Behind the scenes

Baggy is back, meaning belts are hip again

29/10/2025

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

The Y2K fashion trend isn’t just bringing back looser trousers, but also the return of an accessory that many had long since written off: the humble belt. Galaxus has sold almost two thirds more of them in 2025 than the previous year. Gen Z, in particular, is grabbing them up.

Fashion trends often sneak up on us. Belts are currently celebrating just such a comeback: simple, but visible. On catwalks, in street-style snapshots – and at Galaxus. The online retailer has recorded an increase of around 61 per cent in belt sales in 2025. Fashion manager Luise Dalhoff explains: «Skinny jeans, leggings and jogging bottoms have long made the belt superfluous. But with low-rise baggy trousers, you’ll need something to hold them in place again – be it a strap or a chain.»

Extra-wide trousers have their roots in hip-hop and skater culture from the late 1980s. In the 90s, they conquered the mainstream – carried by rap legends like Tupac or groups like Kris Kross. But it all came crashing down in the 2000s: slim fit was the order of the day, belts were optional. However, since around 2020, the baggy style has been making a fashion comeback in the wake of the Y2K revival – including belts, no ifs or buts.

Gen Z is buckling down

The boom is spreading across all age groups. However, demand is growing most among young customers. Today, seven out of every hundred belt orders at Galaxus are placed by under 25-year-olds – more than twice as many as two years ago. 25- to 34-year-olds are also increasingly reaching for their belts again. Together, Gen Z and Y are now responsible for almost a third of belt sales.

Luise sees this as more than just an old trend coming back: «A belt enhances even simple outfits. It can give a coat a new shape or a pair of trousers that fashionable extra.» Viral clips on TikTok and YouTube also show just how the belt is an it-piece. In one promo video by US fashion house Gap, girl group Katseye dance and swing their belts to great effect. Recently, style guides in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle or Who What Wear throwing belts into the limelight have also become more frequent.

Whether simple or as a statement piece, the belt is back. Anyone who thought the accessory was only for dads in cargo shorts will have to rethink their views in 2025.

What do you make of the latest fashion trends? Are you buckling a belt around your hips again? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Header image: Shutterstock

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Alex Hämmerli

Senior Public Relations Manager

Alex.Haemmerli@digitecgalaxus.ch

At Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.

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