At United Vintage, when you order a bundle or a box, it's a surprise: you don't choose the pieces in advance, and that's what we love about vintage.
But when you open your parcel and find 4, 6 or 10 different pairs of jeans, you still have to know what you're getting!
So we've put together an ultra-simple guide to deciphering the sizes, cuts and brands of vintage jeans, to help you sort, resell or keep them.
🧵 1. Cult cuts you need to know (so you know who'll love them)
📌 Mom
High waist, marked hips, tapered legs. Very '90s.
→ Often in W26-W30 in our lots. Young customers love it.
📌 Straight / Regular
Classic straight cut, unisex, go-anywhere.
→ This is the easiest one to resell, everyone's looking for it.
📌 Wide leg / Baggy
Very wide, from top to bottom. Popular in Y2K.
→ Ideal for street looks or tall morphos.
📌 Flare / Bootcut
Fitted at the top, flared at the bottom. Ultra 70s or 2000s depending on the brand.
→ Be careful to check the length (often L34 in bundles).
📌 Tapered / Carrot
Ample at the hips, tightened at the ankles. Old school style.
→ Perfect for sharp or unisex looks.
📏 2. Decipher US sizes (and convert them easily)
Most of the jeans we send are US sizes.
You'll often see labels like W28 L32.
Here's how it works:
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W = Waist
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L = Length (leg length)
📐 Fast conversion (approximate) :
| US size (W) | Size FR Women | Waist circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| W24 | 34 | ~60 cm |
| W26 | 36 | ~66 cm |
| W28 | 38 | ~71 cm |
| W30 | 40 | ~76 cm |
| W32 | 42 | ~81 cm |
| W34 | 44 | ~86 cm |
💡 Tip: if you want to resell, always measure waist circumference flat (in cm), that's what customers look for on Vinted.
🏷️ 3. Brands worth a detour (and that we love to bargain for)
Levi's - The base. 501, 505, 550, 701... Each cut has its own style.
→ The 501 is the most cult (buttons, straight cut, mid-rise waist).
→ The looser 550 is a nugget for vintage baggy looks.
→ The 701 is the ultra-flattering mom of the 80s.
Lee - Less mainstream, but top quality.
→ The cuts are often more rounded at the hips, perfect for A-shaped body types.
Wrangler - Pure western & ranch style.
→ Straight cut, often high-waisted. We love the topstitched pockets.
Diesel, Miss Sixty, Tommy Hilfiger - Y2K gold.
→ If you want pure 2000 jeans, this is the place.
💡 We regularly receive these brands in bundles, so don't hesitate to order now on our site by clicking right here!
🧽 4. How to care for your vintage jeans (and keep them for 10 years)
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Wash cold or 30°, inside out. Do not tumble dry.
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No need to wash often: jeans wear better when they're not washed often.
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If you want to wash it out or give it a patina: let it live (or leave it in the sun).
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For jeans that are a little stiff at first → wear them for 2-3 days, they will relax naturally.
👀 To sum up
✔️ You don't choose your jeans, but you can learn to understand them and make the most of them
✔️ Knowing sizes, cuts and brands is the basis for reselling well
✔️ Even if it doesn't fit, it can please someone else - and earn you enough to take back a bundle 💸
Got it? Got it all? You can now go to our website to place your order or join us on insta to find out more! Click here.