The Slim Kick is a subtle flare that reads as a straight leg until your eye catches the slight kick at the ankle. It’s the 7FAM cut I recommend to people who got burned by flares the first time.
If you want the drama of a flare, the Slim Kick isn’t for you. If you want a straight leg that doesn’t look boxy at the hem, this is one of the smartest cuts in the 7 For All Mankind lineup. I own a pair in Soleil (a mid-wash blue) in size 28, bought nine months ago for $198. What follows is the fit guide I wish I’d had — measurements, styling, and honest comparisons. This piece lives inside our Brand Guides pillar, and the 7 for All Mankind Jeans overview covers every cut in the lineup.
The fit at 5’6″, size 28
The Slim Kick is cut slim through the thigh and knee, then opens to a subtle bell at the ankle — the “kick.” On my 5’6″, 140-pound, pear-shape frame in size 28, the fit is snug at the waist, comfortable through the thigh, precisely slim at the knee, and just barely flared from mid-calf down. The rise measures 10 inches front. Inseam 30.5 inches on the standard, which hits me right at the ankle bone.
The specific detail that matters on this cut: the kick is subtle enough that from the front, the Slim Kick reads as a straight leg. It’s only when you see the silhouette from the side that the widening becomes obvious. That ambiguity is what makes this cut so versatile — you get the elongating effect of a flare without committing to the full flare aesthetic.
Fabric and finishing
My Soleil-wash Slim Kick uses a 98/2 cotton-elastane blend at approximately 11 ounces. The fabric has a slight sheen — not glossy, but finished enough that the pair reads more polished than the typical casual jean. Nine months and four washes in (cold, inside out, hung dry), the indigo has held about 80 percent of its original saturation. The whiskering at the hip has developed subtly, which I like.
The pocket stitching is dense and the rivets are properly seated. One minor issue: the belt loop at the back-center has started to fray slightly at the top stitch. Not a dealbreaker, but at $198 I expected tighter finishing. 7FAM quality has drifted post-2016 and this is an example of that drift.
Sizing: what I’d tell a friend
The Slim Kick runs true at the waist, slightly slim in the thigh. If you’re between sizes, size up — the thigh is the pressure point here, not the waistband. A tight thigh in a flare-adjacent cut doesn’t relax as much as a tight thigh in a straight leg, because the slim section needs to stay slim to hold the kick’s silhouette.
For taller wearers (5’9″+), the Slim Kick comes in long inseam options in some seasons. Check the site. For petite wearers, the standard inseam will likely need a half-inch hem — and because the kick starts at the calf, do the hem from the inside-cuff rather than a cut-and-restitch that will narrow the kick.
Best brand picks to compare the Slim Kick against
If you’re considering the Slim Kick, these are the three alternatives worth a side-by-side:
Frame Le Crop Mini Boot. Similar subtle flare at the ankle, slightly cropped inseam. Runs narrower through the thigh than the Slim Kick. Priced around $228. Best if you’re slimmer-framed and want a more tailored feel.
Mother The Insider Crop Step Fray. A cropped subtle-flare with a fray hem. Looser through the thigh than the Slim Kick. Priced around $218. Best if you want a more lived-in, casual read.
Citizens of Humanity Emannuelle. A significantly wider flare than the Slim Kick — not actually a direct comparison, but it’s the Citizens option for anyone thinking about subtle versus dramatic flare. Our 7 for All Mankind Flare Jeans piece covers the more dramatic 7FAM flare (the Ginger).
The closest competitor to the Slim Kick is actually the Frame Le Crop Mini Boot. If you’re deciding between the two, the Slim Kick has a more forgiving thigh and a cleaner hem finish. The Le Crop Mini Boot has a more refined fabric hand but a less forgiving cut.
Side by side on my bed, the laid-flat measurements help make the choice less abstract. My Slim Kick size 28 measures 14 inches across the waistband, 20.75 inches across the hip, 23 inches at the thigh seam, 14.25 inches at the knee, and 15.5 inches at the hem opening — about a 1.25-inch kick from knee to hem. My Frame Le Crop Mini Boot size 28 measures 13.75 at the waist, 20.5 at the hip, 22.25 at the thigh, 13.75 at the knee, and 15 at the hem opening — narrower across the board with a similar kick ratio. The Mother Insider Crop Step Fray size 28 measures 14.25 waist, 21.25 hip, 23.5 thigh, 14.5 knee, 16 hem — the loosest of the three with the most pronounced fray. If you’re between the Slim Kick and the Le Crop Mini Boot, a half-inch in the thigh is what you’re actually deciding on. For pear shapes, the Slim Kick’s extra room makes the difference; for narrower frames, the Frame’s tighter line photographs sharper.
Styling the Slim Kick across nine months
What works: fitted tops tucked in, boxy cropped T-shirts, fitted turtlenecks, button-downs half-tucked, cropped blazers. Shoes that work best: block-heel ankle boots, loafers, pointed flats. Shoes that struggle: white sneakers (the subtle kick looks odd with chunky casual shoes), knee-high boots (they obscure the kick entirely).
What doesn’t work: oversized knits past the hip, long tunic tops. Anything that hides the waist makes the Slim Kick’s silhouette read as just-another-straight-leg, which defeats the cut’s purpose.
I’ve also found this works as a “nicer jeans” option for lower-stakes professional settings. Paired with loafers and a silk blouse, the Slim Kick reads polished enough for a client lunch, which is not true of most of my denim. Our Designer Jeans Near Me guide covers where to try these on in person if you want to check the fit before committing.
Honest negatives
Three things I’d change. The belt loop fraying I mentioned. The inseam runs slightly asymmetric on my pair — left is a quarter-inch longer than right, which bothers me more than it probably should. And the wash selection for the Slim Kick has narrowed over the last two years; 7FAM used to offer this cut in a half-dozen washes and it’s now down to three or four.
Also: the Slim Kick is not a versatile-enough cut to be your only pair of jeans. You still want a true straight leg or a skinny in the rotation. This is a second or third pair, not a foundation pair.
Where to buy
The Slim Kick is available on 7forallmankind.com and through Nordstrom and Saks. Resale is strong on Poshmark — the cut has a loyal following and pairs cycle through regularly. Check 7 For All Mankind Slim Kick 28 on Poshmark for current listings. New-with-tags via authorized retailers: Shop on ShareASale. Amazon inventory is limited and mostly third-party — verify seller reputation: 7 For All Mankind Slim Kick on Amazon.
The verdict
The 7 For All Mankind Slim Kick is the cut I’d recommend to someone who owns one pair of designer jeans already (probably a straight leg) and wants a second that adds silhouette interest without committing to a full flare. The subtle kick reads elongating without reading costumey, and the fabric holds up to regular wear. At $198 full retail, it’s fair pricing for what you get. On resale at $95–$120, genuinely good value. Skip it if you want dramatic flare — get the Ginger instead. For everyone else, this is a smart second or third pair that earns its spot across seasons. Mine has been in steady rotation for nine months and I expect another two years out of it.
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FAQ
Does the 7 For All Mankind Slim Kick run true to size?
True at the waist, slightly slim at the thigh. If you’re between sizes, size up — the thigh matters more than the waistband in this cut.
Is the Slim Kick the same as a bootcut?
No, subtler. A bootcut has a wider flare starting from the knee, designed to fit over boots. The Slim Kick stays narrow through the knee and only opens slightly at the ankle. It won’t accommodate boots underneath.
Can I wear the Slim Kick with sneakers?
Technically yes, aesthetically struggle. The subtle kick looks off with chunky white sneakers. A minimal low-profile sneaker (leather, narrow silhouette) works. A block heel or loafer is the better match.
What’s the difference between the Slim Kick and the Josefina?
The Josefina is a skinny-boyfriend hybrid that stays narrow through the ankle. The Slim Kick is a slim-through-the-knee cut that opens slightly at the ankle. Different silhouettes entirely.
How do I hem the Slim Kick without losing the kick shape?
Use a tailor who does “original hem” work. They remove fabric from higher up the leg, then reattach the original factory hem. Preserves the kick’s shape and the factory finishing. Costs $30–$45. Don’t let a general-purpose tailor chop and restitch.
