Kendrick Lamar’s Unconventional Jeans Have The Internet Divided — And Stylists Have Thoughts

Getty Images Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. That’s because Lamar’s jeans did not subscribe to today’s conventional straight-leg style or even the looser West Coast hip-hop denim fit worn by DJ Mustard, who also appeared in Lamar’s performance. One X commenter called Lamar’s jeans “the most Hannah Montana lookin bootcut jeans I’ve seen in years,” while the less-enthused commentators denounced them as “mom jeans.” Donnell Baldwin, a fashion director and creative consultant, said that when he saw Lamar’s jeans, he went, “Whoa, that’s a little unexpected, which is why I think it’s kind of making some people uncomfortable, intrigued.” He said straight-leg jeans are the “safe spot” that many people wear, which is why deviations from this trend are refreshingly cool. Michael Maccari, Fashion Institute of Technology menswear professor, said he would call Lamar’s jeans “flare because there is a gradual increase in volume from the hip down.” Greer acknowledged that the differences can be subtle, but she also considers Lamar’s jeans to be “technically” more flare because, “A flare starts getting wider at the knee, and a bootcut about halfway between the knee and bottom of the jeans.” Meanwhile, Baldwin said he considers flare jeans to be two opposing “V’s” that have “a little bit more dramatic” flare, which is why he believes Lamar’s denim is a bootcut style. If you want to find Lamar’s style of jeans, look online and in vintage stores with terms like “mid-light wash flare denim five pockets jeans,” Maccari said.