Meme sensation Four Lads In Jeans has predicted that skinny jeans will soon be back in style four years after they posed for a photo that launched them to internet stardom.
Jamie Philips, Connor Humpage, Kevin Rooney and Alex Lacey became unknowingly famous after posting a photo of themselves at a ‘drunk brunch with the boys’ in Birmingham wearing tight jeans and tight tops.
Four years later, the friends posted a new photo showing off their updated look, this time in looser jeans and cargo pants.
But despite the transformation, the four believe skinny jeans could be back in style sooner than expected.
Kevin Rooney said: “The thing is, those skinny jeans are going to come back, they’re going to be back in style.”
The ‘four boys in jeans’ from Birmingham city center wearing trousers and short, tight shirts in 2019 for that famous photo
The friendship group ditched skinny jeans and chinos for edgier clothing like cargo pants for the 2024 shoot.
Kevin Rooney, Alex Lacey, Jamie Philips and Connor Humpage (left to right)
“First of all, there were people asking us why we were wearing skinny jeans, but in the end it’s fashion.
“Some people even told us recently that they preferred us in skinny jeans.”
Jamie Philips added: “Oh yeah we’ll be out in shorts for the summer soon don’t worry and then some more, you never know.”
The four friends explained that while they found fame for wearing skinny jeans, they were initially quite confused by all the attention.
Connor Humpage: ‘We literally went to a drunk brunch with a guy and asked a stranger to take a photo of us and it suddenly went viral.
“And what people don’t know is that the photo had already appeared before it became a meme, so it was a shock to all of us.”
“And we didn’t understand it, we were just wearing what everyone else was wearing at the time.”
“People have said we were behind and wondered why we were wearing skinny jeans for so long, but they only see a snapshot.
“We basically stopped wearing skinny jeans as soon as the photo came out because fashion had changed.”
Three of the ‘four guys in jeans’ crouched in front of their new statue to take some promotional photos.
For their most recent photo, the internet sensations were invited to go shopping at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center to collaborate on social media.
Connor said: ‘We just went to the bullring, did some shopping and had a laugh.
‘We basically buy all the things we already have, like I bought two more pairs of jeans that are the same as the ones I have, they’re all our own styles.
“I think when people see the meme they think we’ve changed overnight, but these photos are four years apart and we’re real people with our own lives.
“Like we were before, we just wear what everyone else is wearing now and our styles shine.”
Kevin added: “Yeah, I don’t think I have any skinny jeans anymore other than the ones in that photo.”
The notoriety has certainly provided opportunities for all four.
They have appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge and have appeared in advertising campaigns for McDonald’s and Sony noise-canceling headphones.
They were also photographed with football legend and commentator Chris Kamara and bodybuilder Martyn Ford and even appeared at the 2022 Brit Awards in a skit alongside comedian and late-night host Jack Whitehall.
In August 2022, the boys were honored with a statue at the location where the famous photo was taken.
It was created by artist William Douglas, also known as Tat Vision, who unveiled it outside All Bar One in Grand Central, Birmingham.
The sculptor said that they made it from female mannequins in tight clothing, with paper mache and PVA glue, covered with bronze paint.
Before the grand opening, the artist wrote on his Instagram page: “Come down and see the bronze statue of my four boys in jeans.” [on] Saturday outside All Bar One Grand Central.
Many X/Twitter users were stunned by the transformation.
‘A tribute to these boys inspired by ancient Greek statues.
“These four men are ready for an adventure like the first part of Homer’s Odyssey, before the adventure.”
Although they have been enjoying the fame this time and leaning into the joke, the four admitted that the unexpected fame four years ago took its toll on them.
Alex Lacey, a plumber and heating engineer, said his work number came to light and he was constantly battling a barrage of prank calls and trolls.
The situation got even worse when her mother’s Instagram account was discovered and trolls started commenting on the photos.
He said: ‘They trolled my mum, they got her Instagram and they were commenting, trolling and making things up about me.
‘I’m getting married in a couple of weeks and it was difficult for my partner and it hasn’t been great.
“At the end of the day, we all still have our day jobs, you know, I’m a plumber.”
Connor, a tattoo artist, admitted it’s more complicated.
After the initial photo, he discovered that his business had improved with the help of social media.
He said: “I had people come up to me and say, ‘I didn’t know you did tattoos.'”
“They would come to my social media pages and comment ‘I came for the meme, I stayed for the tattoos’ and it was nice, but I also felt like I was still linked to that photo.”
“But yeah, I think people think we’re just the meme and they don’t treat you like people.”
‘After the new one came, I went to the gym. I only had my headphones on because I didn’t want to talk to anyone, even after they had died I just used them to block people because I didn’t want people. to keep getting closer to me.’
“It was hard, you would go and hear people laughing and pointing behind your back.”
Kevin Rooney: ‘Yes, no one would say anything to our faces, just behind our backs. It’s really just internet trolling.