Relaxed Fit vs. Loose Fit: Everything You Need To Know
Being able to discern between jeans that have a relaxed fit and jeans that have a loose fit is sometimes more difficult than we think. While anything with a relaxed fit is not intended to be skin tight, “relaxed” does not necessarily equal “loose.”
This knowledge is necessary when shopping for the right kind of jeans for specific body types and occasions. If you’re seeking to avoid the discomfort and insecurity that can sometimes come with wearing slim fit or skinny jeans, yet you also want to maintain a bit of shape and accentuation, then slim fit jeans might be your best bet.
On the other hand, if you’re wanting to wear something that is actually considered baggy or oversized, then a pair of loose fit pants will serve you well. In order to help you make the most informed decision when choosing which kind of jeans to buy, here is a total breakdown of everything you need to know about relaxed fit vs. loose fit jeans.
Measurements
Before you can truly know what kind of fit you are seeking in your jeans, it’s important to first have all the correct information on your measurements. Knowing your exact size and measurements is imperative to finding the right clothes to flatter your body type and build. For most men’s jeans and trousers, there are only two measurements that really matter when finding the right size, and those are the waist measurement and the inseam measurement.
The waist measurement refers to the circumference of the pants waistband, while the inseam measurement begins at the crotch of the jeans and then runs down the inside of the pant leg to the cuff. These measurements can easily be taken with a tape measure, allowing you to have a much better understanding of the size that will be most comfortable and complimentary to your body.
A third measurement that companies sometimes use when manufacturing jeans is the rise measurement. The rise measurement has less to do with size and more to do with fit, allowing for companies to distinguish between various cuts and styles.
The rise measurement starts at the center of the crotch just like the inseam measurement, only it then measures upward to the center of the waistband. While the rise measurement is not normally listed on the tags of jeans, it’s a useful bit of information to know when figuring out which kind of jeans you look best in.
Relaxed Fit
Jeans with a relaxed fit often have fabric added to the back of the pants in addition to extending the rise measurement. The leg openings are also often extended in order to give a wider look as the fabric descends.
Relaxed fit pants tend to keep their shape through the seat and thighs of the jeans, but then taper down the leg. In comparison to skinny or slim fit jeans, relaxed jeans are a bit more comfortable in the thigh area despite keeping a bit of shape along the figure, making them enjoyable without being overly casual or unkempt.
Loose Fit
Unlike jeans with a relaxed fit, loose fit jeans have no tapering, meaning the form from the seat to the thighs to the legs all continue in the same loose form and fashion. There is virtually little to no shape found in loose fit jeans, meaning they’re not the most flattering fit for certain body types.
While they’re often quite comfortable and allow for a ton of movement compared to most jeans due to the bagginess of the fit, they do very little for accentuating or highlighting any aspect of the lower body. Some men wear loose fit jeans simply for comfort or practical purposes, but if you’re able to pull them off, loose fit jeans can have a very retro, chic look to them.
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Biggest Difference Between the Two
Being that both relaxed fit and loose fit jeans feature more slack and roominess than other fits, they are not by any means interchangeable terms. Regular fit jeans tend to look great on athletes who want to have shape around their butt and thighs while providing some extra room for their calves, whereas loose fit jeans can be worn for a more hipster or high-fashion look by men with slimmer figures.
Basically, you can tell a loose fit apart from a regular fit by examining how much shape is given around the seat and thighs. If there is shape at the top that then tapers off toward the knees, it’s a regular fit. If there’s no shape at all and the jeans fall the same straight from the top to the bottom, then it’s a loose fit.
Other Fits
Of course, loose and regular fits are not the only two options available to someone in the market for a new pair of jeans. There are several others, some of which might be much better suited for your body type or a specific occasion. Some of the other fits to be aware of are slim fit, regular fit, straight fit, tapered, and bootcut.
Jeans that have a slim fit tend to have the least amount of fabric in the back of the seat, as well as having much narrower thigh openings. If you have a tight derriere, then these are a great option as they hug the butt very tight. However, if you are not feeling super comfortable in your body or simply don’t want to show off your physique, then these are not going to be the right fit for you. In fact, they can be quite unflattering if you don’t have the proper build and body type.
Tapered jeans, more commonly referred to as skinny jeans, are even tighter than slim fit jeans. The pants taper from the very start of the thigh, all the way down to the bottom of the cuff. The advice for wearing tapered jeans is very similar to that of slim fit jeans.
Regular fit jeans are the most common fit found in most trousers. While the exact measurements might differ slightly across brands and manufacturers, they are intended to fit in the traditional way that blue jeans were designed for. Regular fit jeans tend to rest slightly against the seat, giving a subtle sense of shape, while having more space and room in the front crotch area. This fit tends to be favorable among most body types.
Jeans that seem to fall the same from thigh to ankle are referred to as straight leg jeans. This is perhaps the most classic and historical fit for jeans, most likely due to the fact that back in the day, all jeans were made by hand, and this style in particular is relatively simple to make. It’s essentially two pipes of fabric sewn together, mirroring one another on each side from thigh to ankle. If you’re a bulkier guy with thicker ankles and legs, then this might be a great option for you.
Boot-cut or wide-leg jeans are jeans that are intended to be worn over large shoes such as work or cowboy boots. Boot-cut jeans are made several inches wider at the bottom than they are at the top, offering that broad spread at the bottom that makes it so easy to pair with boots. However, wearing boot-cut jeans with sandals or tennis shoes can give a very feminine look that a lot of men seek to avoid when finding the right pair of jeans.
All in all, while you have completely free range over your decision to purchase whatever jeans you want, knowing the difference between all the various fits and legs will only result in a more efficient shopping experience. Jeans can be one of the most difficult articles of clothing to buy, therefore, taking in all of this info and securing your body’s exact measurements is sure to save you time, energy, and money.
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