Most wardrobes nowadays contain at least one pair of jeans - they're the uniform of the masses. Durable, easy to wear and able to be teamed with most of the other garments in your wardrobe, no doubt you've got multiple pairs in different styles.
Still, even the most dogged shopper can get bogged down in the multiple rises, styles and washes out there, when it comes to buying a new pair. So how to get rid of the confusion?
Each manufacturer uses their own language to describe and differentiate their product, which is why there's so much technical language out there for a relatively simple garment. Still, there are some words used in the language of denim that all companies use. Here's a quick glossary for those who want to decipher the language of jeans:
Inseam - this means the length of inside leg measuring from the crotch to the hem. Different jeans styles call for different inseam measurements so for example, the same person looking for turn-up styles (those with upturned cuffs at the ankles) may be looking for a longer length than if they were looking for ankle-length jeans. It is usually measured in inches.
Style - this refers to the silhouette of the jean. Styles range so much, going in and out of fashion, that they are often the biggest source of confusion. Here are a few - classic straight cut (ie jeans that are cut straight on the leg), form-fitting skinny jeans, flares (these kick out from the knee) and twisted fit jeans with an inseam that twists around the leg.
Wash - refers to colour or rather the way that the denim has been dyed. Washes, also called 'rinses,' can also vary considerably, each one giving a different 'look' the denim. The most common washes in men's jeans are 'dark rinse' indicating a solid indigo colour, 'stonewash' which is a light coloured summery denim, 'distressed' ie jeans that have been made to look worn and old, and 'acid wash,' which are jeans that have been splotchily bleached. There are lots of others!
Rise - this is the measurement between the crotch and waistband, which tells you how high on the waist they will sit. Jeans are either low, mid, or high rise, (low being around 8 inches).
Yoke - this is the horizontal seam under the waistband, with different shapes flattering different body proportions. A wide yoke which sits further down from the waistband, is particularly common to men's jeans styles.
Josef Kazan is a fashion critic and writer. To find out more about the latest high street trends check out New Look's website at: http://www.newlook.co.uk/
What do you think about this article? Do you agree or disagree with it? Be the first to comment on this article, and share your thoughts with the world. No registration is required to post comments.
Many women choose to try tummy tuck jeans for shaping stubborn belly fat or a less than perfect rear view, wanting something less risky or costly than cosmetic surgery. The phrase refers to Not Your...
Jeans are the most versatile item in your wardrobe. They can be dressed up or dressed down, and are an essential part of your clothing collection. We all wear them and we are all looking for that perfect denim
There is no doubt about it; jeans are a bit part of fashion today. They make women feel sexy and trendy with all the different styles and cuts out there. However, when you fall pregnant you may hesitate trying
Designer denim saw its early rise to the top of the popularity charts in the late 1970s. By the mid 1980s high end fashion and designer denim brands were every where.
To find that perfect fitting pair of jeans is probably as close to euphoria as clothing can bring you. Unfortunately it doesn't happen that often - and finding those great jeans if you are extra tall is...
Rugged cowboys, Elvis Presley's 1950's turn-ups, the ever timeless Levi's 501's- blue denim jeans are more than just a mainstay of men's fashion over the last century, they're an iconic style item. Indeed...
Aren't jeans something you cherish? Now, True Religion Brand Jeans gives you all the more reason to cheer the phenomenon that is denims. Have a fashionable weekday by wearing a fashionable pair and wear a...
Pregnancy is not the end of life, as people know it. Women can still look stylish and be pregnant at the same time. For decades jeans have been found n wardrobes the world over. These can be worn for...
Jeans have been a vital part of men's wardrobes for decades. Starting out as cheap workwear, they are still unbeatable for comfort, versatility, style and are as hard-wearing as ever. Finding the perfect...
Question: what one item of clothing can be worn on a Saturday watching footie with the boys, to a first date with a pretty girl and to a Sunday lunch with the new girlfriend's parents, pending the first...
You will find that there are certain professions that require their employees to use corporate uniforms all the time like the clergy, the firefighters, the surgeons, the bee keepers and so many others. But...
One of the strangest social or cultural phenomena since the Second World War is the change in criteria which people use to buy garments. For thousands of years before then, individuals wanted the best possible
So, you have finally made it out from under your parents' roof and into college. You have waited for this day for many years, and can't wait to make it the best experience of your life. Sure, you want to still
It is both a cliche and truism when it is said that the suit makes the man. Across cultures the traditional suit has become the symbol for the modern business man or professional. And often you are judged...
Those of you who are reading this article who have children will know
just how much work goes into looking after them and preparing them for
vital commitments such as school. Kids can be pretty...
If you're hosting a party or special occasion, such as a wedding reception, birthday party or charity function, you're going to want to make an impression.
Designer clothing can make any man, woman or child look and feel like a million dollars. The designer touch is one that many fashion-conscious people covet in their wardrobe choices.
Body con dresses, the svelte figure hugging form championed by the likes of American Apparel, are still all the rage creating dramatic 80's inspired silhouettes. They are a tremendous statement on slim and...
Shopping for the perfect summer wardrobe can be lots of fun. Summer clothes are almost always brighter, funkier and flirtier than their wintertime counterparts, helping to put you in the right frame of mind...
Thus far, the year of 2010 has seen a diverse range of trends appear and disappear within the sphere of women's clothing. From the winter wear of January through to the more spring like collections of April...
Every new season comes with its own set of essential items. Some you may be able to recycle from the year before, others may have to be replaced. If you are a little late in starting your summer holiday...
Dressing for the summer months is simple: you pull out your floatiest frocks, invest in a new pair of sunglasses and buy one of this season's best new bikinis. Dressing in winter is also stress free. Ditch the
Why should women have all the fun? These days, men like to get a slice of the fashion action too. It has always been rather ironic that most fashion designers were men, creating fashion works of art for women.
Women hate jean shopping. In every shop you are a different size, cuts are different, washes are constantly changing and the lights in the changing room are diabolical. But do men have the same issues?
Summer is here. Temperatures have been soaring, the sun has been shining and correspondingly, hemlines have been rising. Summer fashion is embracing this heat and keeping cool in floaty fabrics and nude...
The men's fashion industry is now just as big as that for women. Men read magazines, use the Internet and watch TV to make fashion-forward wardrobe choices. Many women, now even assert that some men take...
Article: Deciphering The Jargon Of Jeans Author: Josef Kazan Publication Date: 2010-04-30 Total Views: 251 Word Count: 434 Category:Home /
Fashion / Clothing
Categories
Exclusive Article
