mom jeans

plural noun

1

: women's jeans of an outdated or unflattering style

I was wearing a seriously old-school pair of jeans until last year, when a friend of mine put her foot down. She said, "You'd look 10 years younger … if you got rid of those mom jeans."

—Marion Winik

2

: jeans (as for women or girls) with a high waist and a tapered leg

Baggy pants and high-waisted "mom jeans" are currently No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on the list of must-have apparel among teenage girls, the report says.

—Crystal Bell

If you're looking to ease yourself back into denim, a great pair of mom jeans could be the perfect place to start. This popular style is often loose in the leg … , but the tapered ankle is super flattering for a wide range of body shapes.

—Emily Dawes

Examples of mom jeans in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Every popular retailer, including those aimed at teens from Hollister to Abercrombie and Fitch, carries its own version of mom jeans. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025

Parents, don’t forget to treat yourself to Presidents Day sales on Amazon’s best-selling facial serum, mom jeans, and matching lounge sets—up to 50% off. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 11 Feb. 2025

Popular throughout the 2010s, the trend faded as baggier silhouettes like mom jeans and wide-leg styles began dominating wardrobes. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

Plus, the cropped fit adds a trendy twist that pairs perfect with all of your mom jeans. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mom jeans

• alkenes
• amines
• benzenes
• canteens
• convenes
• cosines
• cuisines
• eumenes
• hellenes
• latrines
• machines
• marines