Types of women's jeans

Types of Women’s Jeans  

Do you have good jeans?  

Denim is key to the DNA of any good wardrobe -- and not always easy to find. 

We’ve all been there, in the changing room, wiggling into pair after pair of jeans, looking for the *one*. You know, the pair you don’t even bother putting away because you’ll just want to wear them again tomorrow. 

Let’s help you find your next favourite pair. This brief guide will give you an overview of types of jeans and some useful shopping tips and care tips. 

Do you have good jeans?

Denim is key to the DNA of any good wardrobe -- and not always easy to find. 

We’ve all been there, in the changing room, wiggling into pair after pair of jeans, looking for the *one*. You know, the pair you don’t even bother putting away because you’ll just want to wear them again tomorrow. 

Let’s help you find your next favourite pair. This brief guide will give you an overview of types of jeans and some useful shopping tips and care tips. 

How to Shop for Jeans

Don’t let sizing get you down. Every brand is different in their cut and materials, and sometimes even the same design can differ from batch to batch.   

Rumour has it that some brands even engage in vanity sizing: purposely mislabeling clothes as smaller than they are because (in theory) women will be flattered into buying a “smaller” size that fits them. 

Just start where you think you should be and size up or down as needed. Hint: jeans (and other garments) sizing broken down in our chart here.

Measure Your Favourite Pair of Jeans

Here’s another tip: Measure your current favourite pair of jeans to help you find a better match in store. 

Use a tape measure and start with the waist and inseam measurements. If you want to get even more detailed, you can also measure the leg openings and rise.  

Does a tape measure feel too tedious? There are shortcuts.   

Some say that if you fasten the button and wrap the jeans around your neck, then the waist fit will be perfect. Another version of this: if your elbow to fist can fit snugly inside the fastened waistband, it’s going to fit your waist like a glove.   

See if these shortcuts work for your favourite jeans or play around and come up with your own corresponding measurements. This can help you narrow down what you try on in store.

Jean Fits or Leg Shapes

The leg shape of jeans defines decades and personal styles. That doesn’t mean you have to feel bound to a certain shape, but understanding the connotations and fits of each cut on of the denim spectrum can help inform your choices.

Skinny

Let's get leggy. A fitted silhouette, form-fitting from waist to ankle. Dare we say tight. The right pair lengthens legs while contouring your curves. 

The dominant fit of this millennium (so far), it’s a style that will always have a place in our hearts and our closets. Dress them up with heels or go casual with sneakers. Boots love them too.

Loose

We’re using this term as a catch all for loose to wide to baggy. And they’re not just for super casual situations -- they can even look elegant and drapey in the right cut and with the right shoes. 

They often get called 90s jeans these days, for good reason, but in our opinion they’re a timeless silhouette. Not to mention comfortable. 

Jegging

Some might say these aren’t real pants, but we’re not here to judge. If they’re comfortable and make you feel confident, more power to you. 

And let’s face it, even the naysayers probably can’t tell the difference sometimes -- or secretly have a pair in their closet. The right pair (like our Joeys) will stretch with ease while keeping their shape.

Bootcut

A subtly flared hem that goes well with boots (yeah who woulda thought). They’re usually straight as opposed to fitted in the butt and thigh, with a subtle flared at the hem for a classic, balanced silhouette. Ideal if you’re looking for a little more volume at the calf for better proportion. Or if you’re going to a rodeo.

Flare

First, we go fitted through the hip and thigh and then we go for a bit of fun with a kicked-out flare. High-rises have more of a retro flavour while low-rises have that Y2K thing going on. They can look edgy with cowboy boots, funky with platforms, or elegant with heels. Are they similar to bootcuts? Yes. Are they also different? Also, yes. These will have more pronounced standout flare.  

Girlfriend

This jean is all about easy vibes with its lower rise and relaxed fit through the hip and thigh. They usually have a slimmer leg that isn’t quite skinny, making them a versatile option. Some light rips and distressing also suit this style well and give it that casual edge. But don’t be fooled, there are also varieties that are office appropriate.  

Mom

They’re still in. This high rise, tapered leg style is usually more relaxed through the hip and thigh with a cinched waist. It’s a vintage 90s look that’s been seeing a resurgence and isn’t going anywhere soon. Who would’ve thought your mom would become a style icon.  

Straight

A classic. A go-anywhere-with-anything jean. Usually fitted (but not tight) through the hip and thigh, this style gives you long, lean lines for legs that go on forever but with an everyday ease. They’re casual throw-on-and-go style that still offer vintage, effortless class.  

Trouser

Looking for dressed-up denim? This high rise style is your jean. Fitted through the hip and relaxed through the thigh, this is wear-to-office polish with casual comfort. It’s the kind of style that’s part jeans and part dress pants, and no one will be the wiser.