Jean Fits: A Comprehensive Guide

Skinny, slim, athletic — what’s the difference? Here are all of the different types of jeans fits to help you decide which one is right for you.

Photo by Waldemar / Unsplash.com

Jeans are easily one of the most versatile clothing items a person can have. Fashion models, cowboys, school kids, construction workers, and the everyday office worker all wear jeans.

Not only are jeans ubiquitous, but nearly any piece of clothing you can think of you can get in denim. Of course, there are the usual suspects, such as denim shirts and jackets, but you can also get denim suits and even denim underwear.

With all the jean variations, it can be hard to distinguish between the different types of jeans. Especially tough is choosing the right fit for you. 

History of Jean Fits

Jeans came onto the style scene in 1873. They were the handiwork of businessman Levi Strauss (sound familiar?). 

He designed them for practical use over fashion, as work pants. More specifically, they were designed for miners. 

At the time, Gold Rush miners needed practical work pants. Levi Strauss’s blue jeans stood up to the hard labor of mining without ripping. And, their. blue color helped hide the dirt and stains.

Photo by Peter Burdon / Unsplash.com

In the 1930s, the first women’s jeans popped up on the market — the lady Levis. Before this, it was uncommon to see women wearing pants. So, to have a women’s jeans design was big for the women’s movement.

In the 1940s, cowboy-cut jeans appeared. These jeans were wide enough at the bottom to wear over cowboy boots but slimmer up above. Cowboys and other horse lovers quickly integrated them into the rural American cultural milieu.