The Trouser Terminology Guide

Terminology is often confusing, so here is our jargon buster.

Style/fit- 

• Bootcut: Jeans that widen from the knee down to the leg opening.
• Flared: Jeans that widen more than bootcuts, typically with a dramatic flare from the knee to the leg opening.
• Bell Bottoms: Jeans with an exaggerated flare that starts from the knee and widens towards the leg opening.
• Straight Leg: Jeans with a consistent width from top to bottom, maintaining a straight silhouette.
• Tapered: Jeans that become slightly slimmer as they reach the ankle, gradually narrowing from the thigh down.
• Skinny: Jeans with a snug fit throughout the leg, hugging the body closely from waist to ankle.
• Super Skinny: Extremely tight-fitting jeans, often made from stretchy materials, providing a second-skin appearance.
• Slim Fit: Jeans that are fitted through the hip and thigh but have a narrower leg opening than regular fit jeans.
• Regular Fit: Medium fit jeans, providing a comfortable and balanced silhouette.
• Relaxed Fit: Jeans with a looser fit, offering more room in the hip, thigh, and leg.
• Comfort Fit: Baggy jeans designed for maximum comfort, providing ample room in the hip, thigh, and leg.

Parts of the jeans-

• Inseam/inside leg: The length of the inner leg, from the crotch seam to the bottom of the hem. This is the measurement used for length.
• Rise: The distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband, determining where the jeans sit on the body.
• Waistband: The band of fabric that encircles the waist and secures the jeans in place.
• Fly: The closure mechanism on the front of jeans, typically consisting of a zipper, buttons, or both.
• Patch Pockets: Pockets sewn onto the outside of the jeans, usually located on the back.
• Coin Pocket: A small pocket located inside the right front pocket of jeans, originally designed for a pocket watch, it also perfectly fits a zippo lighter.
• Cuff: Folding the bottom of the jeans to create a cuff or rolled-up hem, often done for style or to adjust the length.
• Hem/Leg opening: The edge of the fabric that is folded and sewn to finish the bottom of the jeans.
• Rivets: are small metal buttons placed at points like pockets and seams. They're there to make those areas stronger and less likely to rip, especially when the jeans are under stress or being used a lot. It's a signature feature of Levi's jeans and helps them last longer.
• Tab: The tab is something a lot of jeans brands use. The most famous is Levi's. Its a tiny piece of fabric which comes off the back pocket and usually says Levi's on it. It's great for identifying the age and authenticity of the jeans.
• Hammer loop: This is a little loop you’ll find on the side of your workwear trousers. They're great for holding hammers!
• Cargo Pockets: Big closable pockets on the legs of your trousers.

Fabric-

• Selvedge Denim: Denim woven on old-fashioned shuttle looms, characterised by a tightly woven edge (selvedge) that prevents fraying and produces a distinctive colored line on the outseam.
• Raw Denim: Denim fabric that has not undergone any washing or distressing treatments, often preferred by denim enthusiasts for its natural aging and fading properties.
• Stretch Denim: Denim fabric blended with stretchy materials like spandex or elastane for added comfort and flexibility.

Aesthetics-

• Sanding: A distressing technique where sandpaper is used to create a worn-in look, often focusing on areas like the knees and thighs.
• Stonewashing: A denim distressing process where jeans are washed with stones to achieve a faded, vintage appearance.
• Whiskering: Fading or crease lines around the crotch area of jeans, resembling whiskers, often achieved through distressing techniques.
• Patch Repair: Adding fabric patches to cover holes or tears in jeans, often done for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
• Distressed: Jeans intentionally designed to look worn, with fraying, fading, or distressing for a rugged, edgy look.
• Ripped: Ripped jeans are denim pants with intentional tears or holes.
• Acid Wash: Denim treated with acid or bleach to create a mottled or marble-like effect, characterised by light patches and streaks. It's a bold and retro style popular in the 1980s.
• Washed denim: is denim that's been softened and faded by washing.