Types of Jeans for Women: Find The Right Style of Jeans for You

There are so many types of jeans for women these days that it can be challenging to determine which shape is right for your body. Add in the ability to wear jeans to work with the overall shift to business casual and trying to keep up with the latest trends, and one can quickly become overwhelmed with all the types of jeans for women. Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

We have waded through the thousands of types of jeans for women and made a concise list of the exact pairs we love right now by style. Each category contains a variable price range and different brand options to make it easy to find your perfect new pair of jeans! Need some inspiration for pairing your jeans and shoes? Check out Kyle’s fantastic post: The Best Shoes to Wear With Jeans.

Happy shopping!

Kyle wearing her Citizens of Humanity Paloma Baggy Jeans on a perfect fall day!

Wide-Leg Jeans

We had to start this post with the most popular jeans right now: wide-leg jeans. We are thrilled to see the wide-leg jeans trend return because, of all the types of jeans for women, they are the most flattering silhouette for almost everyone. Wide-leg jeans make your legs look super long and create the illusion of a tiny waist. Who can say no to that? These jeans are so popular right now that this was the most challenging section to narrow down.

Kyle will forever stand by the AYR Secret Sauce jean. However, our favorite wide-leg jeans of this year come from Frame. Multiple clients have purchased their Tailored Denim Trouser and Modern Pocket Jean. So classy, so versatile, and beyond flattering!

Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans

Moving on in our targeted list of types of jeans for women, cropped wide-leg jeans are the fun, flirty cousin of full-length wide-leg jeans. They are the ultimate cool-girl pants. Of course, cropped wide-leg jeans pair well with a sandal or slide for the summer. But don’t think you can’t wear them in the fall or winter! They also look great with a clog, a fresh sneaker, or a taller boot. The Kut from the Kloth Meg Ankle Jeans with a frayed hem are a great option if you have trouble finding the right pant length. They are easily adjustable with a pair of fabric scissors—no tailor required.

Straight-Leg Jeans

Straight-leg jeans are fitted in the butt and thighs, with more room in the calves and knees. You’ll see this silhouette in many different fabrics with varying washes and amounts of stretch. In the options below, you’ll see light-wash, vintage-inspired versions that are very casual and dark-wash pairs that can be dressed up for a night out. If you fluctuate or are between sizes, check out the Good American Always Fits Straight Jean. These ditch traditional sizing and adapt to your body over a range of four sizes. Genius!

Cropped Straight Leg Jeans

Cropped straight-leg jeans were a very popular style of jeans for women this summer, and we have seen this inseam length remain current through the fall. We love that cropped straight jeans go with any footwear, from Birkenstocks and Tevas in warmer weather to heels and loafers in cooler temperatures. Our favorite Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution style jeans have this great slim straight option in a dark wash that is currently on super sale!

Boyfriend Straight Leg Jeans

The difference between regular straight-leg jeans and the boyfriend version is that boyfriend jeans are much more relaxed, leaning towards a wide-leg cut but not quite there. They are fitted in the butt and drop straight down the leg. Of all the types of jeans for women, boyfriend jeans aren’t necessarily topping the trend charts right now, but they still absolutely fit the relaxed jean mold everyone is wearing. The L.L. Bean 207 Boyfriend Vintage Jeans are the perfect example of a traditional boyfriend cut, and the Quince Relaxed Straight Jean is a great middle-ground jean between wide and straight-leg styles with a nice, relaxed boyfriend feel.

Flared and Bootcut Jeans

Bootcut and flare jeans are classic types of jeans for women. A good dark-wash pair of jeans with a bootcut or flare opening in the appropriate length will always be a smart wardrobe staple. Tailor this style as long as possible with the shoes you want to wear, giving your legs an elongating effect. These jeans should be worn with more structured shoes and a longer toe-box (i.e., no large flares with a flimsy round-toe ballet flat, but rather a pointed leather flat, ankle boot, or a loafer). Spanx pants are consistently topping our list of favorites, so be sure to check out their SPANXshape™ Flare Jeans that come in petite and tall lengths! Or maybe you’re interested in a wide flare? These Kut from the Kloth Goldie Super Flare Jeans are so cute!

Kick Flare Jeans

We have written a few blogs about the kick flare silhouette, one of our favorite pant silhouettes of the last few years. However, a lot of people are still resistant to this style. We are here to make its case! This jean creates an hourglass shape, just like full-length bootcut jeans. However, the kick-flare jean also shows off your fantastic footwear. A heel, a loafer, a boot, a sandal, a flat; there’s hardly a shoe this jean style can’t be paired with! The Pistola Ally Crop Flare Jeans are one of our favorite styles in this category.

Barrel-Leg Jeans

Admittedly, barrel jeans are the hardest silhouette to pull off of all the types of jeans for women, but it can be done! If you’re interested in trying barrel-leg jeans, we recommend sticking with a slim-cut top to balance out the volume these jeans create on the bottom. And if you’re afraid to take the full barrel leg jeans plunge, these Madewell Darted Barrel Leg jeans are a nice tame version!

Have you already found your best-fit jeans this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander, Kyle Dunphy and Sloane True are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and serve clients nationwide. We offer personal styling services, and an on-demand e-course.

Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!