Expert: Z. Amanda Chen - 1/8/2009

Question
Hello and I'm having some trouble understanding the
different types of jeans and which ones would fit me
better. I'm looking to buy some new jeans online from
abercrombie.com and I've looked at the all the jeans. What
I don't understand is which jeans are the skinniest and
which are baggy. Can you explain the differences between
straight leg, bootcut, slim boot, slim straight? Personally
I don't like wearing very tight jeans but I don't like them
really baggy either. What types of jeans do you think would
look the best on guys?

Answer
Hey Dylan,

I'll start off with a description of the jean types.  Straight-leg jeans basically skim your legs and instead of changing shape below the knee, they remain the same width/diameter as at the knee level.  They don't fit over your shoes like bootcuts do, so they tend to be a little shorter and cut off at a few inches below the ankle.  Bootcut jeans flare out a little (but not too noticeably) at the ends as opposed to straight-leg jeans and fit in a way so that the back hem almost reaches the floor and the front hem fits over your shoe.  Slim boot is just like the bootcut except that it is skinnier and has a tighter fit.  The slim straight is just like the straight-leg except that it is also skinnier and has a tighter fit.
Here are some pictures on models to help you:
Straight-leg: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/6/optimized/264926_fpx.tif?bgc=2...
bootcut: http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/000007391?$product$
slim boot: http://levi.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pLEVI1-4427685t234x394.jpg
slim straight: http://levi.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pLEVI1-3923179t234x394.jpg

On guys, I think the bootcut style looks the best.  It's not too tight and not too baggy.  Usually bootcut styles give you good, clean lines above the knee and give you room to move below the knee.

If this is your first time buying jeans from a line, I wouldn't recommend buying it online.  If you can, go to the store and try on the jeans, because not all brands have the same size fits.

Well, I hope that helped and good luck,
~Amanda