the oversized finish further. They are also ideal for pulling off effortless and boyish looks, as they typically have a loose crotch and thigh area.
The trend right now for loose-fitting jeans is undeniable. Popular fits we see are the mom jeans and the boyfriend fit. These two may share some similarities, but they are different. Mom jeans tend to be more feminine, versus a boyfriend fit that tends to be more low-waisted and more relaxed.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
You have a better chance of buying the perfect pair of mom jeans if you know your exact measurements. Some people measure their existing perfect-fit jeans. But if you’ve always worn skinny ones, that might not be the best option because mom jeans have a different rise and fit.
To get the right fit, first, measure your waist, and for the inseam length - measure from the top of your thigh down to your ankle bone. Typically, mom jeans don’t have an inseam length of less than 27 inches. You also need to get one that fits snugly in the waist. Not too tight, but so they don’t fall off. Meanwhile, the posterior and leg areas should be loose and relaxed, usually tapered slightly at the ankle.
It is important to know your body measurements when shopping for jeans. Remember that when selecting a pair of mom jeans, make sure they fit perfectly on your waist. The perfect pair would definitely make you feel comfortable and confident, matched with your own personal style.
Once you have your measurements, check the shop's sizing chart to get your exact size equivalent. A size 28 for a specific brand may be a size 32 for another retailer. Hence, this step is essential when purchasing from international brands because sizes tend to vary depending on the country or brand you're buying from.
Meanwhile, some shops only use the letter system to determine sizes, like S, M, L, and XL. Additionally, if the products are modeled, you can also use the model's body type and size as your reference to gauge how it would look when worn.
After knowing your body measurements, it is equally important to see the sizing of your favorite brands to shop from. You can check and compare size guides at their apps or websites if you are shopping online or politely ask the store staff if you are doing in-store shopping.
Denim jeans aren’t always blue. There are different kinds of wash that will allow you to put together different looks based on their hues.
Dark wash jeans are the most versatile; they can complement any style of top. They have a deep and dark shade that you can pair with a blazer and heels if you wish to go for a smart casual attire, while you can also wear it with a basic t-shirt and sneakers for your daily look.
I usually go for a darker shade of mom jeans since they complement most looks. I consider it as one of my essentials when I want to go outside for quick errands or a smart casual look on some office days.
Medium-wash jeans are one shade lighter than your dark-wash ones. Because of their classic blue tone, they are best for creating casual looks. You can pair it with your favorite knitted cardigan or sportswear top, or you can simply tuck a white shirt and still look stylish.
I also have medium-wash mom jeans in rotation with my darker shade. They are perfect for a more casual look, especially for weekend brunches.
Light-wash jeans are ideal for your casual summer outfits. Because of their light tone, they can be overpowered if not paired with the right hues. You can match it with your favorite bright-colored crop tops or a fancy bohemian blouse. They can also be paired with neutral colors or work with denim on denim outfits; just pair them with differently washed jeans.
Light-washed mom jeans can also be versatile. It can give a younger feel and be styled with most tops, depending on your style. Living in a tropical country, light-wash jeans can also be essential.
While classic, plain jeans may feel like a safe buy, it is not a bad idea to opt for unique designs and finish that you can rock for your #OOTD. One of these is the distressed style. Distressed jeans can have frayed hems or a tattered knee area that gives an overall worn-out, casual, and edgy vibe. Another are cuffed jeans that are rolled or turned up at the ends.
Pants with this finish tend to slightly reveal your ankle, making your legs look longer, especially when paired with high heels. If you wish to go extra, there are also wide-leg mom jeans that resemble the vogue flare pants. These can make your waist appear slimmer and make you look taller. Pants with this style are best paired with fitted tops to highlight their volume.
With the trend right now of having more loose-fitting jeans, they are a lot of variations of the mom jeans available in the market. It is always smart to invest in the classic ones, but if you tend to be more fashion-forward, then there are options that play with colors and style.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zara Z1975 MOM JEANS | ![]() | Faded Mom Jeans That Goes Well With Every Style | |
2 | H&M Mom Jeans | ![]() | Lets You Channel Your Inner '90s Style | |
3 | Forever 21 Recycled Cotton Distressed High-Rise Mom Jeans | ![]() | Best for Creating an Effortless and Summery Look | |
4 | Trendyol Plus Size High Waist Mom Jeans | ![]() | Has a Flattering Silhouette for Curvy Ladies | |
5 | Topshop WS Topshop Oversized Mom Jeans | ![]() | Recreate Your Favorite Old-School Look With These Oversized Mom Jeans | |
6 | Trendyol High Waist Mom Jeans | ![]() | Steal the Spotlight With This Sparkly Mom Jeans | |
7 | Only Jagger High Waisted Mom Jeans | ![]() | Amplify Your Basic Look With Distressed Mom Jeans | |
8 | Mango Mom Comfort High Rise Jeans | ![]() | A Staple Piece That Lets You Create Various Looks | |
9 | Cropped Mom Jeans | ![]() | Wide-Leg Hem to Pair With Your #ShoeOfTheDay | |
10 | Mom Jeans High Waisted for Short Girls | ![]() | The Perfect Pair of Mom Jeans for Petites |
With Zara's ability to rapidly keep up with what is currently in, it is no surprise that they are one of the brands that come to people's mind when mom jeans resurged as something pasok sa uso. This pair of mom jeans, in particular, is a fashion staple that you'd like to have in your wardrobe.
It has a faded medium wash, frayed details, and a high-waist design, making it an excellent everyday pair to pull off different OOTDs. It's also easy to dress up or down, depending on the occasion. To give you some mom jeans outfit ideas, you can pair it with a shirt and blazer for office looks and wear it with just your favorite cropped top for casual lakads!
This pair of mom jeans from H&M looks very similar to the ones you'd usually see in '90s sitcoms rocked by the stylish female lead. It has an ultra-high waist and loose fit that perfectly gives off a vintage feel. It also has an ankle length that can look great with heels or a pair of loafers.
This pair can look great with anything. If you feel like going retro, you may match it with an oversized printed tee or a wool turtleneck— and don't forget the black leather belt to complete the '90s style and emphasize the jeans' attractive high-rise.
If you want to put some twist to your daily casual look, this pair of mom jeans should do the trick for you. It features a relaxed fit with distressing across the knees. The frayed details give a worn-out yet stylish look that you can easily don for brunch with friends or even shopping trips.
This pair of light-wash mom jeans can add a fresh and summery twist to your usual get-up. For a smart-casual feel, you can also opt to wear it with a white tee and blazer. Meanwhile, if you want a chic urban look, you can match it with your favorite sneakers and a bright pullover.
Contrary to the skin-tight jeans that cramp your love handles, these mom jeans have an overall fit that flatters curvy women. Their high waistband allows the jeans to appear smaller at the waist but loose on the legs, creating an hourglass shape that elongates your legs.
Additionally, thanks to its regular fit, the jeans just kind of falls and follows your body shape instead of unflatteringly hugging you in places you don't want to highlight, such as your love handles. The high pockets also help in giving your bum a lift. You can rock this with bodycon tops to further streamline your figure.
This pair of mom jeans features an oversized fit characterized by its high waist and relaxed cut. Unlike usual mom jeans that taper to the leg and hem, this one has an oversized hem that you can roll up to achieve a range of looks.
These pants are also very comfortable because they are meant to be worn oversized. You can pair them with your favorite cropped top to score an old-school look, while you can also wear them when putting together elegant looks by pairing them with a blazer and some sleek sandals.
Who says mom jeans are for cafes and art gallery trips only? This particular pair of mom jeans will let you rock night outs and parties with its dotted and sparkly design. It also has a cropped cut that can emphasize boots and high heels that you usually don at parties or semi-formal events.
Just like how you would wear printed pants, these sparkly mom jeans are complemented best by a one-color top. You can simply wear it with a blouse that will further highlight its design for casual occasions. Meanwhile, for night outs, you can pair it with a sheer cropped top that can accentuate its extra-high waist.
Want to level up your everyday outfit? Look no further than this pair! You can wear it to put a spin on your usual outfits with its series of huge shreds that give off an edgy finish. If you look closely, aside from the excessive rips on the leg, it also has raw and frayed hems that add to the jeans' overall texture.
To style it, you can don some fishnets underneath the jeans for a more punk finish and then pair them with your favorite Timberland or Dr. Martens boots. You can also rock it for casual outfits as it can amplify the basic jeans-and-shirt combo too.
Create various outfits while looking effortlessly stylish in this pair of black mom jeans. Because of its solid dark color, it can complement any outfit ensemble and be suitable for various occasions. However, you can never go wrong in pairing this high-waist denim with lighter and patterned tops too.
If you're going for some edgy vibes, you can rock it with a leather jacket and boots. You can also wear it to create a corporate look with a white button-down shirt and heels or loafers. It can be mixed and matched with anything, which makes it a staple piece in your wardrobe.
For those who are not fans of tapered jeans, this pair of mom jeans will be a great option. Unlike the typical mom jeans that taper going down to the ankle, this particular piece can give you more room for mobility because it has a wide-leg hem.
This wide-leg design, combined with the cropped effect, is also a great way to make your legs look more elongated and showcase your footwear! It can surely go well with any footwear- from your favorite Chucks, high heels, trainers, boots, and loafers.
For those on the shorter side, finding the right pair of mom jeans with the right cut can be challenging. Getting one too long can easily make it look like oversized floor pants, but this next pair on the list will let you score that timeless cropped cut of usual mom jeans.
It's advisable to be worn by those who are 4'11 -5'3 in height. It's the perfect pair of mom jeans pants to make yourself look taller. Because of the jeans' super high waist, you can easily pair them with your favorite cropped tops to have your proportions highlighted in the best way possible.
Mom jeans do usually have an inseam of at least 27 inches, so better check that when purchasing a pair. It is important to check for harmful chemicals especially since some jeans could have Azo dye as part of their dying process.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by our expert, Gio Ocampo.
If you have a pear-shaped body or an hourglass figure, then mom jeans are perfect for you. Mom jeans will fit perfectly on your waist and will compliment your curves.
Dressing up mom jeans is easy! Start by tucking in your shirt and by adding a blazer; complete the look with some high heels and some accessories like a bag or jewelry.
Mom jeans are great for pulling off an urban style. All you have to do is pair them with other accessories that will enhance the trendy vibe and help you achieve the overall look. Check out these articles featuring different items that you might love to pair with your mom jeans to flaunt that urban chic look.
Author: R. Victoriano
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Zara|Z1975 MOM JEANS
No. 2: H&M|Mom Jeans
No. 3: Forever 21|Recycled Cotton Distressed High-Rise Mom Jeans
No. 4: Trendyol|Plus Size High Waist Mom Jeans
No. 5: Topshop|WS Topshop Oversized Mom Jeans
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others