Vocabulary / Pants
One thing to understand quickly about pants first is the rise. Every pair of pants has some kind of rise. There are 3 main rises: High rise, Mid rise and Low rise. These refer to how high up they go from the crotch and where the waistband lines up on your body. High rise will be closer to your natural waist, low rise closer to your hips, and mid rise is in-between. Your size can change depending on the rise of the pants. For example high rise I’m a 28 and Mid rise a 29. Low rise is considered a little sultry by most so just be aware of that.
The above is High rise -> Mid Rise -> Low rise
Ankle – Refers to intended length. Look at inseam and compare to yours to match and check if it will actually line up with your ankle.
Baggy – Pants that are only fitted at the waistband. They are very loose all throughout.
Bootcut – A light flare at the bottom of the pants’ hem. These allow for enough room to wear ‘bulky’ shoes with, like boots. Also called cowboy or cowgirl pants.
Boyfriend – A silhouette rather than type of pants but usually in reference to jeans. This cut is looser around all parts and a low/mid rise but not quite a wide or baggy cut. Looks like men’s clothing, hence the name.
Capris – Pants with a short hem that goes to the mid calf in length. Can vary in styles as this refers to the length.
Cargo pants – Pants with many pockets and are quite baggy most of the time.
Chino – A light twill fabric pair of pants. These are seen as semi formal, so a step up from jeans to give you a clue.
Flared pants – Pants with a flare at the bottom of each leg (at the hem). Can come in different styles and levels of flare as this is a detail of the garment.
Jeans – Pants made of denim, comes in many different styles
Joggers – Similar to sweatpants but with a cuffed and fitted hem. Also a bit shorter than sweatpants on average so you can jog in them
Khaki – A heavyweight pair of pants. Looks more business casual and almost always a light beige color (color called khaki). Similar to chinos.
Leather – Made of real leather or a synthetic material meant to mimic it. Important to check material composition as real leather is much better. Can cause lots of sweating if synthetic.
Leggings – Skin tight bottoms made of a stretchy and breathable material. Very light to wear as they are designed to be worn when exercising or lounging.
Overalls – A pair of pants with straps to go on your shoulders and intertwined chest piece. Usually made of denim.
Palazzo – Pants with a super wide pant leg. Used interchangeably with wide leg, although these go wider most of the time.
Paper Bag – Baggy pants with gathered fabric and a belt to tighten it at the waist
Skinny – Very tight pants, refers to the fit and silhouette. Often used for pants rather than things like leggings, think skinny jeans, not skinny leggings.
Stockings – Another word for tights that usually don’t join together, and are separate from each other. Length varies. They usually have a lace trim at the opening. Wear with skirts. Sometimes called pantyhose.
Straight – Refers to the silhouette of the pants, a very straight line fit from waist to hem. May still be fitted around the hips.
Sweatpants – A loose pair of pants made of a comfortable fabric like a cotton fleece. Meant to be super casual and lounge around in or exercise. Unlike joggers, these are loose at the ankle.
Tights / pantyhose – A tight and sheer (or opaque) mesh like material meant to cover the legs for more formal settings
Track pants – Loose pants made of a jersey material. Similar to sweatpants in shape but a different material.
Trousers – A more formal kind of pants often made of wool or another structured material. They are designed to keep their shape and match with a blazer.
Wide leg – Pants that widen out a lot starting at the knee. Still straight fit until the knee, fitted around the hips usually.
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