Ripped Jeans Are No Longer Outdated If You Wear Them With The Right Top

Ripped jeans have certainly had their time in the spotlight, but as the energy of the 2020s gravitated toward refinement and sophistication — even at a street-style level — they lost some of their power. Once an ultra-cool choice, distressed denim began to come across as disheveled or even rickety, and this still applies in a world where everything from lifestyle to fashion is becoming more intentional. "[Ripped jeans] were everywhere for a really long time, especially in the 2010s," says Jordan Stolch, personal stylist at MiKADO Personal Styling. "As fashion moved toward more minimalist, tailored, quiet luxury and simplicity, heavily distressed jeans began to feel too loud, chaotic and overly trendy. Women stared favoring straighter legs with vintage washes, and little to no distressing."

But fans of the classic ripped aesthetic need not worry; in an exclusive chat with Glam, Stolch confirms, "Of course fashion is cyclical, and now that enough time has passed, we're right back to where we started with ripped jeans now re-emerging under the Y2K-aesthetic stamp of approval." To nail this look in the modern era, you'll want to master the styling — that is, teaming your distressed denim with the right pieces that balance it out. While Y2K is back, the 2020s still aren't ready for the same sartorial chaos. "Ripped jeans with off-the-shoulder tops is pure Y2K nostalgia, and a very 'in' pairing at the moment," Stolch explains. "This combo is particularly alluring because it's the quintessential 'low-effort hot-girl look' from our current return to early-2000s fashion. It's effortlessly flirty, casual and confident, and perfectly bridges that gap between edgy and feminine styling." These two pieces are a winning combo on their own, but Stolch assures us that you can elevate this ensemble even more with a few additions. 

Distressed denim pairs so naturally with the off-the-shoulder silhouette because it's the ultimate marriage of casual cool and feminine fun. "The ripped jeans bring the relaxed and rebellious feel, while the off-the-shoulder tops, with their fitted and skin-revealing nature, create more romance and sexuality in the look," Jordan Stolch reveals exclusively to Glam. "Together they strike a perfect balance, off-setting one another, and creating duality in the styling — perfect for an era highly focused on contrast and duality." 

To hit this 'fit out of the ballpark, Stolch suggests opting for accessories like "mini baguette-style shoulder bags" and "vintage baseball hats," which are also a nod to the era. But you can introduce a new element to this look with "small, but sharp angular or futuristic-style sunglasses." When it comes to footwear, she recommends loafers, sneakers, or ballet flats (all shoe trends that everyone will be trying in 2025) worn with slouchy socks. Also, jeans and heels never go out of style, so pumps are a great way to rock this trend.

If off-the-shoulder tops aren't your thing, there are other ways to pull off ripped denim at the dawn of its return. Stolch notes that "sheer or mesh tops layered over a bralette or under a corset" will bring these jeans right into the 2020s, as will "oversized band tees or graphic baby tees" and "sporty zip-front tops or track-inspired tops." You can also replicate the feminine feel of the off-the-shoulder top with "romantic, corset-inspired structured tops," while those who prefer power-dressing and bolder street style can go for "boxy or cropped blazers paired with a crop top or simple cami." And if you're going for looser-fitting distressed denim, here's how to style the baggy jean trend that's not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.