Tapered Vs Straight Jeans
Posted by LAURA AYRES
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAPERED VS STRAIGHT JEANS?
When choosing which style of jean to buy the first thing you’ll need to know is what the jargon actually means – and even if you think you know you may be surprised at the truth.
Both men and women’s jeans both now come in a potentially bemusing array of cuts and fits.
The area that is most misunderstood is the difference between ‘cut’ and ‘fit.’ The rule of thumb here is that ‘fit’ refers to how roomy the jeans are around the bottom and thighs. The ‘cut’ refers to the shape of the leg.
In simple terms the difference between tapered vs straight cut jeans is this: The legs of straight cut jeans go straight down with little variation in width from thigh to ankle, whilst the legs of tapered jeans gradually narrow or ‘taper’ as they go lower down the leg.
Of course, there are a number of other variations in between so we’ll break them down for you.
STRAIGHT CUT, SLIM FIT AND BOOT CUT JEANS: AN EXPLANATION
WHAT IS LOOSE FIT?
The fit, around the bottom and thigh, of these jeans will be roomier. This is likely to be a comfortable style but not always the most flattering or smart.
Don’t make the mistake that this style will be slimming. Due to their nature, they are likely to make you look bigger than you really are.
WHAT IS STRAIGHT CUT?
The legs of these jeans will go straight down with little variation in width from thigh to ankle. For
WHAT IS SLIM FIT?
These jeans will be tighter fitting around the bottom and thigh. You may also see ‘slim cut’ jeans where there is a tendency towards a tapered leg that narrows to some degree from thigh to ankle. This cut is not quite as figure-hugging as the ‘skinny.’
‘Slim fit’ and ‘slim cut’ jeans are perfect for men and women who have confidence in the size and shape of their bottom and thighs and are happy to draw attention there. Beware that, when this fit has a taper to the leg, it can give a sense of a little extra weight or shape around the bottom and thigh.
WHAT IS SKINNY FIT?
These jeans are going to be skinny or narrow all the way down and will hug the bottom, thigh and leg. They may be tapered with slightly less grip around the thigh but it won’t be obvious. This is a look that shows off the figure and remains contemporary for both men and women.
Boots worn with a skinny fit will need to be worn over the jean. They’ll be no room to squeeze the neck of the boot underneath.
WHAT ARE BOOT CUT JEANS?
The leg of these jeans is cut with the thought they’ll be worn with boots which add a little width to the calf. They’re cut to compensate for that and are therefore wider on the calf. They can look a little like flares if worn with flat shoes. Boot cut jeans with a heel can be a quite flattering look and provide balance to a round bottom.
Current trends mean men may prefer to avoid this cut.
WHAT IS REGULAR FIT?
Not too tight, not too loose, just ‘regular.’ A regular fit jean is intended to skim not cling on the bottom and thigh but without lots of extra material. This is a comfortable and fairly safe style for all and is perhaps less representative of changing fashions. It can be seen as eternal but not very contemporary.
WHAT IS A FLARED LEG?
From knee, to ankle this jean will widen – the extent to which this happens will vary from style to style. A look associated with the 70s, flares now would be for a man who really wants to make a statement.
For women, the flare comes and goes in the fashion stakes. However, after Kate Middleton was spotted wearing a pair recently, be braced for a potential rise in popularity!
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