Women's Jeans Guide: Find Your Perfect Fit

Two women smiling wearing jeans

Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a fashionista to find your denim favorites. Whether you’re building out your wardrobe or simply need a fresh, new look, we’re here to help. In this comprehensive women’s jeans guide, we’ll cover:

- How should women’s jeans fit?
- Fitting jeans for various body types
- Top 7 most popular women’s jeans styles
- Top 6 types of jeans washes
- Wearing jeans for the occasion
- Women’s jeans sizing

Ready to dress your best?

A group of women smiling while wearing jeans

How Should Women’s Jeans Fit?

Clothes are a basic need; everyone wears them but how they’re worn varies. It’s possible the jeans in your closet may have a mysterious history–like hand-me-downs or thrifted finds.

Or, maybe your jeans are an everyday go-to for running errands, lunch dates, and book club. Do daytime jeans become nighttime jeans? Are they simply a convenience to help you get on with the remaining to-do’s of life?

Or, are your jeans a valued part of your signature look? Are you well versed on the differences between mom jeans and boyfriend jeans?

Whatever role jeans play in your life, there’s space for it all. Still, there’s a way for women’s jeans to be fashionable and functional without compromising one for the other. The way to achieve this balance is by truly understanding how women’s jeans should fit.

Now, this is by no means driven by judgment. In a sense, only you can define how jeans should fit your body and you’ll know based on how you feel in them.

Yet, for those asking themselves, How should women’s jeans fit, here are a few helpful things to consider.

1. Know the Rise

The rise is the length from the seam (between the legs) of the pants to the top of the waistline. Here are the main differences between low, mid, and high-rise jeans.

- Low-rise: The waistband rests under the belly-button and should be loose enough, but not so loose that you require a belt. - Mid-rise: The waistband rests just above the belly button for a casual, relaxed look. This is the most appealing choice for people of all body types. - High-rise: The waistband lives well above the belly button, but shouldn’t hug the rib cage.

Whichever rise you choose should sit comfortably and not feel as though any part of the body is overcompensating.

2. Overall Tightness

Depending on the type of jeans you’re working with, tightness may vary. For example, flared jeans, well, flare at the bottom, so you shouldn’t expect tightness in the ankles like you would for skinny jeans.

Regardless of jeans type, make sure no part of the leg feels pinched or suffocated. Some jeans come with more elasticity than others. Raw denim may feel heavier by nature until they’re well-worn.

Generally, the waistband should always rest with ease without falling down. Unless you intentionally prefer baggy jeans, the proportions should be balanced so that the hips, thighs, and lower legs have some give and fit your figure well.

3. Consider Body Type

Body type matters merely as a general guideline. For example, you might wonder why your hips feel unsupported by your jeans but other parts—like the ankles and thighs—feel great! Sometimes, this is simply due to body shape.

For the sake of this women’s jeans guide, consider whether your body tends towards athletic, pear-shaped, apple-shaped, or an hourglass figure. (We’ll get into specifics below!)

4. Dress for Success

What’s the occasion? Knowing what you’re dressing for can help clarify which types of women’s jeans you desire. If you have a networking event coming up, you may gear more towards dark blues and black, versus a casual, ripped jeans look.
Hands washing a pair of jeans

5. Wash Methods

At the end of the day, finding a pair of jeans you love will outweigh any stress caused by washing them. Still, if you’re tight on time and want quick and easy, know this beforehand so you can find a low-maintenance pair.

For example, buying faded or pre-washed jeans may help you cut a couple of corners during washes, as opposed to untreated, raw denim. The label insert should always instruct accordingly based on proper fabric treatment.

6. Brand and Sizing Differences

Know that as a general rule, it helps to have a few go-to brands you can trust. That said, know that every brand varies in their sizes.

One brand may peg you as a woman's eight and with another, you may be a six. Proceed with caution and know that it’s always a guess-and-check game to start. Numbers are merely guidelines.

7. Lengthy Legs

While it helps to have a seamstress nearby if you need them, no one strives to alter jeans heights each time you find a new pair. Jeans lengths vary based on a few categories:

- Tall - Petite - Regular

Simply do your best. If everything fits but the length, know this is an easy fix and follow your yes.

8. Color Is Confidence

Gone are the days when blue jeans were simply…blue. Amongst the grays, blacks, and fifty shades of blue out there today, there are countless options available to you.

When selecting your preferred jeans colors, assess where you’d wear them and honor your likes and dislikes, then wear them with confidence!

— Various body sizes in jeans

Fitting Jeans for Various Body Types

Shopping for your body type makes things so much easier (and even pleasant). Here’s what to know.

1. Athletic Figure

Having an athletic figure doesn’t necessarily equate to playing sports. It means you’re equally proportioned from top to bottom. Shoulder and hip measurements are the same. The hip is straight, or in alignment with the rest of the body.

Suggested styles for this body type:
- Straight leg jeans
- Skinny jeans
- Boyfriend jeans

Suggested brands and colors:
- Indigo Silver Jeans Co.
- Advancement KUT from the Kloth

- Savage 7 for All Mankind

2. Pear-Shaped

Pear-shaped bodies have hips that are wider than the shoulders and a waist that’s narrower than the shoulders.

Suggested styles for this body type:
- Flared jeans
- Skinny jeans
- High-rise jeans

3. Apple-Shaped

Apple-shaped bodies have similar measurements for the shoulders, hips, and waist with traditionally wider mid-sections.

Suggested styles for this body type:
- Skinny jeans
- Straight leg jeans
- Boyfriend jeans

Suggested brands and colors:
- Waterfall NYDJ
- Ojai Lake Levi’s® Womens
- Medium Indigo Wash Silver Jeans Co.

4. Hourglass Figure

Hourglass figures have hips and shoulders with the same measurement with a smaller waist than both of them.

Suggested styles for this body type:
- Flared jeans
- Straight leg jeans
- High-rise jeans

Suggested brands and colors:
- Irvine Aviat
- 16 Years Division AG Jeans
- Dest. White Shadow Hudson Jeans

5. Rectangle

Rectangle shapes come from those who have hips, shoulders, and waists of the same proportions.

Suggested styles for this body type:
- Bootcut jeans
- Skinny jeans
- Slim-fit jeans

Suggested brands and colors:
- Lagoon Blue Lee
- Rinsed L.L. Bean
- Ocean Blue Wash LAUREN Ralph Lauren

Now, let’s break down these specific types of women’s jeans a bit more!

Top 7 Most Popular Women’s Jeans Styles

Hard to honor a recommendation if you’re not certain of what it is, right? Here are the most popular types of women’s jeans to equip your closet.

1. Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans let you rock an oversized, baggy look with intention. The name stems from mirroring a boyfriend’s style—and, therefore—a girlfriend sporting her man’s wear with ease.

For a mega chill look, pair boyfriend jeans with a baggy tee, or dress them up with a slim-fitting top to tuck into them.

2. Straight Leg Jeans

From waist to hem, straight leg jeans host a symmetrical look. Unlike skinny jeans, straight leg jeans don’t taper at the ankles to ensure consistency from head to toe.

Straight leg jeans can be baggy or tight depending on your preference.
A woman wearing skinny jeans

3. Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are form-fitting jeans that taper at the ankles. They’re perfect for sporting your latest heels or wedges for a girl’s night out or movie date.

4. Bootcut Jeans

Bootcut jeans flare out at the ankle, creating space to highlight boots if needed (hence their name).

Bootcut jeans work any time of year and can be considered a toned-down cousin to the infamous flared jeans look.

5. Flared Jeans

Unlike bootcut jeans that flare at the ankle, flared jeans start to widen at the knees. Consider them a wider category of jeans, whereas bootcut jeans are a subcategory of them.

Pair flared jeans with a cute button-up and low ankle boots for a professional look.

6. Wide-Leg Jeans

Working our way up the leg, wide-leg jeans flare even higher than the knee. Consider them an extension of flared jeans.

Wide leg jeans are more of a statement piece than a classic straight leg, so expect to draw some eyes with this style! Pair wide-leg jeans with some casual sandals and a white top for the ultimate breezy look.

7. Mom Jeans

Mom jeans come chock-full of history! They’re notoriously high-waisted, as they were a popular look in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Of course, you don’t have to be a mom to own this style.

Zhuzh up these jeans with low, thin-strapped heels and a casual button down for a you clean up nice type of response.

Top 6 Types of Jeans Washes

Knowing about the various types of jeans washes can help inform your stylistic choices. Note that this may influence how your jeans look and how to maintain them.

Here’s what to know.

1. Light Wash

Intuitively, light wash denim is one of the lightest denim shades you’ll find before landing in the bleached denim category. They’re perfect for summer nights out or rainy autumn days, depending on your wardrobe coloring!

2. Medium Wash

Medium wash denim lives in the middle—not too light, not too dark. Medium wash signifies it’s been washed and dried more times than the light wash, but not as many as the dark.

Often, this creates the classic deep blue you’d imagine when envisioning blue jeans. You’ll find this style lands perfectly in the casual category.

3. Dark Wash

Since dark wash denim comes in darker shades (as it’s been washed and dried the most amount of times), it’s versatile for day or night!

Darker denim is slimming and can be dressed formally for dinners out, networking events, or meetings at the office.

4. White Denim

White denim requires a bit of caution, as they can easily stain! Still, their look remains unmatched and light for beachy outings or strolls on the boardwalk.

In the event your jeans do have a run-in with your morning coffee or the weather, simply spot clean with water and a touch of dish soap or white vinegar. Easy peasy!

Note that for all jeans, generally washing them less is more to preserve their style and color.

5. Acid Wash

Acid wash is a treatment that combines chlorine and water for a textured or two-tone look. Acid wash jeansare another sharp look, edgier than a standard medium wash.

6. Stonewash Jeans

Stone washed jeans provide a faded and worn look without you having to do so yourself! Whiskered denim looks also comes from the stone washing process, which offers softness and flexibility to the material.

If you’re ever wondering what type of jeans you have as well as how to maintain them and how they’ve been maintained, simply consult the label inside the pair of jeans to learn more!

Wearing Jeans for the Occasion

For some quick tips on which types of jeans to wear for a particular dress style or occasion, we’ve got you covered.

1. Work and Formal Jeans

What do work and formal events have in common? Black, gray, and dark wash jeans! You can go for any style of jeans that suit you, but we recommend straight leg, slim-fit, and skinny jeans for a polished look.

2. Home and Informal Jeans

Depending on what you’re up to at home, you’ll want comfy, stretchy jeans for everyday wear. This likely means light or medium wash jeans in whatever style you prefer. If you’re running around and cleaning, even a ripped casual look can make mundane tasks fun!

3. Jeans for Daytime

Daytime jeans may err on the lighter or medium wash side, depending on your preference. If you dig black jeans first thing in the morning, more power to ya! Our recommendation? Assess your to-dos for the day, then craft your wardrobe based on the following three things:

- Fashion
- Function
- Comfort

Simple as that!

4. Jeans for Nighttime

Nighttime jeans aren’t usually the go-to when unwinding at home. If you’re hitting the town, on the other hand, darker jeans are an awesome choice. If you’re heading to a casual restaurant, however, lighter washes are a solid option as well.

Variables that may inform your overall jeans choice include:

- Your mood that day
- The occasion
- The dress code
- The remainder of the outfit (shoes, blouses, accessories)

Jeans can be considered a foundational staple to any wardrobe. Once you’ve got your pair picked out, you can build your outfit accordingly.

Women’s Jeans Sizing

As previously mentioned, women’s jeans sizing will vary by brand. It’s also possible that a jean’s fit can feel different before and after washing them, so how do you know what’s right?

It’s not exactly necessary to bust out the tape measure before each purchase, but it doesn’t hurt to know a few measurements beforehand to guide your shop.

1. Measure Your Waist

When in doubt, measure it out! Measurements aren’t for the judgmental eye, but simply exist to help you know what to look for. These metrics will help define whether you’re a size four or ten.

2. Learn Your Inseam

The inseam is the inner seam from the crotch area, down. To identify the best rise for you, simply identify your body type as shown above, or measure the inseam up to your waistline.

Measure the inseam down to the ankle for guidance on jeans lengths and overall fit.

3. Research the Brand

All quality brands have sizing guidelines. Once you have your own best guess, consult the experts! They’ll know how to help.

4. Be Intuitive

As is true for any purchase, intuition seals the deal! You’ll know whether it’s a yes or no. Use your intuition to help you decide whether to try a size up or down if need be and give it a go!

5. Prime Your Expectations

Leave room for trial and error. Ideally, everyone wants to get it right on their first go-around but a lot happens in the in-between! If your jeans don’t fit just right the first time, consider whether a professional seamstress may benefit the cause, or go for a different pair all-in-all.

If you love a pair but don’t know which size to choose, buy a couple! Increase your chances of success right off the bat.

No matter what, the shopping experience is defined by these unknown, experimental moments. For a jaw-dropping pair of jeans you love, it’ll be worth it in the end!

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Well done! With this comprehensive women’s jeans guide, we’re entirely confident you’re well on your way to a daring wardrobe. Whether you prefer edgy or soft, light or dark, there’s something out there for everyone.

Don’t believe us? Check out Zappos for the latest jeans trends to support your style! Type in keywords to find your faves then shop ‘til you drop! See you on the other side.