Sydney Sweeney’s Favorite Fall Denim Starts With This Y2K Revival Trend

Sydney Sweeney knows what she likes, and it starts with low-rise jeans.

The 28-year-old actress has kept busy, starring in The Housemaid, reprising her role of Cassie in Euphoria season three, and sitting on a slew of unreleased projects. Still, her stacked schedule couldn’t keep her away from American Eagle—and for her third collaboration with the brand, she’s once again putting denim at the forefront.

Post the polarizing 2025 “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign and this summer’s “Syd for Short” push, the actress is doubling down on her relationship with the brand, starring in a campaign for one of the most nostalgic denim trends. The curated fall lineup includes straight-leg, wide-leg, barrel, and bootcut options, all with one defining detail: a hip-grazing waist.

“Fashion always comes back around, but I think people are ready to have fun with denim again,” Sweeney exclusively told Refinery29, calling the hipsters an “exciting change” after high-rise jeans dominated the better part of the last decade.

But the low-rise revival isn’t showing up in the same way as it did in the 2000s. Instead of copying and pasting a look from Christina Aguilera’s Dirrty era and wearing overly tight pants, Sweeney is redefining the denim staple with a more relaxed and practical approach, reaching for billowy, classic, and fitted styles alike. “Low-rise isn’t tied to one super-specific silhouette anymore,” she said.

Sweeney’s reimagined approach shines through the accompanying photoshoot. In one look, Sweeney wears a minimalist white tank top, reaching for a cropped denim jacket in another. In all, she goes barefoot with tousled hair. The styling feels removed from the need to recreate Y2K looks exactly (think butterfly tank tops and platform flip-flops), reminding us that wearing low-rise jeans is extremely personal; it’s less about dressing like the early aughts and more about making the trend your own. For Sweeney, that starts with the fit.

“I know pretty quickly when I put on a pair of jeans whether I’m going to live in them,” she said. Comfort—or a lack thereof—can make or break a pair of pants, which is why finding the right balance between stretch and structure is essential. Thankfully, American Eagle’s fall low-rise collection offers denim that moves with you, without ever sacrificing shape.

Love them or hate them, low-rise jeans are back, but Sweeney’s fall wardrobe is proof that we don’t need to wear them as if we teleported back in time. Take a cue from Sweeney and make the revival your own. Keep scrolling to discover some of the actress’ favorite American Eagle fall picks.

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