These days, however, jeans come in a multitude of washes, rises, cuts and fits. Reading the labels on jeans can get confusing. What does it all mean?
Wash
Wash refers to the color and finish of a pair of jeans.- Dark Wash
Dark washed jeans are the original denim; they are a deep indigo color and are often a bit stiff. - Stone Washed
These jeans are pre-washed and weathered to create a softer look and feel. The color is faded and the cotton in the jeans has a worn appearance. - Dirty Wash
Dirty washed jeans are like stone washed jeans in that they have been pre-washed to make them softer and to give them that worn-in look, but they have also been treated in a way that makes them appear dirty, or tinged beige, brown or khaki. - Distressed
Distressed jeans are highly faded and are finished off with holes, rips, tears and often fraying hems.
Rise
The rise on a pair of jeans determines how high or low the jeans will sit on the waist.- Classic Rise
This traditional denim look is quickly coming back in fashion. A classic rise comes right below or at the belly button. - High Waist
High waist jeans have a rise that comes above the belly button. For 2008-2009 we are seeing a few trouser style jeans with a high rise and wide pant leg. - Low Rise
Low rise jeans sit well below the belly button, above or just at the hip bones. - Ultra-Low Rise
These jeans sit even lower than low rise jeans, usually below the hip bones.
Cut
The cut of a pair of jeans refers to how the garment is shaped; this usually refers to the legs of the jeans.- Straight Leg
Straight leg jeans have a uniform fit from the top of the pant leg to the bottom. The bottom does not flare out, nor does it come in at the ankle. - Boot Cut
Boot cut jeans are slim in the thigh area and begin to angle out below the knee to make a moderately wide hem at the bottom. - Skinny
The skinny jean is tight throughout. These jeans usually have a higher percentage of elastic in the denim to keep them slim yet comfortable. - Flare Leg
Like boot cut jeans, flare leg jeans angle out below the knee, but much more so, creating a bell-like shape at the hem.
Length
The length of a jean determines where on the leg the hem will hit.- Classic Length
The hem on a classic length pair of jeans should come below the ankle and stop at the heel. - Ankle Length
Ankle length jeans should fit with the hem coming down to above the ankle bone. - Capri Length
Capris are short jeans, with the hem stopping at mid-calf level.
Fit
The fit of a pair of jeans refers to how the garment sits on the body; it especially refers to the seat and thigh area.- Slim Fit
Slim Fit jeans are tight in the seat and thigh area. - Regular Fit
Regular fit jeans are slim in the seat and thigh area, but are roomy enough to be comfortable. - Relaxed Fit
These jeans are roomy in the seat and thigh area, but not baggy. - Loose Fit
Loose fit jeans are very roomy and often baggy throughout.
