45 Different types of Jeans : Do you have a favourite?

Yesterday I took out a pair of jeans I owned some 20 years back, from the back of my wardrobe. Don’t ask me what it was doing in my cupboard. I am “all talk and no action” for a minimalistic wardrobe. And I found that I still buy the same type of jeans over and over again all through the years – the same old classic regular fit jeans. Is it time for a change? Maybe, maybe not.

But, what are the options? Options galore. Here they are – 45 of them. Some of these categories do overlap. But still, there is an awesome number of choices.

Related post: How to buy jeans – fitting guide.

Different types of Jeans 

Jeans types according to leg shape/width

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Straight leg jeans

This style of jeans has a straight narrow leg shape from the hip to the ankles.  It will be the same width along the thighs, knees and leg opening. This leg opening is typically 14-17 inches wide.

This versatile jeans type gives you a simple and clean look, but may be not the first choice of denim for the fashionista.  

Skinny jeans (Tight jeans)

This jeans type has a snug fit along the hips and thighs and a tapered leg opening of about 11.5 inches to 13.5 inches and the hem will usually pool around the ankles. Usually made of stretch denim.

This body hugging style is best suited for slim and petite figures. Even if you are not in this category, if you like it, there are ways to make this style work for you. Its figure flattering shape cannot go wrong.

Tapered jeans

This is a pair of jeans which tapers towards the ankle. This style has a very narrow hem with the width at the ankle a lot less wide than the knee.

This jeans has a comfortable yet tailored fit, so it is popular nowadays.The tapered style of jeans works well for a pear-shaped body, as the narrowing at the ankles balances the proportions of the lower body.

Boot Cut Jeans / Bootleg jeans

This style of jeans is fitted along the hips, thigh, and knee, then has a slight flare at the leg opening – the hem will be 1 to 1 1/2 inches wider than the knee width. The leg opening will be somewhat between  16.5-19.5 inches. It has a tighter fit along the knee – and then flares.

This is a universally popular jeans and is said to suit a variety of bodytypes. But particularly for pear shaped bodies. It can balance wide hips. It is also supposed to make you look taller.

Flared jeans

This is the style with a large flare at the jeans’ hem – the width will be narrow at the knee. This is the most common leg type on low rise jeans. The hem will be 2 1/2 to 4  inches wider than the knee width – the leg opening is typically 20-22-23 inches.

This has more of a bohemian vibe than any other kind. This flared feature of the jeans may make you look a little shorter, so if you are petite choose your flared jeans carefully.

Baggy jeans 

These jeans will be loose along the hips and thighs and have a wide leg opening.

Baggy is the kind of jeans you should look out for, if you want a laid back look. It is often associated with streetwear and urban fashion trends. The baggy silhouette appeals to those who enjoy a casual and edgy style. You will also like it if you are looking for vintage and ’90s-inspired fashion in your denim. Also associated with gender-neutral and unisex fashion

Mom jeans

Mom jeans are old fashioned high-waisted jeans with a loose fit around the hips and crotch. Also called mom-fit jeans. I think the kind of jeans a mom would wear for her errands.

If you give priority to comfort over fit, this is the jeans for you. Not the most flattering of all styles, but definitely great if you like a functional clothing with good looks.

Boyfriend jeans 

Boyfriend jeans also have a same relaxed baggy fit as the mom jeans. The kind of jeans that you might borrow from your boyfriend. The extra length is folded up into a cuff.

A cropped boyfriend jeans is popular nowadays among youth. Read more about Boyfriend Fit Jeans Style.

Girlfriend jeans 

Girlfriend jeans is a more fitting version of boyfriend jeans.

Stovepipe jeans 

This jeans is a slightly tighter version of straight leg jeans. The leg opening is typically 14 -15 inches wide.

Stovepipe jeans can help create a more balanced and proportional silhouette for someone with broader shoulders (inverted triangle bodyshape).

Cigarette jeans

This is an ankle length close fitting straight cut jeans. It can closely resemble skinny jeans. The difference is that skinny jeans closely follow the leg shape but the cigarette jeans is cut straight from knee to ankle.

The slim and streamlined silhouette is flattering – a toned look without being too clingy. 

Kick flare jeans

Kick flare is a similar type of jeans with a figure hugging fit till the knee and then flaring towards the hem. This jeans is tight at the thighs and then from the knee it flares out into a wide hem to your ankles.

Bell bottom jeans 

Bell-bottoms are exaggerated versions of the kick flare jeans. This type of jeans has a very wide leg flare and usually comes with low rise jeans and ultra low rise jeans. The jeans is fitting till the knee and then leg flares and the hem creates a bell shape.

Brancusi jeans

This jeans has a tapered smaller leg opening with a balloon silhouette different from other jeans.

Jeans Overalls

These are overalls made of denim, a bib front, adjustable shoulder straps, and a pants portion that can be full-length or cropped.

Jeans types according to fit

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Fit refers to the ease added to the jeans.

Relaxed fit

This style has a comfortable loose fit all over at hips, thigh, and legs.

Classic fit jeans (Regular fit)

This is the traditional style of regular fit jeans with an equal measure of comfort and style. This usually has a straight or slightly tapered leg opening of about 13-16 inches.

Slim Fit

This is close-fitting jeans – the jeans fit tightly along the waist, hips, thighs, legs and ankles. It usually comes with a tapered leg. Same as Skinny jeans or slim-fit pants.

Straight Fit jeans

In this style, the knee and ankle are of the same width.

Stretch jeans

These jeans is made of the fabric mixed with lycra/spandex. The addition of spandex fibers gives jeans a lot of stretch and flexibility.

Cargo Fit

This is a loose jeans style with cargo pockets on the legs.

Loose fit 

These jeans have a  lot of space along the hips, thighs, and legs – this usually comes in regular and lower rise.

Trouser fit

This is a jean style with a loose fit and straight legs.

Easy fit

It is the same as a relaxed fit with a low rise.

Read more about the fit of jeans here. 

Jeans types according to Waist Levels

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Rise refers to the position of the waistband of the jeans. Rise is measured from crotch to the waistband. 

Regular Rise

This is the style with the waistband of the jeans resting exactly at the waist.

Lowrise jeans

In this style of jeans, the waistband is located about 2 to  3 to 4 inches under the belly button/navel. This is a very popular choice for women’s jeans.  For a super low rise jeans, the distance from navel could even be 5 inches.

Brazilian Low Rise Jeans / Ultra low rise jeans

As the name indicates this is a super super low rise jeans.

High Waist jeans

This type of jeans has the waistband sitting a little above the natural waist. High-waisted jeans can visually elongate short legs. It is also a good choice if you have a big stomach to hide – it doesnot hide as such, but better than low waist jeans in keeping it all.

High-waisted jeans are often associated with vintage and retro fashion.

Midrise  jeans

The style of jeans with the waistband just below the natural waistband. This is a versatile style for most bodyshapes. 

Jeans types according to length

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Skimmer

This is a short length jeans with the hem somewhere between the knee and the ankle.

Cropped jeans (Crops)

A jeans style that ends between midcalf and knee – about 3/4th of the way down the calf.

Ankle length jeans

This style is cut just above the ankle.

Capri

This style of jeans has the hem sitting just below the knee or at mid calf.

Gaucho

This is a loose jeans style with the hem falling somewhere at midcalf.

Retro jeans

This is a pair of jeans with a different period – a type of style from the past.

Jeans types according to embellishments

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Distressed jeans

This is jeans with a used and old look – deliberately made so with different techniques. This jeans will look faded and have holes, rips, tears and frayed hems. Many innovative methods are used to create this effect. Bleach, stone washing, oven baking etc are some of the popularly used methods.

You can check out What to use to distress jeans. 

Sand blasted jeans 

This is jeans made with fabric that is washed with sand to get a faded and old look.

Dirty washed jeans 

This is a pair of jeans made to look like it is dirty – it will be made to look brown or beige with the help of different washes.

Tinted / Colored jeans 

This is dyed jeans – denim is dyed in different colours and hues other than the classic blue, white and black there are bright colored, pastel colored jeans and they are as popular as the classic ones. 

Slub

This refers to the type of jeans made with denim woven with uneven yarns.

Whisker washed jeans 

This is a style of jeans with marks that look like whiskers.

Ripped jeans

This style of jeans is distressed and the fabric is deliberately ripped on many areas including pockets, pant, legs, hems, and edge of waistbands.

Frayed jeans

Here the thread is frayed on edges deliberately as a way of distressing.

Carpenter jeans

These jeans will have a relaxed fit and has an external tool pocket (or many) and hammer loop.

Corded jeans

Jeans made of corduroy denim.

Lace-up jeans

This has lacing up at the side seam.

Pintuck jeans 

This is a pair of jeans with a seam down the front of the legs, which looks like a pintuck.

Cuffed jeans

This is a jeans with a fold at the hem of the jeans.

Jeggings

I do not know if any self respecting true-blue denim lover would call jeggings ‘jeans’. But for many that is the kind they love. Jeggings are denim-version of their favourite leggings – they are made of a stretchy denim fabric. Jeggings combines the comfort and stretchiness of leggings with the appearance of denim jeans.

When I write about different types of jeans, I cannot skip my favorite brand of jeans – the brand that has reinvented itself many times over the years since it brought jeans into fashion more than a century ago, they fit perfectly. Yes, a big plug for all the jeans from Levi Strauss & Co.. 

Relaxed posts : Jeans alteration Techniques; The Evolution of Denim