How to Cuff Jeans for That Extra Touch of Style
By Jacklyn Story
Tue Nov 15 2022
Cuffing your pant leg adds flair to practically any casual ensemble and shows that you’re up to date on the latest styles. There is, however, a method to the perfect cuff. To help you cuff your jeans correctly, we’ve put together this helpful guide to cover some of the most common (and some uncommon) ways on how to cuff jeans.
How to Properly Cuff Jeans
For many denim enthusiasts, folding or rolling to get the perfect jean cuffs have become the standard for stylish everyday wear. To keep the fabric from fraying, jeans are sewn at the bottom of the legs, creating a hem. If your jean legs are too long or too large and you want them to be shorter, you can either have them hemmed or cuffed.
Cuffing jeans is not only a practical technique to shorten them without having to cut and mend them, but it also looks great. It's also a fun way to add a personal touch to our otherwise identical raw denim jeans. Cuffs are the coiled or turned-up portions of cloth at the bottom of the legs. You may hear them referred to as 'turn-ups,' but we'll refer to them as cuffs in this article. Here are six stylish techniques you need to know for how to cuff your jeans.
1. The Single Cuff
The standard cuff is the single cuff. It has a neat and clean appearance and is easy to implement.
How-to: Fold the leg outwards once, around 2 inches above the hem. That’s all there is to it!
The single cuff is the ideal method to cuff jeans if the length of the leg is a good fit already. (With the exception of boot cuts and flared jeans, which you should never cuff.)
2. The Long Cuff
This method gives your cuff a more prominent appearance.
How to: This method of how to cuff pants follows the same steps as a single cuff, but make it giant! You may tuck the hem behind the roll or leave it out.
3. The Double Cuff
A double cuff is just a single cuff repeated twice.
How-to: You start with one single cuff and then go on to the next, doing it one more time. It's perfect for when you want to shorten the length of your jeans or show off a pair of stylish boots.
4. The Skinny Roll
If you want the appearance of a double cuff, but your jeans aren't long enough to construct one, then turn to the good ol’ skinny roll.
How to: Start at the hem and roll three times to approximately a half-inch wide. Pro-tip: this type of cuff looks great with jeans that aren't too thick.
5. The Inside-Out Cuff
This is one of the more unusual methods when it comes to how to cuff jeans. Therefore, it's a great opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd of other jean cuffing aficionados.
How to: Make a single cuff that is somewhat large and turned inwards. Then make a single cuff outwards on top of it. With the inside-out cuff, you don't see the inside of the denim as you do with the other cuff styles. It gives you a more tailored and clean look, and goes well with thinner fits and darker types of denim.
6. The Summer Cuff
The summer cuff is perfect for warmer weather and the laid-back vibe of the season, showing off your ankles and calves.
How to: Make a double cuff. Then slide the jeans up to your calves to just below the knee. This is a great look with sandals or for a trip to the beach.
What to Wear With Cuffed Jeans
Whether it's the sleek elegance of finely cuffed skinny jeans or more relaxed, baggy jeans, anyone can appreciate the casual but stylish aesthetic of cuffed jeans. But after having read the different methods, you may be wondering: what is the best way to cuff jeans? The best part about this style is that there are no hard-and-fast rules for cuffing jeans (other than not cuffing flared jeans). While you may cuff a variety of jeans designs, a few are the most popular if you need inspiration. You have complete freedom when it comes to how to cuff your pants; the only limit is your imagination.
Cuffs with Neutral Tones
Here's a style that's both trendy and luxurious. Wearing cuffed skinny jeans gives the basic beauty of traditional beige and gold accessories a stylish update. The calm and easy sophistication is enhanced with strappy sandals — the ideal way to cuff pants elegantly.
Whiteout
The traditional blue and white is given a fresh take with edgy cuffed jeans. When it comes to denim, white is always a winner, and even more so when it comes to cuffing jeans. A single wide cuff is added to the bottom of these straight-leg jeans, drawing the eye downward in a traditional yet simple style.
Warm Endeavors
Cooler temperatures call for thick, luxurious fabrics like a chunky woolen sweater paired with your favorite pair of jeans. To achieve an eclectic, modern style, experiment with different textures and materials. Distressed skinny jeans with a cuff draw the eye down the legs, culminating in a pair of stylish boots to match.
Shop Stylish UNIONBAY Jeans Today
When it comes to how to cuff jeans, UNIONBAY’s collection allows for endless options. And you’re not limited to jeans, you can elevate any outfit by cuffing men’s travel pants or a more formal style of women’s pants. Without compromising design or fit, our modern collection offers both versatility and value, so you can pair your cuffed jeans with cute women’s tops or men’s shirts. Shop our collection today to find your new favorite style!