A good pair of jeans is meant to make you look good and feel comfortable. If you go shopping and try on jeans that don’t fulfill these two factors, you should move along to the next pair. Many people need to try on up to 20 pairs of jeans before they find the right one, so don’t feel like jeans are not for you if you don’t find a pair that fits right away.

You also need to establish a buget, as this will narrow your choices. If you want a more expensive pair and don’t have the means, you can read some practical and some quirky ideas on MultipleStreams.org.

In this guide, we are going to look at the different types of jeans cuts: from straight leg jeans to skinny jeans and boot cut jeans and we are going to break down the different types or rises as well.

The crotch

Before we discuss the overall cut of a pair of jeans, we need to remind you that there are some details you need to pay attention to: first of all, the crotch of the jeans should be situated where your anatomical crotch is; there is no need to wear a pair of saggy jeans or a pair that is too tight. Wearing a pair of jeans that is too tight won’t make you look hotter; it will make you look like you’re in pain.

The rise

A second factor you need to take into consideration is the rise of the jeans. The rise describes the distance from the middle of the crotch seam to the tip of the pants’ waistband. Choosing the right rise for you can have a big impact on your appearance; it can make you look more proportionate and balanced.

Therefore, according to the rise, there are three major categories of jeans:

Low rise jeans

Low rise jeans are jeans that fit quite low on the waist. Also called “lowcut jeans” or “hipster jeans”, these are best to be worn by short or average-size men, but we think that generally low rise pants are not that sophisticated. Many short men wear low-rise jeans but still look out of balance. To discover whether you should wear low rise jeans or not, you should take a look at your whole body and not just at your legs. Men who have short legs in proportion to their torsos should opt for mid-rise jeans rather than for low rise ones, while men who have legs that appear longer in proportion to their torsos should definitely opt for low rise jeans.

Mid-rise jeans

Mid-rise jeans are designed to fall on your natural waist or very close to it. This style is probably the best way to go if you have an average body. We recommend that you should always try on a pair of mid-rise jeans when looking for a new pair, as mid-rise jeans will look good on almost anyone. This style is versatile and practical, it can be worn with almost anything and goes well with both tucked in shirts or with shirts that are not tucked in.

High-rise jeans

High rise jeans have very high waistlines and generally fit best on men who are over 6 feet / 1,80 meters tall and who want to wear their jeans on their waist rather than on their hips. High rise jeans look great on men who are tall and slender as well.

The cuts

When it comes to the cut of the legs, there are several types of jeans, each with its features. Therefore, you have:

Normal / Relaxed cut jeans

Jeans that feature a relaxed cut are best for casual settings. They are very versatile and can be worn with pretty much everything. Jeans that have a regular cut can be worn by most body types: they are a little boxy and roomy, but still structured and fitted at the same time.

Straight cut jeans

Straight cut jeans, also called “straight leg jeans” usually stand at your natural waist and are thin through the seat and the thighs. To find out whether a pair of jeans is straight cut, you should fold the ankle area over the knee area. If they have the same width, it means that the jeans are straight cut. This is a very classic look and it is appropriate in most casual settings.

Skinny jeans

Skinny jeans feature a very tight cut. Usually, skinny jeans look snug and look best on very thin men. Anyone can pull off a skinny jean, but they are generally not associated with serious men. If you want to wear pair of jeans that shows off your tights, but to still look strong and grounded, you can opt for a straight-cut jean or a slim jean as well.

Slim jeans

Slim jeans are similar to skinny jeans, but are not that tight altogether. They are a good alternative for those who like a very fitted pair of pants but either don’t like skinny jeans. This style goes very well on most body types and looks great paired with most shoes, including boots and sneakers.

Boot cut jeans

Boot cut jeans feature a cut that allows you to easily fit over boots, without having any extra fabric. These jeans are perfect for the winter time or for whenever you wish to wear high boots. The more exaggerated version of boot cut jeans are the so-called “flared jeans”, which have dramatic, bell openings. Flared jeans are not very flattering on men’s bodies, and have a 70s vibe to them, but, again, it is really all about the cut and your body.

Additional information

When you are buying pants online, always remember to measure not only your waist, but the length of your legs as well. The size of your waistline is the size you need to buy (35 inches = size 35 – if you use the metric system you can easily translate the size of your waist into inches. To convert, remember that 1 cm = 0.39 inches and 1 inch = 2,54 cm (or you can simply google your size and add “in inches”), but measuring the length of your legs as well will ensure you that you won’t receive a pair of jeans that are too short.

When you are shopping in a store, whichever type of jeans you choose to wear, make sure you try on several pairs before deciding for one. Always work with your body and don’t try to force anything on it that doesn’t fit. If you feel that you can’t find something suited for your shape, buy a pair that fits well in one place and is bigger in other areas and have it adjusted by a tailor. It is really impressive the difference a small change can make. This is a very practical thing to do for anything you can find online.

Also, another thing to remember is that blue jeans are neutral and can be worn with any color, pattern or texture. Dark wash jeans are dressier than colorful jeans or white jeans and can be worn with a lot more things than colorful jeans.

Taking these factors into consideration: the cut, the rise and the situation of the crotch is a great way to make your shopping experiences easier and to find the right pair of jeans faster than you’d expect.

Fraquoh and Franchomme

Further reading:

How to wear denim

Incorporating denim in your everyday style

The jeans and t-shirt combination done right

P.S. What type of jeans do you prefer to wear? What elements are you looking for when you are buying jeans? Share your thoughts, questions or feedback on the article in the comments below! For more style advice and fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!