As the weather starts to warm up, more and more people are starting to cuff their jeans –creating a more casual look to survive the summer heat. Cuffed jeans are a great way to show off your shoes when you don't have a cropped jean or capri jean option in your closet, and they're a preppy addition to your summer weather attire. Here's how to cuff your jeans, when to cuff your jeans, and how to style your cuffed jeans.
How to Cuff Your Jeans: The Basics
First, we will go over the basics of cuffing your womens jeans. To simply cuff your jeans, start by folding up the hem of your jeans so that it's about 2 inches (5 cm) above your ankle. Next, take the cuff and fold it over again so that the raw edge is hidden. Make sure that the cuff is at a 90 degree angle with the inseam. Finally, secure the cuff in place with a few stitches, a piece of fabric tape, or a rubber band. Once you’ve mastered the jean cuffing fundamentals, you can experiment with different types of jean cuffs.
Different Ways to Cuff Your Jeans
- The Single Cuff: This cuff is essentially the example we gave in the cuffing fundamentals section above. It is going to be a 1 to 2 inch singular cuff. It is also one of the most popular ways to cuff your jeans.
- The Double Cuff: This cuff is exactly how it sounds. Similar to the single cuff you will roll your jeans up to an inch, except you will do this in two cuffs. It will really show off the hem and the details of your jean stitching.
- The High Cuff: This cuff might be simple, but it’s bold. Essentially it is a 2 to 3 inch singular cuff. This look is best when paired with boots and also looks great if you have long legs as it can make your legs appear shorter.
- The Skinny Cuff Roll: This cuffing is for when you don’t want a very bold cuff. You start at the hem and make three tiny rolls up your pant leg. It should only roll up about half an inch. This cuff works best with thinner denim and pairs well with a sneaker.
- The Capri Cuff: This cuff is exactly like the double cuff, except you are going to push your jeans upwards so your jeans end just under your knee. This cuff works with longer jeans, too. This looks best with a pair of canvas sneakers for a sportier or preppier look.
How to Roll Your Jean Cuffs
For most of the cuffed jean options, you’ll need to roll your jean cuffs. It is pretty simple, but it does require a tight fold and a bit of patience. Here's three easy steps on how to roll your cuffed jeans:
- Fold the cuffs of your jeans over once, so that they're about an inch wide.
- Roll the cuffs up until they reach the right length.
- If your cuffs are too loose, you can use a rubber band or hair tie to keep them in place.
When to Cuff Your Jeans
If your jeans are on the longer side, and you don’t want to get them hemmed, (See our article on how to hem jeans) cuffing your jeans is a great way to help them fit properly. Besides jean fit jeans, there are several other occasions when you should consider cuffing your jeans:
- When it's hot outside and you want to show off your shoes
- When you want to add a bit of style to your outfit
- When you're wearing bootcut or skinny jeans
Tips on Cuffing Your Jeans For Your Body Type
- If you're petite, cuffed jeans can help create the illusion of longer legs. Just be sure to pair them with heels or wedges for extra height.
- If you're tall, cuffed jeans can help prevent your look from appearing lanky
- If you're pear-shaped, cuffed jeans can help balance out your lower half by drawing attention to your shoes. Just be sure to cuff them at the slimmest part of your ankle.
- If you're hourglass-shaped, cuffed jeans can help highlight your curves. Just be sure to cuff them at the narrowest part of your ankle.
- If you're apple-shaped, cuffed jeans can help draw attention away from your midsection. Just be sure to choose a darker wash and pair them with a fitted top
- Besides jean cuffing, if you are looking for the best jean fit for curvy figures, be sure to check out our blog on curvy jean fit for additional information
How to Cuff Skinny Jeans
If you're looking to cuff your skinny jeans, there are a few things you need to keep in mind with skinny jean length. First, make sure that your jeans are cuffed to the ankle length - they should hit just above the ankle bone. You'll also want to make sure that the cuff is tight enough so that it doesn't flare out or sag. Then try the double cuff with a pair of boots or sneakers.
How to Cuff Straight Leg Jeans
There are a few things to remember when cuffing straight leg jeans. First, make sure that the jeans are not too tight or too loose around the waist and hips. Also, be sure to cuff the jeans evenly so that both legs have the same inseam length. Then try using the skinny cuff roll with a cute pair of canvas sneakers.
How to Cuff Wide Leg Jeans
Compared to other jean styles, wide cut jeans are more difficult to cuff since it can be harder to determine how long should jeans be when you are cuffing a wider pant leg. To cuff wide leg jeans, start by folding the hem of the jeans up to create a cuff that is about 2-3 inches wide. Since they have such a loose fit, the cuff will need to be sewn. Use a needle and thread to hand-sew the cuff in place. Style with a pair of heeled wedges or mules.
How to Cuff Bootcut Jeans
Bootcut jeans can be cuffed as well, and the result is just as flattering. The key is to cuff them just enough so that they’re not too baggy or bulky around the ankle, but still look stylish and put-together. Try using the single cuff with a heeled bootie.
How to Cuff Jeans With Boots
When it comes to pairing cuffed jeans with shoes, boots are the go-to option. Here are some easy rules to follow when cuffing your jeans with ankle boots or booties:
- Choose boots that hit just above the ankle, this will allow the cuffed pant leg to meet the ankle boot at just the right length
- Depending on your inseam and cuffable fabric, the best cuff to perform will be the single cuff or the high cuff. These will draw attention to your boots as well as the details of your jean stitching around the hem
- Next, style your cuffed jeans and booties with a casual long sleeve shirt or blouse
How to Style Your Cuffed Jeans
All in all, cuffed jeans are a great way to add a personal touch to your denim look. They can be worn casual or dressed up, depending on how you style them. Here are some ideas on how to rock cuffed jeans:
- For a casual look, pair cuffed jeans with a t-shirt and sneakers. Add a denim jacket for a cool, laid-back vibe.
- To dress up cuffed jeans, try pairing them with a blouse and heel. A leather jacket will give you an edgy look.
- If you want to show off your cuffed jeans, wear them with a cropped top or tank. Add some statement jewelry to really make your outfit pop.
No matter how you wear them, cuffed jeans are a fun way to add some personality to your everyday jeans. Now that you’re an expert, go ahead and cuff it up!