11 Different Types of Jeans to Complete Your Wardrobe

Good American Good Legs Skinny Jeans ($99)

Despite sparking plenty of debates, skinny jeans are the one denim style that refuses to leave the rotation. That's because its body-hugging fit looks great on everyone and those slim legs mean you won't have to struggle when searching for shoes — boots, sneakers, heels, and everything in between pair well with this style.

Many view these bottoms as sleek and simple, meaning they're a great base when putting together your outfit. Dress up your skinny jeans with a blazer, or play around with proportion, balancing out the form-fitting leg with oversize layers.

Levi's High-Waisted Mom Jeans ($20, originally $80)

At one point, this jeans style was considered to be uncool, but the fashion world eventually came around, and these days the cut continues to be one of the most popular. Many are drawn to the high-waist, straight-leg combination, which provides support around the wearer's midsection while still remaining relaxed and nonconstricting.

Although modern-day mom jeans tend to be less bulky than those from the past, a slim vintage pair can easily help you channel '80s and '90s aesthetics, especially if they're a light wash.

MOTHER The Runaway Bootcut Jeans ($248)

If you're searching for jeans that feel both elevated and relaxed, invest in a bootcut pair. While fitted up top, they widen ever-so-slightly at the knee, a detail that leaves enough room to comfortably fit calf-high boots — the ultimate shoe to style them with.

Bootcut jeans are essentially the trousers of denim; they're classic, structured, and somewhat dressy. When picking out your pair, find one that grazes the top of your foot rather than hitting the ground.

Madewell The '90s Straight Jean ($128)

The best description of this denim style is right in its name: straight-leg jeans maintain the same width from hip to ankle without tapering or flaring out like other designs. In theory, that makes them seem basic, but these bottoms are anything but.

Since they were big in the '90s, straight-leg styles give off a cool, vintage feel, and many pairs include other throwback details, like higher waists and less stretchy, more rigid materials.

AE Next Level Super High-Waisted Flare Jean ($42, originally $60)

Flares are sometimes referred to as "retro," bringing to mind images of '70s bell-bottoms and disco-inspired outfits. But the overall vibe really depends on how wide the flare actually is, and there's plenty of variety when it comes to these types of jeans.

Some pairs are only a bit more pronounced than a classic boot-cut, while others really fan out (think "Mamma Mia"). It's also a great style to wear if you're on the shorter side since the combination of a more fitted top with a wider bottom gives the illusion of longer legs.

AGOLDE Pinch Waist High Rise Kick Flare ($198)

Another must-try pants option for petites? Kick-flare jeans, which are similar to its sibling style, the classic flare, only cropped. Along with a slimmer pant leg and a less exaggerated bottom, it's simple with a twist. Plus, unlike the original flared jean, choosing which shoes to wear with this type of jeans won't be as tricky.

Since these mini bell-bottoms don't skim the floor, almost every footwear option works, whether we're talking sweet ballet flats, chunky boots, or pointed-toe heels.

Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans With Washwell ($80)

It's easy to envision wide-leg jeans as dramatically oversized, but the most popular modern-day options are similar to straight-leg jeans except, well, wider. This cut is meant to be the same width from hip to hem and is pretty loose and baggy, often making the wearer wonder if they're wearing jeans at all (they're essentially denim sweatpants).

Still, that doesn't mean wide-leg jeans can't be stylish and even alluring. Plenty of iterations are also low-rise, hanging right at the hip, and celebrity fashion mavens like Zendaya and Hailey Bieber tend to show skin while wearing them, styling their bottoms with baby tees and crop tops.

Pilcro The Skipper High-Rise Crop Wide-Leg Jeans ($138)

Sometimes called gaucho jeans, cropped wide-leg jeans are actually even more versatile than the longer alternative. Sure, they have similarities — they're roomy and are the same width from the hip down — but the cropped version ends mid-calf, a detail that helps to elongate the wearer's legs. They're definitely one of the more laid-back-looking styles on this list and are often viewed as breezy pants that are perfect for in-between weather.

J.Crew Slim Boyfriend Jean in Chelsea Wash ($100, originally $138)

Unsurprisingly, these bottoms were based on traditional men's jeans, then altered to work for womenswear. At first glance, boyfriend jeans may seem similar to mom styles, but they're actually a bit slouchier and feature a lower waist.

Leg shape, however, can vary. While some versions are straight and hit the floor, others are tapered and meant to be cuffed, thus creating the perfect laid-back look.

Reformation Wilder Cargo High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($168)

Following in the footsteps of baguette bags and platforms, cargo jeans are yet another Y2K trend that has managed to make a comeback.

Complete with big, heavy pockets, roomy legs, and an overall grunge vibe, these pants can make a statement all on their own. It's why they're the perfect choice to pair with your wardrobe basics, helping to amp up simpler pieces like T-shirts and turtlenecks.

COS Arch Jeans - Tapered ($120)

Balloon pants, carrot-leg — brands love to rename this jeans style, but when it comes down to it, they all fall under the tapered category. What makes this bottom stick out from the bunch is that they appear to be inverted. Rather than being form-fitting up top, the leg is loose around the thighs and becomes slimmer past the knee, leaving only a narrow opening at the ankle.