What is the Difference Between Men's and Women's Jeans?
Men's and women's jeans are not always stylistically very different. Where men's and women's jeans predominantly differ is in sizing practices. Generally, they are also shaped differently for various body types and preferences.
Men's jeans tend to be universally sized in waist and length measurements. For example, a pair of men's jeans might be marked as size "34-32." The first number corresponds to the waist measurement, while the second number corresponds to the inseam. In the United States, this is indicated in inches, but elsewhere these measurements are taken in centimeters, in which case a 34-32 would refer to a pant that was 86 cm wide and 81 cm long.
In the U.S., women's jeans, on the other hand, are often sized with a single number. A woman might purchase a pair of size "6" jeans. Since there is no industry standard for women's jeans sizing, a size 6 from one store may be much larger or smaller than a size 6 from another store. Where men are able to choose their specific inseam length, women often, but not always, must choose among three options — short, regular, or long. Still, some women's jeans are sized with a single number for the waist, as the size 6 mentioned above, but with a specific inseam measurement.
Additionally, what may have been a size 6 in the past is now more likely marked as a size 4 or a size 2. As women's body types have changed, manufacturers have adjusted their sizes to flatter a woman's self esteem — basing their sizing on the belief that most women would prefer to wear a piece of clothing marked with a "Small" label than with a "Large."
Outside of the United States, and even from some designer jeans manufacturers within the U.S., women's jeans are sized with a length-inseam measurement. This measurement is indicated in inches in the U.S., and centimeters elsewhere in the world. In time, it may be likely that men's and women's jeans will be sized in the same way, with a simple waist-inseam measurement.
Both men's and women's jeans offer various styles and colors. A few examples of women's styles include flared, where the bottom cuff of the jean is much wider than the rest of the leg; and bootcut, where the bottom cuff of the jeans is slightly wider than the leg of the pant to fit more easily over shoes. Women's jeans will sometimes offer patterns or designs on the pockets, along with a tighter, more feminine cut. Both men's and women's jeans offer bootcut styles. Men's jeans are generally looser, but of course, many styles are available, including slim jeans.
Men's and women's jeans both offer different rises, including high rise, which sit up near the waist, and low rise, which sit around the hips. Medium rise, which sits just below the navel, is often the most flattering. Despite the discrepancies in jeans sizes, men's and women's jeans are often manufactured in exactly the same way.
Written by B. Miller
