How Long Should Jeans Be? (2024)

FAQs

What should be ideal length of jeans? ›

Generally, jeans should be long enough to reach the tops of your feet with a little extra fabric, but short enough that the hems aren't dragging on the ground. Jeans promote an effortless style, so their fit should reflect that.

There are three main jean lengths: short, regular, and long. Short jeans are typically about an inch or two above the ankle, while regular jeans hit at or just below the ankle. Long jeans come down to the top of the foot or even slightly longer. The key is to find a pair that hits the right spot on your leg.

Sporting excess denim at the ankle isn't a good look either. As a rule if your pants are dragging on the floor or fall past your toe, they're too long. If they're baggy in other places as well, going down a size could solve the problem. Otherwise you'll need to try a shorter inseam measurement.

This inseam will generally put your height between 5'4 to 5'7. What does 32 inch inseam mean? A 32 inch inseam means the length of your jeans from crotch to pant cuff is 32 inches long. This length means you are generally 5'8 or taller.

So let's start here. Look at the length of the jeans: This style of jeans should hit around your ankle bone, no matter your height. Longer than ankle length with a straight leg jean is going to hide your ankle and go right into your shoe, which gives a blocky leg look.

To measure the length of the jeans, hold the end of the tape at the crotch, or cut, then run along the inner seam until you reach the very bottom corner of the pant leg. Note the number in inches, e.g, 32”. Your jeans size is 34/32.

High rise jeans are defined as having a fit at or above the belly button, and generally, the jeans rise measures 9–10 inches.

Should jeans show ankle when sitting? ›

If you've cuffed them so that they still graze the top of your foot when you're standing, then it's okay for your ankle to slightly peak when you sit.

The waist of the trouser should sit comfortably on your natural waist, not your hips. Jeans are often cut to sit lower on the hips with a natural “sag” effect, but not trousers. This is why men who don't often wear trousers feel that they are sitting uncomfortably high.

They are an ideal combination for giving you the appearance of being taller. Jeans with a flare will draw the eye down and create the impression that you are taller. Choose a leg length that is closest to the floor but does not skim it. By wearing longer-length jeans, you can create the illusion of longer legs.

Don't buy jeans that are too big. (Here I'm talking sizing, not fit.) Because denim stretches with wear, you'll get the best result if you buy a size that fits snugly when you try them on for the first time. Just don't go overboard and buy them two sizes down!

Ankle Crop Jeans

The ankle crop is one of the most popular styles right now. It's cropped at the ankle, but not too short—just enough to show off your legs and make them look longer.

A standard pair of straight-leg jeans should be ankle-length or hit your legs right above your ankles. Straight-leg jeans that extend past your ankles tend to bunch up and look messy.

We'd recommend a 38 inch inseam if you're 6'7" to 6'10" (200-210cm), and finally a 40 inch inside leg for tall guys from 6'11" to over 7 foot (210cm+) However, be aware that different people have different proportions, so these are only typical measurements.

Jeans sizes are indicated in inches, for example 30/32. The first number indicates the waist size and the second indicates the inside leg length. Determine your inch size by measuring jeans that fit well. The inside leg length is measured from the top of the inside leg to the bottom opening.

Most major companies' shortest size in jeans and pants for men is 30” which is simply too long for a lot of guys on the shorter side.

Is 32 inch length regular? ›

In most cases, a 'Regular' is around 32 inches. A 'Short' leg length is around 30 inches and a 'Long' leg length will be 34 inches.

Traditionally, pant legs should be straight through the leg and only “break” once, no more than an inch and a half above the shoe. You don't want bunching nor having the pants fold over the shoes. It stops at just the right place, about halfway down the laces.

The best length for straight jeans is just below the ankle bone. The straight leg jean fit is comfortable and flattering, making it a popular choice for everyday wear. Flare Jeans: The best length for flare jeans is above the ankle bone.

What's the difference between 32" and 34" length jeans? The obviously answer might be "2 inches longer at the bottom" but in reality, depending on the cut of the jeans, choosing the right length can be the difference between a good and great fit for you.

However, a general rule of thumb is that your inseam should be about 1-2 inches shorter than your height. So for someone who is 5'10", a good inseam length for 32 length jeans would be 28-30 inches.

Although men's jeans are usually ordered by waist/inseam (ie: "26/28, 28/30, etc..."), women's jeans are usually assigned a number based on their waist/inseam measurements (ie: "0, 2, 4..."). Check the brand's sizing chart beforehand to determine which number corresponds to your waist/inseam measurements.

Jeans-sizes are measured in inches. They consist of two numbers, e.g. 30 / 34. The first number is the waist circumference. The second number is the inside leg length; which is the length from the crotch, along the leg, to the ground.

If you have a short torso or you are average height or petite, super high rise may not work. Essentially, we want to be sure that you have a top, a middle and a bottom. If you keep moving your pants up too high, they'll feel like they are going too close to your bra.

What body type looks best in high-waisted jeans? ›

High-Rise. This fit is often viewed as “retro” but the truth is, it's classic. Athletic body types with smaller waists will love this fit. Hourglass shapes on the slender side look fantastic in high rise jeans with stretch.

The general fashion insider perspective for the right length is generally 1 inch above the ankle. As you can see in the pictures above, the best looks from jeans to dark trousers are kept that distance above the ankle.

The rise of trousers should sit above the hip bone or higher, in a mid-to high-rise, so they pair well with a suit jacket. Low-rise skinny pants of recent trends, when too extreme, throw off the proportions of a suit, elongating the body and shortening the legs.

The mother of all jeans, the classic Mom Jean sits high on the waist and features a tapered leg for a relaxed look and feel. They hit above the ankle so you can show off your fave sneakers.

Now, before you start copping grandpa pants that sit above your belly button, don't. But, as a general rule, jeans should sit on the hips, while chinos and suit pants should land just above the hip, which will allow you to tuck in your shirt without worrying about it popping out mid-meeting.

The hem of your pants with a half break should sit ½ – ¾” of the way down past the point where your pants first meet your shoes, allowing for a slight horizontal fold to make contact with the front of your shoes.

Choose High-Waisted Bottoms

A higher rise in your jeans, pants and skirts gives the appearance of longer legs. Pair high-waisted bottoms with a cropped or a half-tucked top and pointed-toe shoes in the same shade as your pants for an ultra leggy look.

Any clothing that breaks up the appearance of your legs is going to make you look shorter. This can be achieved by wearing capri pants, skirts that hit above the knee, and boot cut jeans. All of these can remove emphasis from your leg length.

In this case, dark colours work best as they recede into the body, making you look leaner and taller, rather than emphasising the change in clothing. Of course, black on black is the best example, however other dark colours such as navy, grey, dark brown or deep green work just as well.

Expensive jeans are often made from cotton that is softer and more pliable or will become so after several wears after you break them in. They also tend to have a more natural, more flattering drape, and some examples can even partially mold to your body shape.

How often should you wash jeans? ›

A good rule of thumb is to wash your jeans after every 3-10 wears, or when they start to smell. If you're regularly active in your jeans (think: manual work, anything where you work up a sweat), wash them every 3 wears, but if you're working at a desk, you can probably go through multiple wears without washing.

The ideal pair of jeans should not need a belt. It should fit snugly around the waistline, whether you choose low- or high-rise jeans. The waist should not “bubble” or gap at the top, nor should it be so tight that it pinches your skin or makes you feel uncomfortable.

Puddle. Style Notes: Puddle hemlines were one of the biggest trouser trends for last year—now, they're taking over the 2023 jeans scene. These high-street jeans keep selling out. Jeans like this look especially good worn with heels, but chunky sandals also work.

Skinny Jeans, Skinny Pants & Leggings Are Back in For Fall 2023.

Denim Trend 2023: Low-Rise Jeans

Just because your jeans are low-rise doesn't mean you're forced to lean into a loose '90s hang. You'll love this classic straight-leg fit that simply boasts a slightly lower rise than the rest.

What's the difference between 32" and 34" length jeans? The obviously answer might be "2 inches longer at the bottom" but in reality, depending on the cut of the jeans, choosing the right length can be the difference between a good and great fit for you.

The best inseam length for petites should be between 21-23inches. The risk of wearing cropped pants is because they are shorter, they may make your legs look shorter than they are, which is the opposite of what a petite girl wants! So, a general guideline is to not wear anything shorter than 21 inches inseam.

What is the inseam for 30x30 jeans? ›

If majority rules, a size 10 has a 36″ bust, 28″ waist and a 40″ hip. She's five foot five or six inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

Jeans can typically be worn 3 times before washing. Leggings and tights should be washed after every wear to get rid of the baggy knees. Suits typically can be worn several times during normal use before dry cleaning (3-4 times for wool and 4-5 times for synthetics).