Buying Jeans: Is This Your Worst Nightmare?
Dark or light wash, skinny, slim, boot or relaxed cut, stretch denim or raw denim?
Once a sales assistant starts flying these questions at you, it’s enough to have you both puzzled and exhausted – but stay with me.
While some of you love buying jeans – I’m talking to those of you who have tapped into your favourite pair and now make a beeline for the same cut over and over. Yes?
On the other hand, I know there is some of you who will avoid buying jeans completely and are perhaps wearing a pair you have in a ‘till death do us part’ kind of way. However they’re now becoming baggy and threadbare – is this you?
Okay, lets bring this conversation back to how I can help and get some enthusiasm going.
Levis – Left: For androgynous body shape 501 for Women $149, Centre: For pear and hourglass – Bold curve with built in support $139, Right: Athletic build – boyfriend jean $109
Jeans West – Left: Curve Embracer (small waist, bigger hip, good for pear shape), Centre: Butt Lifter (mid rise), Right: Tummy Trimmer (slim hip, higher rise) Usually $70, however, 40% off everything at the moment and lifetime warranty
JAG – (left to right) Black high rise slim straight $99.95, Dark denim crop 89.95, White skinny $99.95 and Mid rise slim boot $99.95. All jeans are 50% off until Monday!
Today’s blog post is designed to shed some light on the most suitable jean cut and style for your body shape. Now obviously I can’t see you and EVERYBODY is different but hopefully this brings a little denim enlightenment.
Target – Straight regular leg $49 from sizes 8 – 20 also comes in a short leg which are only $10 at the moment!!!
Low rise: These sit a little below your natural waist and are great for someone with a shorter torso or no tummy.
Mid rise: Great for someone with a bit of a muffin top as the jeans just sit under your belly button.
High rise: Perfect for those of you with a longer torso or if you don’ tuck your tops in. If you have quite an issue with your tummy bulging, this jean cut will cover it up nicely.
Boot cut: This cut will generally be fitted on your thighs and have a slight flare from knee to bottom. Great for curvier figures and the widening of the jean balances out any problem thigh areas.
Slim straight: A straight cut from top to bottom. Great for smaller figures and can accentuate your silhouette.
Slim boot: This is a more modern cut we’re seeing that is slim to the knee and the flaring section is a little more refined than the boot cut. They’ll hug your thighs a little more but the slight widening will again do a great balancing act.
Skinny leg: Completely figure-hugging so while everyone is wearing them, I would only recommend them for petite or slender figures.
Zara Jeans – Left: Skinny lime slight wet look $89.95, Centre: Orange skinny normal $69.95, Right: Ink slight wet look jean $89.95
And here are my body shape tips for wearing jeans:
- If you think you have a large bottom, avoid tab pockets and details on your backside.
- If you think your thighs and hips are not your best asset, try to avoid pockets on hips, whiskers and fade. Don’t bring attention to these areas.
- Fade running down the front of the jean can elongate you if you are a little shorter.
- If you have short legs, avoid boot cut jeans UNLESS you team them with a heel or a wedge.
- If you have short legs please don’t roll up the cuff – ever.
- Always take the size you think you are and take one size down into the change room.
- If you are tall, head over to Country Road, Jeans West and Levis who have an array of longer jean options for lengthy ladies.
- Be careful of boyfriend jeans. If you are over 50, they can look a little ‘try hard’, especially if you don’t pull an entire look together to complement the jean style.
- Skinny leg jeans can look amazing AND they can also look tragic. For strong inverted triangles or women carrying a lot of weight in the bottom and torso, this style will make you look super heavy. Sometimes you can get away with it by wearing them tucked into knee high boots that create a balancing effect but be careful.
- Jeans are not the be all to fashion, there are many other options including some very stylish casual trouser options – hang on – I feel another blog coming on… If not jeans – what else?
Okay denim lovers and haters – what are your thoughts on this? Tell me, do you struggle when it comes to buying jeans or are you a denim doctor? As always, let’s get a conversation going. I would love your comments.
Love Cindy xx
I am over 6ft tall and have trouble buying jeans with long enough legs, so usually end up going to overseas websites and spending a fortune. Most stores that say they have ‘Long’ lengths are really not that long. My other problem is the rise – usually mid rise is too low and it’s muffin top all the way:(
Maybe boy’s jeans are made longer, but my 6ft 4in son buys Jeans West jeans which are made extra long. He tries on the size and style, then an order is made for the extra length and they are mailed free to us usually within a week or so.
Thanks for that tip Lesley. I also have a 6’4″ son. He is also very thin so jeans just make him look longer and thinner. I will have a look now at the jeans west ones. Cheers
That’s great feedback Lesley! thanks!
Hi Vicki, I agree with Lesley, women’s jeans in Jeans West are fantastic for length so give them a go!
Cindy you know your jeans. The best fitting pair I have ever owned were bought when I went shopping with you.
Thanks Sharyn, its funny as I am personally not a fan of jeans and rarely wear them, however I can buy jeans quite easily for others, thank you!! x
..Hi Cindy, great blog… I regard myself as a pear shape…. although I do not have big hips at all. I have recently grown thighs..and find I now have to go up a size to accommodate the thighs and the spreading botttom. This is ok except I find the jeans are then too big around my waist. I have found a couple of different styles being Thomas Cook and Wrangler (go girl!!) that cater quite well for this problem. I always buy bootleg and I have a Target pair that somehow don’t taper in as much, more of a straight down shape then tapering out to bootleg which all but make my thighs disappear! Obviously anything with stretch (or too much stretch) cling to the thighs. I am sometimes confused as to whether I should wear tops and shirts tucked in or left out as tucking them in does accentuate the thighs, but on the other hand with my target jeans I can tuck in? I suppose because I am not a super strong pear I can sometimes get away with it… I think I just answered my own question.. x
Ha, I laughed the whole way through!!!! Tucking in or not depends on tummy and also if you are a longer torso, shorter torso or if you are evenly balanced!!
You did answer it yourself. 🙂
I always make a bee line for J Brand. I find their cut amazing for my body shape. I am a strong inverted triangle with longer legs than torso, but besotted with skinny jeans. SO I follow your advice Cindy and wear with high boots in winter, or roll up the bottoms for a bit of balance in summer. This also gives them a cheeky, fun look. If wearing with ankle boots, ruffling the jeans above the boot line or having chunky sock tops also works to balance the look.
Thanks for the wonderful info and options above.
J Brand……very good taste Nikki! Glad you are enjoying all my blogs! xo
Don’t get me started on buying jeans, I always struggle, and only every few years manage to find a pair of jeans that are OK, I have a smaller waist, large thighs, and just can’t fit most of the jeans on the market, very frustrating as I would love to just chuck on a pair of jeans and do school drop off etc, So I always leave the shop feeling fat and frustrated.
So sorry, I have only just seen your comment Ros, I hope this post in some way has helped you, without knowing you I think Jeans West could be your best bet, so give them a try 🙂