A good pair of jeans looks great with just about any casual outfit. These are closet staples I swear I can’t live without!
Jeans come in a variety of styles, fits, cuts, and colors. Not all jeans are created equal! Some might look more flattering on your body type than others.
Moreover, some jeans trends tend to be more popular. For instance, skinny jeans are not as popular these days anymore. It’s all about the looser jeans styles.
Today, I want to cover two of my favorite jeans styles that are both classic and trendy right now–mom jeans and straight jeans! I’ll cover the differences, similarities, styling tips, and more between mom jeans vs straight jeans.
Disclosure: Vain Affair is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
In This Post ➜
- How Do You Define Mom Jeans?
- What Exactly Are Straight Leg Jeans?
- What’s The Difference Between Mom Jeans & Straight Leg Jeans?
- Are There Similarities Between Mom & Straight Jeans?
- What Body Types Look Good In Mom Jeans & Straight Jeans?
- How Are Mom Jeans & Straight Leg Jeans Supposed To Fit?
- Which Jeans Are Better At Hiding A Large Stomach Or Muffin Top?
How Do You Define Mom Jeans?
Mom jeans were originally popularized and favored by moms in the 80s and 90s, which led to their iconic name that they are now called by.
These jeans are generally high-waisted, loose around the thighs, and have tapered legs.
They have a looser fit, especially in the thigh and bum area. Their distinct style comes from the tapering of the legs down to the ankles.
Related: How To Style Mom Jeans In 12 Outfits & Look Incredibly Chic – Must Know!
👖 Shop Cute Mom Jeans: 👖
- Old Navy: High-Waisted O.G. Straight Jeans for Women – The straight dope on the O.G. Straight Jeans? Think “mom jeans”…if your mom was a supermodel. Part ‘90s nostalgia, part new-normal comfort, served straight up
- Madewell: The Petite Perfect Vintage Jean in Ainsworth Wash – With their waist-accentuating high rise and tapered legs, these are “mom jeans”…if your mom was a ’90s supermodel (and, P.S., the raw hems look really cool with boots).
- American Eagle Stretch Mom Straight Jean – These jeans are Real Good: made in a factory that meets our standards for water recycling and reduction.
What Exactly Are Straight Leg Jeans?
Straight leg jeans are one of my favorite jeans styles that are incredibly classic and timeless. Like the name suggests, these jeans have a straight silhouette that consists of the same leg width from the top to the bottom.
Unlike other jeans, straight leg jeans do not taper below the knee. Straight leg jeans can also come in different fits. For example, they can come in a relaxed straight fit or a slim straight fit.
👖 Shop Cute Straight Leg Jeans: 👖
- J.Crew Factory: Essential straight jean in all-day stretch – All-day stretch fabric: low stretch, with an easy feel and a little bit of give.
- Everlane: The Way-High Jean – The Way-High Jean accentuates your true waist, gives you legs for days, and holds you in—in the best way possible.
- Veronica Beard: BLAKE STRAIGHT-LEG JEAN | NOTCH WAIST – In a light faded wash, our Blake straight-leg jeans feature a notched waist band for added style. This wide-leg, slightly cropped style is perfect for tucked-in tops and tees—just add sneakers.
What’s The Difference Between Mom Jeans & Straight Leg Jeans?
Now that we’ve covered the basics between mom jeans vs straight jeans, let’s dive into the fundamental details that really make them unique and distinct from each other.
I’ll cover the differences in all the characteristics that make up a pair of jeans, including the length, waist, cut, shape, and more!
- Silhouette
The most defining characteristic between mom jeans vs straight jeans is their silhouette or overall fit. For mom jeans, the bum and thigh area are looser. They also have a loose leg area that tapers down.
However, some mom jeans may have more fitted legs, but the classic mom jeans will always have a looser fit.
Straight leg jeans have a slimmer fit in comparison to mom jeans. They don’t taper at the legs and have the same leg width throughout.
- Length
The standard length for mom jeans should hit right above the ankles. In comparison, the classic straight leg jeans should hit right at the ankle.
However, both types of jeans also have various lengths aside from the classic lengths.
Some straight leg jeans have options that go slightly above the ankles too. You can also get cropped versions of both mom and straight leg jeans.
- Waist
Straight leg jeans can come in a variety of waist heights or rises.
My personal favorite is the high-waisted straight leg jeans, but straight leg jeans can come in a mid-rise or low-rise too. The mid-rise straight-leg jeans are typically considered the classic waist height.
In contrast, mom jeans always come in a high-waisted fit. This is a distinct characteristic that all mom jeans have to have that creates the distinction between mom jeans vs straight jeans.
Are There Similarities Between Mom & Straight Jeans?
While mom jeans and straight jeans look and fit differently from each other, they both have a relaxed fit that is very on trend right now.
Moreover, you can get a high-waisted fit in both styles. They also come in similar lengths too.
I love both styles and find them very flattering. Their loose fits are incredibly comfy too. Having both styles in my closet allows me to play around with different jeans silhouettes.
What Body Types Look Good In Mom Jeans & Straight Jeans?
Mom jeans look great on a lot of body types because they are high-waisted. They’re especially good at slimming down the thigh area and highlighting the waist.
Make sure to check out my post on the 5 main body types, if you’re not familiar with them.
Here’s the body types that look particularly good in mom jeans:
- Hourglass shape – Mom jeans have a tapered waist and wider legs, which helps enhance the proportions of an hourglass figure.
- Pear shape – This body shape has a smaller waist and wider hips. Mom jeans have more room around the hips area, so it will fit more comfortably on this body shape and look more flattering too!
- Apple shape – This body shape lacks definition in the waist area. Mom jeans will help define the waist area.
Straight leg jeans look great on those that are petite because it can help visually elongate the legs. The straight cut creates long vertical lines that help make the legs appear longer.
Here’s the body shapes that will benefit the most from straight leg jeans:
- Rectangle shape – A high or mid rise straight leg jeans will help add more definition to the waist area.
- Apple shape – Straight leg jeans will help enhance the curves and elongate the legs.
- Inverted triangle shape – These jeans will add some volume to the hip and leg area while also elongating the legs.
How Are Mom Jeans & Straight Leg Jeans Supposed To Fit?
The key to looking great in your mom or straight leg jeans is to make sure that they actually fit your right! Moreover, it’s important to note that the fit is different between mom jeans vs straight jeans.
Mom jeans are high-waisted and hit right above the belly button. They’re also looser around the hips and thigh area, but narrow at the waist. Also, look for tapered legs and they should end right above the ankles.
Straight leg jeans have a consistent cut throughout the pant leg–all the way from the waist to the hemline. That is their defining feature that they must have.
These jeans have a loose fit, but are more slimming in the thigh and leg area than mom jeans. They also come in low, mid, high rises.
Straight leg jeans should hit at the ankle or higher. If they go past the ankles, they tend to bunch up and look messy.
Which Jeans Are Better At Hiding A Large Stomach Or Muffin Top?
When it comes to hiding a large stomach or muffin top, high-waisted jeans are your best friends! Both mom jeans and straight leg jeans come in a high-waisted fit, so both would do a great job at hiding a larger stomach.
Moreover, jeans with more room around the hips area will help draw attention away from the stomach area. This is where mom jeans shine!
Mom jeans have more room around the hips area, so they don’t accentuate the stomach and will really help visually hide a large stomach better.
There you have it! I hope this gives you a better understanding of the difference between mom jeans vs straight jeans.
Disclosure: Vain Affair is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
You May Also Like To Read:
- How To Wear Ankle Boots With Jeans | 10 Outfit Ideas & Tips
- Amazon Designer Dupes & Easy Trick To Find Dupes On Amazon
- Why Is SHEIN So Cheap? 9 Reasons You Must Know + More!
- Inexpensive Gold Jewelry That Won’t Tarnish – Edblad Jewelry Review
- Swedish Stockings Review: Malva Ladder Resistant Tights + My Genuine Thoughts & Opinions!
- 38 Best SHEIN Finds That You’ll Want To Buy Right Now + Ultimate Shopping Guide
- First Date Winter Date Night Outfits: 14 Outfits To Cuddle In
- Shoes To Wear With Joggers For Women & Cute Outfit Ideas
What do you think?