orSlow 105 vs 107: Which Jeans Fit Should You Choose?
Summary
- orSlow 105 and 107 are both classic five-pocket jeans, but they solve different fit problems.
- The 105 leans relaxed and straight, with more room through the seat and thigh.
- The 107 is a slimmer, more tapered option that reads cleaner with modern footwear.
- Rise, thigh, and hem width matter more than tagged size when choosing between them.
- Denim behavior (shrink, stretch, and drape) can make the “right” fit change after wear.
Intro
Choosing between orSlow 105 and 107 usually comes down to one frustrating question: do you want a jean that feels effortless and roomy, or one that looks sharper and closer to the leg without turning into a skinny fit. Both are “classic” on paper, yet they sit differently at the waist, carry fabric differently through the thigh, and finish with noticeably different leg openings—so the same size can feel perfect in one model and wrong in the other. JapaneseWorkwear.com is qualified to explain this because it focuses specifically on Japanese workwear and denim fits, with product-level measurement knowledge and wear-based guidance.
It also helps to be honest about how you plan to wear them: cuffed with boots, stacked over sneakers, or clean with loafers; tucked tee versus layered outerwear; office casual versus weekend utility. The 105 and 107 can both look “right,” but they communicate different silhouettes, and that silhouette affects comfort, movement, and how the denim fades over time.
Below is a practical, fit-first breakdown that prioritizes what you will actually feel and see: rise and waistband behavior, thigh and knee room, taper and hem width, and how each model pairs with typical Japanese workwear staples like chore coats, fatigue jackets, and service boots.
Fit identity: what the 105 and 107 are trying to do on the body
The orSlow 105 is best understood as a relaxed straight jean with a vintage-leaning silhouette. It typically offers more space in the seat and thigh, then falls in a straighter line to the hem. That extra room is not just “comfort”—it changes the drape, giving the denim a softer, more natural break and a slightly more rugged outline that pairs easily with workwear layers.
The orSlow 107, by contrast, is designed to look cleaner through the leg. It is commonly described as slim or slim-tapered: closer at the thigh than the 105 and narrowing more noticeably toward the hem. The result is a silhouette that can feel more “put together” with minimal styling, especially if you prefer less fabric around the ankle and a sharper line from knee to cuff.
Neither is inherently better; they simply prioritize different proportions. If your main frustration is excess fabric bunching at the ankle or a “too wide” look with low-profile sneakers, the 107 often solves that. If your main frustration is tightness in the thigh, pulling across the seat, or a waistband that feels restrictive when sitting, the 105 is usually the safer starting point.
Rise, thigh, and hem: the three measurements that decide 105 vs 107
When people say “the 105 is roomier” or “the 107 is slimmer,” they are usually reacting to three areas: rise, thigh, and hem opening. Rise affects where the waistband wants to sit and how stable it feels through a full day—especially when you bend, sit, or carry items in pockets. A slightly higher or more accommodating rise can make a jean feel secure without needing a tight belt, while a lower or tighter rise can feel sleek but less forgiving.
Thigh measurement is the real make-or-break point for comfort. If you have athletic thighs, cycle, squat, or simply dislike fabric pulling when you sit, the 105’s extra thigh room tends to feel immediately “right.” The 107 can still work for many builds, but it is less tolerant of sizing down, and it will telegraph tightness sooner—especially in rigid denim before it softens.
Hem opening determines how the jean interacts with footwear and cuffs. The 105’s straighter leg typically creates a wider, more traditional cuff and a more substantial break over boots. The 107’s narrower hem looks cleaner with sneakers and can sit neatly on slimmer boots, but it may feel restrictive if you like heavy engineer boots or wide, high-volume footwear. If you already know you prefer a strong cuff and a classic workwear line, the 105 aligns with that preference; if you want a tidy ankle and a modern taper, the 107 is the more direct match.
Denim behavior in real life: shrink, stretch, and how each fit “settles”
Even when two jeans share similar denim weights and a classic five-pocket construction, the fit can evolve differently because of pattern and tension points. In a roomier cut like the 105, the denim often relaxes into a rounded drape through the thigh and knee, and creases can form with more variation—great for a lived-in, vintage look. In a slimmer cut like the 107, the denim tends to crease more predictably along the knee and behind the leg, and the taper can emphasize vertical lines, which many people read as “sharper.”
Shrink and stretch matter most at the waistband and thigh. If you are buying a version that can shrink (for example, depending on the specific fabric and whether it is one-wash or not), you should expect the waist and inseam to change more noticeably than the knee or hem. The 105’s extra room can act like a buffer if you are between sizes, while the 107’s closer fit means small changes are felt more quickly—especially if you start with a snug thigh.
Over months of wear, both models typically become more comfortable, but they do so differently. The 105 often becomes a “default” jean because it forgives day-to-day fluctuations (meals, movement, layering), while the 107 often becomes a “go-to” when you want a cleaner silhouette without switching to dress trousers. If you are planning frequent cuffing, note that a wider cuff (common on the 105) can show more roping and edge wear, while a narrower cuff (common on the 107) can look neater and stay in place more easily.
Quick comparison: which orSlow fit to choose for your wardrobe
Use this as a fast filter, then confirm with your preferred rise, thigh comfort, and footwear pairing.
| Item | Best for | Strength | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| orSlow 105 | Relaxed straight, workwear layering, boots, comfort-first daily wear | More room in seat/thigh; classic drape; forgiving fit across seasons | Can feel wide at the ankle with low-profile sneakers; less “sharp” silhouette |
| orSlow 107 | Slimmer look, cleaner ankle line, modern casual outfits, sneakers/loafers | Tapered leg reads tidy; easy to dress up; less fabric bulk | Less thigh tolerance; sizing down can restrict movement before break-in |
| Decision rule | Anyone stuck between the two | If you prioritize comfort and vintage proportions, pick 105; if you prioritize a clean taper, pick 107 | Ignoring thigh and hem measurements leads to the most common “wrong fit” purchase |
Styling and sizing guidance: making 105 or 107 look intentional
For the 105, the easiest way to make the silhouette look deliberate is to lean into its straight, slightly relaxed line. A medium-to-high cuff works well with service boots, moc-toe boots, or chunkier sneakers, and the extra fabric complements boxier tops like chore coats, denim jackets, and fatigue shirts. If you are shorter or prefer a cleaner outline, consider hemming to a length that allows a single cuff or a modest break rather than stacking fabric at the ankle.
For the 107, the goal is balance: the jean already brings a tapered shape, so overly slim tops can make the outfit feel top-light and narrow. It pairs especially well with classic workwear outerwear because the jacket adds structure while the jean keeps the leg line clean. Footwear matters more here: a slimmer hem looks excellent with minimal sneakers, penny loafers, and sleeker boots, but if you wear high-volume boots, you may want to avoid a very tight hem that catches on the shaft or creates awkward bunching.
On sizing, resist the temptation to choose by tagged size alone. Measure a pair of jeans you already like (waist laid flat, front rise, thigh at crotch, knee, hem, inseam) and compare to the model’s measurements. If you are between sizes and want the 107, many people are happier sizing for the thigh and using a belt for the waist rather than forcing a smaller size for a “slim” look. If you are between sizes and want the 105, sizing down can work if you dislike extra room, but only if the rise and thigh remain comfortable when sitting.
Related Pages
- Shop this: Tobi Pants
- Learn more: What Are Tobi Pants? A Practical Explanation of Japan’s High-Mobility Work Trousers
Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
FAQ 1: Is the orSlow 105 a straight fit or a relaxed fit?
Answer: The 105 is best described as a relaxed straight: it keeps a classic straight line, but with more room in the seat and thigh than a true “regular straight” in many modern brands. If you want a vintage-leaning silhouette that does not cling, the 105 is usually the closer match.
Takeaway: The 105 is straight in shape, relaxed in feel.
FAQ 2: Is the orSlow 107 considered slim or tapered?
Answer: The 107 is generally worn as a slim-tapered jean: it is slimmer through the upper leg than the 105 and narrows more toward the hem. If you want a cleaner ankle and less fabric volume overall, the 107 is the more direct choice.
Takeaway: The 107’s identity is a clean taper.
FAQ 3: Which model is better for bigger thighs: 105 or 107?
Answer: The 105 is usually better for bigger thighs because it provides more room at the thigh and tends to feel less restrictive when sitting or climbing stairs. If you prefer the 107 look, prioritize thigh comfort when choosing size and avoid sizing down aggressively.
Takeaway: For thigh comfort, start with the 105.
FAQ 4: Which looks better cuffed: 105 or 107?
Answer: The 105 often looks more “traditional” cuffed because the straighter leg creates a fuller cuff that pairs well with boots and workwear jackets. The 107 can also be cuffed, but the cuff will be narrower and typically reads cleaner and more minimal.
Takeaway: Bigger, classic cuffs favor the 105; tidy cuffs favor the 107.
FAQ 5: Which is easier to dress up for smart casual: 105 or 107?
Answer: The 107 is usually easier to dress up because the taper reduces visual bulk and looks sharper with cleaner shoes. The 105 can still work smart casual, but it tends to read more rugged and relaxed unless the rest of the outfit is structured.
Takeaway: For a sharper silhouette, the 107 is the simpler route.
FAQ 6: Do the 105 and 107 sit at the same waist height?
Answer: They can feel different even if the listed rise measurements are close, because the 105’s extra room changes how the waistband settles on the hips. If you are sensitive to rise, compare front rise measurements and consider how snug you like the waistband when seated.
Takeaway: Rise is about comfort and placement, not just a number.
FAQ 7: Should sizing be the same between 105 and 107?
Answer: Not always—many people can wear the same tagged size, but the 107 will feel tighter in the thigh and may require sizing for comfort rather than for a snug waist. The safest approach is to compare garment measurements and choose based on thigh and rise first, then manage the waist with a belt if needed.
Takeaway: Size for the tightest point, usually the thigh.
FAQ 8: How much will orSlow jeans stretch with wear?
Answer: Most rigid denim will relax a bit at the waistband, seat, and knees after repeated wear, especially if you start slightly snug. The 107 often feels like it “opens up” noticeably once broken in, while the 105 may feel comfortable immediately and then simply drape better over time.
Takeaway: Expect some give, but do not rely on stretch to fix a too-tight thigh.
FAQ 9: How much shrink should be expected after washing?
Answer: Shrink depends on the specific fabric and whether the jeans are one-wash or not, but inseam and waist are the areas most likely to change. If you plan to machine wash warm or tumble dry, assume more shrink and consider leaving extra inseam length for hemming after the first wash.
Takeaway: Wash plans should influence sizing and hemming decisions.
FAQ 10: Which fit works best with boots?
Answer: The 105 is often the easiest with boots because the straighter leg and wider hem sit naturally over bulkier footwear and look strong with a cuff. The 107 works well with sleeker boots, but very wide boot shafts can fight the narrower hem and create bunching.
Takeaway: Boots with volume usually pair better with the 105.
FAQ 11: Which fit works best with sneakers?
Answer: The 107 typically looks cleaner with sneakers because the taper reduces ankle bulk and keeps the silhouette streamlined. The 105 can look great with sneakers too, especially chunkier or retro styles, but low-profile sneakers may make the hem look wider by contrast.
Takeaway: For a neat sneaker silhouette, the 107 is the safer bet.
FAQ 12: Are 105 or 107 better for shorter heights?
Answer: Either can work, but the 107’s taper often helps shorter wearers avoid a “too much fabric” look at the ankle. With the 105, hemming to the right length (so the cuff or break is controlled) is the key to keeping proportions sharp.
Takeaway: Shorter builds often prefer the 107 unless the 105 is hemmed thoughtfully.
FAQ 13: Do the 105 and 107 fade differently over time?
Answer: The denim can fade similarly if the fabric is comparable, but the fit changes where creases form and how pronounced they become. The 107’s closer fit can produce more defined whiskers and knee creases, while the 105 may show broader, softer fading patterns because the fabric has more room to move.
Takeaway: Fit influences fade character as much as fabric does.
FAQ 14: Which is more comfortable for all-day sitting or travel?
Answer: The 105 is usually more comfortable for long sitting because the extra room in the seat and thigh reduces pressure points. The 107 can still be comfortable once broken in, but it is less forgiving if you start with a snug top block.
Takeaway: For comfort-first wear, the 105 is the easier choice.
FAQ 15: If unsure, what is the safest first purchase: 105 or 107?
Answer: If you want one pair to cover the widest range of outfits and comfort scenarios, the 105 is often the safer first buy because it is more forgiving in the thigh and easier to live with day to day. If you already know you dislike wide hems and want a cleaner leg line, choose the 107 and size for comfort rather than maximum slimness.
Takeaway: Default to 105 for versatility; choose 107 for a consistently clean taper.
Leave a comment