Baggy Jeans: Why Everyone's Obsessed with This Style

Alright can we talk about baggy jeans for a second? Because here's the thing - I spent years defending my skinny jeans and telling everyone the loose look wasn't for me. Then my cousin showed up in this wide, slouchy pair with a fitted tee tucked in and I'm just standing there like... huh. So I caved, tried a pair in-store, and didn't want to leave. Indonesia's Gen Z scene is all over this right now and honestly I get it.

What Makes Baggy Jeans Different

So baggy jeans are the loose, wide-leg denim that give you all that extra room through the thighs. Moreover, they're the opposite of the skinny jeans era - people grab them for that relaxed, street-ready look. Price-wise around 150,000 to 800,000 IDR depending on brand. Additionally, market options go under 100,000 IDR but the denim weight tells the difference fast.

From what I've seen, baggy jeans took over Indonesian street style hard this past year. Furthermore, Gen Z here ditched tight cuts and went full loose-fit - Emba Group called it out in 2024 as the everyday denim direction.

The Fit Thing Everyone Talks About

Like I pulled on a good pair for the first time and just stood there going wait - something feels off about my old jeans, not these. The denim has weight to it but it's not rigid or anything. And then you crouch down to grab something off the floor and nothing digs in, nothing rides up - just nothing. Consequently, that's the whole point.

I will say the roominess is clutch for Indonesia's heat. Tight denim in 30-degree weather is no joke. However, baggy jeans let air move around your legs which changes everything. In addition, the looser cut works on different body types without any fuss.

All the Ways People Style These

So the thing about baggy jeans is they go in different directions depending on what you throw on top. Fitted crop tee plus sneakers? Done. Thus, that's your everyday casual sorted.

Then there's the whole 90s thing - big hoodie, those chunky sneakers, hem cuffed up. Ngl every other Jakarta TikTok I open right now has this look. Similarly, throw a blazer over the top with some loafers and suddenly it's smart-casual without any effort.

The skater direction is huge too. Therefore, grab a graphic tee, add some Vans, and the whole thing clicks.

Sizing Is Where People Get It Wrong

Look I'm gonna be straight with you - most people size down out of habit and that kills the vibe. Baggy jeans need room to look right. As a result, I'm about 170cm and went two sizes up and that's when they sat right.

My advice? Check where the crotch sits. Therefore, a low crotch seam looks intentional. Go too short on the rise and it's just... wrong, like jeans that don't fit rather than jeans that are supposed to fit that way.

Is Spending 400,000+ IDR Worth It

Okay so pricing. Under 100,000 IDR gets you something from Tanah Abang or a random Shopee store - and yeah, they're jeans. And like do they work? For a while, sure.

But the quality gap shows up fast. For instance, cheap ones go shapeless after a few washes. In contrast, mine are eight months old - the Erigo ones - and they hold shape like day one.

I mean if you're testing the trend, budget options are fine. However, if baggy jeans become your main denim then invest. Consequently, the 250,000-500,000 IDR range is where the denim holds structure and seams stay clean.

Washes and Care Tips

Colour-wise you're mostly looking at mid-blue, dark indigo, washed grey - the usuals. That 70s light wash keeps popping up everywhere I look right now though, and honestly it's easier to style than I expected. Therefore, I'd say dark indigo first - it dresses up or down without thinking.

For care? Turn inside out, wash cold, hang dry. Thus, machine drying denim makes it shrink and go stiff. Similarly, don't wash every wear - air them out between uses and they hold shape way longer.

My Take on These

Look I'm gonna be straight with you - baggy jeans won me over in a way I didn't see coming. Like I walked into that fitting room as a skinny jeans person and came out with three pairs. The comfort hits different and they go with more outfits than I expected.

Are they for everyone? Some people love a slim cut and that's fine. But for a country like Indonesia where comfort and street cred matter equally? In conclusion, baggy jeans nail both at once.

If you're on the fence go scroll what people wear in Jakarta and Bandung - loose denim is everywhere. Similarly, try a pair in store and walk around before deciding. From what I've seen most people who find their right baggy fit don't go back.