Best vintage brands for 90s style pair of jeans

Bring back the cool, one pair of jeans at a time.

The iconic look of the 90s is back in full force, and at the heart of this revival are timeless vintage jeans. From perfectly faded denim classics to rare designer silhouettes, 90s style is redefining the world of vintage clothing and elevating second-hand fashion to a whole new level.
Demand for second-hand denim has surged, with online searches for vintage jeans and 90s style up over 200% in the past two years. The second-hand denim market alone is driving a major share of the projected $350 billion global resale fashion industry by 2027. Did you know the average pair of vintage denim can last up to 50 years — and often gets softer and better with age? You might find a gem in your parents and grand-parents closet, check it out !
Whether you're a collector, a fashion lover, or just looking to upgrade your wardrobe sustainably, now is the perfect time to explore the best vintage brands for 90s jeans and embrace the timeless charm of second-hand jeans.

Ultimate alphabetic guide of 16 brands with powerful vintage style denim.

CALVIN KLEIN

Founded in 1968 by Calvin Klein in New York City. The brand is known for its clean lines, modern aesthetics, and bold marketing strategies. In 1978, Calvin Klein launched its jeans line, gaining massive popularity with minimalist designs and provocative advertising campaigns featuring celebrities. The brand's 1980s ad campaign with Brooke Shields, stating, "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins," became iconic and controversial.

Famous 90s cut : Classic 90s Straight Leg
Mid to High rise, minimalist, clean lines, often in light or stonewashed denim

CARHARTT

Founded in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt in Detroit, Michigan. Originally producing durable workwear, Carhartt's denim became popular among laborers and later gained a cult following in streetwear circles. The brand reflect rugged durability and authenticity. Carhartt's workwear has been embraced by hip-hop artists and skaters, bridging the gap between utility and fashion.

Famous 90s cut : Double Knee Work Jeans
Mid rise, relaxed fit, durable workwear with reinforced knees, embraced by hip-hop and skate cultures

DICKIES

Founded in 1922 as the U.S. Overall Company in Fort Worth, Texas. Known for producing sturdy denim workwear, Dickies gained popularity in the 1990s within the skateboarding and hip-hop communities. Functional, affordable, and durable workwear best describe the brand. Dickies' 874 work pants became a staple in street fashion, especially on the West Coast.

Famous 90s cut : 874 Work Pant
Straight leg, mid rise, sturdy twill fabric, favored in skateboarding and hip-hop communities

DIESEL

Founded in 1978 by Renzo Rosso in Italy. The brand gained recognition in the 1990s for its premium denim with a rebellious edge, appealing to youth culture. Diesel's advertising campaigns often challenge societal norms, reinforcing its unconventional brand identity.

Famous 90s cut : Saddle Jeans
Tapered or bootcamp, low rise, distressed finishes with a rebellious edge

FIORUCCI

Founded in 1967 by Elio Fiorucci in Milan, Italy. In the 1970s and 1980s, Fiorucci's vibrant and eclectic designs, including stretch denim, captivated the fashion world. Playful, avant-garde, and pop-art-inspired best describe the brand. Fiorucci's New York store was a cultural hub, frequented by artists like Andy Warhol and Madonna.

Famous 90s cut : Two-Toned Jeans
Straight leg, high rise, colorful and embellished, reflecting pop-art influences

FUBU (For Us By Us)

Founded in 1992 by Daymond John and partners in Queens, New York. Rose to prominence in the late 1990s, offering denim that resonated with the hip-hop community. The brand is empowering, urban, and community-driven. FUBU's name emphasizes its mission to create fashion by and for the African-American community.

Famous 90s cut : Baggy Denim
Loose fit, mid to low rise, oversized with bold branding, resonating with hip-hop culture

GITANO

Founded in 1976 by the Dabah family,  Gitano is a trendy, accessible, and youthful brand. Known for affordable, stylish denim in the late 1980s, often sold in mass-market retailers. Despite its popularity, Gitano filed for bankruptcy in 1994, making it an even rarer brand to find now.

Famous 90s cut : High-Waisted Tapered Jeans
Tapered leg, high rise, affordable fashion with acid wash and pleated fronts

GUESS

Founded in 1981 by the Marciano brothers in Los Angeles, Guess gained fame with stonewashed, slim-fitting jeans and provocative advertising campaigns in the 1980s. The brand is known for its sexy, adventurous, and youthful style. Guess's iconic black-and-white ads helped launch the careers of models like Claudia Schiffer.

Famous 90s cut : Marilyn Jeans
Slim fit cut, high rise, stonewashed with ankle zippers, exuding glamour

JNCO

Founded in 1985 by the Revah brothers in Los Angeles. JNCO is known for its ultra-wide-leg jeans that became a staple in 1990s rave and skate culture. Bold, unconventional, and rebellious best describe the brand's style. JNCO stands for "Judge None Choose One," reflecting its countercultural ethos.

Famous 90s cut : Mammoth Jeans
Ultra-wide leg, mid rise, exaggerated width with graffiti-inspired embroidery

JORDACHE

Founded in 1969 by the Nakash brothers in NYC, the brand is known for its designer jeans that were popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s and its memorable advertising. Jordache is a glamorous, fashionable, and trendsetting brand. Jordache's name is a blend of the founders' names: Joe, Ralph, and Avi Nakash.

Famous 90s cut : High-Waisted Mom Jeans
Tapered Leg, high rise, dark washes with signature stitching, offering a polished look

LEE COOPER

Founded in 1889 by Henry David Lee in Salina, Kansas, Lee pioneered innovations like the zipper fly and became a staple in American workwear. Reliable, durable, and classic best describe the brand's style over the years. Lee's mascot, Buddy Lee, became a cultural icon through various advertising campaigns.

Famous 90s cut : Riders
Relaxed fit, mid rise, classic American denim with a focus on comfort

LEVI'S

Founded in 1853 by Levi Strauss in San Francisco. Levi's is redited with inventing blue jeans in 1873, becoming a symbol of American culture. The brand is authentic, timeless, and pioneering. Vintage Levi's jeans, especially those with the "Big E" label, are highly sought after by collectors because they are from before 1971.

Famous 90s cut : 501 '90s Jeans
Straight leg, mid rise, timeless design with button fly, embraced across generations

MOSCHINO

Founded in 1983 by Franco Moschino in Milan, Italy, the brand integrated denim into high fashion with whimsical and satirical designs. Moschino has a playful, irreverent, and bold image. Moschino's designs often parody fashion itself, challenging industry norms.

Famous 90s cut : Floral Flared Jeans
Flared cut, high rise, playful designs with bold branding and quirky details

PEPE JEANS

Founded in 1973 by the Shah brothers in London. Pepe Jeans started as a market stall and grew into a global brand known for its trendy denim. The brand is youthful, innovative, and cosmopolitan. Pepe Jeans was one of the first brands to bring European flair to British denim.

Famous 90s cut : London Fit
Bootcut, mid rise, european flair with subtle distressing and washes

VERSACE JEANS COUTURE

Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace as a diffusion line. Opulent, daring, and glamorous, Versace Jeans Couture blended luxury fashion with denim, featuring bold prints and logos. The Medusa logo symbolizes power and beauty, reflecting the brand's ethos.

Famous 90s cut : Medusa Head Logo High Waist Jeans
Slim fit, high rise, luxurious denim adorned with ornate prints and gold accents

WRANGLER

Founded: 1947 by Blue Bell in Greensboro, North Carolina. Designed for cowboys, Wrangler jeans became synonymous with Western wear. The brand has an authentic, rugged, and dependable image. Wrangler's "W" stitched on the back pockets stands for "Western."

Famous 90s cut : 13MWZ Original Fit
Straight leg, high rise, durable denim designed for cowboys, maintaining a classic Western aesthetic

From Calvin Klein’s iconic minimalist cuts to JNCO’s ultra-wide legs, the 90s gave us a denim legacy that continues to inspire today’s fashion scene. Whether you’re hunting for authentic vintage jeans, diving into second-hand style, or simply obsessed with that effortless 90s look, these iconic brands have stood the test of time.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Modern labels like Agolde Re/done and Rag & Bone are reviving vintage fits with a contemporary twist, while luxury fashion houses such as Givenchy are elevating denim with high-end tailoring and statement design. The 90s might be back—but this time, they’re more versatile, gender-inclusive, and elevated than ever.
Ready to shop the look? Browse our full collection of 90s jeans and discover hand-picked styles from vintage legends to today's most desirable denim designers.

Recent denim brands with a 90s style touch