By SARA BERGQUIST

sbe007@latech.edu

The tight, low-rise jeans that leave some with an overlooked “muffin top” is a retiring trend, according to the March 27 issue of Newsweek.

Newsweek said the new cut, called mid-rise, ends about two fingers below the navel and has a waistband that rests two thirds of the way between the hip and the smallest part of the waist.

Pamela Williams, a manager at Gap in the Pecanland Mall in Monroe, said she thinks the fresh style of boy-cut jeans is a rising trend, although she has not seen much of a sales increase at Gap.

“[Boy-cut jeans] have a similar look as other styles,” Williams said. “It has the washes and stress marks, and the fabric is cool.”

Williams also said boy-cut jeans are tapered at the bottom and significantly higher than low-rise jeans.

“In all the fashion magazines we see super models wearing cigarette jeans,” Williams said. “They are skinny jeans. The jeans are popular around the country, just not in Monroe yet.”

Williams said the jeans that narrow at the ankle are attracting an older crowd.

“I think the jeans were intended to appeal to 15 to 25 year-olds, but instead it’s appealing to 40 to 50 year-olds,” Williams said. “[40 to 50 year-olds] are happy because we are finally selling something they wanted.”

Williams also predicted low-rise jeans will fade out eventually because all styles come and go.

“I still like the low-rise jeans though,” Williams said.

Brittany Baucum, a junior merchandise and consumer studies major, said mid-rise jeans are mostly in larger cities.

“I don’t like that they are mid-rise, but I like how they are tapered at the bottom,” Baucum said. 

Katie Cooper, a freshman psychology major, said she thinks low-rise jeans will eventually lose its popularity. Although the trend of higher denim is rising, Cooper said she does not own a pair of boy-cut jeans yet.  

“I think that people are tired of seeing butt cracks,” Cooper said.

Cooper also said she thinks department stores are looking towards cozy and relaxed clothing.

“Stores are looking for comfort,” Cooper said. “Being classy is in style, and it is getting more and more popular.”

Nitra Hall, head of the juniors department at Goody’s, located at 309 North Service Rd. E., said most of the jeans sold in Goody’s are strictly low-rise, and she is concerned about the increasing trend of rising jeans for juniors.

“All we sell is low cut jeans,” Hall said. “Everything is low. You will only find the tapered stuff in the Misses department.”

Hall also said tapered jeans mostly appeal to an older generation.

“You’ll see older women asking for jeans because they don’t want to show off their stomachs,” Hall said. “Fashion is constantly coming up with new ideas in attempt to find the next best thing.”