Denim Fit Guide

Denim Fit Guide

Every pair of jeans fits differently — even in the same size. This guide helps you decode the measurements on our product pages so you can buy with confidence and return less often.

How to Read the Key Measurements

Rise

Rise is measured from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. It determines where the jeans sit on your body:

• Low rise (under 9") — sits at or below the hip bone
• Mid rise (9"–11") — sits just below the navel; the most versatile fit
• High rise (11"+) — sits at or above the navel; lengthens the torso and ideal for tucked-in tops

If you are between sizes, rise preference often decides it: go up a size for more coverage, down for a lower sit.

Inseam

Inseam is measured from the crotch seam to the hem. Our product pages list the inseam for the photographed size. To find your inseam, measure a well-fitting pair of pants flat from crotch to hem, or measure yourself from the crotch to your ankle bone.

• Short: up to 28"
• Regular: 29"–31"
• Long/Tall: 32"+

When in doubt, go longer — denim can be hemmed, but it cannot be lengthened.

Leg Opening

The leg opening (sometimes listed as "hem circumference") is measured flat across the bottom of the leg, then doubled for the full opening. It tells you how the silhouette breaks at the shoe:

• Under 13" flat — slim or skinny; hugs the ankle
• 13"–16" flat — straight or relaxed; clean break over most shoes
• 16"+ flat — wide leg or flare; pairs best with platform or heeled shoes to avoid drag

Stretch

Stretch is determined by fabric construction, not just elastane percentage. A 1% elastane woven tightly will feel stiffer than a 2% elastane in a looser weave. As a general guide:

• 0% elastane (rigid) — no give; sizes to your exact measurement and will soften and mold with wear
• 1%–2% elastane — slight recovery; comfortable through the day without bagging out
• 3%+ elastane — significant stretch; often allows sizing down one

Check the fabric content on each product page. When a style lists "stretch" in the name or description, we note the elastane percentage.

Wash and Fabric Construction: What Changes After You Buy

Raw and dark-wash denims shrink most in the first wash — typically 1"–2" in inseam and waist. Pre-washed, acid-washed, and distressed styles have already been processed and will shrink minimally. Rigid denim will stretch out slightly with wear; stretch denim will recover its original shape after washing. When sizing a rigid style, it is common to size down one and allow the denim to break in.

How We Measure: Brand by Brand

Sizing is not consistent across brands. Rather than making universal promises, here is how to approach each brand we carry:

• Check the measurements on the product page first. We list rise, inseam, and leg opening for the size shown — use these numbers against your own measurements rather than relying on your usual size label.
• Compare across brands. A size 28 in one brand may correspond to a size 27 or 29 in another. When switching brands, always re-measure.
• When a brand runs small or large, we note it in the product description. Look for fit notes like "size up one" or "runs true to size."
• Still unsure? Measure the waist, hip, rise, and inseam of a pair of jeans that already fits you well, then compare directly to the measurements on the product page.

Common Questions

Will these jeans stretch out?

Rigid (0% elastane) denim will stretch up to 1"–1.5" in the waist and seat after several wears. Stretch denim (1%+) stretches during wear but returns to its original dimensions after washing. If you are between sizes in a rigid style, sizing down is usually the right call. In a stretch style, stay true to size.

Should I size up or down?

It depends on the fabric. For rigid denim: size down one if you want a fitted look over time. For stretch denim: true to size is usually correct unless the style notes otherwise. For wide-leg or relaxed fits in any fabric: true to size or up one for the intended drape.

How do I measure myself?

Use a soft measuring tape:

• Waist: measure around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 1"–2" above the navel
• Hip: measure around the fullest part of your seat, typically 7"–9" below the waist
• Inseam: stand with feet hip-width apart and measure from the crotch to the floor or to where you want the hem
• Rise: sit on a flat surface and measure from the waistband down to the seat of the chair

Compare your measurements to the garment measurements listed on each product page — not to the size label.