Straight Cut
This is the most versatile cut of jeans in the market today, and can be used to complement the overall look of most body types. These jeans are cut straight down from the waist all the way down to the legs, with no visible tapering or flaring. Wearing this classic cut works for any occasion, from days when you just want to lounge around, to a night out (best paired with a dressier top).

Boot Cut
Pear-shaped individuals would benefit the most from this cut. It is slightly tapered from the top of the thighs to the knees, then gradually widens from the knees down. The slightly flared hems will help in balancing out generous thighs, and will pull the attention away from considerable derrieres (not that THAT is such a bad thing). The wider space from the knees down also makes this the perfect cut for wearing boots – thus the name. With these jeans, you can wear your favorite pair of boots without worrying that they will bunch with the slightest movement.

Flare Cut
This is very similar to boot cut, but flare cut jeans are tighter at the thigh part, and much wider at the lower leg part. This cut is often worn lower than one’s natural waistline, and is also one of the most versatile cuts in terms of pairing with different tops; it also gives the people the freedom to choose their footwear as they please. Flare cut jeans are great for pear-shaped individuals, again drawing the attention away from problem areas.

Bell Bottoms
Yes, this cut is still considered very fashionable, even after the ‘70s! These wide-legged pants are fit snugly around the hips, with the legs generously flaring from the knees downwards. This cut was commonly used by sailors in the past, who found it easy to pull off their wet and heavy pants over chunky boots whenever the need arose. Today, people from all walks of life still use bell bottoms on a regular basis; you can find these jeans on the streets, inside offices and even on runways. A word of caution though – this cut works best for taller people, as those who are vertically challenged might end up looking even shorter when wearing bell bottoms.

Skinny Jeans
As the name suggests, this cut fits snugly from the waist down to the legs and hem area. Skinny jeans look best with high-heeled shoes and a loose top, and can result to an extremely chic look. This cut works best for people who are on the tall side; those who want to hide ample hips and thighs should avoid this cut, as it would only emphasize these problem areas.

The types and cuts of jeans do not end with this list; fashion designers, as well as budding fashion enthusiasts, are continuously coming up with their latest takes on this wardrobe staple. A few decades from now, the trendiest pieces that we now enjoy can very well be overtaken by yet-unheard of designs, colors and cuts that show that time’s requirements and latest innovations.

When choosing jeans, body type should not be the only consideration – you also have to think of the appropriateness of the whole outfit to the occasion, as well as the color combination of the whole ensemble. Don’t waste your great-fitting jeans by pairing it with the wrong clothes, shoes or accessories; avoid making this cringe-worthy situation even worse by not wearing jeans to a strictly formal event.

Make sure that you have your body type and lifestyle needs in mind when you go hunting for that perfect pair (or pairs!) of jeans. What looks good on that supermodel may not necessarily be what your body or personality jives with, and what the guides say would look good on you might not be the best choice for specific occasions. Once you get the hang of thinking about jeans-searching as an intensely personal experience -with only your personal needs & wants to take into consideration -, you’ll be surprised at how great the most fashionable jean cuts would look on you!

At the height of the California gold rush, German-Jewish dry goods merchant Levi Strauss travelled from New York to San Francisco, planning to put up a branch of his brother’s dry goods business. A prospector asked Strauss what he was selling, to which he replied that he brought rough canvas for wagon covers and tents. The prospector retorted that Strauss should have brought pants instead, as he couldn’t get a hold of pants made of durable material in the area. This statement gave Strauss an idea, which he immediately put into action – he made waist overalls out of the canvas material he originally brought for wagon covers. Miners were the first ones to take the overalls for a test drive, so to speak; but they eventually complained that the material had a tendency to chafe. Strauss then used the fabric serge de Nimes – and the rest, as the cliché goes, is history.

To say that blue jeans have gone through a lot of changes is an understatement; the pants that were used only by the working class more than a century ago is now a part of everyone’s wardrobe, regardless of one’s status in life. The simplest and most basic design that was perfect for the working man’s daily life has evolved into some of the most fashionable articles of clothing, which have the power to transform an otherwise boring outfit into something that grabs the attention of others.

It’s always nice to know where the things that we often take for granted came from – you’ll never know when the information will come in handy for you. Even though the events that led to the development of blue jeans started centuries ago, learning about them can increase our appreciation for one of the most widely-used items in the world today. After reading about all the things that our good old blue jeans had to go through to get to where it is today, chances are, you won’t look at your favorite pair of jeans the same way again; you might even treat your most battered pair a lot nicer than you did before!

The Origin of Denim
First, let’s talk about the fabric used for making jeans – denim. The word itself originated from a sturdy fabric named serge, which was originally made in Nimes, France during the 16th century; what used to be called “serge de Nimes” was later shortened to – you guessed it – denim. The Renaissance period saw denim trousers being made in Chieri, Italy, and then sold through Genoa’s harbor area; these pants became staples for sailors in the Genoese Navy, as the sturdiness of denim proved to work even under the harshest conditions.

DND – Denim Development is now on Facebook! We have launched a Fan Page and our following is growing by the day.

What’s more, all those who agree to become a fan, are automatically in a Prize Draw to win great designs.
Join us today Right HERE >