Whether you're buying bargain jeans or shelling out $300 on premium designer denim, here's how to make sure you're buying the best style and cut for your body type.
A fabulous pair of jeans is the staple of every woman's wardrobe, but finding denim that flatters your figure can seem impossible. Here's how to make the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans a little less grueling.
Denim Fit Facts
- Always wear jeans in the store for a bit (sit, stand, walk) before making your final assessment on how they fit. Keep in mind that most jeans stretch out a bit with wear and then shrink back once washed.
- Rigid denim (100% cotton) runs small, but will eventually conform to your body, and last longer than stretch varieties.
- Jeans with stretch are more figure-forgiving but have a limited lifespan; even the stretch in designer jeans will lose its elasticity with time. Size down in stretch styles and never put them in the dryer, as heat destroys the stretch factor.
- Due to the popularity of low-rise styles, size your jeans based on your dress size or the measurement of your low waist, where your jeans actually sit, not the measurement of your natural waist.
- Go up a size when buying maternity denim to account for weight gain in late pregnancy.
- Look for petite or plus size jeans and consult a tailor to get the perfect fit.
Denim Styles by Body Shape
- Inverted Triangle or Apple (shoulders wider than hips): This body type looks good in lower rise styles due to its slim hips. Flare, trouser and bootcut styles, and lighter or distressed denim flatter by balancing shoulders with lower portion of body.
- Rectangle or Straight (small difference between waist and hips): This shape naturally lacks curves, so jeans with flaps on the back pockets and styles with flare or bootcut legs create the illusion of curves and a rounder bottom. Ultra-tapered styles work on this for by bringing hips and thighs into proportion.
- Triangle or Pear (hips wider than shoulders with round thighs): The classic pear shape benefits from slimming dark washes, bootcuts that counter-balance broad hips, and/or straight leg jeans that help to elongate the legs. This shape should avoid flap rear pockets, extremely embellished backsides, and tapered legs that accentuate a wide bottom and hips.
- Hourglass (proportional upper and lower halves; curvy with well-defined waist): Ladies with this build can easily wear trendy skinny jeans and/or ultra low-rise styles that accentuate the curves of this sexy shape.
- Petites: Shorter women should avoid cuffs and bootcuts – they make short legs look shorter. Instead choose straight cuts to lengthen the legs.
- Tummy Troubles: Minimize a tummy with a bootcut, mid-rise jean that hits across the belly, and avoid high- or low-waisted styles.
Denim No-no's
- Muffin Top: Low-waisted jeans are too low and too tight for your figure, causing your tummy to spill over your waistband. Fashion fix: avoid low- and ultra low-rise cuts and opt for mid- or high-rise styles.
- Plumber's Crack: A low-rise reveals your unmentionables when you bend over. Fashion fix: when you crouch or sit down wearing low-rise jeans, hike up your jeans and pull down your shirt, preventing innocent bystanders from viewing your butt-crack or thong.
- Bubble-Gum Jeans: Just because you can squeeze your body into a size doesn't mean it fits. Fashion fix: avoid cheap stretch denim, and make sure you can walk and sit comfortably without feeling sausaged into your jeans.
- Distressing Distressing: Not all distressed denim is flattering. Streaks, whiskers, and obvious bleaching can call attention to a wide hip, heavy bottom or bulging thigh. Fashion fix: go for distressed denim that's subtle instead of stripey.
The copyright of the article How to Buy Jeans in Women’s Fashion is owned by Johneen Manning. Permission to republish How to Buy Jeans must be granted by the author in writing.
