The Denim Guide

Denim Guide Denim Guide

There’s nothing better than a great pair of jeans. But finding the perfect fit takes a little know-how. Enter our new denim guide, where we break down fits, rises, washes, and more so you can discover your new favorite pair. 

Trending For Spring

New Denim Brands

Slvrlake

Handcrafted denim silhouettes that evoke L.A.’s laid-back aesthetic.

Haikure

An elevated design ethos and certified sustainability practices have earned this Italian label’s fashion-forward pairs a cult following.

Labels we love

Get to know a few of our go-to denim brands and their must-have fits.

RAG & BONE

These edgy-meets-modern jeans combine impeccable British tailoring with a downtown New York sensibility.

Mother

Since 2010, the L.A.-based brand has crafted perfectly proportioned, vintage-inspired styles beloved by celebs and denim devotees.

Veronica Beard

Sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard have perfected the art of effortlessly elevated denim.

L’AGENCE

This West Coast brand is the ideal combination of Parisian cool and Southern Californian ease.

FRAME

With a focus on minimalist styles that flatter every body, FRAME has been a major denim staple since launching in 2012.

CINQ À SEPT

A modern feminine aesthetic defines the NYC brand with a French twist.

PAIGE

Created by a former fit model, it’s no surprise that PAIGE’s meticulously designed jeans are exhaustively wear-tested to ensure a perfect fit.

AG

For over two decades AG has continued to evolve, creating premium jeans using eco-inspired practices and the latest denim technology.

AGOLDE

Locally manufactured in Los Angeles, AGOLDE is a fashion-editor favorite, thanks to its vintage vibe and great fits.

The Silhouettes

The first step in choosing a flattering pair of jeans: Find the right fit. From tried-and-true straight legs to on-trend wide legs to ’70s-inspired flares, every silhouette to put on your radar.

The Rises

When it comes to denim rises—where the waistband hits your natural waist—it’s all about personal preference. Depending on your shape, you might prefer the holds-you-in power of a higher or mid rise. For oversized fits, a low rise can keep your look from becoming too baggy.

Often found on wide- or straight-leg styles, high rises should hit an inch or two above your belly button.

Hitting at or just below your belly button, mid-rise jeans are extremely versatile, and work particularly well with tucked-in tops.

For those who dare to go a little bare, low-rise jeans sit on the hips.

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FAQs

  • Washing can cause your denim to fade and lose its shape, so the less you get them wet, the longer your jeans will last. When you do wash them, remember to turn them inside out, use cold water and a mild detergent, and let them air dry.

  • In order to ensure an absolutely perfect fit, sometimes a trip to the tailor is necessary. Before you go, make sure to wash and dry your jeans to allow for shrinkage. And always go to someone you trust who has experience working with denim—like our on-site tailors, who can hem, taper, or distress your jeans.

  • All jeans stretch, but depending on what they’re made of, some have more give than others. 100% cotton denim (also called rigid denim) has the least amount of give—they will stretch over time due to wear, but will feel snug at first. Denim made with 1-2% of a stretch fabric like polyurethane or elastane will have a bit of give. For a lot of stretch, look for 3% or more.

  • Any pair of jeans that makes you feel confident and comfortable is the right pair for you, but in terms of which style you should choose, it depends on what you want to highlight. Skinny or slim straight styles are a good option to show off long legs, while high-waisted styles can add inches to those with shorter legs. For anyone worried about waist gap, look for pairs with at least a touch of stretch to ensure a snug fit.

  • A good rule of thumb when choosing your denim wash: think of lighter options as more casual and darker ones as dressier. Classic blue denim falls somewhere in the middle and can be easily dressed up or down. Of course that’s not to say you can’t wear your favorite black jeans to a barbecue or your favorite white pair to a dinner party. Denim is all about looking and feeling your best.

  • The simplest way to find your inseam is to measure the length from just below your crotch to the bottom of your ankle. If you are measuring a pair of jeans, lie them flat on a table and use a cloth measuring tape to measure along the inner seam from the crotch to the bottom hem.

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