Teenagers’ fashion preferences are evolving, with a notable shift towards baggy jeans and a continued love for Levi’s. Recent insights from the “Next Gen Spenders Report” by Cafeteria, an app that rewards teens for sharing cultural and brand insights, reveal the denim styles resonating with young consumers. Drawing data from over 300,000 responses across the U.S., the report highlights the dominance of loose-fitting jeans among teens.
Gen Alpha is spearheading the move away from skinny jeans, with 73 percent of teens favoring baggy and wide-leg styles, followed by straight fits at 20 percent. The resurgence of early 2000s trends is evident, with 17 percent of teens showing interest in cargo jeans and 16 percent in flare jeans. Regional variations in denim preferences emphasize the importance of tailored merchandising strategies.
The report indicates that while Northeastern teens exhibit a growing fondness for flares, those in the Midwest and South lean towards heavily baggy jeans. Ripped jeans find more favor in the South and West, while a cleaner, classic denim look is preferred in the Midwest and Northeast regions.
Among younger teens aged 14-16, a shift towards a minimalist denim aesthetic is observed, with 32 percent opting for plain jeans in dark washes like deep indigo and black. Distressing is favored for a vintage appeal. Older teens, drawing inspiration from the Y2K era, gravitate towards bolder denim styles featuring throwback elements such as embroidery, cheetah prints, and punk-inspired grommets.
Maximalist details like back pocket designs with bows, bold stitching, and rhinestones are also gaining traction. The once-popular trend of high-rise jeans is waning, with 52 percent of teens preferring low-rise options, especially among younger age groups. Mid-rise jeans are favored by 41 percent, while high-rise styles are preferred by 28 percent of teens.
Despite the array of teen-focused denim brands available, Levi’s remains a top choice for young consumers, with 40 percent naming it as their preferred brand, followed by American Eagle and Pacsun. Other notable brands like Abercrombie, Hollister, True Religion, Garage, Edikted, Lucky Brand, and Motel Rocks are also making a mark in the teen denim market.
The evolving landscape of teenage style reflects a blend of nostalgia for past trends and a quest for individualistic expression through fashion choices. As teens continue to shape the fashion industry with their preferences, brands and retailers must adapt to meet the demands of this dynamic consumer group.