Universal Thread Jeans

Jeans are the workhorse of any wardrobe. Finding the perfect pair that flatters your shape and suits your style is key to looking and feeling your best every day. With so many fits, rises, washes and styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to shop for new jeans. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive buying guide to Universal Thread jeans.

Universal Thread offers an extensive selection of denim for women and men at affordable prices. As an exclusive brand to Target, their jeans combine current fashion trends with timeless denim style. Read on for tips to demystify Universal Thread’s offerings and find your new go-to jeans.

An Overview of Universal Thread Denim

Universal Thread launched in 2017 as Target’s new brand focused on denim and modern essentials. Based in Los Angeles, the design team keeps their fingers on the pulse of the latest styles while crafting wearable, quality basics.

Universal Thread jeans are made using super stretchy and comfortable fabrics, with most styles containing a good amount of cotton and spandex for that perfect fit. You’ll also find eco-friendly options made with recycled cotton and polyester.

With fits ranging from ultra skinny to relaxed boyfriend, their jeans work for all body types. Inclusive sizing from 00-26W provides a wide range of choices. Whether you want black skinny jeans for dressing up or vintage-looking flair jeans for the weekend, Universal Thread has you covered.

Now let’s explore the key factors to get the right Universal Thread jeans for your shape, style and needs:

Consider the Rise

The rise refers to where the jeans sit on your waist. This affects coverage, comfort and proportions. Universal Thread offers three main rises:

High-Rise Jeans

• Sit at or above the belly button
• Offer the most coverage
• Create a sleek, elongating effect
• Perfect for tucking in shirts or blouses
• Great for pear shapes to define the waist

Mid-Rise Jeans

• Hit around the natural waistline
• Give moderate coverage
• Balance proportions well on most body types
• Provide enough coverage for some tops to be tucked or left out
• A versatile rise that works for many

Low-Rise Jeans

• Sit below the natural waistline
• Offer the least coverage
• Allow you to show some skin
• Give a relaxed, casual vibe
• Best for shorter torsos or low-cut tops

Choose the Best Fit for Your Body Type

Universal Thread offers an array of jean fits, from skinny to wide leg. Selecting the most flattering silhouette for your shape helps the jeans look and feel amazing.

Skinny Jeans

• Hug the body from hip to ankle
• Elongate legs and create a streamlined silhouette
• Pair well with voluminous tops to balance proportions
• Work on slender to athletic body types

Slim Jeans

• Sit close to the body without being too tight
• Offer a touch more room through the hips and thighs than skinny jeans
• Look great with loose or fitted tops
• Flatter those with an oval, rectangle or triangle shape

Straight Jeans

• Sit straight down from hip to hem with an equal width throughout
• Provide balance and structure for most figures
• Allow you to highlight your shape or hide problem areas
• Complement pear, rectangle and inverted triangle body shapes

Relaxed Jeans

• Have an easy, loose fit through the hip and thigh
• Offer the most room and comfort
• Help add curves and hide flaws
• Ideal for apple and athletic body types

Boyfriend Jeans

• Feature a slouchy, baggy fit like borrowed-from-the-boys jeans
• Conceal wider hips or thighs
• Pair well with tailored tops to balance the volume
• Great for ruler or banana shapes wanting a more feminine silhouette

Wide-Leg Jeans

• Have a loose, billowy fit through the hips and legs
• Help downplay narrow hips or a flat rear
• Make petite figures appear taller with the elongating cut
• Allow ample room while still defining the waist

Pick the Right Wash

Universal Thread offers a spectrum of washes to set the tone from dressy to casual. Consider the mood you want your jeans to convey.

Dark Washes

• Provide a polished, sleek look
• Elongate the legs for a slimming effect
• Easily dress up for work or nights out
• Hide lint and showing dirt
• Classic styles include vintage, clean and raw

Medium Washes

• Strike balance between dark and light
• Subtly highlight your assets
• Pair well with both dressy and casual tops
• Give a versatile look for day or night
• Great medium washes are modern and weathered

Light Washes

• Offer a laidback, beachy vibe
• Show off your shape as they cling and contour
• Require more maintenance to keep looking crisp
• Work best for casual daytime activities
• Popular light washes include cloudy and sunbleached

Factoring in Your Personal Style

Universal Thread provides the trendy details to create your signature look. Reflect on your aesthetic to pick the right embellishments.

Distressed Styles

• Feature intentional rips, holes and frayed hems
• Convey edgy, nonchalant attitude
• Allow you to show some skin
• Require confidence to pull off well
• Pair best with casual tops and footwear

Embellished Styles

• Include eye-catching patches, embroidery, sequins and appliques
• Make a vibrant style statement
• Draw attention to key areas
• Elevate basic tees and tanks with added flair
• Work best with pared-down accessories

Colored Jeans

• Come in vivid brights like red and cobalt or softer pastels like blush and yellow
• Showcase your vibrant personality
• Act as a neutral to pair with colorful or graphic tops
• Allow you to build a cohesive monochromatic look
• Keep accessories minimal to avoid clashing

Shop with Your Lifestyle in Mind

Think about when and where you’ll wear your new Universal Thread jeans to get the right fit and features.

• Weekend errand running, brunch dates, casual socializing = relaxed straight or boyfriend jeans
• Office attire, client meetings, dressy occasions = dark skinny or slim jeans
• Travel days full of walking, high activity = stretch skinny jeans with movement
• Outdoor adventures, chasing kids = durable bootcut or relaxed jeans

Compare Key Details Before Buying

• Fabric – Stretch denim includes spandex for comfort and mobility. Rigid denim holds structure better.
• Construction – Serged seams increase durability. Bar tacking offers reinforced stitching at stress points.
• Hardware – Rivets, buttons and zippers should feel secure and substantial. Pocket placement impacts usability.
• Wash – Check product images closely. In-store lighting can alter shades. Washes may vary slightly batch to batch.
• Rise – Measure where your natural waist hits to find the ideal rise. Low-rise falls below; high-rise sits above.
• Fit – Know your measurements. Size charts provide garment dimensions to find the best fit.

Where to Shop for Universal Thread Denim

The primary spot to buy Universal Thread jeans is Target stores and Target.com. Being exclusively available at Target makes selection easy without jumping between retailers.

Store inventory varies by location, so browse online first to view all colors and styles. New options launch each season, so check regularly for the latest drops.

Target’s website allows you to filter by fit, rise, color, size and price to hone in on what you want. Read product reviews from other shoppers to learn how sizing runs.

Many Target locations now offer free Order Pickup so you can swing by the store to grab your online purchases. Return shipping is free for online returns to make the process hassle-free.

Some third party sellers on Amazon or resale sites like Poshmark and Mercari also carry select Universal Thread jeans. Check measurements carefully since there’s no standard sizing. Prices are often marked up compared to direct Target prices.

Style Tips for Wearing Universal Thread Denim

Once you’ve found the perfect pair of Universal Thread jeans, learn how to style them like a pro:

• Balance skinny jeans with looser tops and bootcut jeans with fitted tops. This creates proportions that accentuate your shape.
• Monochromatic looks are effortlessly chic. Wear jeans in the same hue as your top or jacket. Go tone-on-tone with shades like navy, black or gray.
• Use lighter jeans to elongate legs and streamline the silhouette. Pair them with neutral solid tops for a leg lengthening effect.
• Show off fun jeans with simple accessories. Distressed, embellished and colored denim makes its own statement. Keep jewelry and bags minimal.
• Cuff or roll longer jeans to expose a peek of ankle. This works best with skinny and slim jeans. Show off your shoes and socks.
• Know your proportions. Cropped jeans look best on taller figures. High-rise elongates shorter torsos. Low-rise complements long waists.
• Balance loose, slouchy jeans with more tailored pieces on top. Blazers, structured tees and button-downs prevent looking sloppy.

Caring for Your Universal Thread Jeans

Invest in quality jeans you’ll wear often. Follow these care tips to keep them looking and feeling like new:

• Wash sparingly in cold water and hang dry to maintain the shape and color intensity. Only wash when truly dirty.
• Avoid stuffing jeans in the dryer, which fades fabric and causes jeans to stretch out faster. Line or flat dry is best.
• Use a lint roller instead of washing to remove pet hair, fuzz and surface debris between wears. Quickly refresh jeans by hanging in a steamy bathroom.
• Wash dark jeans separately at first to prevent indigo dye transfer. After a few washes, you can add them to regular laundry loads.
• Turn jeans inside out before washing to prevent abrasion and fading. Zip all zippers and velcro to avoid snagging.
• Spot clean stains immediately with a damp rag. Pre-treat oil and grease stains before washing. Check care tags for specific directions.
• Sew loose buttons promptly so they don’t snag and cause bigger holes or tears. Close ripped seams with clear nail polish to avoid fraying.

Find Your Perfect Pair Today

We hope this denim guide gave you the tools to confidently tackle Universal Thread’s extensive selection and find jeans that showcase your personal flair.

With so many fits, rises, colors and styles, start by identifying your body type, style and needs. Determine which silhouettes, washes and details will pair best. Comparison shop online before heading in store.

The right jeans act like a blank canvas – ready to be dressed up or down. So go ahead, step out of your old faithful jeans and treat yourself to the perfect new pair. Once you slip on those just right jeans, you’ll wonder how you lived without them!