Kendrick Lamar put the world’s skinny-jeans craze on hold the moment he stormed the Super Bowl 2025 stage—making headlines not only as the first solo rapper to headline the halftime show, but also for his nostalgic tribute to early 2000s silhouettes. Days after scoring his twentieth Grammy in a daring double-denim look, Lamar appeared in flared light-wash jeans that swept over Nike Air DT Max ‘96 sneakers, a nod to Deion Sanders and the heyday of mid-’90s athletic style.
The pants—part of Celine’s ongoing menswear range designed by Hedi Slimane—evoked that bootcut era once championed by labels like Baby Phat and True Religion. Celine’s “Marco” variation, with a strong flare below the knee, is currently on the brand’s site. Slimane, who has helmed Celine since 2018, continues to blend a rock-charged sensibility with refined tailoring—evident in these jeans that feel both retro and modern.
While some halftime performers deliver costumes verging on theatrical, Lamar balanced statement pieces with a straightforward black tee and leather gloves. A luxurious Rahaminov brooch—rumored to be a five-figure showstopper—provided the evening’s flash, while a custom Martine Rose design labeled “Gloria” paid homage to his closing track on GNX.
Now the question looms: will men be more inclined to wear these flared jeans themselves? With a brand like Celine leading the charge, Lamar’s halftime moment could spark a new wave of looser denim silhouettes in everyday wardrobes. For anyone wondering if the flare trend can compete with the omnipresent skinny fit, Lamar made his stance clear: the bell-bottom is back on the field, and the spotlight is firmly on denim’s wider horizons.
