The Definitive Denim Style Guide

The skinny on which jeans are in style now—and which styles are right for you.

Straight-Leg Jeans

Who can wear them? Anyone. Since this style is cut, yep, straight from the knees down, it provides a similar look to ankle-hugging skinny jeans but is more forgiving—especially if you have curvy hips, full thighs, or thick calves.

How should they fit? Keep the silhouette slim (but not tight) through the hips and thighs. “If your jeans are too baggy, you’ll end up looking big all over,” warns Kate Ciepluch, the fashion director for Shopbop.com.

How to Wear Them

Play up the clean-cut look of straight-leg jeans with a fitted sweater and classic flats. Later on, take them to an edgier place simply by cuffing the hems to make a killer pair of high-heeled shoes the focal point.

To buy: Real Straight jeans by Gap, $70, gap.com. J.Crew top. Stuart Weitzman flats. Sasha Rhett watch.

For the rear views of many of the jeans shown here, see Jeans With Flattering Back Pockets.