No item of clothing is more American than blue jeans. Blue jeans were invented in 1873 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. These two visionary immigrants, turned denim, thread and a little metal into the most popular clothing product in the world. The word jeans became more popular around 1960 when the baby-boom generation adopted the term for its favorite type of pants, blue jeans.

Nowadays jeans are more than just jeans. We have to deal with different sizes, styles, cuts and fits, washes and embellishments. How are we supposed to know what's out there and how to get them?

Here are the different styles, cuts & fits which is a great place to start. After you have found out what fits best you can then decide which brand you'd like to purchase. (List of designer name jeans below)

Straight Leg Jeans: Traditional cut with a straight narrow leg that does not flare at the ankles.

Flared Leg: Narrow at the knee, and an extra wide flare at the leg. Most common leg type on low rise jeans.

Boot Cut Jeans: Cut to skim the thigh with a slightly flared lower leg.

Tapered Leg: Jeans narrow towards the ankle.

Capri: A leg cut that usually ends just below the knee or at mid-calf.

Tight/Skinny: A close fit throughout the leg.

Stove Pipe: As the name implies, an over-sized straight leg cut.

Bell Bottoms: A wider, more exaggerated flare named and made popular in the 1960’s, often used with low rise jeans and ultra low rise jeans.

Cropped: Jeans can be cropped any length from the midcalf to the knee.

Cuffed: A Fold at the end of the legs. Not strictly a leg cut, but a common finish, sometimes added by the designer and sometimes by the user of the jeans for a personal touch.

"Standard" size chart for general information only (in inches)

Size:   XS      S       M       L      XL      XXL    XXXL

Waist: 27-28  29-31   32-34   36-38   40-42   44-48   50-52 

Also, Zafu is a GREAT site that gives you information on how to find the size and style of jeans that's right for you. And it's free! :)

www.zafu.com

It's impossible to keep up with ALL the latest trends unless you're willing to spend hours upon hours researching the latest and greatest jeans out there. Well, here's a compiled list of the world's top designer jeans. Enjoy!

1921 jeans -

1921 is something unique. A brand created simply for the joy of making jeans. Crafted by denim enthusiasts for denim enthusiasts.

7 for all mankind -

7 For All Mankind was the first company to truly bring premium denim to scale. 7 For All Mankind’s premium jeans literally exploded onto the scene, quickly earning critical acclaim and an immediate following for its innovative us of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim. 7 For All Mankind continues to merge the worlds of denim and couture to redefine the fashion landscape.

AG Jeans -

The AG Adriano Goldschmied brand, founded in 2000, partnered long-time denim guru, Adriano Goldschmied, and the industry leader in quality and innovative jean manufacturing, Yul Ku, of Koos Manufacturing in South Gate, CA.

One of the first jean gurus, Adriano Goldschmied is a denim connoisseur with a passion for vintage. He started in the business in 1970, and has since been coming up with new ways to replicate authentic vintage denim.

More importantly, Oprah called AG Jeans her favorite jeans! AG Jeans is one of the biggest names in denim.

Citizens of humanity -

Founded by denim visionary, Jerome Dahan, Citizens of Humanity designs and globally distributes seasonal denim and fashion collections for women and men, including a women’s knit collection.

Chip & Pepper Jeans -

In 1987, identical twins Chip and Pepper Foster created a Canadian sportswear label that is now a multi-million dollar company. Chip & Pepper, with its headquarters in Los Angeles, CA, has emerged as a leading American brand of premium denim since its launch in 2003. Its rapid popularity, spawned by a celebrity cult following, has expanded to include maternity, kids, knitwear, hats, leather-goods, and sportswear.

Diesel -

Diesel is an Italian design company. It is best known for clothing aimed at the youth market, particularly jeans, but the brand can now be found on everything from wristwatches to perfume. The company is owned by its founder Renzo Rosso, and is based in Molvena in northern Italy.

Dorinha Jeans Wear -

Flawless fit. Fantastic feel. Fabulous finish. Vancouver's made-in-Brazil Dorinha Jeans Wear line of sexy, soft and supple low-rise denim creations, with The Original One Inch Zipper and subtle boot-cut leg, hugs the body with stretch to spare for doing the limbo or lambada with equal finesse.

Earnest Sewn -

Earnest Sewn is a denim brand that sets itself apart by consistency in concept and strong lifestyle identity, as well as their overwhelming commitment to product quality and brand. Their concept lies in the idea of mixing the Japanese beauty aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, with denim's Americana past.

Energie -

Energie is an Italian men's sportswear line that mixes vintage styling with artistic expression.

Guess -

Guess is about sexy, adventurous, trendsetting apparel and accessories. All-American looks with a uniquely European attention to detail.

Hudson Jeans -

Hudson jeans are inspired by the idea that the right pair of jeans should be incredibly comfortable, while naturally complimenting individuality and sense of style.

It's known for unparalleled fit and craftsmanship. Their logo and signature triangle flap back pocket, has made Hudson jeans a leading innovator in the premium denim market. Hudson delivers a product of uncompromising quality, value, and integrity in the tradition of fine British couture craftsmanship. It is created from the best premium denim from the finest mills in europe and japan. Plus, all Hudson products are hand finished and tailored to be truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Habitual -

Habitual jeans can be recognized by the Maltese cross seen on the back pockets. The cross has been used over the centuries by warriors dating back to ancient Greece, it represents such virtues as loyalty, piety and bravery. Former fashion editor for Harpers Bazzar Magazine Nicole Colovos and husband Michael Colovos created Habitual jeans in 2001 from their studio in New York and have taken the market by storm.

Nicole and Michael Colovos pride themselves on their attention to detail and their emphasis on fit. Every season Habitual features a new Mantra sewn into the waistband to inspire the souls who strut them. In order to achieve the most complimentary angle each back pocket of every Habitual jean is hand placed!

J Brand Jeans -

J Brand is co-founded by denim manufacturer Jeff Rudes and stylist Susie Crippen. The two set out to create classic and sophisticated jeans with the emphasis on fit, while holding to one mandate: creating timeless products. Paying careful attention to details and clean, dark finishes, together they have created a combination of sexiness, style and comfort in women’s jeans.

J & Company -

With style, attitude, and confidence people everywhere are putting on their J&Company jeans to express themselves. With original styling and a fit for everyone, J&Company has created a contemporary denim based collection for both men and women who understand and appreciate style, comfort and quality.

JamesJeans-

Dry Aged Denim Shop for womens, mens organic premium denim.

Joe's Jeans -

Joe's produces one of the most recognized and sought-after premium denim brands in the world.

Ksubi -

Ksubi is an Australian fashion label, co-founded and directed by surfers Dan Single , Nick Darrigo and George Gorrow.

The brand is known as one of the most notorious, recognised, street-wise and innovative fashion labels in the world. Ksubi positions itself as a collective in rebellion against consumer trends, a social commentator of its generation, an underground subculture, and a fusion of fashion, music and art.

Lucky -

Lucky Brand Jeans is a denim company from Vernon, California, United States, founded in 1990 by Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman. A subsidiary of the Liz Claiborne fashion company, they also produce sportswear, outerwear, T-shirts and active wear.

Mavi Jeans -

Mavi philosophy is to build a brand around perfect fitting jeans that convey a Mediterranean feeling in terms of fashion and detail. Mavi's are meant to be sexy, intimate, inspirational and breezy. Mavi, which means blue in Turkish, is known for high quality, great fitting and fashion-forward denim.

Miss Sixty -

Miss Sixty translates the latest runway trends, the finest Italian cotton, looms and washes houses, to create truly incredible pieces. With fashion-forward European styling, fabulous fits, and fresh unique designs, Miss Sixty is a must have for all us fashion girlie's.

Nudie Jeans -

Swedish line Nudie Jeans gives us the "naked truth about denim," even going eco on us. This Italian-made denim uses organic cotton with a touch of stretch for a slimming silhouette. With white contrast stitching, these long and lean jeans are comfortable and undeniably stylish.

Paige Premium Denim -

Paige was founded in 2004 by fit model Paige Adams-Geller on the principle that you don’t have to be a size zero to look great and feel great in a pair of designer jeans. Paige Adams-Geller realized it was time she used her expertise and unique values to create the “perfect fitting jean.”

PRPS Denim -

Japanese. Our product sees the world. After it is harvested in Africa, it is shipped to Japan and woven into denim cloth. PRPS Denim is woven on vintage levis shuttle looms that are wholly unlike the mass, projectile looms commonly used around the world today. Our cloth is woven in small batches with our signature purple selvedge. The clean, bound edge on the fabric. This process is much slower and deliberate, produces less materila and more waste, but the end result is denim that is superior in durability, texture and touch.

Ranahan Jeans -

The inspiration of the jeans come from their connection to vintage western movies and clothing. The fit is fantastic. Very slimming, and a great butt jean. Classic clean wash with a fantastic cut and a hidden lipstick pocket.

Replay -

Italian company who has reinvented jeans with its 'double ring denim'.

Rock and Republic -

Rock & Republic means edgy, progressive design inspired by Rock & Roll and with an emphasis on modern silhouettes and a sleek fit.

TAG Jeans -

TAG brings to the table decorative stitching, custom-designed washes, signature buttons, sexy but comfortable designs and urban chic cuts. TAG exists to make women and men feel sexy, comfortable, confident and stylishly relaxed in their jeans and premium cuts of denim.

Tavernitiso Jeans -

French design heritage meets American rock and roll spirit in Tavernitiso. Edgy patches, tears, rips and treatments just interesting enough for a night out.

True Religion -

Jeffrey Lubell founded True Religion in 2002 with the intention of redefining premium denim. His vision was to make quality, American-made, authentic, timeless, great fitting, 1970’s inspired jeans wear, with a trendsetting appeal for today’s consumer.

True Religion’s commitment to perfect fit, timeless style and that hippie bohemian chic flare have solidified True Religion’s brand position as a leader in premium denim and casual sportswear globally.

Miss Me -

Miss me jeans will give you that precise, individual "just for me" feeling. It's the perfect fit with details that reflect the fun in every moment of your life. Miss me jeans is strictly jeans in the best sense of the concept. With fits that compliment just about any figure, Miss me designs are truly unique stand-outs in a vast sea of denim.

William Rast -

Trace Ayala has been Justin Timberlake's childhood friend, personal assistant and now his business partner in the pair's latest venture, clothing line William Rast. William Rest starts from the beginning--everything from buttons to stitching to rivets. They fully design and produce the line.

Yanuk -

Yanuk jeans are made from high-quality fabrics milled in the United States, Japan, Italy and Spain, and are processed with cutting-edge treatments and finishes. Yanuks' concepts, designs, embellishments, patent-pending pockets and great attention to detail and quality give it a competitive advantage in the high-end fashion jeans market.

Everyone wants designer jeans but not all of us can afford them. So, I've listed out some ways to either buy them in stores, online, at an auction site or make them yourself. What personality type are you? :)

At a store please. I'd like to try them on:

Nordstroms, Barney's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus

I've tried them on and know what I want but don't want to pay full price:

Revolve Clothing, Ron Herman, ShopBop, Kultic

I know exactly what I want, need to save money and won't return them:

eBay, Amazon, Overstock

Price is not an issue. I want to create my own jeans:

http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Jeans

Thanks for checking out my hub! I hope it's been helpful in your search for designer jeans. Feel free to leave me a comment!