When it comes to having a fully fleshed out wardrobe, no woman can rest until she has at least one decent pair of jeans. Once you have properly broken a pair in, you will have a bottom that will last you for decades and can suit just about any occasion other than maybe the events that call for dressing to the nines. A proper set of jeans is also designed for the long-term; most people wash their jeans far more often than Levi Strauss, their inventor, ever intended.
It is also important to remember that there is no single form of blue jeans. The market is full of different cuts, fits and brands of this durable denim bottom. The rest of this guide will be dedicated to explaining everything you could possibly need to know in order to find the perfect pair to suit your figure, style, budget and tastes.
Jean Cuts
"Cut" is the term for how the legs have been shaped and rise is where the waistband is found. Common jean cuts include:
- Skinny - Also known as "cigarette jeans," these fit tight throughout the leg from the thigh to the ankle. Made of stretchy denim for easy donning, they are often skin-tight.
- Straight-cut - This cute has a vertical fit through the whole leg. It can be baggy or fitted.
- Boot-cut - These flare out slightly around the ankle and pair well with ankle boots.
- Bell-bottoms - These are snug through the thigh and flare out from the knee to where your feet emerge.
- Wide-Leg - These begin to flare from mid-thigh and never stop. The big distinction between wide-leg and bell-bottom is that bell-bottoms are more of an hourglass, being tight at the thighs and knees; wide-leg jeans are more triangular, with a less severe flare.
- High-rise - These sit along the natural waist, at the belly button.
- Mid-rise - Sit between the waist and hips.
- Low-rise - These sit a few inches below the belly button at your hips.
Finding the Right Fit
The right fit begins with knowing the measurements of your waist and inseam as well as your ideal rise.
- Measuring rise: Hang up a pair of jeans. measure the gap between waistband and crotch seam. This is your rise.
- Measuring inseam: Measure the gap between crotch and the hem along the inside leg. This is your inseam.
- Measuring waist: Place your measuring tape around the widest part of your midriff, some inches beneath the belly button. Try for as perfect a circle as possible so you can better visualize your jean waistline.
Now armed with your measurements, let us go over the best cuts for different figures.
- Hourglass. This type is suited to most styles.
- Round/Apple. This type has a more-pronounced middle. Stick to high-rise jeans with stretchy denim, your waist will look slimmer than it is.
- Straight/Box. This curve-less type should focus on skinny, straight or boot cuts.
- Triangle/Pear. This bottom-heavy type should favor dark denim and large back pockets.
Most Popular Brands
Let us break down some of the most popular clothing brands for blue jeans. Considering their popularity, it’s not a surprise that so many companies make them.
- Levi's. The iconic American Levi's 501 remains a staple of every fashionable woman's wardrobe.
- Citizens of Humanity. This is a brand that focuses on good looks and sustainability.
- Trave Denim. Their Faye Bootcut was an incredibly popular item.
- Gap. This staple clothier of the '90s remains a valid venue for denim.
- Boyish Jeans. This brand features a vintage aesthetic with modern sensibilities toward sustainability.
- Paige. If you like trendiness, perfect fits and tp quality, consider shopping here.
- Agolde. Every one of their offerings is entirely cotton and feature a relaxed style.
- SLVRLAKE. This brand must be doing something right; you will never see someone look bad in a pair of jeans from this company. Note that prestige comes with equivalent price tags.
- Goldesign. This brand focuses on small batches of jeans, leading to a superior attention of detail in every piece.
