Types of men's jeans: names and descriptions
"God created people different, but the Colt equalized the rights of both the strong and the weak." The expression of the legendary arms manufacturer Samuel Colt can be fully applied to jeans. After all, they have become a favorite item of outerwear for people of different social classes. They are worn by heirs to the British crown and workers, movie stars and farmers, presidents and housewives. They are everywhere! For over a hundred years, jeans have been the most popular clothing item in men's and women's wardrobes.
It is said that Leiba Strauss (the future Levi Strauss) sold his first pair of denim pants for $1.26. Inspired by the successful deal, the Jewish immigrant from Belgium received a patent on May 20, 1873 for the production of "strapless work overalls with pockets for a knife, money and coins." 148 years have passed since then, jeans have undergone many changes, but the classic symbol of the American West is still popular in all parts of the planet. We are sure that at least one pair of jeans can be found in your wardrobe. By the way, how many types of men's jeans do you know?
If you name classic straight, skinny (from extremely skinny to semi-skinny) and loose-fitting jeans, you'll be right. And we'll add: flared, baggy, cargo, ripped, cropped, colored, with a long fly... The list of modern and less classic models doesn't end there. Therefore, it is very important to have an idea of what they exist in principle. This will help you choose the most comfortable trousers that will be comfortable to wear, show the positive sides of the figure and hide its flaws.
You will be surprised, but at the basis of any model of jeans there are only 3 parameters:
- style or cut from top to bottom, designated FIT;
- rise or waist height - RISE;
- leg width or cut from knee to bottom - CUT.
Based on FIT, RISE and CUT, we will highlight the main types of men's jeans and give a brief description of each of them.
1. FIT - STYLE OR CUT OF JEANS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
FIT is the style, silhouette or basic shape of trousers - the main characteristic of the product, showing how tightly the jeans will sit on the body. The following options are possible:
- Skinny FIT - extremely tight or very tight.
- Slim FIT - tapered or tight.
- Regular FIT - medium or semi-tight.
- Relaxed FIT - loose jeans.
- Loose FIT - baggy
Skinny FIT jeans - popular in youth denim collections
Of all the existing silhouettes, this is the most form-fitting, and along the entire length of the jeans. They sit on the body like a second skin. For an ideal fit, elastane is added to the fabric. Skinny jeans are suitable for people with a thin and slender build, and not for everyone. If initially this cut was used only in women's models, today you can see it on young guys too.Paired with low or high sneakers, Skinny FIT jeans create the image of a dynamic person for whom there are no limits to any dress code.
Slim FIT jeans - for those with a very proportional figure
It's not a "second skin" but slim fit jeans fit tightly around the waist and hips, and are looser around the calves and ankles. To achieve this, the denim contains a certain percentage of spandesque (Lycra) to stretch well and hug the figure. Slimfit jeans go well with tight shirts and T-shirts, blazers, sports jumpers, fitted short coats and jackets. Shoes - moccasins, loafers, sneakers, sneakers.
Regular FIT jeans - fit very well on any figure
This is the most versatile cut, which is why Regular FIT jeans are the most popular. They have a fairly tight fit at the waist, and everything below has a straight semi-fit. The trousers give the silhouette a slightly taut shape, without restricting movement at all. They go well with a loose and tight top. A good example is the eternal classic, the legendary Levi’s 501. Every brand has a Regular FIT style. It suits most body types. That’s why it is loved by both young guys and middle-aged men.
Relaxed FIT jeans - look more harmonious on overweight people
Feature - loose cut, which creates a feeling of some oversize. Ideal for informal style, active everyday life, recreation, long trips. It is convenient to use a warming layer with them, so relaxed fit jeans are more popular in the off-season and winter. They suit fashionistas of any body type, but look more harmonious on full-figured men.
Loose FIT jeans - baggy and the most spacious
Their "sailiness" does not emphasize the waist at all, so the jeans look sloppy, especially with a low waist. Mostly, this style is preferred by representatives of subcultures. It also suits men with a non-standard body type.
2. RISE - RISE OR HEIGHT OF THE WAISTBAND OF JEANS
This parameter shows at what level the belt is in relation to the hip line. It is measured by the distance between the top of the product and the crotch. Three options are available:
- high - High Rise,
- medium - Medium Rise,
- low - Low Rise.
High Rise jeans - high rise, almost to the navel
These are the same jeans that cowboys loved so much. The thing is that the model of denim trousers, sitting high on the waist, does not slip off the rider's back during a long stay in the saddle. This is exactly what they were designed for. But this style requires a pronounced waist. Accordingly, it is absolutely not suitable for those who do not have it (and these are mainly overweight people). Shirts, T-shirts with High Rise jeans are worn loose.
Medium Rise jeans - medium rise, approximately 20 cm
This is the standard of practicality, the most common and most versatile fit. Most traditional regular fit models have this fit. These trousers fit well on almost any body type. They are comfortable to sit and move in. Medium Rise jeans do not restrict movement, visually improve the silhouette, and go well with any clothes that can be worn tucked in or untucked.
Low Rise Jeans - low rise, less than 20 cm
These jeans have a waistband just above the hips. They highlight the male torso well, especially the abdominal muscles. But sitting and actively moving in such jeans is a real punishment. Low rise is only present in summer denim. You will hardly find them in winter and demi-season options, since the trousers do not protect the sensitive lower back from the cold at all.
3. CUT - LEG WIDTH OR JEANS CUT FROM KNEE TO BOTTOM
The width of the leg or the cut from the knee to the bottom of the product is characterized by the Cut parameter. It determines what the silhouette of the trousers will be. And there are three of them available:
- Tapered Cut,
- Straight Cut,
- Boot Cut.
The easiest way to determine the Cut parameter is to place the bottom of the leg against the knee area. You will immediately see the difference and easily determine whether it is a tapered, straight or flared cut.
Tapered cut - tapered cut jeans
Unlike straight and flared, tapered leg cuts were not manufactured in factories for a long time. Therefore, straight jeans were simply sewn "by hand". Hence the second name of the cut - tailored leg (individually for the leg). Tapered cut jeans are very demanding on the figure and the owner. It should be proportional with beautiful slender legs. Outerwear can be tight or loose. Shoes - not too massive. The ideal option is sneakers, trainers.
Straight cut - straight cut jeans
This is the classic and most popular type of cut from the knee to the bottom. And it is the only one that looks stylish even with the leg rolled up. It is considered straight (and it really was so in jeans of the 50s of the last century), but in modern models it is not straight, but anatomically verified form of cut, repeating the natural bend of the shin at the knee joint. Thanks to it, jeans look good on legs of any fullness and length. Straight cut jeans go well with sporty formal and informal shoes.
Boot cut - flared jeans
Jeans with flared legs are considered the first cowboy pants. As a rule, the pants are low-rise, slightly fitted at the knees and hips, and the bottom can end with a discreet flare (the width of the bottom does not exceed the width at the hips) or a pronounced one. Boot cut jeans go well with chunky shoes, visually compensate for large feet, and are designed for true connoisseurs of unusual style.
Conclusion
In addition to such important characteristics as color, brand, material and size, knowing the three main parameters of denim pants will allow you to choose a product for your figure quite accurately. The cut from top to bottom, the height at the waist and the width of the leg give us an accurate idea of how the jeans will fit on the figure.
