Deciphering The Jargon Of Jeans

By Author: Barton Loi
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Most wardrobes nowadays contain at least one pair of jeans ? they''re the uniform of the masses. Durable, easy to wear and able to be teamed with most of the other garments in your wardrobe, no doubt you''ve got multiple pairs in different styles.

Still, even the most dogged shopper can get bogged down in the multiple rises, styles and washes out there, when it comes to buying a new pair. So how to get rid of the confusion?

The jumble of jargon out there has arisen because of the fact that each manufacturer and retailer has their own terminology to describe their product. Still, there are some common words used in the language of denim that still baffle the average consumer. Here''s a quick glossary for those wanting to understand the jargon of jeans:

Inseam ? refers to the length of inside leg, as measured from the crotch to the ankle. It is usually measured in inches. Different jeans styles call for slightly different inseam measurements so for example, the same person looking for turn-up styles will probably require a longer length than they would need if they were looking for ankle-length jeans.

Style ...
... - this refers to the jeans shape. Often dependent on fashion, styles can be the main source of confusion, ranging from the classic straight leg cut (i.e. jeans that are cut straight on the leg) to form-fitting skinny jeans; from flares that kick out from the knee to twisted fit jeans with an inseam twisting around the leg.

Wash ? refers to the colour or the dye of the denim. Alternatively known by the term ''rinse'' this can also range considerably, to give your jeans a completely new look. Common washes in mens jeans are ''acid wash'', which are jeans that have been bleached, ''distressed'' i.e. jeans that have been made to look worn and old, perhaps with the addition of rips and tears, ''stonewash'' which is a light coloured summery denim and the most popular, ''dark rinse'' indicating a solid indigo colour. Washes can come in numerous combinations.

Rise - this refers to the distance between the crotch and waistband, which determines how high up the torso the jeans go. Usually termed low, mid, or high rise, (low being around 8 inches).

Yoke ? this is the horizontal seam under the waistband, with different shapes flattering different body proportions. A wide yoke which sits further down from the waistband, is particularly common to men''s jeans styles. Barton Loi is a fashion critic and writer. To find out more about the latest high street trends check out New Look's website for an impressive range of