Ripped jeans: From street style to mainstream fashion

Once associated with youthful street style and bold self-expres­sion, ripped jeans have now taken their place as a main­stream fashion staple across the world.

In Ghana, they are no lon­ger confined to teenagers or trendsetters but are widely worn by students, working professionals on casual days, and style-conscious indi­viduals who want to add a modern edge to their wardrobe.

The rise of ripped jeans in Ghana reflects how quickly global fashion trends influence local ward­robes.

Many young people see them as a way to showcase confidence, while older wearers often adopt them to stay connected to modern styles.

They can be paired with simple t-shirts for a laid back look or styled with blazers and heels for a chic street-style vibe.

Men often pair them with sneak­ers or boots, while women combine them with crop tops or oversized shirts for an effortlessly cool outfit. From high-waist cuts to skinny fits, ripped denim adapts to nearly every body type and per­sonal pref­erence, making them an inclu­sive trend.

Some critics see ripped jeans as inappropriate for formal set­tings or a symbol of “lazy dressing.” Yet, for many wearers, they repre­sent individuality and breaking away from traditional fashion rules.

By Georgina Boadiwaa Ntim