When it comes to streetwear and skate fashion, Empyre Jeans have steadily carved a name for themselves as a dependable, style-forward brand that caters to a youth-driven, urban audience. Originally created to complement the skateboarding lifestyle, Empyre has grown into a recognizable name in casual fashion, known for its affordability, durability, and trend-savvy designs. Whether you're grinding rails or just hanging with friends downtown, Empyre offers denim that’s made to move with you — in both form and expression.
Origins and Brand Identity
Empyre is a house brand of Zumiez, a major American retailer that focuses on skateboarding and snowboarding gear, along with streetwear apparel. Launched in the early 2000s, Empyre was designed to be both functional and accessible. Its roots are planted firmly in the skateboarding subculture, which is why the brand has always emphasized comfort, durability, and a laid-back yet expressive aesthetic.
Skateboarding has long been a culture centered on individualism, rebellion, and nonconformity — and Empyre jeans reflect that energy. They're not made for the runway but for real life: skating through city streets, walking through campus, or hitting up a local gig. In this sense, Empyre doesn't just sell clothes — it represents a lifestyle.
Fit for the Streets
Empyre jeans come in a wide range of cuts, washes, and styles, tailored to a variety of tastes and body types. From skinny and slim fits to relaxed and baggy, the brand caters to a spectrum of customers who want options without sacrificing affordability.
One of the most notable aspects of Empyre denim is its versatility. You’ll find classic black or indigo pairs that work well for everyday use, as well as more experimental offerings — think acid washes, ripped knees, patchwork, or oversized cargo pockets. These choices reflect the brand’s finger-on-the-pulse awareness of contemporary streetwear trends, without jumping the price up into luxury territory.
Popular Styles
Empyre Loose Fit Cargo Jeans – Baggy jeans are having a huge resurgence, and Empyre leans into this with denim that merges early-2000s nostalgia with modern streetwear.
Empyre Tegan High-Waisted Mom Jeans – For women’s styles, Empyre blends vintage flair with contemporary tailoring, offering flattering silhouettes and soft-stretch materials.
Empyre Skeletor Slim Fit Denim – A bold twist on classic black jeans, this style features custom graphics or unique distressing that turns a staple into a statement.
Whether it's wide-leg skater jeans or high-rise distressed denim for a 90s revival look, Empyre covers the bases while staying true to its skate culture foundation.
Quality Meets Affordability
A major reason for Empyre’s popularity — especially among teens and college-aged consumers — is its price point. With most jeans priced between $30 and $60, the brand offers a solid middle ground: affordable without feeling cheap, stylish without appearing overly branded.
The quality, for the price, is solid. These aren’t raw selvedge jeans handcrafted in Japan — and they don’t pretend to be. But for daily wear, Empyre denim holds up impressively well. Reinforced stitching, reliable hardware, and fabric blends that provide both durability and stretch ensure that these jeans can take a beating on the streets or skateparks. Many styles incorporate spandex or elastane for added mobility — perfect for active wearers.
Cultural Relevance
Streetwear and skatewear have become increasingly influential in the global fashion scene, and Empyre’s trajectory reflects that shift. What was once niche — skate jeans, baggy cargos, grunge-style rips — is now fashion-forward. Celebrities, influencers, and fashion icons have embraced the aesthetic that Empyre has always championed. That’s helped boost the brand’s reputation, especially among Gen Z consumers who value authenticity, nostalgia, and self-expression.
Empyre jeans accessibility also plays a key role. In a world where major streetwear brands and sneaker drops often come with inflated prices or limited availability, Empyre represents a kind of democratized fashion — stylish and wearable by anyone. That’s not just good business; it’s good culture.
Empyre in the Skate Scene
While many streetwear brands adopt the look of skate culture, Empyre remains grounded in it. From their partnerships with skaters to their presence in Zumiez’s Skate Team initiatives, the brand is authentically tied to the community that inspired it.
Their jeans are designed with skaters in mind: deeper pockets, durable knees, and loose fits that don’t restrict movement. It’s not uncommon to see real skaters wearing Empyre gear in local skateparks or on social media, which gives the brand credibility in a space that’s notoriously skeptical of posers.
Additionally, Empyre’s positioning in Zumiez stores means it’s available alongside core skate brands like Vans, Spitfire, and Thrasher, reinforcing its place in the culture rather than on the fringes of it.
Gender-Inclusive and Trend-Conscious
Another strength of Empyre is its broad appeal across gender lines. While the brand offers jeans specifically tailored for men and women, it also rides the unisex wave — many fits and styles are popular across the board. In fact, the rise of baggy jeans and looser silhouettes has helped blur traditional gendered fashion lines, allowing wearers to pick what suits their style rather than conform to outdated norms.
The brand also keeps pace with fast-moving fashion trends. With regular releases that incorporate current cuts, washes, and details, Empyre stays fresh without losing its identity. Whether it’s the return of Y2K fashion or the rise of normcore and vintage-inspired looks, Empyre always seems to have a fit that works.
Sustainability and Criticism
No brand is without its downsides. While Empyre scores points for style and affordability, its sustainability practices remain relatively opaque. As a fast-fashion adjacent label, it doesn’t boast the eco-friendly credentials that some newer indie denim brands promote.
Consumers looking for sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, or supply chain transparency may not find those answers readily available from Empyre. Still, in the context of value-oriented fashion, this isn’t unusual — and some shoppers are willing to make trade-offs between cost and conscience.
It’s also worth noting that sizing can be inconsistent depending on the style or collection. Customer reviews sometimes reflect issues with fit or fabric stretch, so it's important for buyers to read product details and sizing charts carefully.
Final Thoughts: A Go-To Brand for Everyday Style
Empyre jeans strike a compelling balance between fashion and function. They don’t scream designer, and they don’t have to — their appeal lies in their roots, their adaptability, and their understanding of what young people want from their denim. Whether you're a skater, a student, or just someone looking for cool jeans that won’t break the bank, Empyre delivers.
As trends shift and streetwear continues to dominate the fashion landscape, Empyre remains a relevant, reliable option. It may not be the flashiest name in denim, but it’s a brand that consistently shows up, evolves with the times, and keeps things real. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need in a good pair of jeans.
