Your Ultimate Wholesale Guide to Women’s Ripped Jeans

Photo: Tim Mossholder

The Bried History of Ripped Jeans

During the 1970s ripped jeans emerged within the youth as a way to rebel against conformity. Whether it was the rock and roll or the peace and love scene, the sentiment was the same. The punk kids in the 1970s also would rip their clothing as a protest against capitalism and corporate greed.

While the rebellious nature of the 1970s started the ripped fashion, the 1980s made it mainstream. Clothing designers, like Levis, decided to hop on the trend and started designing their jeans to be ripped. This made it so that kids didn’t rip their own jeans, and it was suddenly seen as cool. The trend carried into the 1990s with the grunge music scene and is still seen as a fashion do today. Whatever the reason for it, ripped jeans are here to stay. So if you’re looking for wholesale jeans, it is a good idea to look no further than ripped.

Photo: Lucas Pezeta

Popular Types of Ripped Jeans

This is one of the most wearable types. Lightly-distressed jeans have a more subtle, worn-in look with light fading, whiskering, and small tears. They offer a retro-inspired, lived-in feel. Think of your mom’s old jeans, carefully restored and worn once again!

Photo: RDNE Stock project

This style features intentional rips placed in specific areas, such as the thighs or ankles, for a more tailored and less chaotic look. I especially love it when these rips are decorated with mesh, extra lace, or any other sheer fabric. It adds even more exclusivity to your jeans.

Another popular trend is to wear wide-leg jeans that are ripped at the bottom. Women still like to wear their boots because skinny jeans are out and wide jeans are in. Without being able to tuck their pants into the boot, they opt for stylish wide-leg jeans that are ripped and ragged at the ends to allow boot coverage. So while you are stocking your boutique with knee ripped jeans, don’t forget the wide-leg rip at the bottom jeans as well.

No Rules!!!

Because the origin of ripped jeans stems from non-conformity and rebellion, there really aren’t any rules. This means that you also want to stock up on wholesale styles that have multiple rips. A popular type consists of rips on the upper thigh, knee, ankle, and everywhere in between. And of course, let those threads hang free. So next time: when you are wondering what style of wholesale jeans to choose, you can’t go wrong with any of the options mentioned!

Photo: Alamin Teslim Ayomide

Are Ripped Jeans Still Popular?

Ripped jeans, once a symbol of rebellion and youth, have evolved into a versatile fashion staple. You can spot them on everyone from fashionistas and celebrities to elderly people and the TikTok generation. Next time you’re strolling down the street, pay attention to what kind of jeans people are wearing: chances are their jeans will be distressed or have some kind of distressing!

While the once-shocking shredded knees and frayed hems have become commonplace, their popularity shows no signs of waning. Designers continue to experiment with new distressing techniques, from subtle whiskering to dramatic tears, catering to a range of styles and preferences. For example, the recent Ralph Lauren Spring 2025 RTW features ripped and upcycled versions. That’s why we all love them so much – ripped jeans seamlessly blend with various aesthetics, from casual streetwear to elevated bohemian looks, offering a touch of effortless cool to any ensemble.

Let’s sum up…