A Breakdown of Different Styles of Jeans

Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices of jeans out there?  Here’s a breakdown of all the main styles and fits of jeans, and what to look for in each style.

Let’s talk about different styles of jeans

I love jeans. I love all styles of jeans. Skinny jeans, straight leg jeans, mom jeans, boyfriend jeans, wide leg jeans…give me all of them!

But I know that with all the different styles, it can feel overwhelming and confusing…

Questions you might ask yourself about jeans

• How are they supposed to fit?
• Which ones are best for my body type?
• How do you style them?
• What is the difference between the various styles?

Skinny Jeans

• Fitted leg
• Available in all washes and colors
• Available in all rises and lengths

Everyone’s favorite jeans for the last fifteen years! And nope, they’re not going anywhere. Stick with your favorite pair and keep on rocking them.

I’d recommend a mid to high rise with a length that hits right at or around your ankle bone. That’s the most universally flattering. I think we all know how to style them at this point, but check out THE OUTFIT GUIDE if you need more outfit ideas.

My favorite place to get skinny jeans:

My very favorite skinny jeans are THESE ONES FROM GOOD AMERICAN. I wear a size 0 in their jeans (usually I’m a size 26 in jeans). I’ve linked a few other options below!

Jeggings

• a mix between jeans and leggings
• soft, stretchy material
• usually still has a traditional waistband, but sometimes has a stretchy waistband
• fitted leg

Jeggings became very popular a few years after skinny jeans made their big debut in the early 2000s. At first they were really bad, looking more like super thin jeans made of crappy material with a fake waistband and fly. But now they’re done really well and can have traditional waistbands and are just made out of really comfortable and soft denim fabric.

How to style them:

• Because they are uber stretchy and borderline leggings, they are often a great option for dressing down with Chelsea boots, sneakers, or casual sandals.

My favorite place to get jeggings:

• I love American Eagle’s jeggings. THIS PAIR is like a pair of leggings, truly. They’re so comfortable.

Straight Leg Cropped

• straight, not tapered or flared pant leg
• cropped ankle length – should be ankle bone length, or right above or below.
• typically high waisted

These are similar to mom jeans, but mom jeans are usually tapered in the leg while straight leg jeans are not.

How to style them:

• I have a whole post about tips for styling straight leg jeans right here.

Where to buy straight leg cropped jeans:

• Lots of stores have straight leg jeans now, but THIS PAIR FROM EXPRESS is fantastic (and has a flexible waist) and THESE MADEWELL JEANS (they run big, size down one size!)

Mom Jeans

• Super high waisted
• traditionally a lighter wash but can be any wash
• straight or tapered leg
• ankle length

Everyone’s gone crazy for the mom jeans in the last year or so. Levi’s is the master of the mom jeans with a super high waist and a tapered leg.

To avoid looking too 90’s, avoid an acid wash, or a length that forces you to roll them at the hem. Also they should fit you well through the hips and waist.

How to style them:

• This post has some good outfit ideas! I call them straight leg jeans in the post, but they have a slight taper and could be called mom jeans for sure.

Where to buy good mom jeans:

• THESE EVERLANE JEANS are the ones I have on above, just in an older wash (that’s no longer available), and I chopped off the ends to make them raw. They’re a great not-too-tapered fit, and a high waist without being obscenely high.

Boyfriend Jeans

• Looser fit
• Can be cuffed at the hem if needed
• often distressed

These are looser, wider leg, and often distressed. They’re supposed to look like you stole your boyfriend’s jeans and wore them, so they’re made to have an oversized fit.

But they should still fit you well around the hips and not get overly bunched at the crotch area when you walk and sit.

How to wear them:

• I have a post about how to wear boyfriend jeans (that I thought were mom jeans at the time…) right here.

Where to find good boyfriend jeans:

• My favorite pair is THIS PAIR from ABERCROMBIE. I got one size up for a not too tight fit, and I love them. They’re the ones I’m wearing above.

Cropped Wide Leg Jeans

• fuller leg
• crop length should hit at about your ankle bone. Slightly above or below the ankle bone works too.
• should fit well through the hips and waist
• higher waist works well here to create an hourglass shape

These are a fuller, wider leg that flares out like a capital A on each leg. They’re often higher waisted, and they should be fitted through the waist and the upper hip area.

Cropped wide leg jeans have become very popular, and full length wide leg jeans are on their way in. Personally, I think the cropped wide leg jeans are easier to wear and feel less 70’s.

How to wear them:

• Here’s a post with outfit ideas for cropped wide leg jeans. And here’s a post about how to wear them in the winter!

Where to find good cropped wide leg jeans:

• My favorite pair is the PERFECT VINTAGE CROPPED WIDE LEG JEANS. They run big, so size down, but they’re a fantastic fit and come in a bunch of colors. If you want a pair of non jean pants in this style, THIS PAIR is my favorite, and this pair is super similar but more affordable.

Full-Length Straight Leg

• straight leg fit
• full length to the top of your shoes
• can be a little longer or a little shorter, but is not a cropped jean
• fits well through the hips and waist and crotch
• Should not pool around your feet or drag on the ground.

These fit similar to the straight leg cropped pair, but just a little wider, and full length.

How to wear them:

• The biggest question everyone has is what shoes to wear with them (after years of wearing skinny jeans and cropped jeans). I just did a post about it RIGHT HERE! This style I’m wearing above feels very trendy and 90’s, so make sure you’re wearing more classic tops with them to avoid looking too dated.

Where to find good full length straight leg jeans

• MADEWELL HAS THIS PAIR that I really like (size down one size – I wear a 25), and THIS PAIR that’s a little wider but still a similar fit, and THIS TOPSHOP PAIR is the pair I’m wearing above. I’m in a 26.

Trouser Style Jeans

• Fits wider through the leg
• full length to the ground
• shouldn’t drag or pool on the ground
• should fit well through the hips and waist
• pockets or other details to make them more elevated like a trouser

These are the most dressy kind of jean, and they’re a great option for business casual or teaching or just a dressier outfit with jeans.

How to wear them:

• Try them with a blouse and heeled ankle boots to dress them up, or sneakers and a tee to dress them down. If you need some ideas of what shoes work with them, I just did a post RIGHT HERE.

Where to find a good pair:

• I’m wearing THIS PAIR FROM FAHERTY in the picture above! They’re fantastic and fit so well, and are super comfy. Get your normal size. Code 20MERRICK works for 20% off too! THIS PAIR FROM OLD NAVY is very similar and a more affordable price, if you’re on a lower budget.

Kick Flare Jeans

• Flared lower leg
• Can be cropped or full length
• If you choose cropped, pick a length that hits you at your ankle bone, not shorter

The tamer version of bell bottoms with a slight flare at the ankle. These are making a comeback and I’m not sure how I feel about them. But they’ve also come back in a cropped version and I’m actually a fan of those.

Again, they should fit well through the waist and hips, stay slimmer through the leg and then flare out as you get to the lower leg.

How to wear them:

• I have a post HERE about full length flared jeans, and here are four ways to wear cropped flare jeans. My best advice for full length jeans is to choose shoes that allow the jeans to fall about 1/4″ to 1/2″ above the ground. They shouldn’t drag on the ground!

Where to buy good cropped kick flare jeans:

• THIS PAIR FROM MADEWELL is my all time favorite pair. I’ve tried a bunch of pairs over the last few years and this is definitely the best. Soft, stretchy, sturdy denim, and a great length. I size down one size to a 25.

Which ones are best for my body type?

That’s up to YOU!! You can honestly wear any style of jeans that you want. The most important thing is that they fit you.

But as far as rise and leg width and length, that’s personal preference.

Yes, some will look better on your body type than others, but none are off limits. You do you.

Here’s a video about some of these styles of jeans, if you’re more of a visual learner!

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE POSTS

• Can you wear black and brown together?

• How to layer a sweater over a dress

• Stay at home capsule wardrobe

• 2021 Winter style guide