Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts.

Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts.

      And just like that, the butt is back in style. You might have noticed low-rise True Religion jeans with thong strings peeking above the waistline or backless maxi dresses showcasing a generous amount of Tom Ford’s Gucci-era butt cleavage. Regardless, underwear worn as outerwear has emerged as this season’s major trend.

      If you were around in the early 2000s or are a fan of vintage fashion, you likely know that displaying your thong is not a new phenomenon—after all, Sisqó penned one of the most legendary songs about it. The 2000s brought us Britney Spears’s sparkly G-string at the MTV Video Music Awards, Paris Hilton flaunting bright pink underwear at the Lloyd Klein AW'01 showcase, all just a few years following Alexander McQueen's introduction of the "bumster" trousers designed to intentionally reveal the wearer’s backside. The “whale tail” was more than just a fashion statement; it was a cultural moment.

      After falling out of favor with the rise of quiet luxury, showing off one's rear is once again in vogue. In this age of personality-driven maximalism, the trend feels playful (forgive the pun). It's less about Kim Kardashian in 2018 and more about a joyous embrace of everything anti-fashion. Style and allure are no longer "refined," but rather exude an effortless casualness—one that appears instinctive instead of meticulously curated. It’s no surprise that some of Gen Z's most distinctive fashionistas have wholeheartedly embraced this look, demonstrating that flaunting your underwear can be both cool and unexpectedly subversive.

      However, the butt didn’t just resurface this summer; it had been gradually re-emerging in the conversation for quite a while. In 2024, Susamusa’s Meadow skirt gained popularity among fashion enthusiasts. While the polka-dot pattern aligned perfectly with the trends of that time, it was the skirt’s almost-sheer, yet not quite, material that made it so appealing.

      At the same time, the growing fame of Addison Rae, Charli XCX, and Sabrina Carpenter—artists who utilize lingerie as a storytelling element—turned underwear as outerwear into this season’s essential trend. With fashion influencers coordinating their pants with their outfits and style icons like Bella Hadid and Alex Consani adopting the trend, it shows no signs of dwindling this summer. Scroll down to shop standout underwear that aligns with this trend:

      Shop the Underwear as Outerwear Trend:

      Bella Venice

      The Lady Bug Thong

      Victoria's Secret

      Shine Strap Knickers

      Understatement

      Mesh Bikini Briefs

      Agent Provocateur

      Mercy Thong

      Intimissimi

      Fanciful Flowers '80s-Style Brazilian Briefs

      Charming Garment Enterprises Co

      Hipster Knicker

      Miu Miu

      Garment-Dyed Ribbed Boxer Shorts

      Fruity Booty

      Antonella Brief

Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts. Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts.

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Forget the Granny Pants—Gen Z is embracing this Y2K styling trick with jeans and skirts.

Wearing underwear as outerwear has emerged as the most significant trend this season. Keep scrolling to revisit the Y2K trend below.