Cigarette jeans—the slim-fitting, straight-leg denim style and a hallmark of ’90s fashion—are back in trend this season. This pants style dominated the decade more than glamorous dresses—more than sequined ones, or the “naked dress”, which were iconic but lacked the wearability and democratic quality that the look we’re really talking about has. When worn with a pair of ankle boots, this combination had the versatility to supersede any other fashion pairing. Simple, basic, yet extremely chic, this was a favourite, not only for the regulars but also supermodels.
“It was just me—probably not that chic. I had my plastic shopping bag and my Evian bottle; we lived in our (Levi’s) 501s […] It’s funny that I see photos like this on my Instagram or on Pinterest as ‘style inspiration,’ because nobody styled this—it was just whatever I grabbed,” Cindy Crawford told Vogue in 2021, referring to this combination that remains relevant today.
The appeal of pairing cigarette jeans with ankle boots is easy to explain: it looks polished but not too much; it can be as formal or casual as you like, depending on the accessories you add to the look. Basically, it’s a casual ’90s outfit.
From Cindy Crawford, we learned how to wear light-blue cigarette jeans with a deep brown long-sleeved T-shirt and matching suede ankle boots. She used to add accessories like faux-leather bags and some jewellery pieces that weren’t too flashy.
With a long-sleeved T-shirt and suede ankle boots
Cindy Crawford in the ’90s.
Getty Images.
On the other hand, from Kate Moss we learned the chicest, most effortless style of the ’90s. One of her most memorable off-duty outfits was the one she wore at the airport: a halter-neck sleeveless T-shirt, traditional-wash cigarette jeans, and black leather ankle boots. She accessorized with an animal-print bag and a chunky chain around her neck.
In a sleeveless T-shirt and black ankle boots
Kate Moss in the ’90s.
Getty Images
