Baggy jeans, characterized by their oversized fit, low waist, and wide legs, became the dominant denim style in hip-hop culture during the 1990s. Popularized by rappers like Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan, the baggy look symbolized a rejection of mainstream fashion norms and a connection to street culture. The style, often paired with Timberland boots or sneakers, reflected the influence of prison and workwear aesthetics on urban fashion.

The baggy jeans of 1990s hip-hop became a powerful symbol of African American youth culture and resistance, themes that have been explored by poets like Kevin Young and Elizabeth Alexander in their work. The style's association with hip-hop lyrics, which often function as a form of vernacular poetry, also highlights the intersection of fashion and oral tradition. The baggy jean, as a marker of identity and community, has been revisited in contemporary poetry as a symbol of cultural pride and defiance.