Jeans names are confusing. One brand's "slim" is another's "skinny", and "relaxed tapered" means something different everywhere. Here's what the main fits actually mean.
The main fits
Skinny
Tight from hip to ankle, usually with plenty of stretch. Streamlined, but less forgiving, and the stretch wears out faster.
Slim
Close-fitting but not tight, with a narrow leg opening. A modern all-rounder.
Straight
The same width from knee to hem. Classic and comfortable: the shape most people picture when they think of jeans.
Tapered
Roomier through the seat and thigh, narrowing from the knee down. Great for athletic legs that find slim jeans too tight up top.
Bootcut
Fitted through the thigh and flaring slightly from the knee to sit over boots. Firmly back in fashion.
Wide leg and baggy
Loose all the way down. Relaxed and on-trend, but length matters: too long and they drag.
Rise: the other half of fit
- Low rise: sits on the hips
- Mid rise: just below the belly button; the most versatile
- High rise: at the natural waist, lengthening the legs
When a pair is almost right
It's rare to find jeans that fit perfectly off the rack, but the common problems are fixable:
- Too wide at the ankle? Tapering turns straight or bootcut jeans slim.
- Too long? A hem, or an original hem for washed jeans.
- Gap at the back of the waist? See fixing a waist gap.
The golden rule: buy for the hips and seat, where alterations are hardest, then tailor the rest. Specialist denim tailors (local, or postal ones like Repair My Denim) can handle the leg and length.