Spanish supermodel Nieves Álvarez, renowned for her impeccable and elegant style, surprised the public by appearing in Saint-Tropez wearing an outfit that nods to early 2000s fashion. She opted for denim shorts with embroidered stars on the back pockets, embracing a trend that’s experiencing a revival thanks to Generation Z. This detail, a hit in the 2000s, has once again gone viral on social media, uniting the tastes of millennials and those barely in their twenties today.
In 2025, denim has made a comeback as a way of self-expression, with the spotlight now on the back details. Jeans and shorts with stars on the pockets have become a true phenomenon on TikTok and Instagram, sparking nostalgia and excitement. The model Álvarez chose is from the brand Perfect Moment, originally known for its ski wear but now successfully adapting to street fashion trends. The supermodel’s choice turned an ordinary beach look into a fashion statement that blurs generational boundaries.
The origins of this trend date back to the heyday of the Tumblr blogging platform, when flared jeans from Free People, featuring stars on the pockets, became a coveted item among fashionistas in the US. In Spain, getting hold of such jeans was nearly impossible, which only added to their iconic status. However, the trend of embellished back pockets emerged even earlier. In 1999, Tom Ford created feather-trimmed jeans for Gucci, and in 2001 Stella McCartney at Chloé adorned pockets with a sequined horse embroidery. In the early 2000s, brands like True Religion, 7 For All Mankind, and Rock & Republic turned back pockets into a signature feature, using logos, distinctive stitching, and rhinestones.
Generation Z, which is actively reinventing the fashion of past decades, has made star-adorned jeans their new favorite. In Spain, a standout example is the brand One Dilemma, founded in 2023 by three young entrepreneurs. The company releases limited editions of low-rise jeans with two stars on the pockets, which sell out online in just minutes. Buying a pair has become a ritual, complete with setting alarms and constant page refreshes, and owning the coveted jeans is a source of pride.
One Dilemma draws inspiration from the aesthetics of the 2000s: the looks of Britney Spears, Kate Moss, and the heroines of the series Gossip Girl and Sex and the City. The Y2K trend remains strong, and these jeans have become its new symbol. Other Spanish brands such as Nícoli, Brownie, and Renatta&go were quick to pick up on the trend, offering their own takes both as shorts and long pants. The giant Inditex also joined in, presenting budget-friendly alternatives at Stradivarius. Thus, a niche trend has become accessible to the mass market without losing its appeal.
The return of ‘statement’ back pockets has coincided with another fashion comeback—logos. At Paris Fashion Week, Balenciaga showcased slim jeans adorned with a rhinestone ‘B’ on the back pocket. This detail directly references the early 2000s, when denim competed with luxury clothing and every brand sought to leave its signature in the most visible spot.
In this context, Nieves Álvarez’s choice is no coincidence—it solidifies the trend. While jeans with stars used to be associated with American teenagers, today Spain’s most famous model proves that this playful and bold detail has no age limit. Perhaps that is the main lesson of this fashion trend: stars on jeans look equally good on people of all generations, making fashion truly universal.
