A pair of jeans is a perfect fit when they can be worn for an entire day without reminding the wearer of their presence. If the waistband digs into flesh, or the hems must constantly be tugged down to cover the ankle, or the seams pull apart at the thigh, or the dreaded muffin top spills over, the jeans don't fit and must be tossed, donated, or sold on eBay.
No two bodies are identical, and therefore, a jean that universally fits and flatters all women is impossible to find. Each individual must consider their own unique shape, size, and preferences when shopping for denim.
Forget Size
Women enter a clothing store with a number in their heads: their dress size. However, not all stores sizes are the same. Stacy London, world-renowned fashionista and hostess of TLC's "What Not to Wear" told the Rocky Mountain News that this is the most common shopping mistake women make: "It's really an issue of size, one of cut. Some women wear clothes that are simply too big for them and other women wear clothes that are just too small. They're not being realistic about their body size or shape."
Rather than head to a favorite jeans retailer with a number in mind, women should try on a variety of jeans in their usual size, a size above, and a size below. It's better to go up a size and buy a pair of jeans that fit than to squeeze into smaller jeans for a number's sake. After all, no one but the wearer sees the size on the tag.
Find Your Fit
From skinny jeans to denim trousers, jeans come in a variety of styles and fits to suit a variety of body types. According to Jeans.com's "Fit Guide", the common fits to consider are:
- Skinny: fitted in the seat and along the entire length of the leg
- Straight: remains the same width at the thigh, knee, and leg opening
- Bootcut: a slight flare at the leg allows the jeans to be worn over boots
- Flare: narrow at the knee, with a wide leg opening (think a less extreme version of the bellbottom)
- Trouser: a wide-leg fit from hip to leg opening
While many retailers give their own names to denim styles, most adhere to one of the five descriptions above.
The rise of a jean, or the distance from the crotch to the waist, is as important as the leg style in determining a good fit. The following four, as identified by Jeans.com, are the most common rise styles.
- High Rise: waist of jeans come above the belly button
- Regular Rise: waist sits just below the belly button
- Low Rise: waist hits a few inches below the belly button
- Super Low Rise: waist hits several inches below the belly button
Finally, the length of a jean is important in determining a good fit. A taller woman will need to find jeans in a tall or "long" size, which feature a longer inseam (the seam running inside the leg from the crotch to the leg opening). For women 5'9" and up, the inseam should be 33 inches or longer to guarantee the right length. However, shorter women will want to find petite or shorter inseam jeans (31 inches is about standard) to avoid dragging the leg of the jean along the ground and subsequently causing fraying.
There are recommended styles, rises, and lengths for certain body types, but a woman should try everything before decided what is most suitable for her. Naturally, a voluptuous, curvy woman can safely skip skinny jeans, and a 6-foot-tall woman can skip ankle jeans.
Be Honest (or Bring Someone Who Is)
The most important rule to remember is honesty. If a woman is purchasing a pair of jeans that are trendy simply to own something stylish, chances are, they won't get worn as much as a truly loved pair of jeans. Or if a woman purchases a pair of jeans that are a little too tight because she hopes to lose weight soon, they may end up never fitting. Those who aren't sure if they can trust their own judgment should bring an honest friend or relative who wouldn't mind serving as jury on a jeans shopping escapade.
Alternatively, women shouldn't be afraid to consult one of the store associates, who are often more familiar with the range of fits and styles available, and can make an informed recommendation.
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