In a world of constricting skinny jeans, the flared trouser is a refreshing option that always comes back into style. What are some of the other denim styles available these days?
The denim trouser was invented back in the mid-1800s. They were mainly popular with miners and workers who needed to wear something sturdy and reliable.
Fast forward to the mid-noughties and we saw a return of the slim fit denim that many hoped to be a passing fad. A decade later, this cut is still a popular choice for many fashion consumers.
With a 70s disco revival in pop music recently, it was inevitable that the fashion world would follow suit. Enter the flared trouser cut that we associate with the 1970s chic and early 1990s grunge. The flared or straight-leg pant was frowned upon for many years as people took to the idea of skinny jeans. Both have their pros and cons but it seems like the skinny jeans might be losing the race as more consumers opt for comfort and timeless style over fashion trends. Here are our favourite denim cuts:
1. Flared cut
For comfort and a more classic casual look, the flared cut is a great option. The flared cut is one of the most recognizable and iconic cuts in fashion. From hippies to rockstars in the 60s and 70s to hip hop artists of the 90s, the flared cut was very well represented in pop culture. Their origin comes from an unlikely source: the navy. This style was adopted by other navies, and the US Navy itself kept using it until as late as 1998.
2. Skinny/slim fit cut
The slim fit cut is nothing new in the fashion world. Their ancestors are breeches that were fashionably tight and worn since the 17th century. They were first popular in France, at the court of Louis XIII, and were later introduced to England, and the rest of Europe. They were very popular among the high classes and were called "pantaloons" worn high on the waist. When the technological revolution happened, mass-production contributed to more loosely fitted pants replacing tight pantaloons. By the end of the 19th century, they fell out of fashion almost completely and made a resurgence in the 1950s, 1980s, and 2000s.
3. Straight-leg cut
The straight-leg cut is probably the most consistent style over the ages. Used in more formal tailoring, the straight-leg denim is the perfect replacement for skinny jeans. It goes with most t-shirts, jackets, vests, and you can pair it with any type of shoe from sneakers to boots. Straight-cut or boot-cut denim pants are tailored straight from waist to the knee and then slightly wider at the ankle. They were influenced by trousers that were worn by sailors in the 1850s, which were designed for them to allow wearing boots without a problem.
4. Ultra-wide cut
The ultra-wide cut is always a fashion statement and can be seen on runways all over the world. The denim material holds an exaggerated wide-leg very nicely. Whether it is cropped at the ankles or fully flared to the floor, the ultra-wide cut can be worn with sandals, sneakers, or boots. Add a high-waist and you have full figure support. Wide legs and high waist pants or trousers have been a fashion staple from the 1920s to the 1950s. The current trend borrows the look from the 1970s, which originally borrowed the look from the 1930s.
5. Tapered/Boyfriend cut
The tapered cut better known as the “boyfriend” style originates from the first true blue jeans created in 1873. Fast forward to the 1960s and mega-stars like Marilyn Monroe sparked the boyfriend jeans craze after being spotted wearing them on the set of Misfits. She would often wear loose-fitting jeans in contrast to her extremely feminine looks. The boyfriend jeans lie somewhere between the straight cut and ultra-wide. They’re known for a very straight cut but baggy enough to look casual and cool. The best thing about them is their versatility and ability to suit different gender expressions or body types.
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