Thanks to the many variations of jean fits, shopping for a new pair of jeans can be tricky and time-consuming. And that’s just taking into consideration the different cut or fit of jeans, not to mention, the countless washes, colors, rises, brands, and figuring out what is currently in style. Needless to say, there’s a lot to consider when shopping for a pair of jeans. Let’s start with the basics: jean fits, including straight, regular, skinny, slim, mom, boyfriend, flared, bootcut, and wide jeans.
Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans are straight from the hips down to the ankles. They maintain a consistent width from the hips to the ankles and don’t taper or flare. Straight jeans usually offer a more relaxed fit.
Regular Jeans
Compared to straight leg jeans, regular fit jeans better contour to our legs natural shape. Regular fit jeans offer extra space in the seat and hips and narrow slightly through the thighs. They maintain a straight cut from the thighs to ankles. Regular jeans provide a comfortable, relaxed fit – neither overly baggy or tight.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans are the most form-fitting and narrowly style of jeans. They offer no extra space between the legs and pant legs and cling to legs from the hips and thighs all the way down to the ankles. Skinny jeans often incorporate stretchy material into the fabric to allow for increased comfort and flexibility.
Slim Jeans
Slim jeans are the second most form-fitting style of jeans, next to skinny jeans. Slim jeans offer slightly more room and are looser than skinny jeans, especially at the lower half of the legs. They are tight through the thighs and knees, then taper subtly from the knees down to the ankles. Slim fit jeans don’t cling tightly around the calves and ankles like skinny jeans. Overall, slim jeans are designed to offer a slender, well-fitted look without being excessively tight.
Mom Jeans
“Mom jeans” used to be a term people would use to mock the jeans a typical mom would wear in the 80’s and 90’s as they were thought by many to be very unfashionable and unflattering. Fast forward several years, and mom jeans are everywhere, especially among the younger millennial and Gen Z generations. Oh how the tables have turned! Mom jeans are a little roomier in the hips and upper legs and taper toward the ankle. Mom jeans also feature a full zipper, larger/longer pockets, and are traditionally low stretch.
People often confuse mom jeans with straight jeans as they have a similar look and fit, however, there are some distinctions between the two. Mom jeans are high-waisted and have a tapered leg, while straight jeans may be low, mid, or high-waisted and have a straight cut down the entire leg without any tapering.
Boyfriend Jeans
Boyfriend jeans and mom jeans both offer a more relaxed look, however, there are some differences between the two styles. Boyfriend jeans are usually loose through the hips and maintain their looseness all the way to the ground. Unlike mom jeans, which feature a high waist, classic boyfriend jeans are designed with a low to mid-rise waist that sits just above the hips, rather than at the waist. Another difference between mom jeans and boyfriend jeans is the length. Mom jeans feature a higher cut, ending near the ankle, while boyfriend jeans are intentionally overly long extending all the way to the ground. They are designed to offer a laid-back and oversized look. Overall, boyfriend jeans provide a baggier look compared to mom jeans.
Flared Jeans AKA Bell Bottoms
Flared jeans are fitted through the waist, hips, and thighs, taper at the knees, then begin to widen, or flare, around the knees down to the ankles. The flare gradually increases from the knees down to the ankles. Flared jeans are known for having a dramatic, obvious flare. Flared jeans are also sometimes referred to as “bell bottoms,” which were extremely popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Traditional flared or bell bottom jeans tend to be low rise.
Bootcut Jeans
As its name suggests, bootcut jeans were originally created to fit easily over cowboy boots. Bootcut jeans feature a less pronounced widening or flare compared to flared or bell bottom jeans. They also don’t taper as much at the knee as flared jeans, and their flare typically begins below the knee. There is a lot of variation when it comes to bootcut jeans. They are designed in a range of rises– low, mid, and high rise. They are usually slim and fitted through the hips and thighs, but are sometimes available in a looser and more relaxed fit as well. However, the constant in bootcut jeans is their subtle flare.
Wide Jeans
Wide leg jeans are designed to have a discernable relaxed, oversized fit in the legs. They widen gradually from around the hips down to the hem. Although there is no official rule, most wide leg jeans have a leg opening that are at least twenty inches in diameter.
When it comes to jeans, there is a LOT of variety. For instance, not all skinny jeans are the same. Some skinny jeans may feature a low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise. They may have a light wash or dark wash. They may be stretchy or non-stretch. The list goes on. However, the important detail to remember is that all skinny jeans have the same cut. One thing about jeans that remains fairly consistent are jean fits or cuts. Understanding jean fits is knowledge you will be able to use throughout your entire life as most jeans fit into these main categories: straight, regular, skinny, slim, mom, boyfriend, flared, bootcut, or wide. This foundational knowledge will empower you to narrow down the countless options and find the perfect pair of jeans that complement your personal style and body type.