Read on to learn about the different types of jeans to make the right choice for your body type, style, and budget here.
A whopping 450 million pairs of jeans are sold every year in the United States alone.
With so much denim on the market, it can be tough to decide which types of jeans you need. Indeed, different styles of jeans will flatter different shapes and sizes. What looks best on the mannequin might not suit your silhouette.
We’re here to help you with that. Here are the best types of jeans for each body type.
Boyfriend Jeans
Let’s start with a comfortable favorite — boyfriend jeans.
This style is meant to be slouchy and baggy as if you borrowed your beau’s denim for the day.
For the most part, boyfriend jeans flatter athletic or apple shapes. If you do opt to wear them, pair your pants with a more fitted top to balance out the bagginess of your jeans.
Bootcut Jeans
Bootcut jeans fit closely in the thighs and hips but flare out around the ankles. This style elongates the leg, but that’s not all. The added fabric at the bottom can balance out curvier hips.
That’s why bootcut jeans look especially great on hourglass figures or pear-shaped wearers.
Take your bootcut jeans to the next level by pairing them with a heeled bootie or pump. They’ll elongate your legs even more effectively this way.
As for your top, you can wear just about anything with bootcut jeans. They’re so versatile, which is why they keep coming back into style.
Flared Jeans
Perhaps the bootcut style isn’t enough of a statement for you. You’re in luck — you can wear flares instead.
They provide you all the same benefits as a bootcut pair of jeans. They elongate your legs and balance out fuller hips. Pear and hourglass figures look particularly incredible in this jean style.
However, you do have to make sure you don’t overwhelm your silhouette with massive flares. As a standard rule of thumb, have yours tailored so that they just graze the floor.
You can make them even more flattering by pairing them with heels, which will make your legs seem longer. Then, slip into a billowy 70s-style top or a tighter tee to show off your hips.
Mom Jeans
Mom jeans fit high on the waist and accentuate your hips and bum. They then fit more loosely in the legs.
You may wonder how to style mom jeans, considering they’re a throwback fashion choice. However, you can make them feel fresh with a simple white t-shirt or a 90s shirt for a completely vintage look.
No matter how you wear them, know that mom jeans will look particularly flattering if you have an hourglass figure. You can also use them to create a curvier waist if you have a more athletic build.
Straight Leg Jeans
There’s a slight difference between straight leg jeans and skinny jeans. These have the same straight-up-and-down style, but they’re slightly less clingy in the legs.
As such, straight leg jeans might be your more comfortable option, if you’re not a fan of skinny jeans. In particular, though, this style flatters hourglass shapes, athletic builds, and apple shapes.
You can easily pull off a business casual look with straight leg jeans. Your tailored trousers look perfect with ballet flats and a blazer for the office.
Of course, you can wear straight leg jeans for the weekend, too. Pair them with sneakers and a t-shirt for the perfect comfy-casual look.
Skinny Jeans
On that note, let’s discuss skinny jeans.
The name may imply that they flatter a specific body type, but skinny jeans get their name from their fit. They’re supposed to hug your thighs and calves down to the ankle. In comparison, straight leg jeans aren’t tapered to your ankle like skinny jeans are.
Most skinny jeans come in comfortable, stretchy fabric to create this effect. Better yet, they look good on every body shape.
If you want to make your skinny jeans more flattering, though, choose the right color. Pear and hourglass figures will look best in dark wash denim. Meanwhile, those with apple or athletic shapes will wow in lighter hues.
Balance out your skinny jeans with looser, oversized tops. Of course, you can go full wow and partner them with a shirt that hugs your body. Va-va-voom!
Low-Rise Jeans
You don’t just have to consider the cut of your denim — different rises will flatter your body differently, too.
Low rise jeans sit about two inches beneath your belly button. They can seriously flatter hourglass figures, showing off your curves. They also look fab on athletic bodies.
You can easily find low-rise skinny and straight-leg jeans. For more retro styles, such as mom jeans, you’d be hard-pressed to find them in this more modern cut.
Mid-Rise Jeans
Next, you have mid-rise jeans, which sit just beneath your belly button. Most people look great in this style. Plus, they look good with just about any type of top.
So, when in doubt, go mid-rise. You should be able to find most of the above jeans styles in mid-rise cuts, too.
High-Rise Jeans
Finally, you have high-rise jeans, which sit above your navel. The retro-inspired cut flatter hips and whittled waists.
You can also use high-rise jeans to create curves on a more athletic build.
Which Types of Jeans Are Best for You?
Fashion is ever-changing, and so are the types of jeans that are in style. With the above guide, though, you know the basics of which jeans will flatter which body types.
And, with that information, you can find the pair best suited to your shape. So, find them, try them on and see just how fabulous you look in the right jeans. And tell us your favorite style of jeans in the comments section below.
