How To Choose The Best Jeans For Your Shape

How to choose the best jeans for your shape? Simple. Know what your shape is. Are you, petite, pear shaped - or curvy? The shape of your body is less of a problem than you think. Jeans are designed around shapes. Boot cut, low risers, straight cut, classic denim, boy jeans - you name it, the designers have already sussed out the perfect pair to suit your shape. All you have to do is work out which jeans will suit you shape the best.

How To Choose The Best Jeans For Yor Shape

Knowing how to choose the best jeans for your shape depends upon your honesty. So grab a decent sized mirror and give yourself an honest appraisal. Are you carrying a few extra pounds around the waist and thighs? Then you’re a curvy lady. And no – that’s not a bad thing. What’s wrong with curves? Celebrate what you’ve got … no shame in being a woman that’s curvy in all the right places!

Are you petite ... and wish you were taller? Or maybe you're just full on top to toe curvy? Whatever your size, there is a perfect jean for you. Most of us have insecurities about various parts of our bodies. For me, I'm far from perfect ... but I'm also a long way from being bothered. Many of us have had children or middle age is creeping in. Some of us were just blessed with curves from the off. But it's worth remembering that real women have real curves.

Curves rock ladies. And our men tend to have a thing about them too ...

Jeans For Curvy Women

Lycra is your friend when it comes to jeans for curvy women. Forget chocolate. Chocolate is for feeling good … Lycra is for looking good. Don’t buy classic cut, rigid denim. Far too restrictive. The jeans need to flex with our bumps – not flatten them or move them elsewhere. And the overall cut that’s best is the fit and flare type. Boot cut. The slight flare at the ankle balances out the hip width and adds to an illusion of a straighter, longer leg length.

And aim for dark jeans – though not black. Black jeans are great until you’ve washed them a few times. Now let’s talk butts. Curvy butts need pockets that are narrowly aligned – not hugging the side seams. That just adds width where there is none. A good yoke – that’s the bit between the waist band and the pockets. A triangular yoke is best – prevents gaping and hugs the lower back a lot better.

Curvy women jeans checklist:

1. Dark denim
2. Lycra
3. Fit ‘n flare style
4. Narrow placed butt pockets
5. A wide yoke

Top Tip: If you find a fantastic pair of jeans that fit perfectly yet they’re too long … buy them. The hem can be shortened very easily. The cut can’t.

Now you know the design that fits you the best – which brand? Money no object: True Religion jeans. On a budget: Gap or House of Dereon.

Petite Jeans

Now petite jeans are something else. Being petite alone is more do do with height – not just shape. So saying, if you’re petite and curvy, you need to combine some of the tips for curvy women, and then adapt them to incorporate with your petite fit jeans. First off – never buy Capri length anything. That just shortens you even more – it only serves to cut a few more inches from the leg length. You need to aim for long, clean lines – a well cut straight leg pair of jeans is perfect.

Do not buy baggy styles – another ‘shortener’. They will only add width, further reducing length and height. Buy jeans that have a neat, straight cut hem – no turn-ups or cuffs. The same goes for jeans that have a wide kick-flare. Remember, you’re aiming for clean cut lines, anything that adds the illusion of height without swamping your frame.

Petite jeans checklist:

1. Straight cut lines
2. No Capri lengths
3. No turn-ups or cuffs
4. Nothing baggy or wide legged

Top tip for petite jeans: if you find a designer or brand that already produces an excellent line in petite clothing, then the chances are that they’ve got petite jeans down to a fine art.

Money no object: Not Your Daughters Jeans, Levis or True Religion jeans. Budget brands: Gap and House of Dereon

Plus Size Jeans

Plus size jeans for larger ladies are just as easy to find as any other size, providing you know what to look for. First – make sure you buy the correct size. Don’t squeeze yourself into a smaller size. As with jeans for curvy women, make sure that there’s an adequate yoke piece. They really do make the difference where gaping is concerned. Don’t buy wide spaced rear pockets and make sure they’re the type of denim that have Lycra or spandex woven into the fabric.

Avoid low risers – they’re simply not flattering. However, don’t go for high waisters either. You’re much better to buy a pair that sit nicely around the waist, that don’t sag when you’re sitting or ride up or down when you’re on the go. Choose jeans that are made from dark denim and avoid anything that’s faded or faded in strategic places – like across the seat. This just adds width. Pockets should be close together and minimal in detail. The cut needs to be either straight or boot cut. A slight flare will balance out the hips/thighs/butt area.

Plus size jeans checklist:

1. Lycra or spandex – jeans with flex
2. Straight of boot cut
3. The correct fit
4. Avoid low risers

Top tip: don’t worry about the size on the tag. If you find a great pair of plus size jeans that fit – buy them.

Money no object: Abby Z at Nordstrom. Budget brands: Old Navy or Gap

The Best Jeans For Your Shape - What To Avoid

Finding the best jeans for your shape is do-able. However, many of us struggle to avoid old habits ... tapered legs for example - a truly awful cut and to be avoided like the plague, even if you're blessed with the body of Venus.

Here's a final checklist of what not to do when buying new jeans - irrespective of whether you're slim, petite or you're carrying a little extra junk in your trunk:

1. don't buy old fashioned high on the waist styles - and I'm not talking about the modern high-waist styles. I'm talking about the old fashioned version. Avoid them.
2. If you find a great pair that suits you in every way - resist tucking your top into your jeans then adding a belt and pulling it tight. Sack of potatoes anyone?
3. Don't buy a size smaller in order to feel better. A muffin top is not a great look.
4. Shop around - there are plenty of great brands and designs on the market. Shop smart, not hard.
5. If you buy online - try them on the same as you would in the store. If they don't fit - return them. Online selling caters for returns, it's the nature of distance selling. And if you don't suit what you've ordered and need a different cut, simply re-order.
6. When you've found a great pair of jeans, don't ruin the look with a shapeless, baggy tee.
7. Avoid pleats on jeans. They're just plain wrong.

Remember - a well cut, great fitting pair of jeans can help you look and feel fantastic, whatever your size and shape. Teamed with the right accessories, a great top and you're good to go go go ...