With all the hoopla being generated by the denim revolution is it any wonder that many of us find shopping for jeans to be a more complicated affair than a few years ago?

With the variety of cuts and styles available to the consumer today, you may find yourself lost between the boot cut or a low rise. Here are some general guidelines for the unwary traveler in the world of designer denim.

Fits show how tight or how close to the skin the pants should be worn. Slim Fit jeans are close fit through the seat and thigh and are usually accentuated by a tapered leg cut. Easy fit jeans are similar to a relaxed fit but have more room in the seat and thigh. Natural fit jeans are slightly fuller through the hips and thighs.

Cuts on the other hand refers to the actual shape of the pants. This is more of a pattern of design than anything else. Not all fits work with all possible cuts. This is where your own sense of style kicks in. Choosing a cut determines your overall style. Some of the most popular types of leg cuts are:

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

Flared Leg: Jeans 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 midcalf. The term "crops" is sometimes used interchangeably with Capris, but should actually refer to pant legs that fall about three fourths of the way down the calf.

Tight/Skinny: A close fit throughout the leg

Stove Pipe: As the name implies, an oversized straight leg cut

Bell Bottoms: A wider, more exagerated 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. Ankle LengthCut just above the ankle is used for a summery look

Gaucho: Denim gaucho pants may be a passing fancy, but they sure are fun and can look great paired with the right boots.

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.

Waist types are differentiated by the "rise" which means how far below the belly button the jeans will sit. Recent years have seen the popularity of such low- rise jeans which have now been supplanted by regular rise jeans.

Regular Rise Jeans: Waistband is located precisely on the waist

Low Rise Jeans: Waistband is located typically 2-3 inches below the belly button. The most popular rise in most denim brands, especially for women.

Super Low Rise Jeans: Dangerously low, 3-5 inches below the belly button.

Brazilian Low Rise Jeans:Brazilian jeans have almost come to define a waist type of their own: Ultra Low Rise Jeans. They have even come to incorporate a 2 inch zipper! Brazilian jeans are growing in popularity and are renowned for their daring sexy cuts, high quality and original embellishments. They are unique and worth looking into.