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Different Types of Jeans [The Ultimate Guide to Jeans Types]

The hippie revolution of the 1970’s introduced jeans, formerly a hard wearing denim formulated for workwear, to the world stage and it became the symbol of the love and peace generation. It hasn’t lost its popularity fifty years on. Lately, however comfortable gym wear tights have been taking over from denim, but there is an answer for that one – jeggings – jeans that fit like tights, and jeans with stretch. Jeans still retain their appeal whether dressed up or dressed down and have been stonewashed, ripped, abraded, beaded, sparkled, glittered, studded, aged and faded.

The styles change with the whims of fashion – but don’t throw out your jeans – the style will come back – we had the low cut denims that hung on the hips, the high waisted ones that are still fashionable and leg widths vary from super skinny to bell bottoms and flares. In between are the mid waist jeans and as for the colour in ‘blue’ jeans they can be anything from the palest faded baby blue to a deep midnight blue that is almost black. They have inspired songs – like Neil Diamond’s classic “Forever in Blue Jeans”.

Below is a comprehensive list of all the types of jeans we could think of. Some are so similar they kind of overlap. We divided them according to the rise (waist levels), leg width and shape, length, and according to fit.

Types of Jeans according to the rise – waist levels

Mid-rise/regular rise jeans

The jeans sit comfortably on the upper part of the hip without pulling into the waist. They create a comfortable fit and a longer silhouette. These are the kind of jeans we feel most relaxed in.

Low-rise jeans

These were popular in the early 2000s with the jeans low enough to expose the top of the hip bone. it was fashionable to show a tattoo of a lace pantie sticking out the back of your jeans when you sat down. They were worn with a wide belt sometimes or no belt at all. Combined with a shirt tucked in  or a crop top a lean silhouette looked good but the drawback for anyone not rake thin was the muffin top they created.

Brazilian low-rise/ultra-low-rise jeans

Like the skimpy Brazilian cut bikinis the ultra-low-rise  jeans sat really low on the hips with lots of tanned and toned flesh exposed when worn with a crop or midriff top.

High waist jeans

Fitting right into the smallest part of the waist these jeans hold the tummy under control. When you sit there is no risk of exposing the crack in your butt cheeks as was common with the ultra-low rise jeans. They create an elongated leg length and fit neatly over the bottom.

Types of Jeans according to Leg width and shape

Baggy jeans

These have plenty of space in them and are usually cinched in with a belt to provide that required contrast between the baggy style and a neat waist. The jeans fit loosely over hips and thighs and the leg is wider than most cuts. It is favoured by those into edgy street fashion.

Barrel jeans

Trending for 2023 are the barrel jeans. They are high waisted like Mom Jeans but the silhouette tapers to just above the ankles, and the legs well, they are a bit like a barrel – loose around thighs and knees. They provide a slim silhouette and are very flattering, despite the name.

Bell bottoms

The hippie era of the 1970s saw people altering their jeans by splitting the outer seam and introducing a triangular panel to make the jeans flare from the knee downwards. Often these panels were embroidered – daisies and peace signs were the icons of the era. Soon manufacturers started making bell bottoms. The chief difference between these and flared jeans is the bell shape in contrast to the less exaggerated panels on flared jeans.

Bootcut or bootleg jeans

The boot cut jeans have a slight flare from the mid-calf to enable boots to be worn with them without having to tuck in the bottom of the jeans into the boot, or creating wrinkles as the jeans battle to stretch over the boot. Bootcut jeans look smart and are comfy to wear.

Boyfriend style

This looser fit of jeans looks like you borrowed them from your boyfriend – providing s bit of street style with comfort. They fit to the hips, have a mid-rise and are often worn turned up at the cuffs of the legs – because boyfriends are usually taller -right?

Brancusi jeans

We aren’t quite sure what the sculptor Brancusi had to do with the jeans but they are relatively high waisted, then cut with roominess over the thighs and taper in towards the ankle, with some artful folds, giving them a kind of pirate meets high fashion look.

Cargo Jeans

Like cargo pants, originally made with lots of pockets for military personnel, cargo jeans have been updated for a slim fit around the waist and hips, then cut a bit wider on the leg. All the pockets are perfect if you don’t want to have to carry a handbag – credit card, sunnies, phone, lip gloss – there is a place for everything. They are trending right now in 2023 and will be fashionable for a few more years.

Cigarette Jeans

These jeans hit the ankle and are quite fitted – the difference between them and skinny jeans is that skinnies hug the leg from knee to calf right through to the ankle but cigarette jeans are straight cut from knee to ankle, just giving a little more room and they look really good.

Flares

Unlike bell bottoms with their exaggerated bell, flared jeans are not as exaggerated where they flare from just above the knee to the hem area, keeping the silhouette elegant.

Girlfriend jeans

Just a little more fitted than the boyfriend jeans these provide comfort when hanging out but are flattering. They also have a cuff turn up.

Jeans overalls

Once the domain of artist’s in their studios, jean overalls are now high fashion with the roominess and wide legs ending at the top in a bib that can be worn with a crop top for a fun look. Pair them with flats or heels – whatever takes your fancy.

Kick flare jeans

Not a wide as the bell bottoms or flared jeans these jeans widen from the knee giving a bit of kick room across the calves. They are a flattering style as they are fitted from waist to thighs.

Mom jeans

These have a higher waist and fit comfortably around the hips and crotch area – perfect for mom’s whose jeans need to allow her to stretch and bend when looking after kids and going shopping.

Skinny

Popular for the last decade, skinny or tight jeans fit the figure perfectly – made with some stretch in the denim, they hug every curve. Lately however, the restriction around the calves of skinny jeans has led to people wanting jeans with a more relaxed fit from the knee downwards which is why we are seeing a move to tapered or barrel jeans.

Straight leg

The straight leg jean fits around waist and hips then goes straight down to the ankles.

Stovepipe

These are a bit more fitting than the straight leg jeans but not as form fitting as skinny jeans.

Tapered

The jeans legs taper from the hip down to the ankles. They provide a classy looking silhouette, and are popular in men’s and women’s jeans.

Types of jeans according to the lengths

Cropped jean

The cropped jean has the legs ending around mid-calf – ideal for walks on the beach when you don’t want full length jeans.

Skimmer

These end before the ankle – showing just enough of a slim ankle between where the jean ends and your trainers reach. They end a bit lower than midcalf.

Ankle length

These jeans end at the ankle, showing just a peep of skin between your shoes and the end of the jeans.

Full length jeans

The classic standard for full length jeans is for them to end at the midpoint of the back of the shoe you are wearing with them. They provide a long elegant silhouette, with the front of the leg just about an inch (2.5 cm) over the front of your shoe.

Capri

These expose a nicely turned calf and ankle and are most often worn with flats, sandals or trainers for a relaxed feel. The style can end just below the knee but usually is ends mid-calf.

Gaucho

Originally worn by the cowboys on ranches in South America these pants have a wider fit to make them comfortable for riding. The pants also end around mid-calf, with the leg tapering outwards towards the hem making it easy to pull on the higher riding boots used.

Retro

These jeans are made with a reference to past styles – not any one particular style but generally the retro style tends towards full length jeans.

Types of jeans according to the embellished/distressed finishes

Distressed Jeans

The ways of distressing jeans vary – often a rasp is taken to the new jeans to abrade them and create the small tears so popular. They do look good with some tanned skin showing through the rips in the jeans.

Stonewashed

The denim is washed with stones to give it a mottled faded look.

Dirty Wash

When jeans have been worn for many years they get a sort of brownish tinge to them – now with dyes the color can be added without having to wait for that ‘old’ look.

Frayed

Sometimes the edges of the pockets are frayed but most often it is the hems that are given this special treatment to make them look like they have been worn for many moons.

Nep woven

When woven the fibres in the denim are allowed to protrude a little from the weave creating hat looks like little flecks of snow on the jeans – with time these can get a little furrier, but the denim fades both vertically and horizontally, creating an interesting look.

Whisker wash

When jeans are given this treatment, they come out with fine stripes that look like a cat’s whiskers going across the jeans.

Slub

For this effect on the denim the cotton used to weave the denim is more textured and has a softer or rougher feel to it depending on the type of cotton used. When it fades it tends to fade vertically on the jeans legs, giving what the Japanese call Tate-Ochi. This is due to the slub in the denim causing the dye to fade at different rates.

Sequins

Jeans, especially the pockets, may have sequins added to give them a bit of bling.

Rhinestones

This finish makes me think of the song Rhinestone Cowboy, when the sparkle of rhinestones adds a bit of excitement to jeans you want to wear out at night.

Embroidery

Popular during the hippie era was lots of embroidery particularly on the bell bottoms or down the sides of jeans.

Studs

The punk rock era saw studs being added to jeans as well as chains across pockets.

Applique

People like to personalise their denim with motifs of meaning for them such as bike club emblems, or fun things like smiley faces,  but some denim jeans come out with velvet applique patches added in rich jewel colors.

Tints

Although blue denim is the color of choice for most people there have been phases in fashion history when people have decided that red, lilac, or light green washed jeans look good.

Carpenter

These relaxed fit jeans will have a loops attached for carpenters to hang tools, and enough pockets to hold nails and such like so they can work hands free. They are also useful for camping when you want to sling a torch to the loop, or take along extra snacks for a trail hike.

Pin-tuck

Instead of seams being pressed into jeans a pin-tuck is stitched down the front of the jeans to give the effect of them being pressed.

Types of jeans according to the fit

Relaxed

This is a comfy fit that hugs in the right places without being too tight or uncomfortable.

Classic fit/ regular

Classic fit jeans usually fit around the waist and hips, easing out over the thighs but not as loose as the relaxed fit.

Slim fit

Slim fit jeans hug the figure without being too tight.

Straight

The fits is around the hips and waist then the leg follows a uniform width from thigh to ankle.

Stretch jeans

The elastane and polyester that is mixed in with the cotton involved in producing stretch denim allows them to hug every curve on the body and spring back into shape. The only drawback is that these are not drier friendly – the elastane will be destroyed by high heat over time.

Cargo fit

Like the military style these jeans were named for, they fit at the waist and hips then ease out to wider legs that allows for movement. With all the pockets you have plenty of storage for items you may need, especially the leg pockets.

Loose fit

The loose fit is becoming a style icon with the jeans belted in and following a relaxed line to the hem.

Trouser fit

Like the more tailored trousers these may have a small pleat or two to allow easing across the stomach area, falling to a slightly wider leg than your regular fit jeans.

Easy fit

Unlike stretch denim the easy fit denim is mainly cotton (85%) with a small amount of elastance (2%) and the remainder polyester. These jeans have a bit more stretch than 100% cotton jeans and can fit to curves while still remaining comfortable.