Latest Wave of Mom Jeans Not for Moms at All

March 19, 2014— -- There was a time when if you told someone they were wearing "mom jeans," it would have been perceived as an insult.

Those shapeless, high-waisted denim disasters were so atrocious, in fact, that they inspired an entire Saturday Night Live skit.

"When you've given up, put on your mom jeans," went the jingle.

But now brands like Urban Outfitters and Topshop -- not at all known for marketing to moms -- are selling the jeans.

TopShop's MOTO Mom jeans come in three different washes and cost $70; Urban Outfitters four styles cost $69 each.

The jeans may just be the latest iteration of the ironic mustache, however. Erica Hanks, a wardrobe stylist, called the jeans a "hipster take on the new trend."

"It's their cheeky way to name a high-waisted boyfriend jean," she said.

Hanks said these brands have named their jeans after moms "for attention purposes." In other words, they're trying to sell more high-waisted pants, which already happen to be in fashion.

If it's hard to believe mom jeans are back in fashion, look no further than recent celebrities who've been spotted in the high-waisted pants. Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway, Barack Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow have all rocked the mom jeans. And only one of them is actually a mom.

But regular people can rock the look too, Hanks said, calling them "universally flattering when styled correctly."

She recommended 7 for all mankind's version and said they have a "skinny and wide leg pant that can work for every body shape."