What Are Knit Jeans? Pull-On Jeans for Women, Explained
Knit jeans are pull-on jeans in soft cotton French terry made to look like denim, with a covered elastic waist instead of a zipper, exclusively at Catherines.
Knit jeans look like denim and pull on like sweatpants. The fabric is a soft cotton French terry knit with a smooth, denim-look finish, and a covered all-around elastic waistband takes the place of the zipper, button and stiff waistband. They are the heart of our plus size jeans collection, led by The Knit Jean, our best-selling jean.
What are knit jeans made of?
Knit jeans are made from a cotton French terry knit with a touch of spandex rather than woven denim. The outside is finished smooth so it reads as classic denim; the inside has the soft, lofty feel of a favorite sweatshirt.
The Knit Jean is 96% cotton and 4% spandex. That knit construction is the whole difference. Woven denim holds a fixed shape and needs a zipper and button to get on; a knit gives as you move, so it can simply pull on.
What that means when you wear them:
- Softness: French terry feels closer to your comfiest sweatpants than to stiff denim.
- Stretch: the fabric moves with you when you sit, bend, drive or travel.
- Polish: the smooth face looks like real denim, so they read as jeans, not loungewear.
We put it simply: it looks like a jean and feels like a dream.
How is a pull-on waistband different from a regular jean waistband?
A pull-on waistband replaces the zipper, button and fly with a covered elastic band that runs all the way around. You step in and pull up. There is nothing to fasten and no hard waistband edge pressing in when you sit.
On The Knit Jean, the elastic is covered in fabric so the waist looks finished, and the jean keeps real jean details: functional front pockets and back patch pockets. The capri version goes further with five pockets and a faux-fly front for a classic denim look.
That design answers the jean complaint we hear most, a waistband that digs. No buttons, no zippers, no waistband digging.
Knit jeans vs. pull-on stretch denim: which should you choose?
Choose a knit jean if softness is your priority. Choose a pull-on stretch jean like the Everyday Jean if you prefer a lighter fabric and a tapered leg, with the same elastic-waist ease.
Our Everyday Jean with its tapered leg gently skims your ankles for a sleek finish, a good fit if you like a narrower line at the hem. For warm days, the Knit Jean in a capri length gives you the same French terry comfort with a shorter inseam.
| Style | Fabric | Leg | Waist | Inseams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Knit Jean | Cotton French terry knit, 96% cotton/4% spandex | Slim | Covered all-around elastic | Regular 29", Petite 26.5", Petite Short 24.5", Tall 32" |
| The Curvy Knit Jean | French terry knit, 96% cotton/4% spandex | Slim; Curvy fit for fuller hips | Pull-on elastic | Regular 29", Petite 26.5" |
| Everyday Jean | Lightweight stretch fabric, 98% cotton/2% spandex | Tapered | All-around elastic | Average 29", Petite 26" |
| The Knit Jean Capri With Pockets | French terry knit, 97% cotton/3% spandex | Slim, capri length | Covered elastic, faux-fly front | 19", Petite 18" |
Which knit jean fits your shape and height?
Start with where you are curviest, then choose your length. If your hips are your fullest point, try the Curvy fit; otherwise start with the original. Then match the inseam to your height.
- Curviest at the hips: the Curvy Knit Jean is our best-selling French terry style refashioned for fuller hips.
- Want a streamlined slim leg: the original Knit Jean gently skims from hip to hem.
Then pick your length. The Knit Jean comes in four:
- Regular: 29-inch inseam.
- Petite: 26.5-inch inseam, designed for about 5'1" to 5'4".
- Petite Short: 24.5-inch inseam, tailored for 5'0" and under.
- Tall: 32-inch inseam.
Length is one of the fit details shoppers raise most. Measure the inseam of a pair you already love, from crotch seam to hem, and compare it with these numbers before you order.
Are pull-on jeans flattering?
Yes, when the fit is right. A slim leg that skims from hip to hem creates a long, clean line, and with no button or zipper there is nothing to add bulk under a fitted top.
Three easy ways to wear them:
- Weekend: a hip-length tunic or soft sweater with sneakers or slip-on flats.
- Workday: a crisp blouse, a cardigan or soft blazer, and polished flats.
- Travel: a knit tee and a long cardigan you can layer on and off, with the pull-on waist keeping long days comfortable.
Want to compare other silhouettes to pair with your favorite tops? Browse Catherines and all our plus size bottoms in sizes 0X-6X.
Do elastic waist jeans stretch out, and how should you care for them?
Any stretch knit can relax somewhat with wear, so expect the fabric to soften as you wear it. Gentle care helps your pair look its best for longer.
- Machine wash, following the care label, including its drying instructions.
- Turn them inside out before washing to help protect the denim-look finish.
- Avoid high heat, which is hard on spandex in any garment.
- Rotate between pairs so one pair isn't worn every day.
If a pair feels looser than you would like after a few wears, check your measurements against the size chart before your next order.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Knit Jean true to size?
The best guide is always your own measurements. Measure your waist and hips, compare them to the size chart on the product page, and read recent reviews before you order rather than relying on your size in another brand.
Are knit jeans high-waisted?
The product details don't list a rise measurement. It is one of the most-asked questions about the Knit Jean, and the Q&A on its product page has many answers from customers who wear it, so check there for how the waist sits.
Can you wear knit jeans to work?
In many workplaces, yes. The smooth, denim-look finish reads as jeans, so style them as you would a dark jean: a crisp blouse, a cardigan or soft blazer, and polished flats.
What is the difference between Petite and Petite Short?
Both are proportioned for shorter heights. Petite styles are designed for about 5'1" to 5'4", and Petite Short is tailored for 5'0" and under. In the Knit Jean, that means a 26.5-inch versus a 24.5-inch inseam.