Skinny, slim, athletic — what’s the difference? Here are all of the different types of jeans fits to help you decide which one is right for you.
Jeans are easily one of the most versatile clothing items a person can have. Fashion models, cowboys, school kids, construction workers, and the everyday office worker all wear jeans.
Not only are jeans ubiquitous, but nearly any piece of clothing you can think of you can get in denim. Of course, there are the usual suspects, such as denim shirts and jackets, but you can also get denim suits and even denim underwear.
With all the jean variations, it can be hard to distinguish between the different types of jeans. Especially tough is choosing the right fit for you.
History of Jean Fits
Jeans came onto the style scene in 1873. They were the handiwork of businessman Levi Strauss (sound familiar?).
He designed them for practical use over fashion, as work pants. More specifically, they were designed for miners.
At the time, Gold Rush miners needed practical work pants. Levi Strauss’s blue jeans stood up to the hard labor of mining without ripping. And, their. blue color helped hide the dirt and stains.
In the 1930s, the first women’s jeans popped up on the market — the lady Levis. Before this, it was uncommon to see women wearing pants. So, to have a women’s jeans design was big for the women’s movement.
In the 1940s, cowboy-cut jeans appeared. These jeans were wide enough at the bottom to wear over cowboy boots but slimmer up above. Cowboys and other horse lovers quickly integrated them into the rural American cultural milieu.
The 1950s are when people started to see jeans as “cool”. James Dean was a flagbearer of this movement, as he was commonly seen wearing cuffed, boxy jeans. People started to experiment with different lengths, fits, rips, and shades of jeans.
Throughout the 60s and 70s, people continued to personalize their denim. Jeans became part of the counterculture movement. Bellbottom jeans are one famous variety of the era. Decorating denim with patches and embroidery became popular as well.
As hip-hop became popular in the 1990s, so did big and baggy jeans. Some were high-waisted, and ripped jeans especially rose in popularity.
Skinny jeans really started to gain popularity in the late 2000s. In the past few years, the trend has leaned towards looser fits.
However, slim-fit jeans are still popular in certain circles. In fact, while I’ve had forays into looser cuts, I still generally prefer slim-fit jeans.
How to Choose the Best Fit For You
Here is the most important piece of advice for choosing your jeans fit: shop the fit, not the label.
In other words, don’t dwell on what size or fit your jeans are (or any clothes for that matter).
For example, suppose you’re a twig-sized guy. The label might say “skinny fit” but the jeans might look like a straight fit on you. No one’s going to be looking at the label while you’re wearing them.
Note that fit varies greatly across brands. A skinny fit in one brand won’t fit the same as a skinny fit in the same size of another brand.
In the next sections, we’ll go over all of the different types of jeans and how they fit. Whatever purpose or fit you have in mind for your jeans, there is definitely a style out there for you.
Straight Fit
These jeans are pretty straightforward (get it?). If you drew a line from the hip down to the ankle, these jeans would follow that line pretty perfectly, traveling straight down the leg.
These jeans are neither too tight nor too baggy. In Goldilocks terms, you could even call them “just right”. The rise will sit between the hips and the belly button, not too high or too low.
If you want to avoid baggy jeans but don’t like your legs feeling constricted, this could be a perfect fit for you. The extra room can help them feel more comfortable than tighter fits.
If you truly have no idea where to start with your jeans quest, this is a good place to start. Avoid wearing them with an extra slim shirt, as the tight top will look unbalanced with the looser bottoms. Try pairing these with a button-down shirt or flannel for a nicer casual look.
Relaxed Fit
Relaxed-fit jeans fit looser than straight-cut jeans. They still would not be considered “baggy”, as baggy jeans are dramatically looser.
Depending on your build, these jeans have extra room in the crotch and thigh. The shape through the bottom of the leg can vary, as some have a taper at the ankle and some flare out.
If you are looking for a comfortable fit that won’t draw attention to your legs, these are the pants you’re probably searching for. Again, don’t confuse this with your 90s rap idol’s baggy jeans, these are simply loose enough to be comfortable.
For slim guys, relaxed fits will likely feel oversized.
Bootcut/Cowboy-Cut Jeans
Bootcut and cowboy-cut jeans are both made to be worn with cowboy boots.
When wearing cowboy boots with jeans, your jeans should go over the boots. Most pants aren’t wide enough at the bottom to do that, so boot cut jeans flare out to allow boots to fit underneath.
The Cowboy cut and boot cut are very similar. The only difference is that a boot cut will generally be slightly more flared out at the bottom than a cowboy cut.
Athletic
If you are an athletic guy and you enjoy sports or bodybuilding, these jeans are sure to show off the thighs that you’ve been working to build up.
These jeans will, in theory, fit your athletic thighs and calves while not feeling too restrictive. They stay slim to the thigh and then have enough room at the knee for movement.
If you have impressive thighs, calves, or glutes to show off from your hours of training in the gym, these are the pants for you. They’ll show off your muscles while staying comfortable for all day wearing.
Slim Fit
Slim fit jeans are meant to fit more snug for a “fitted” look. They stay tight to the thigh and down through the calves. Although they are slim, they’re not meant to be skin-tight or make you feel claustrophobic.
If you have skinny legs and want jeans that don’t feel loose, then a slim fit is most likely for you. Many slim-fit jeans have a bit of elastane or spandex for stretch.
Slim-Straight
Slim-straight is the crossover between slim-fit and straight-fit jeans. They capture the trimmer look of slim jeans, but a bit more space than slim jeans without looking large or boxy.
Slim-straight pants are somewhat straight through the thigh and knee but will flare out a little bit more below the knee and at the ankle. This is a style that has grown in popularity over recent years.
Athletic Slim
Athletic Sim is a combination of athletic fit and slim fit jeans.
Athletic Slim fit is made of a stretchier material than a traditional slim fit. It is a perfect fit for people who are working on their “bodybuilder legs”.
Skinny Fit
While this may just seem like another way of saying “slim fit”, skinny jeans will generally conform to the body more. They are often meant to stay slim all the way down the leg through the ankle.
Another difference between the two is that skinny jeans are generally more restrictive than slim fit jeans. If your priority is comfort, then a slim fit probably feel more comfortable.
Super-Skinny Fit
This fit has many different names, such as Super-Skinny Stretch, Ultra Stretch Skinny, Extra Stretch, and many others. But they are all in essence the same — skinny jeans that have more stretching capabilities, allowing them to fit more snug on your leg.
Stretch Skinny jeans are made of a different material than classic skinny jeans. The material is stretchier than normal denim, allowing you to squeeze into tighter jeans and get that very tight look.
These jeans are for folks looking for the tightest jeans possible and who don’t mind some movement and comfort being sacrificed in the process. Avoid these at all costs.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about different jean fits:
Will my jeans fit change after I wash/dry them?
New jeans will likely shrink a bit after their first time through the washer and dryer. Although it won’t be much, it is worth considering when deciding between sizes. For best results, hang dry your jeans after washing them on cold.
Are all jeans made out of denim?
No, there are many other materials used, such as synthetic blends, that can help the jeans feel stretchier and more flexible.
Do I have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans?
Pretty much! Again, it depends on the brand, but, generally, skinny jeans aren’t a good option for heavier-set people. Instead, consider a straight or relaxed cut.
Conclusion: Forget About the Label
It’s easy to get lost in all the different jean fits, as many of them are very similar to one another.
It’s not uncommon to not know the official name for the type of fit of your favorite pair of jeans, you just know you like them!
Not only that, one brand’s skinny fit might be another’s straight fit. It’s quite difficult to tell what jeans will fit you best without trying them on.
I reiterate — shop the fit, not the label. Consider the label and advertised fit as a general descriptor. Don’t get worked up if a pair of jeans is labeled “skinny” if, on you, they look like your desired slim fit. If you like them, buy them.
When shopping for jeans, make sure to try on different brands, sizes, and fits. There are definitely the perfect jeans for you out there. It’s just a matter of finding them.
What’s your favorite jeans brand and fit? Let me know in the comments — I’m interested!
I’m only 5 feet tall. Do Jeans cuffs need to be shortened or can they be rolled up? I’ve bought L.L. Bean’s jeans ‘Natural Fit Straight Leg’ with waist 35inches and inseam 28 inches.
I do both — I get some shortened or in short inseams, others I almost always wear cuffed. It’s a matter of preference.
Great article on jeans.
My favorite jeans: Slim. Always button fly: A&F & Hollister (older models when they used to make button fly), and Vans.
With just enough masculine bulge to show, but not so much to appear to be advertising.
Wish I could find Khaki’s, slim fit with button fly. Dockers made them at one time.