How To Choose the Right Jean for Your Body

One question I get asked quite a bit is: What is the most important piece of clothing in one's wardrobe?

The answer to that question has changed a bit over the years but these days I would have to say that jeans are definitely at the top of the list. These days, as dress codes are easing up everywhere from work to evening parties, jeans are acceptable almost everywhere.

Jeans are easily the most versatile piece of clothing in your closet. They can go from casual to dressy with the change of a top. Jeans have become such a staple that now, it's easy to have a whole jeans wardrobe. Light, medium and dark colored, skinny, straight, boot cut and wide leg, jeans for flats and jeans for heels; I, personally, find all of these to be important!

Here are some guidelines for fitting and buying.

Price:

Just go ahead and get over the cost of premium denim already! Jeans last for years and as I have already said, they are the most versatile thing in your closet. INVEST in at least 2 great fitting pairs of jeans, one for high heels and one for flats.

Fit:

1. Consider your needs. Dressy or casual? Boot cut or skinny (to tuck into boots)? If you want a dressy denim go dark, for casual go light. For something in between dressy and casual choose a good medium to dark blue.

2. When heading out to try on jeans, panties make a big difference in the way your jeans look on your rear end. No granny panties please. Thongs are best. (I highly recommend Hanky Panky's)

3. Great fitting jeans now come in a variety of rises; low, mid and high. Choose the one that you feel the most comfortable in.
*Ultra low isn't a good choice for anyone. No one wants to see your panties...ever!

4. Buy your jeans as snug as you can comfortably wear them. Trust me! They WILL stretch, I promise! They will stretch the least in the waist band and the most in the rear and thighs.

5. Check out your rear end, it is one of the most important things to consider when buying jeans. You want your jeans to give you a cute "bubble" not "pancake".

6. Length is VERY important. Consider the shoe you are going to wear, the hem of the jeans should be dragging the floor just a bit. Again, trust me! Jeans shrink in length over time. If your are shopping for a skinny, below the ankle is a good length.

7. Jeans should not gap in the waist. If it gaps, there is a better fit out there for you.

8. Not too loose behind the knee.

9. Choose a jean with a little stretch in them. This won't be difficult as most premium denim is about 2% Lycra or spandex. This helps the jeans hold their shape. 100% cotton will loose it's shape after a few hours of wear.

Alterations:

1. Don't let the long length of jeans scare you away! You can always shorten them but you can't make them longer!

2. Before having your jeans altered, wash them first. Most jeans shrink (in length only) about a quarter of an inch the first time you wash them.

3. Take the highest heel you are going to wear with your jeans and have your alterations person leave them dragging the floor just a bit. They will shrink in length again after alteration (as well as a little more over time).

4. The proper length for your jeans is almost touching the floor.

5. Many alterations places can now put the original hem back on the jeans. Find a tailor in your area who can do this. It's not much more expensive and it's completely worth it.

Care:

1. Jeans are meant to be washed and dried. Drying your jeans shrinks them back to their original size. If you don't dry them they just continue to stretch and grow.

2. Do not dry clean. It ruins the stretch.

3. Wash new jeans separately a few times. The dyes they use on jeans can wash off on other items in the wash.

Faux Pas:

1. A bad fit: flat rear, gaping waist, too big, too small, etc.

2. Muffin top. If the jeans are squeezing your "fluff" over the sides of the waist band, it's not a good fit.

3. Too short. Jeans should be almost touching the floor. Anything else just doesn't look polished.

4. No peek-a-boo panties.

5. Don't buy a jean that doesn't fit you right just because of the brand. There are so many good brands available you should be able to find a good one for your body type.

Tricks :

1. The darker the denim, the slimmer you look.

2. If your jean is the proper length, long, it will make you look taller. An ironed crease and/or seams stitched in another color running down the leg also makes you look taller.

3. For an instant butt lift, look for a jean with a curved yoking. The yoking is the thick seam in between the waist band and the pockets.

4. Pocket placement is important. Pockets that sit too far apart on the rear can make your rear look wide. Consider that some larger pockets can make your rear look smaller.

*Bonus Info*

Here are a few brands I recommend for certain body types.

Boyish figure- Paige , Rock and Republic

Normal to a little curvy- Citizens of Humanity, Hudson, Red Engine (mid rise)

Super curvy (most jeans gap in your waist)- Joe's Honey, Cookie Johnson/ CJ Denim (for mid rise)

Apple shape (if you gain your weight in your tummy and have thinner legs)- Paige

Tall- Rock and Republic, Hudson, Paige