Fashion from the early 2000s has slowly been seeping its way into our consciousness throughout the past year with nostalgic sightings sprouting up intermittently on runways and our favorite style icons. From Kendall Jenner’s silver sequin plunging halter dress to Chrissy Teigen’s chain hip belt to Vetements’ reworked Juicy Couture tracksuits — it was only a matter of time before someone busted out the most controversial of them all: low-rise jeans.
That’s right, just when we finally found our rhythm with the wonderfully feminine and flattering high-rise waistline, the denim style made famous by cardio-loving pop stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Gwen Stefani and Jessica Simpson is headed for a resurgence. Are we really ready for the return of the visible butt crack, muffin tops and peekaboo thong strings?
[ The Carrie Bradshaw-Approved Going-Out Top Is Back ]
Yes, low-rider jeans are happening and they’re happening all around you. They’re happening on the runways of Balenciaga, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen and Roberto Cavalli (obviously). They’re happening on all the supermodels, including the Hadids, Emily Ratajkowski, Gisele Bündchen, Lily Aldridge, Kendall and Karlie Kloss. They’re also happening on revered style icons Rihanna and Victoria Beckham. So they’re happening, OK? You’ve been fully warned.
The silver lining to the low-rise jean reemergence is that we don’t need to relive them as we did the first time around. We can pair them with a stylish oversized T-shirt or, better yet, pair them with the über popular bodysuit. And this is why, despite our shared apprehension of this trend, we will undoubtedly give low-rise jeans another shot. Maybe.
While you ponder whether you’re willing to take the plunge into hip bone-baring denim, take a look through some of the notorious low-rise jeans moments ever.
[ Next: Don’t Call It Tacky: The Return of 2000s-Era Denim ]
Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #1
Paris Hilton in her signature low-rise silhouette at the Ivar Nightclub Grand Opening Party in 2002.
Image: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #2
Keira Knightley giving us one of the most daring red carpet belly-baring looks of all time at the 2003 world premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Image: Albert L. Ortega/WireImage/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #3
One of Christina Aguilera’s many, many noteworthy low-rise jean appearances, at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
Image: Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #4
Britney Spears, arguably the queen of the low-rise, performing at the 28th Annual American Music Awards in 2001.
Image: Frank Micelotta/ABC/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #5
Jennifer Lopez in white low-rise jeans at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.
Image: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #6
Gwen Stefani showing off her briefs at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards.
Image: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #7
Jessica Simpson in rhinestone-studded low-rise jeans at the 2000 Teen Choice Awards.
Image: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #8
Pink in ultra low-rise jeans arriving at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
Image: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #9
Lindsay Lohan in low-rise denim and a transparent tie-up top at the 2003 Teen Choice Awards.
Image: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #10
Bella Hadid sporting low-slung Off-White denim, which sent the fashion community into an uproar last month over the imminent return of low-rise jeans.
Image: Team GT/GC Images/Getty Images
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Is Bella Hadid bringing back low-rise jeans? Take a look back at fashion’s most notorious low-rise moments #11
The new way to wear low-rise denim: with an oversized shirt like Victoria Beckham.
Image: Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images
