The Denim Bible: Every Type of Jean Fit to Know

Boot-cut, flared, skinny, cropped—the list goes on and on when it comes to the types of jean fits that exist. While we all certainly have our personal favorites, do you actually know the specific differences between the multitude of denim fits out there? Because the last time we checked, it was kind of confusing. Fortunately, Scott Morrison, founder of the beloved denim brand 3x1, offered to decode the most important types of jean fits for us right here.

Thanks to Scott graciously lending a piece of his denim expert mind over to us, we now have a foolproof denim bible at our fingertips. He broke down the types of jean fits to know into seven simple categories he considers to be the most important. Between these seven categories, you should be able to navigate the denim waters with ease and confidence. Ready to study up on the styles to know from our brand new denim bible?

The Straight Leg

"The classic straight leg is a classic for a reason. Slim through the waist, hips, and legs, this style does not restrict as it hugs the body comfortably. Whether worn with heels or with flats, this shape is timeless." — Scott Morrison

The Skinny

"The skinny jean is not going anywhere. It is both easy to wear and easy to style. This silhouette is a closet mainstay and has been for years. At 3x1, we have a slightly different take on the skinny jean with our W3 High Rise Channel Seam Skinny. We use a 'channel seam,' which is essentially a narrow panel we add to the inseam to create the illusion of a slimmer leg. We also use a super-stretch denim that has the look of a more rigid authentic denim as opposed to a 'jegging,' which gives the jean a little more dimension and an overall better fit." — Scott Morrison

The Boot Cut

"The inception of boot-cut denim was out of pure necessity: Create a shape that work boots (and cowboy boots) could be worn with. Historically characterized by a slight flare starting just below the knee, today's boot cut can be found both in a full length or cropped. The slight flare on a full length can be harder to wear as it can have a leg shortening effect, so we have cropped ours and labeled it the 'baby boot.' The exposed ankle is flattering on the leg, and the minimal flare is a more accessible approach to the cropped bell trend." — Scott Morrison

The Cropped Bell

"Riffing on the bell bottom and embracing the trends for shorter inseams, a cropped bell is a flattering, trend-forward style that works especially well on a more petite frame. We especially love it for spring/summer!" — Scott Morrison

The Flare

"Flares have always been more fashion than function. A product of the late '60s, this style is snug around the hips and thighs and cascades to the lower leg and is typically full of volume. Whether in a low rise or a high rise, majorly flared or minimally, this shape is an ideal leg extender. For spring 2018, we split our flare down the exterior seam for added volume and for a warm-weather denim option." — Scott Morrison

High-Rise Taper

"A high-rise jean with a slightly tapered waist is not the easiest shape to wear. At 3x1, we created a high-rise straight leg and cropped it to address this trend and make it slightly easier to execute, balancing the shape with a less tapered approach to the leg." — Scott Morrison

The Boyfriend

"A baggier jean isn't a new phenomenon, as women have been wearing oversize denim and/or men's jeans in some way since its invention in the late 19th century. A boyfriend jean is both comfortable and fashion-forward. Whether the style is low slung around the hips or a higher rise that hangs more loosely on the body, a boyfriend jean allows for more flexibility of movement while maintaining its shape." — Scott Morrison

Don't worry—you won't be tested on any of that. But hopefully, you can walk away with a little more denim knowledge and a few new pairs of jeans.