How to Look for Jeans that Actually Fit You

While it’s known that getting clothes that properly fit you will solve almost all of your problems with style, jeans haven’t been looked at as much compared to shirts or jackets.

Because not all jeans are one-size-fits-all, it’s important to look at the different styles and cuts that denim and khaki jeans come in as well as the waist sizes and the types of rise.

Here are a few guidelines you can follow when it comes to choosing jeans that properly fit:

Fit and Cut
Ideally, your jeans should be slim in the thigh, and tapered downwards from the knee, and should fit the waist without you having to wear a belt. Going with a small taper in the leg will keep you from having to put up with a bell-bottom look.

As much as possible, avoid the boot-cut – your best go-to option is either straight-leg or slimmer. You want a good pair that hugs your legs and seat but doesn’t keep you from sitting down or standing up comfortably.

Waist
Casual pants should fasten easily and without any difficulty at all, while at the same time tight enough that it doesn’t simply fall off your hips.

Keep in mind that your size may not always be your true size. Depending on the brand you’re buying, the size of the pants you’re wearing may either be a little too tight or too loose. The best way to know your true size is by measuring your waist with a tailor’s tape.

Length and Leg Opening
The length and break of your jeans depends on your preference – whether you want your jeans a little shorter or long enough that you don’t want other people to see your socks is up to you.

When it comes to the leg opening, the style will usually determine it. “Straight fit” casual jeans will often have one width measurement from the knee down, while tapered fit jeans will have pant legs that taper from the knee down.

You can have your pants tailored to slim the legs down to your size, but doing so might be more expensive for you than buying a new pair.

Rise
The rise is essentially the measurement starting from the seam of the crotch to the top of the waistband and is often the biggest factor that determines how comfortable your pants are when you put them on. Keep in mind that the front rise is different from the back rise.

While body shapes differ from person to person, there are three general types of rise: low-rise, which sits a few inches below your belly button, mid-rise, which has a front-rise measurement of about eight to twelve inches, and high-rise, which hits your belly button or simply covers it completely.