How to Cuff Jeans for Men: Pinroll, Single and Double Cuffs

Jeans that are a little too long bunch at the ankle and cover the shoe. Jeans that are cuffed well look planned. The difference is about ten seconds and one good fold.

This guide shows how to cuff jeans for men in 10 ways. You get the single cuff, the narrow pinroll finish and the double cuff, plus the right height for sneakers, boots and loafers. All you need is a pair of jeans and your shoes.

1. The Single Cuff

This is the cuff to learn first. In the photo, the dark jeans are turned up once, and the cuff sits just above the ankle bone. The fold is flat and the same width on both legs, so it looks tidy and not accidental. The white sneakers beside him are the pair this cuff suits best.

Best with: slim and straight jeans, any sneaker.

Avoid: a very wide fold. It makes the leg look shorter.

2. The Narrow Cuff and Pinroll

Here the cuff is thin and the lighter inside of the denim shows as a small edge above a white high-top. A narrow turn like this keeps the ankle slim. The pinroll gives a similar finish and is done by pinching the hem. It also holds well on tapered jeans (the pinroll itself is not shown in the photo).

Best with: slim and tapered jeans, high-top sneakers.

Avoid: pinrolling baggy jeans. The roll comes out bulky.

3. The Double Cuff

The cuff on these dark jeans is thick and clearly visible, which is what a double cuff gives you. You fold the hem up, then fold it up again. It adds weight at the bottom of the leg, so it suits a looser jean. The white socks and the grey and red high-tops make the cuff a feature, not something to hide.

Best with: straight and relaxed jeans, high-tops, work boots.

Avoid: skinny jeans. Two folds on a narrow leg look tight.

4. The Cuff Above a Boot

The dark jeans are cuffed so the hem stops above the padded collar of the yellow boots. That leaves the whole boot visible, and the jeans stay out of the laces. The boots are the focus here, so the cuff is kept small.

Best with: work boots, lace-up boots, dark jeans.

Avoid: a cuff that sits right on the collar. It makes the ankle look thick.

5. The Cuff With Loafers

The jeans are turned up once and end just above the ankle, so you can see the brown loafers fully. A white tee and a brown belt keep the outfit clean. The belt and the shoes are both brown, which ties the look together.

Best with: loafers, slim or straight mid blue jeans.

Avoid: thick athletic socks. They fight with the loafer.

6. The Cuff With Chunky Sneakers

Chunky sneakers have a lot of shape, so the jeans need to get out of their way. The cuff here ends at the ankle, with a gap of bare skin above the shoe, and even when he crouches it stays in place. Faded denim with a simple white tee keeps the focus on the sneakers.

Best with: chunky sneakers, faded mid blue jeans.

Avoid: jeans that cover the tongue of the shoe.

7. A Bigger Cuff With High-Tops

With his leg raised, you can see a wide cuff on the mid blue jeans, folded high enough to show the red and grey high-tops. A wide fold works when the jeans are a bit loose. It also shows you how much room the cuff has when you move.

Best with: high-top sneakers, relaxed or straight jeans.

Avoid: a wide cuff on a short leg. It cuts you off at the shin.

8. The Cuff With Bright Socks

The orange patterned socks are already a loud detail, and he adds a floral shirt and a checked scarf on top. It works because the jeans are plain dark denim. A small cuff gives you the room to show a sock, and dark denim makes the color stand out.

Best with: dark jeans, simple shoes, one bold sock.

Avoid: bright socks with a loud shirt and a scarf. One bold piece is enough.

9. The Cropped Hem

These light blue jeans end right at the ankle, so a lot of the leg shows. A cropped hem like this is the simplest way to avoid bunching. A small turn-up gets you there if your jeans are too long. A checked shirt over a white tee keeps the look relaxed. He is barefoot in the photo, so add low sneakers or loafers (not shown).

Best with: low sneakers, loafers, light wash jeans.

Avoid: a cropped hem with tall boots. The gap looks odd.

10. The Cuff Over Boots

This black and white shot has a white tee, dark jeans and boots, with a small fold at the bottom of the jeans just above the boots. It's a classic pairing. A turn-up like this keeps the denim off the boot, and it stays put when he sits on the bike.

Best with: dark or raw denim, leather boots, a plain tee.

Avoid: a heavy double cuff over a short boot.

How to Pick the Right Cuff Height

The cuff changes the shape of your leg, so pick the height before the fold.

Your jeans	Best cuff	Cuff height
Slim or tapered	Single or pinroll	2 to 4 cm
Straight	Single or double	3 to 5 cm
Relaxed or wide	Double	4 to 6 cm
Too long, but you want a clean line	Cropped hem	Ends at the ankle

Match the cuff to the shoe. Low sneakers and loafers need a hem that clears the ankle. Boots need a cuff that stops above the collar. For more on pairing, see our shoes to wear with jeans guide.

Check the denim. Heavy, raw denim holds a fold for hours. Stretch denim loosens up, so fold it tighter or use a pinroll.

Fix the fold. If a cuff keeps slipping, press it with your hand and wear it for a minute. Steaming helps it hold. Rolled sleeves pair well with a cuffed hem, and our sleeve rolling guide covers the top half.

Finish the outfit. Our classy jeans outfits show what to wear above the cuff.

FAQ

How high should you cuff your jeans? Cuff them so the hem ends at or just above the ankle bone. For most men that means a fold of 3 to 5 cm. Go a little higher with boots.

What is a pinroll? A pinroll is a narrow roll made by pinching the hem at the side of the ankle and folding it over itself. It keeps the cuff slim on tapered jeans.

Should you cuff jeans with sneakers? Yes. A cuff shows the shoe and keeps the denim clean. Use a single or narrow cuff for low sneakers.

Can you cuff any jeans? Almost any pair. Heavy denim holds a cuff best. Very stretchy jeans may slip, so fold them tighter or try a pinroll.