WOMENS DENIM FIT, RISE & WASH GUIDE

Denim isn't just a wardrobe staple, so learn all things denim with the help of our Women's Denim Guide at END. It develops its own patina and personality over time, and nothing beats the feeling of a perfectly worn-in pair of jeans or a new denim jacket. Explore the world of women's denim and learn how to style everything from high-waisted jeans to rocking the ultimate double-denim ensemble. Denim never goes out of style, so taking the time to learn about washes, styles, fits, and fabric constructions of each denim garment is essential, and we've got your back. 

A Quick Guide to Women’s Denim Terminology 

RISE: The rise on women’s denim jeans refers to the distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband on a pair of jeans.

WAIST: The waist on a pair of jeans refers to the measurement around the top of the waistband, which sits at or near your waistline, depending on the rise of the jeans. This measurement is key in determining the fit of the jeans around your waist and hips.

HIGH-RISE: High-rise jeans sit typically at or just above the natural waistline.

LOW-RISE: Low-rise jeans sit between the hips and the natural waistline.

STRAIGHT FIT: Straight fit jeans offer a classic style with a consistent width from hip to hem.

SKINNY FIT: Skinny fit jeans are form-fitting from the waist to the ankle.

WIDE FIT: Women's wide-leg jeans offer a relaxed, loose fit that widens from the top of the leg to the hem.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOMEN’S HIGH RISE, MID RISE AND LOW RISE DENIM JEANS?

Not only do denim jeans come in a range of fits and washes, but they come in three main rises too: low, mid and high rise.

WOMENS LOW RISE JEANS 

Reigning supreme in the 90s and early noughties, low-rise jeans have more than made their comeback in recent trends. Low-rise jeans expose more of your hips and lower abdomen and come in a range of different styles - flared, skinny and baggy, to name just a few! 

MID RISE JEANS 

Sitting comfortably between the hips and your natural waistline, mid-rise jeans offer a balance that suits most. They provide more coverage than low-rise jeans and work with everything from casual staples to dressier essentials. Whether you choose skinny, straight-leg, or flared, women’s mid-rise denim jeans are a classic, timeless option that can be worn year-round.

HIGH RISE 

Arguably the most favoured of the three rises, high-rise jeans are known for their flattering fit, often creating the illusion of longer legs and a more defined waist. They sit above the natural waistline for a little bit more coverage and support. The best high-waisted jeans are those that make you feel most confident. 

FINDING THE JEAN FOR YOU

Above all, it's important to know your body shape and experiment with styles that work for you, whether you have long or shorter legs, wider hips, or simply enjoy a certain look. Once you have the style you want to achieve locked down, explore the array of colours and determine what denim wash you’ll be reaching for. Shop all women’s denim jeans here at END.

The baggy, wide-fit jean is the denim that keeps on giving. The reigning silhouette, the wide-leg fit, looks to be the style of the season and the seasons ahead, with no signs of it disappearing anytime soon. From low-rise to mid and high-rise, they offer a cool, versatile look that works for both casual daywear and dressy evenings. The wide-leg jean is loose from waist to hem, often mistaken for the boyfriend fit, which offers a relaxed fit with a tapered leg.

That casual, slouch jean - yes, that's the boyfriend fit! Designed to have a borrowed-from-your-boyfriend look that’s roomier in the thighs and tapers down the leg, the boyfriend fit jean usually has an optional rolled hem too. Whether they have a high or low rise, boyfriend-fit jeans are versatile and have become the anti-trend jeans that have really shaken up denim.

If no-fuss classic jeans are for you, straight-leg denim ticks all the boxes. Not too tight or loose, straight fit jeans sit perfectly between the boyfriend and skinny scale. They’re timeless, and can basically be styled with anything. Usually grazing the ankle, or occasionally sitting just above (if cropped is more your style). A solid choice, and one that you could rarely get wrong.

 If you’re looking for form-fitting from the hip to the ankle, the skinny fit jean is for you. The additional stretch is key, there are many advantages spandex adds for the skinny: making them more comfortable and retaining shape after washing. High-waisted drainpipe denim to low-slung skinnies have been championed by celebrities since the early 2000's and have been a firm favourite in wardrobe ever since.

Hello, it's the 70’s calling! Flared-fit jeans are the ultimate retro jean. Ideal for leg-lengthening, flared denim is back and brings a dose of vintage charm to modern wardrobes. They offer a slimmer, straight fit that flares at the hem that never fails to turn heads, making them ideal for pairing with heeled boots, providing the perfect day-to-night look.

BALLOON FIT

You might have heard of the trending ‘balloon fit’ jeans. This jean widens towards the knee and drapes down the leg before tapering at the ankle, creating the balloon fit. Playful and more fashion-forward than the classic denim jean fits, the balloon shape is perfect for injecting some personalising and trending style into your denim rotation. 

WOMENS DUNGAREES

When browsing for traditional workwear dungarees, Levis, Dickies and Carhartt WIP have a denim style waiting, and most stay true to their workwear roots, with reinforced topstitching, oversized pockets, and cotton that’ll stand the test of time. But, like all fashion and trends, the dungaree has evolved. By definition, they’re suited to a day of hard labour, but well-cut all-in-ones do exist too, and the dungaree has also rode the wave of streetwear.

DENIM SHORTS 

Ranging from low-, mid- and high-rise, and available in different washes, the options are truly endless. Today, women’s high-rise denim shorts are seen through the lens of the original ‘70s cut, while mid or low-rise shorts have the laid-back cool of coastal Californian dressing. 

The denim short you need to invest in: the long-line short, also known as the Bermuda. Set to be the style for now, and seasons ahead, it's even championed by trendsetters like Bella Hadid. Daisy Dukes are also noteworthy to have in your wardrobe, best known for their rebellious high-cut legs and frayed hems - originally made famous by the character Daisy Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard!

Like a good pair of denim jeans, shorts might take a little trial and error. Explore the range of lengths, washes and silhouettes and find the perfect pair for you here at END. 

DENIM JACKETS 

Denim jackets are about as close to an essential as any piece of clothing can be, it seems to find a spot in wardrobes and be worn year after year. If you don't already, now's the perfect time to get one! Thanks to Levi’s introduction of their first denim jacket in the 1920s - crafted to withstand the tough working conditions of labourers and cowboys - the jean jacket evolved from workwear into a fashion staple by the 1950s. Celebrities wore them as a symbol of youthful rebellion heading into the 60s and 70s and have remained a favourite wardrobe staple amongst subcultures and fashionistas alike ever since. Denim jackets are the go-to light layer, they’re perfect for cooler days in spring and summer yet versatile enough to be styled through into autumn and layered up for winter.

ROCKING THE ‘DOUBLE DENIM’

Double denim is the look that keeps reinventing itself. Also known as the Canadian Tuxedo - you’ll either embrace it, or say “pass”. 

How to wear double denim for women?

By mixing different washes, silhouettes, and accessories, you can create endless variations of the double denim look. You can't go wrong with the classic jeans-shirt combo, or slip into something more contemporary with a Bermuda short or maxi denim skirt. A look that was once seen as intimidating is now reigning supreme, even when it’s straight from the runway.

A tip for double denim newbies: look for matching denim washes. This helps balance the look and makes it easier to accessorise. But fashion knows no boundaries, so if you want to pair a black-wash denim jacket with crisp white jeans, go for it! 

WOMENS DENIM WASHES

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENIM WASHES?

If you're curious about denim washes, the techniques behind them, and which is best for you, you're in the right place. This edit dives into the realm of denim and offers tips on what might work for you. From light wash to dark, you’re guaranteed to find an extensive range of women’s denim here at END. 

First of all, what is raw denim? 

Noted as the best quality denim you can buy, raw denim hasn't been treated in any way; it’s the raw cotton denim material that comes straight from the loom. This makes the material stiffer and more dense than others, but it softens and moulds to your shape while creating its own natural patina over time. 

LIGHT WASH 

Light-wash denim is the ultimate women’s denim summer essential. After being washed and treated with water, chemicals, and bleach to lighten the material's natural indigo colour, light-wash denim offers a soft, worn-in look. Mostly commonly worn during the warmer seasons due to its refreshing, lighter tone, ranging from lightly faded to heavily bleached, it’s the go-to wash for a look that works well styled both casual and semi-casual.

MID-WASH DENIM

The everyday denim. Offering the best of both light and dark, medium-wash denim has been the go-to wash for decades. Without totally stripping back the colour, the material will be softly faded and washed to achieve the perfect mid-rinse. Versatile enough to style with many colours, as well as being a firm favourite for denim jackets, dungarees, and shorts, medium-wash denim is effortless.

DARK WASH

Minimally washed to achieve a rich, deep indigo colour, dark wash denim ranges from dark blue to almost black. With minimal treatment and less fading than the other types of denim washes, it provides a modern look that's versatile. Similar to dark wash, rinse-washed denim is created with a single rinse cycle; this process results in a nearly raw, ultra-dark finish with a slightly crisper feel. Dark denim days are perfect for autumn and winter collections, where rugged, deeper shades take centre stage.

DISTRESSED DENIM 

Intentionally treated and often damaged to achieve its rebellious look, distressed denim is the perfect choice if you’re looking to inject some fun and personality into your wardrobe. Rips, tears, and fraying give the material a lived-in, rugged look, while fading and light fraying are synonymous with more vintage styles. Distressed denim ages well over time and is a popular choice for casual styling, whether it's a baggy pair of jeans, denim jackets, or shorts. 

Whether you're looking for the perfect pair of jeans or refreshing your wardrobe with denim essentials, our Women's Denim Guide has you covered. With a variety of fits, washes, and styles to explore, there's always something for every mood and season. Let your denim journey begin here at END.