Most wardrobes nowadays contain at least one pair of jeans - they're the uniform of the masses. Durable, easy to wear and able to be teamed with most of the other garments in your wardrobe, no doubt you've got multiple pairs in different styles.
Still, even the most dogged shopper can get bogged down in the multiple rises, styles and washes out there, when it comes to buying a new pair. So how to get rid of the confusion?
Each manufacturer uses their own language to describe and differentiate their product, which is why there's so much technical language out there for a relatively simple garment. Still, there are some words used in the language of denim that all companies use. Here's a quick glossary for those who want to decipher the language of jeans:
Inseam - this means the length of inside leg measuring from the crotch to the hem. Different jeans styles call for different inseam measurements so for example, the same person looking for turn-up styles (those with upturned cuffs at the ankles) may be looking for a longer length than if they were looking for ankle-length jeans. It is usually measured in inches.
Style - this refers to the silhouette of the jean. Styles range so much, going in and out of fashion, that they are often the biggest source of confusion. Here are a few - classic straight cut (ie jeans that are cut straight on the leg), form-fitting skinny jeans, flares (these kick out from the knee) and twisted fit jeans with an inseam that twists around the leg.
Wash - refers to colour or rather the way that the denim has been dyed. Washes, also called 'rinses,' can also vary considerably, each one giving a different 'look' the denim. The most common washes in men's jeans are 'dark rinse' indicating a solid indigo colour, 'stonewash' which is a light coloured summery denim, 'distressed' ie jeans that have been made to look worn and old, and 'acid wash,' which are jeans that have been splotchily bleached. There are lots of others!
Rise - this is the measurement between the crotch and waistband, which tells you how high on the waist they will sit. Jeans are either low, mid, or high rise, (low being around 8 inches).
Yoke - this is the horizontal seam under the waistband, with different shapes flattering different body proportions. A wide yoke which sits further down from the waistband, is particularly common to men's jeans styles
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