Levi’s® designs with purpose, continuously innovating to better serve our fashion-forward consumers.
Lately, our taper jeans have been filling men’s closets around the world, offering them a modern fit that is easily styled with the cool sneakers of today.
To understand its exploding popularity, we sat down with Dawn Vitale, Vice President of Merchandising for Levi’s® Men’s and Accessories, to talk all things taper. Below are key takeaways from our discussion.
Why Taper?
The success of the taper fit is two-fold: First, we have a family of taper fits that allows him to decide how to wear it, whether he’s looking for comfort and movement or more slim and styled. Second, sneakers are the most important accessory that guys have today, and with the small leg opening in the taper fit, it allows him to show off his sneaker no matter how he chooses to style it.
As trends evolve, we continue to keep our finger on the pulse to offer the right fits that deliver on the style of the moment.
The Taper Family
The great thing about the taper fit is the variety. There’s the 502, which features a more low-slung look, a more subtly tapered leg and sits below the waist with a regular fit. Then you have a slimmer version, the 512, that’s a great modern look. We’ve even branched into carrying the 541 – an athletic taper – to capture a body type that has a more athletic build and needs more room. I think the taper is on track to keep growing before it becomes a mainstay like the 511 Slim Fit.
Fabric Innovation
What else is happening in men’s bottoms? Fabric innovation – he’s expecting more out of the fabrics we put in our jeans because he’s more active, and comfort is equally as important as style. We have a variety of fabrics ranging in stretchability, performance and aesthetic across all of our fits.
For the Next Gen of Style Seekers
We’ve been riding the skinny and slim cycle for a long time. As trends evolve, we continue to keep our finger on the pulse to offer the right fits that deliver on the style of the moment. We are excited to see a resurgence of nostalgia for ‘90s fashion, inspiring the consumer to start adopting taper and straight fits as they become cool again.
No more compromising comfort or style. Shop the latest tapered looks at levi.com.
