Skip to content
Saturday, 3 October 2026Fashion, style and modelingLTEN
Clothing guide

Types of pants and jeans: cuts and names

Three things set trousers apart: the shape of the leg (tapered, straight, flared, curved), the rise and the length. Jeans are the same cuts made in denim with five pockets and rivets.

Below are the types of trousers and jeans drawn on a figure so the width and length show. Each page covers how to recognise them, where they come from, who and when they suit, what to pair them with and which fabrics work.

Palazzo pantsPalazzo pants are very wide, light trousers that widen straight from the hip to the floor and look like a long skirt as you move.CulottesCulottes are wide trousers cut off around mid-calf that look like a midi skirt from a distance.Wide-leg pantsWide-leg pants fit at the waist and hips and fall wide and straight from the hip to the shoes, often with a pressed crease.Flare pantsFlare pants fit closely down to the knee and then widen sharply to the hem, like a bell.Cargo pantsCargo pants are loose, straight trousers with large patch pockets on the sides of the thighs.ChinosChinos are light cotton twill trousers with a straight or slightly tapered cut and slanted front pockets.JoggersJoggers are loose knit trousers with an elastic, drawstring waist and ribbed cuffs at the ankle.Capri pantsCapri pants are slim trousers cut off at mid-calf, often with a small slit at the side of the hem.Cigarette pantsCigarette pants are slim, straight trousers ending just above the ankle, often with a pressed crease.Paperbag pantsPaperbag pants have a high, gathered waist that frills out above the band like a cinched paper bag, often with a tie belt.Skinny jeansSkinny jeans are very narrow, stretchy jeans that hug the leg from the hip to the ankle.Mom jeansMom jeans are high-waisted jeans, roomier through the hips and thighs and tapering towards the ankle.Bootcut jeansBootcut jeans fit through the thigh and widen slightly from the knee so the hem fits over boots.Straight-leg jeansStraight-leg jeans have legs of the same width from the knee to the hem, neither tapering nor flaring.Barrel jeansBarrel jeans have curved legs that bow out at the knee and narrow again at the ankle, so from the front they look like a barrel.Baggy jeansBaggy jeans are very loose all the way down, from the hip to the hem, often with a lower rise and extra length.

How to choose

  • For work: wide-leg, cigarette pants, chinos or culottes, or dark straight jeans for smart casual.
  • Every day: straight, mom, barrel or baggy jeans, cargos and joggers.
  • A high rise and a length to the sole lengthen the leg, especially with heels.
  • Pair wide trousers with a fitted or tucked-in top; slim ones can take a looser top.

Lengths

LengthWhere it ends
Full lengthcovers the top of the shoe
Ankle lengthat the ankle
Cropped (7/8)a few centimetres above the ankle
Capri and culottesmid-calf

Related guides

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01What are the types of pants?

Palazzo, culottes, wide-leg, flare, cargo, chinos, joggers, capri, cigarette and paperbag pants; jeans: skinny, mom, bootcut, straight, barrel and baggy.

02Which jeans cut suits most body types?

Straight: it neither hugs nor flares.

03Which trousers are right for work?

Wide-leg or cigarette pants in wool or crepe, chinos for smart casual, culottes with a blouse.

04How long should trousers be?

Wide and flared legs to the sole, straight legs to the ankle or just below, cigarette pants above the ankle.

The Jurgita letter

New stories, model castings and fashion week news in one e-mail.

28,955 followers on Facebook

Cookies

We use essential cookies to run the platform. Analytics and marketing cookies are only turned on once you consent — you can change your choice at any time.