Even with the growing popularity surrounding “active wear” pants, jeans remain the single most popular and widely worn style of pants in the world. Some reports indicate that the denim jeans market will reach nearly $80 billion by 2022. Other reports show that the average American owns more than half-a-dozen different pairs of jeans.
Of course, there’s a reason why jeans are so popular: they are comfortable, stylish, durable and look great on men and women of all body types. But if you want to stand out from the crowd, you should consider one of the following alternative denim styles.
#1) Flare Jeans
While once a popular denim style in the 1970s, flare jeans began to fade in the decades to follow. With that said, however, they’ve since made a comeback, with countless women throughout the world sporting this unique style. So, what are flare jeans exactly? Also known as bell bottoms, flare jeans are characterized by a tight fit in the thigh and upper legs along with a wider opening around the ankles.
#2) Stonewashed Jeans
We can’t talk about alternative denim styles without mentioning stonewash. Technically speaking, stonewashing is a textile manufacturing process that involves washing denim in a rotating drum, typically with one or more pumice stones. As the denim jeans rotate in the drum, they are beaten with the pumice stones to create natural-looking wear and tear. Most stonewashed jeans feature patches of frayed and worn fabric, which many men and women prefer over traditional denim jeans. Granted, you can achieve a similar appearance by wearing your jeans for several years, though it’s easier and substantially faster to buy stonewashed jeans instead.
#3) Embroidered Jeans
Embroidered jeans are a fun alternative to traditional denim styles. As the name suggests, they feature rhinestones, jewels or other accessories that are embroidered onto the fabric. You can buy embroidered jeans either pre-made, or you can embroider them yourself. Many women prefer the latter option simply because it allows them to express their creativity. Regardless, though, you can’t go wrong with a pair of stylish embroidered jeans.
#4) Pocketless Jeans
Traditional denim jeans typically have four pockets: two in the front and two in the back. Some alternative styles, however, are made without any pockets. These “pocketless” jeans offer a fun alternative to traditional styles. Without pockets, there’s a greater emphasis on the overall appearance of the jeans. Of course, pocketless jeans aren’t for everyone. If you frequently store car keys, cash or other items in your pockets, you should probably avoid this style and choose a different one instead.
#5) Denim Leggings
Denim leggings are another popular style of denim from which to choose. They are designed to look like regular leggings by hugging the body with a snug fit. Unlike regular leggings, however, they are made of denim materials. Normally, denim leggings feature more than just denim; they also contain an elastic material to make them stretch. If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of pants to work out or exercise in, you really can’t go wrong with denim leggings.
#6) Low-Rise Jeans
Low-rise jeans are characterized by the area of the waist on which they rest. While traditional jeans typically rest around the middle of the waist, low-rise jeans sit several inches lower. Many women prefer the unique style offered by low-rise jeans. It’s important to note, however, that you should only wear them for casual occasions. You cannot achieve a formal or even semi-formal appearance with low-rise jeans.
#7) High-Rise Jeans
On the other side of the denim fence is high-rise jeans, which as you may have guessed already sits higher on the waist. While not as popular as its low-rise counterpart, high-rise jeans are still a viable alternative to traditional denim styles. Some women prefer high-rise jeans over other styles when wearing cut-off shirts and tops. The combination of a cut-off top with high-rise jeans is a unique and eye-catching style that’s guranteed to turn heads. Other women prefer high-rise jeans because they stay on their waist more securely than other styles.
#8) Black Jeans
Granted, denim jeans are available in countless colors, only one of which is blue. One color in particular, however, is making an impact in the world of fashion: black. Black denim jeans are sleek, stylish and easy to match with out clothes and accessories. They are still made with the same high-quality, genuine denim as blue jeans. The only difference is that they are dyed black. The use of black dye creates an entirely new appearance, however, allowing fashion-forward men and women to differentiate themselves from the crowd.
#9) Tapered Jeans
Most people are familiar with boot-cut jeans. Characterized by a larger opening around the ankles, allowing the wearer to place his or her jeans over the top of their boots, boot cut is a popular denim style. Tapered jeans, however, are the opposite of boot cut. With tapered jeans, the fabric become narrower through the legs, eventually leading to a very narrow ankle. You can still wear boots or other shoes with tapered jeans, though you may have a hard time trying to get them over the top.
#10) Boyfriend
Perhaps the most popular alternative denim style — at least for women — is boyfriend jeans. So, what in the world are boyfriend jeans and why they are so popular? Boyfriend jeans are essentially women’s jeans that are designed to look and feel like men’s jeans. The only difference is that they are designed to fit a woman’s body. A lot of women enjoy wearing their boyfriend’s jeans, but because men and women’s jeans are made differently, this isn’t always an option. With boyfriend jeans, however, women can achieve a similar look while maintaining a proper fit.
Now that you know a little bit about popular alternative denim styles, you might be wondering which one is right for you. There’s no such thing as a single “best” style, as different people have different preferences. So, familiarize yourself with the different styles and choose the one that’s best suited for your needs.
