Choosing Your Leg Style

Leg Styles define how your custom jeans fit you from the upper-thigh to the floor, or wherever your inseam lands.  Detroit Denim offers a wide variety of Leg Styles, so you have options. Choosing the right Leg Style is most often a personal preference rather than function. 

These different Leg Styles became popularized during different periods over the course of the last 100 years and each carry with them a certain character and vibe. While there are plenty of sources out there to say what silhouettes are in or out this year, we say wearing jeans that fit exceptionally well and make you feel like a million bucks is always the most on-trend decision you can make.

 

Skinny

Our narrowest leg. This is a shape-following silhouette that works for all body types.

 

Style notes for Men: Our Men's Skinny is a more casual style, but the darkest denim works great for business casual days in the office. Pairs well with loafers and sneakers - socks optional! Length could end at your ankle bone or maybe add an inch for a more formal appearance.

 

Style notes for Women: The skinny jean is a universal style that goes with everything. You can dress them up or down. Pair our Skinny's with flats, flip-flops, sandals, sneakers (both high and low top), and boots (tuck them in!). Wear uncuffed for a dressier look, or cuffed if you want to be casual. They also fit nicely under knee high boots in the winter.

 

 

Taper

This modest taper is trim without being too tight. Tapers offer slightly more room through the leg than our Skinny cut, with a leg tapered gradually to the ankle.

 

Style notes for Men: Our most versatile men's leg shape. Great style for a business casual look. Longer inseams look fantastic with loafers. Or cuff them for more casual look (or to show off that selvedge side seam.) Currently, the trend for tapered jeans is to wear it with a slightly shorter inseam than the rest of our styles - peek a little ankle with those loafers!

 

Style notes for Women: Our rigid denim in this style gives you a cleaner version of a 'boyfriend' jean style, but without the break-in period that the skinny jean has. Women's tapered legs have slightly more of a relaxed fit. Cuffed twice with a sandal gives an effortless casual appearance. Trending right now is to tuck this style into a mid-calf boot.

 

 

Straight

Classic and timeless, the Straight Leg Style offers a roomier leg like the Taper, but the leg opening comes straight down from the knee.

                

Style notes for Men: The Straight Leg Style is a no-brainer for men's jeans. Straight legs make a great pair of jeans to dress up or down with boots, loafers, tennis shoes, or whatever you feel like putting on your feet. A Straight leg with a slightly longer inseam gives you the opportunity to cuff, or leave them straight for a dressier appearance.

 

Style notes for Women: Mom jeans? Yes please! A looser straight leg with a classic denim silhouette. This leg style gives a casual appearance to start, but can be easily dressed up with heels.

 

 

Bootcut

Modern update to the traditional bootcut style. Roomier leg like the Taper & Straight, but with a slightly larger leg opening at the hem than the Straight Leg. Our bootcut was designed to be flattering while still leaving room for boots.

 

Style notes for Men: If you know, you know. Our Men's Bootcut Leg Style is as timeless as denim itself. Goes great with everything, including boots!

 

Style notes for Women: Best styled with boots - flat boots, boots with heels, wedge heel boots, pointy toe boots. Boots boots boots - get what we're saying? The curves in this Leg Style are universally flattering. Our bootcut isn't too exaggerated. It's apparent, but never 'too much'.

 

 

Wide

This is our most generous stovepipe, wide leg opening.

 

Style notes for Men: Wider leg from the thigh down. Our Men's Wide Leg Style is larger than our other leg styles, with a tiny bit of taper to the hem for a true feel of casual comfort. This is a rugged, casual jean that's perfect for working in the yard - from mowing to grilling to just watching the grass grow.

 

Style notes for Women: This is a true wide leg opening - cut straight down from the upper thigh. Think loose trouser fit in the vintage Rosie the Riveter style. This style looks great worn with a longer inseam with a cuff, or crop it a few inches above the ankle to show off your favorite sandals.

 

 

Example Leg openings (measured at the hem)

Leg openings - Men's Classic Shape, Size 36

Men's Classic 34	Skinny	Taper	Straight	Bootcut	Wide
(measured flat)	7 1/4"	8 1/4"	9 1/4"	10 1/4"	10 3/8"

 

Leg openings - Women's Classic Shape, Size 29

Women's Classic 29	Skinny	Taper	Straight	Bootcut	Wide
(measured flat)	6 1/4"	7 1/4"	8 3/8"	9 5/8"	10 1/4"

 

 

Need Help?

Still not sure which Leg Style to choose for your customjeans? Talk to one of our experienced Pattern Experts and they can guide you into a style that works best for you. Book an In-Person or Virtual Fitting or Contact Us.