How to Wear Straight Leg Jeans (and What Makes Them Different from Other Jeans)

Move over skinny jeans; this spring, straight-leg jeans rule. Here’s everything you need to know about how to wear straight-leg jeans to look modern and hip at any age.

Skinny Jeans vs. Straight Leg Jeans – What the Difference?

The main difference is the width of the leg opening. Skinny-leg jeans have a closely tapered fit that hugs the thighs and calves and continues down the ankle. Straight-leg jeans fall straight down from the hip to the ankle. Although snug through the thighs, there’s more breathing room through the knees, calves, and ankles.

So, Straight Leg Jeans are Mom Jeans?

No, they’re not. It might seem that straight-leg jeans are the same as mom jeans, but they are different. Mom jeans have a relaxed fit and are high-waisted, but they are wider and looser through the crotch, bum, and legs than straight-leg jeans. Mom’s jeans also often have an elastic waist. Both are comfy jeans, but straight-leg jeans are often more flattering than mom jeans.

They’re considered a classic and look good on everyone because they’re more forgiving than skinny jeans. They’re particularly flattering on pear-shaped gals and inverted triangle bodies because the wider leg opening helps balance these body types.

Hourglass figures can also wear straight-leg jeans, and gals with wide calves appreciate the extra width through the lower leg area.

Does this mean Skinny, Tapered Jeans are out of Style?

Don’t toss out your skinnies just yet. They’re still your friend. Straight-leg jeans are another option and the quickest way to look fresh and modern over 40. I love them because they are easier to wear when you have a bit extra weight but are still streamlined. Also, they’re just a nice change.

What Types of Straight Leg Jeans are Trending?

• Cropped straight-leg lengths are trending.
• High-waisted straight-leg jeans are also trending.
• A straight leg with a slight flare is fun.

Popular Hemlines for Straight-Leg Jeans

This spring, there’s a huge focus on pant hemlines with something for everyone. Just as you can have your Starbucks coffee any way you like, it is with straight-leg jeans. We see straight-leg jeans with all sorts of hems like:

• cool raw edge
• elegant cuffed
• boho fringe
• rolled hems
• asymmetrical hems
• release hems

Here’s a detailed look at the many types of women’s straight-leg jeans that are starting to pop up in stores, along with some chic ways to style with Cropped Straight-Leg Jeans with a Release Hem.

Cropped straight-leg jeans are  #1 on many fashionistas’ shopping lists. Wear them with sock booties when temperatures are still chilly or with a sandal when things warm up. (More tips on how to wear cropped pants here.)

If you are looking for a pair of  well-fitting leg jeans, try  ‘slim straight,’  which is  not too tight or loose, but it’s just right.

2. Cropped Str right-Leg Jeans with a Subtle Flare

If you like your jeans with a flirty kick, then flare-cropped jeans are perfect for you this summer. These jeans are straight through the thighs, then flare out ever-so-slightly at the hem.

If you haven’t tried a cropped flare before but are thinking of giving them a whirl, these jeans are an excellent way to dip your toe into the water. The dark wash is slimming, and the flare is modest, so you can baby-step into this look.

Cropped flare jeans look fantastic in the summer with a block heel sandal like the one I show here. (If you don t have a nude sandal, please consider getting one. It goes with everything and makes your legs look long and lean.)

These also work with summery slip-on sneakers or, in colder weather, a pair of sock booties. Add a striped top in spring colors, and you’ve got a look that will take you from early spring to summer.

3. Straight Leg Jeans with an Asymmetrical Hem

As we’ve seen, a hem with personality gives jeans a decidedly modern touch and is a wearable trend for the over-40 gal. These black straight-leg jeans with the asymmetrical frayed hem and zipper detail are great for playing this.

I like black jeans because they can be dressed down with a t-shirt and slip-on sneakers, with a silk blouse and kitten heels, or worn somewhere in between like I show here with a floaty  blouse and mules. The statement zipper on these adds just enough detail to let you show your style chops but isn’t super over-the-top.

Another great thing about these pants is that they are high-rise straight-leg jeans, holding your tummy well!

4. Two-Tone Straight Leg Jeans

We started to see more two-tone jeans – jeans that incorporate light and dark denim washes – last year, and the trend continues this spring and summer. An easy way for an over-40 gal to do this look is by incorporating small  bits of dark denim. We see many straight-leg jeans with two-tone denim running down the side seams, or at the pant hemline, like above.

This straight-leg, cropped jeans with the wide-release hem are a funky two-tone. You could call it a boho color-blocking effect. I’ve kept the rest of the look simple and super classy with a white blouse, pale bag, and silver loafer mules. (These shoes will look great with wh jeans, too!).

5. PInk Straight  Leg Jeans

Colored jeans in spring and summer have become a wardrobe staple for women of any age, and this year the trend is to wear a pair of ladies’ straight-leg jeans in one of spring’s sorbet colors like pale pink, lavender, or minty blue.

For us over-40 gals, I like to keep the look classy with a feminine blouse, simple ballet flats, and a stylish bag.

Whether you live in them 24/7 or jeans are your trusty weekend uniform, keeping up with what’s new and ‘in’ will keep you loo ing modern and hip. Are you considering adding a pair of straight legs to your jeans wardrobe?