Off the Cuff - Carson Kressley [17]
Bootleg jeans were made for cowboys, and that’s why they’re cut the way they are. Bootlegs have very slim lines so they won’t bunch up in the saddle or cause lumps at the knees when riding. They will also have a slight flare to accommodate cowboy boots. Bootleg is also the one cut that’s pretty consistent from brand to brand. If it’s called bootleg, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be leaner through the seat and thighs, with a slightly flared bottom.
Relaxed or easy fit No two designers will call this the same thing, but I like to call it the “Oh my God, Becky! Her butt is so big” fit. The waist and the length are still the same, but the space between them, the whole construction of the jean, is more generous in the seat, thigh,, and leg.
Straight leg No pun intended. These are not only for straight men, as you may have thought. It’s just a little bit of a leaner cut—there’s no flare like in a bootcut. They just basically cut a big square out for your leg. Straight-leg jeans work for just about everyone. I don’t ever want to see denim that’s pegged. That worked in the eighties, when you tight rolled the hem of your jeans and cuffed it three times to wear with your Coca-Cola ruby shirt, Reeboks and Swatch watch. It might still be all the rage in Uzbekistan, but not so much here anymore
What Should a Good Pair of Jeans Do for You?
1. They should fit and flatter.
2. They should feel like you’ve worn them forever.
3. They should make you feel at your most comfortable.
4. They should give you a nice basket, even if it’s not Easter.
5. They should make you look and feel sexy.
6. They should go with just about everything else in your wardrobe.
7. They should get you laid. Oh, come on. Stop pretending to be shocked.
The flasher might say “low rise” or “medium rise.” Let’s hope they never make a high rise. I recommend medium rise. We don’t want to see your happy trail. As sexy as it may have looked in the International Male catalog, trust me, it’s not a good look for you. And don’t get me started on the other side, where we see ass crack. There’s a reason Whitney said, “Crack is whack.” Crack kills, people, and it will kill your look.
A WORD OF CAUTION:Low-slung jeans worn gangsta style make you look like you have a load in your pants. Let’s leave that to our friends in the rap community, shall we? How do you know if you’ve gone too low? Well, if you can see your underwear or your pubic hair (and your name is not Britney or Christina), your low riders are too low. If the end of your fly zipper is at your knees, that’s also a good sign your jeans are too loose. That’s okay for the artist formerly known as Lil’ Bow Wow, but not for you.
Roughwear Pants
Despite your dirty fantasies, roughwear pants are just more rugged, outdoorsy pants for weekend wear. They include things like cargo pants and painters’ pants—anything with a utility or workwear heritage. They pay homage to the blue-collar laborer who made this land of ours so great. And they look as hot today as they did when the WPA Act was introduced. Thank you, President Roosevelt! Roughwear pants are rugged, they’re meant to take a licking, and there are so many options out there. One pair of pants I love, although they’re no longer readily available, are the Alcatraz pants by G-Star, which are prison-inspired and super cool. Totally hot in an Oz kind of way.
Roughwear pants are generally reserved for outdoor activities