A Complete Guide To Jeans
Jeans are often considered one of the most difficult pieces of clothing to buy—and for good reason! There are so many styles to choose from that it can feel very overwhelming, especially if you’ve been wearing the same jeans for years. If you’re considering trying a new style but don’t know where to start, let this information guide you in adding the next pair to your wardrobe.
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Leg Style
Denim trends come and go out of style, but the same silhouettes will always be there. The wash and fabric content can also change the look and feel of jeans, so keep that in mind.
Skinny - Just like the name says, this style is fitted all the way down to the ankle. Skinny jeans are universally flattering and often considered a closet staple because they’re so easy to pair with different shoes and tops. “Jeggings” are just skinny jeans on steroids—skintight like leggings but made with stretchy denim.
Straight - This vintage-inspired silhouette falls straight down below the knees without tapering at the ankles. Pairing shoes with this style can be a bit overwhelming for someone who’s been wearing skinny jeans for years, but I can help you with that!
Relaxed - This style is similar to straight jeans, but have a looser fit overall. “Mom jeans” fall into this category—slouchy through the hips and thighs with a tapered leg.
Flare - Everyone recognizes flares, AKA bell-bottoms. Although this style isn’t getting as much love as mom jeans right now, I’ve already seen it start to come back on Instagram and Pinterest.
Wide-leg - This style is pretty self-explanatory. I personally think wide-leg jeans look best worn long and skimming the floor or cropped at the ankle.
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Rise
Most people know what rise they’re comfortable wearing, but it’s always nice to know what else is out there.
Low-rise - 5”-8” rise, hits a few inches below your belly button. This rise can be ideal for those with shorter torsos.
Mid-rise - 8”-9” rise, hits about an inch below your belly button. This rise can be uncomfortable if you’re softer in the middle.
High-rise - 9.5”-10.5” rise, hits at your belly button or just below. This rise is often the most flattering because it highlights your waist.
Super-high rise - 11”-12” rise, hits above your belly button.
Length
If you have a pair of jeans that are the perfect length, do yourself a favor and measure the inseam by laying your jeans flat and measuring the length from the crotch down to the hem. Most online stores include the inseam length either in the product description or in their size guide. These are the most common length “names”, but I find that knowing the exact length in inches is more helpful when shopping.
Cropped
Ankle
Regular
Long
Some stores also offer petite or long lengths, which is great if you’re outside the average height range.
Get shopping!
If you’ve struggled to find the perfect jeans in the past, I highly recommend shopping online for your next pair. I know it sounds counterintuitive to buy something like jeans online, but it’s much more efficient than going to multiple stores. You can filter a store’s website to only show you the rise, leg styles, and/or lengths that you want and narrow down your choices.
If you’re interested in trying a new style or are just at a loss for what you like, I suggest going to a store with a decent denim selection like Madewell or Old Navy. You don’t need to buy any—just try on different styles to figure out what you like and don’t like. Then you can search online for the perfect pair!
