If the Jeans Fit

One of the most versatile pieces of clothing in a woman’s closet is a great pair of jeans. Yves Saint Laurent said, “I have often said that I wish I invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes.”  

Jeans can be worn day or night, whether you wear a dark-wash pair with a t-shirt and ballet flats, or dress them up with a sassy shirt and heels. Is it any wonder that jeans are such a staple in a woman's wardrobe?

No matter your size, there’s a pair of jeans for every body. Balance and proportion are key to looking good, especially in a pair of jeans. It may take some patience and willingness to try on several different pairs, but it will be worth it when you put on the jeans that work in all the right places.  

The more jeans you try on, the more you’ll recognize what you want and don’t want in your next pair. Jeans should fit perfectly where you are largest, because the other parts can all be tailored to fit. I personally have every single pair of jeans I own tailored to fit my individual figure.   

While working with a Sudbury client, Teleia Farrell, she said that after trying on about 10 pairs of jeans, she considered something out of her comfort zone – "skinny" jeans.  

"I typically buy wide-length jeans so this was definitely new for me," Farrell said. "However, they have quickly become my favorite jeans. They fit me like a glove and flatter just as well. I can pair them with any sweater or top – they are the ultimate in comfort and fashion." 

If you are short, tall, curvy or straight, there is a pair of jeans for you. Let me mention some of the ways to know whether a pair fits you well or not. Have you ever tried on jeans that gaped in the waist, or were just too tight, creating the unsightly "muffin top?" How about when you lean over while trying them on, and your undergarments are easily seen? These are more of the obvious issues regarding fit, but sometimes it is more subtle, and it just goes back to the basics. Are you comfortable in the jeans?

Knowing your body type is a must if you want to find the right pair for you.  

Styles: 

• Boot Cut/Flare: Can come in casual or dressier styles and works for day and night.
• Skinny: Tends to be more for the very thin or straight-shaped woman. If you have hips, this type can be unflattering because they will pull around your hips and then tighten around the lower half of your leg.
• Wide Leg-fit: One of the newer looks for the season. Make sure to wear these with a tighter top, possibly tucked in with a belt. This look will cinch in your waist and make it look tiny compared to the bulkiness of the wide legs.
• Straight Leg-fit: These jeans are slim fitting, but have larger openings in the calves and ankles.
• High Rise: I am not talking about “mommy jeans,” just a more comfortable fit that covers your mid-section better.
• Low Rise: Take caution with this type if you are trying to conceal a muffin top. Also, the lower the rise, the more accentuated your bottom and hips will be.
• Boyfriend: For a more casual and comfortable look.

Other things to consider:

• A mid-rise works best for most body shapes. Remember that jeans do stretch out, so you should look into jeans that are snug but not too tight so that they can loosen as you wear them. 
•  It is always a good tip to have a few different pairs of jeans in various lengths depending on whether you are wearing heels or flats. However, you could have a great pair of longer jeans and use a hem product, such as Style Snaps that you can now purchase at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
• Make sure your jeans have the best pocket choices to flatter your backside. Here are quick tips for pocket placement, depending on whether you want to create a fuller-looking backside or give the illusion of a smaller one: If pockets are too far apart, they tend to make you look wider. If you do not want more attention on your backside, make sure to look for jeans that have pockets closer together, and are simpler and higher. If you prefer to create the look of having a fuller bottom, look for jeans with stitching details or pockets that are further apart.

Please remember that it's not about the size of the jeans, especially since all makers' and designers' sizes vary. It should not matter whether you are a size 2 or 16. It should only matter how well the jeans fit and how you feel in them.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on a good pair of jeans. Whether you spend $150 on a pair of Seven For All Mankind jeans at Nordstrom or $40 on a pair of Joe’s jeans at Filene’s Basement, the bottom line is that you want to buy jeans that fit, flatter and make you feel fantastic.