If you want to be a fashion expert, it’s not enough to know the types of women’s trousers such as bell-bottoms, skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans. The range of names that can be used by manufacturers and stores is much wider. Therefore, we present a guide to the types of women’s trousers – a real compendium of knowledge prepared by fashion lovers.
Palazzo, culottes, capri, cargo… If this is your first time hearing these terms, then great. The following article describes as many as twenty-three types of trousers. It also lists their characteristic features and the principles that should be followed when choosing a specific cut.
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Types of women’s trousers
Bells
Flares are a style of trousers that became famous in the 1970s, characterized by legs that flare out significantly from the knee down. The length of the flares reaches the end of the foot. These trousers usually cover the shoes. Shorter models are called “bootcut” and reach above the ankle, and sometimes end below mid-calf.
Regular (straight)
Straight-cut trousers are often called regular. Although in recent years, cuts with much narrower legs have become more popular, straight trousers still reign supreme in plus size fashion. Straight-leg trousers are considered to be one of the most universal, suitable for almost all types of female figures.
Tubes
Skinny jeans are pants with narrow legs. It is worth adding that between skinny jeans and straight-leg pants, there is also an intermediate cut, borrowed from men’s fashion, the so-called carrot fit. Skinny jeans work well for both tall and short women, but women with a very developed hip section should consider choosing straight-leg models.
Skinny
A style with a more fitted leg than a skinny is a skinny. The material of the latter is usually more elastic. A variant of the skinny fit with the most fitted leg is the “super skinny fit”.
Swedes (palazzo)
The palazzo model, once called swedes, has an even wider leg than the bell-bottom. Unlike the bell-bottom, the palazzo leg widens from the hips. The loose cut provides comfort, freedom of movement and appropriate thermal comfort, which is why this model is most often chosen in the summer. According to some, people with more curves in the lower part of the stomach should give up this style. It is also not recommended for women of small stature, unless it is combined with stilettos or high wedges.
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Culottes
Cullottes are wide-legged trousers that reach to mid-calf. The wide legs make this trouser model resemble a skirt when moving. Cullottes, although this is not their distinguishing element, often have pleats at the front and a slightly higher waist.
Chino
Chinos have a looser cut than cigarette pants, although they also taper down. Chinos are closer to the cut of men’s trousers sewn in a so-called carrot cut. Chinos usually reach to the ankle or behind it and have pockets on the butt (or their imitation) and open pockets in the front. They are also usually ironed to the crease. This model works well both for the office and for casual styling.
Cargo
Cargo trousers have loose legs that can also be finished with cuffs. Cargo trousers usually have large external pockets at or just above the knees. Some models have fitted tube-type legs finished with cuffs.
Boyfriend
Boyfriend jeans are loose-fit trousers that are often decorated with numerous abrasions. Their dropped crotch and wide legs make them very comfortable and suitable for many styles, even the more elegant ones, despite appearances. They look interesting with a fitted shirt and slip-on shoes. Because their cut can optically add a few kilos, they are not intended for everyone. They will look great on a tall and slim person. Women who have wide shoulders and bust will also be able to balance their body proportions with these trousers.
Mumfit
Mumfit are trousers associated with the 80s and 90s, whose characteristic feature is that they are not fitted to the body. Mumfit are trousers with an exceptionally high waist. The trousers are widened around the hips and pockets. Due to their similarity, they are often confused with slouchy trousers. However, mumfit have much more tapered legs towards the bottom. These trousers are increasingly chosen not only for social gatherings, but also for work, due to their versatility – they go perfectly with a shirt or crop top.
Aladdins (Sinbaddy)
Alladins or Sindbads are wide trousers made of loose and airy material with a characteristically very low crotch. They do not have a fastening, they are usually tied or fastened with a wide elastic band around the hips. Since their country of origin is India, they are usually multi-colored. Many models are unisex, and their cut allows for unlimited freedom of movement. You can often come across the name salwar kameez or harem pants.
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Cigarillos
Cigarette pants usually have a crease or a seam imitating it. They are elegant trousers, extremely popular in office fashion. Some people confuse cigarette pants with chinos, which also have tapered legs, but not to the same extent as cigarette pants, which are usually fitted. According to some information, only 7/8 models without back pockets are called cigarette pants.
Paperbag
Paper bag trousers have pleats or gathers at the waist, which is tied with a thin string or strip of material. Paper bags have a high waist. The greater amount of gathered material at the waist makes this model unsuitable for women with a protruding belly or no waistline. However, this model is still very popular, especially in the summer, mainly because they are slightly looser around the hips and upper thighs.
Joggers
Joggers are trousers that are tapered towards the bottom and finished with a wide elastic band. These trousers, inspired by tracksuits, usually have several pockets. They can be fastened with a button or have an elastic band at the waist. The looser cut makes them very comfortable. They go well with casual styles with a touch of sporty character.
Combat pants
Combat pants are by definition loose trousers narrowed at the very bottom with lots of extremely functional pockets inspired by military clothing. In women’s departments of both stationary and online stores, the name combat pants includes both loose trousers with a drawstring at the bottom and fitted skinny jeans. However, their characteristic feature is the multitude of large pockets, zippers, chains, as well as the color scheme of earth tones. Combat pants mainly come in shades of green, beige, brown, gray and black.
Slouchy
Slouchy, also called balloon, are trousers, usually denim, with a looser cut and high waist. A common element of these trousers are darts at the front. They are somewhat similar to mumfit models, but the latter have tapered legs. In the case of balloon trousers, the legs are much wider. Slouchy are recommended for slim and tall women with a not very defined hip line, because wide legs with a few extra centimeters add volume around the thighs. This model has a decidedly streetwear and nonchalant character.
Leggings and their types
Leggings
Leggings are pants made of elastic material. Very tight-fitting legs made leggings loved by all women who practice fitness and various sports. Leggings are also used by women looking for an alternative to home tracksuits. The most classic legging models are made of Lycra.
Jeggings
Jeggings are a creation created by combining the functionality of leggings with the look of jeans. Although the material used to sew jeggings is much thinner than real jeans, it is usually an imitation and has a large admixture of elastic fabrics that make these pants fit better than super slim jeans.
Treggings
Treggings are a combination of classic trousers and elastic and fitted leggings. They are made similar to traditional trousers by additional elements such as belt loops, buttons, snaps, pockets and zippers. Treggings can be made of various elastic materials, both those imitating jeans and regular – thinner fabrics.
Division by condition
Hipsters
Hipsters are low-rise jeans. As the name suggests, these are pants that end at the hip line, fitting them almost perfectly. This is a very classic cut of pants, often chosen by tall and slim people. These pants are usually tight along their entire length. They are fastened with a zipper and a button, and have pockets at the front and back.
High waisted
High-waisted trousers are characterized by the fact that they end at the navel or slightly below it. This style is extremely comfortable and practical – its high waist ensures that this part of the wardrobe will not slide too low. These trousers can slim the figure and emphasize assets, which is a plus for many. When choosing high-waisted trousers, you need to pay attention to whether they are properly fitted in terms of cut and style.
Division by length
Shorts
Shorts are short trousers that have a sporty cut. They are ideal for summer and are great for all kinds of sports activities. Shorts can currently be found in many variants and models – material, tied with an elastic band, pulled on, but also denim. Shorts, which are more elegant, will work as an alternative to a skirt. Depending on the model, shorts can have both a low and high waist.
Cyclists
Cycling shorts, like Bermuda shorts, reach above the knee (usually ending mid-thigh). Unlike Bermuda shorts, they are fitted, as they were created with cyclists in mind. Cycling shorts have a decidedly sporty character and you can successfully find models dedicated to fitness, as well as typical casual models.
Bermudas
Bermuda shorts are a type of trousers that are slightly above the knee, and their legs are rolled up. They do not fit tightly to the body. Bermuda shorts have pockets at the front and back, although the latter are often sewn on in a decorative form. Depending on the material, they can be sewn in an elegant crease or be slightly looser, and sometimes even denim. Bermuda shorts always have belt loops that allow you to match them with decorative belts.
Capri (Fisherwomen)
Capri pants are trousers whose legs reach below the knee or even to the middle of the calves, which is why you can often hear someone calling them 3/4 pants. These pants, chosen in the spring and summer season, are often confused with Bermuda shorts, despite the difference in length. The waist of capri pants is always regular, and the material from which they are made is not rigidly defined – it can be both cotton and jeans. However, you should be careful, because 3 pants can optically shorten the length of the legs.
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