The denim ledger
Denim & Trousers
Rise, inseam, leg opening, stretch percentage and hem finish — the five numbers that decide whether a pair of jeans or trousers works on a body, read off the size chart and the fabric content rather than the product copy.
Three Straight Trousers Compared by Rise, Inseam and Stretch
Three straight trousers compared on rise, inseam and elastane content, plus the hem and thigh figures the product pages do not publish.
What this column keeps saying
- 01 Rise beats waist size
- 02 Stretch above 2% sags
- 03 Hem to the shoe, not the floor
Editor picks
Three Jeans Compared by Rise, Inseam and Stretch
Three jeans compared by rise, inseam and stretch, from a 12 1/8-inch front rise to an 8 1/2-inch one, with the leg openings each brand lists.
Wide Legs Work on a Ratio, Not a Size
Divide flat leg opening by front rise and the look becomes predictable. The ratio, the top length that matches it, and the shoe volume underneath.
All entries
03 Black Trousers and Navy Trousers Are Not Interchangeable Jul 27, 2026 · 6 min 
04 Raw Denim's First Year: Sanforization, Shrink and Washing Jul 18, 2026 · 6 min 
05 Leg Opening From 7 to 11 Inches Jul 9, 2026 · 6 min 
06 What 1%, 2% and 4% Elastane Do After a Day Jun 30, 2026 · 6 min 
07 Inseam Against Heel Height and Hem Finish Jun 20, 2026 · 6 min 
08 Rise, Explained in Numbers Jun 11, 2026 · 6 min