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Perfect Jeans - 5 Tips on How to Find Them

by Ariela Suster (Subscribe to Ariela Suster's posts)
Posted Apr 22nd 2010 at 6:50PM  
46 Comments
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Eva Longoria Parker jeans

Eva Longoria Parker flatters her curves in jeans with a mid-rise waistband and slight flare. Photo: Getty Images

Oh, the joy of putting on a pair of perfect jeans that actually make you look slim and trim. Finding said denim - one that shapes and flatters to create a nice lean look - can feel like searching for fashion's Holy Grail. And while we agree that assessing which clothes to wear for your particular body shape can be daunting, the challenge of finding the right jeans can be broken down into five helpful tips. Here they are:

  • Fabric Support: Lycra or Spandex are key to providing support and hiding some imperfections. It will literally "hold you in" and smooth out your silhouette creating the effect of long lean legs (and this is why we love perfect jeans, right ladies?). This fabric will also prevent sag and contour your butt to create a lifting effect. (Levi's 545 low-rise jeans are great for this as are many of J Brand's offerings, if you want to spend a little more.) "The most important thing is finding the right fit for you," says Michael Griffin, Executive Vice President of Product at Lucky Jeans Brand. "Don't be afraid of a 'skinny' fit; you don't have to be slim to wear skinny jeans."
  • Waistband Placement: The waistband should hit below the belly button and should be stretchy. You should feel support but it should not pinch or trigger spillover. "The key to avoid muffin top is to avoid wearing jeans that are WAY too tight," says Nate Freeman, Creative Director Of 4 Stroke, the indie rock n' roll-inspired label worn by the likes of Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. "If you are on the short side and have curves avoid super tight skinny jeans because they will make you look shorter and wider in the middle. Wear a slimmer straight leg in a dark wash."
  • Avoid "Whiskering" and "Fading": "Whiskering" is the treatment applied to denim in which faded lines are added in the certain areas (usually the crotch, thighs, knees). Sometimes these lines can accentuate and widen your hips. "Fading" is to be avoided if you are craving a clean look. The denim discoloration will draw attention to unwanted areas (like the thighs and butt) and highlight them.
  • Look for Clean Washes: Whether you chose a light or dark wash (the latter is generally the most flattering across the board), make sure the lines are kept simple. Contrast stitching, embellished pockets, or excessive distress can add volume. "Wash can help create a slimmer look," says Griffin. "Dark washes tend to be more slimming versus lighter washes."
  • Pocket Placement: "This is very important," says Freeman. "In Europe I see lots of jeans with long pockets that come all the way down past the butt, and it looks good on about three people!" When shopping for that coveted pair of perfect jeans, your first instinct is to immediately turn around and look at how your butt looks. Assess the where the pockets hit on your body. The bottom of the pocket should be in alignment with the very top of your thigh. Low pockets will sag or flatten the butt instead of contouring it.
Speaking of denim lines, find out which rock star's daughter is the new face of Hudson Jeans.
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Filed under: Fashion, Denim, Designers & Brands, How to Wear
Tags: 4stroke, best jeans for your shape, BestJeansForYourShape, denim, fashiontips, how to, HowTo, jeans, luckybrandjeans, perfect jeans, PerfectJeans, skinnyjeans, spring 2010, Spring2010
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READER COMMENTS

(46)Add A Comment

Dee, 4-22-2010, 11:32PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Dee

Great e mail but where do I find jenes to fit me? Not even Chicos can fit me in their smallest jenes. I do wear a size 2 in a store; but what store>. and finally, I am 5 ft., thin (100lbs.) and 75 years told and am very frustrated. They say I look younger. All jenes are baggy on me.
In advance, thanks for your help.

Reply »

Emily Rose Barth, 4-26-2010, 11:46AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Emily Rose Barth

try wet seal. i know the store is kinda gross.....but all my friends and i are really small and theyre pants fit us perfect. great price too

»

stacy, 4-26-2010, 2:20PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
stacy

Like you Dee, I had the same problem and frustrations about finding jeans to fit me. I am 5 ft, 8 inches and thin with long legs. When I try on jeans they fit me, they were too short or too wide in the waist. So, I had to compromise fit all the time. I got fed up with it and I saw my sister who is also thin but curvy with a big but and short at 5 feet, 2 inches and she had the perfect jeans that fit her little frame and was not too long. She recommended that I spend a lot more money for the perfect fit and quality.

She recommended the brands Paige, Seven and Hudson jeans. They were more expensive. More than $100 but I spent more than that on all the ill fitting jeans I owned. I found them at Nordstrom where they can hem them for you to get the perfect length and fit. They are also at Macy's and Bloomingdales. You will only have to buy one pair that fits you perfectly, instead of 50 cheap pairs that is taking up room and a waste of money. I wash them in cold water and do not put them in the dryer to keep the shape from stretching out or shrinking. Paige has jeans that do not stretch which are perfect for us that do not gain weight often. Hudson and Seven stretch to your body shape, but you have to get the jeans really tight because they will stretch out eventually and get baggy. They carry small sizes like 24 in Seven jeans in different washes. My sister and I got the same pair of Seven jeans in the same size and it looks different on both of us, but it still fits and she got hers taken in, in the waist and hemmed. I hope that helps.

»

Bridgette, 4-22-2010, 11:46PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Bridgette

I think that findng a great pair of jeans that fit you like a "second skin," is about as hard to find a needle in a haystack! I absolutely love Old Navy jeans, not only b/c they seem to run big (if you're usually a size 10, you'll need a size 8, which in turn makes you feel better about yourself and your body). I just went on vacation and bought about 3 pairs of jeans and 5 pairs of jean shorts. Every store I went to, I took a different size, b/c there were different designers. At Old Navy, I take a size 6, at Target in Juniors (I'm 46) I take a size 9, at Walmart, I take a size 7.. So, it all depends. Also, the thing the article they said about the pockets on the butt, are so true, as it makes or breaks you butt!

Reply »

twisted54, 4-23-2010, 2:56AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
twisted54

I usually wear size 2-4 in jeans and denim crops. Now that everyone is putting a tiny bit of spandex or Lycra in the jeans I've had a real problem fitting into my normal size. I buy them as tight as I can, then after washing and wearing them they stretch out at the waist and hips. Does anyone make totally cotton jeans anymore?

Reply »

Felicity, 4-26-2010, 6:43AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Felicity

American Eagle has all-cotton jeans, that's wear I get mine.

»

Mamta, 4-24-2010, 12:45AM

1 star vote downvote upReport
Mamta

i want to wear jeans .but i think that i am little heavy and in jeans i look more heavy .so i just want to know which type of jeans sutes me.

Reply »

Lucy, 4-26-2010, 6:44AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Lucy

Mamta, have you tried Gap's "Curvy" or Old Navy's "Sweetheart" jeans? They seem to fit women who are not stick-thin well. Also, Jean Star makes some nice styles for women who have curves.

I am 57 and am fairly tall and slender, but I still have a tough time finding the right jeans. I tried the Not Your Daughter's Jeans and I felt they looked a bit dowdy; I am used to a snug, hip look in jeans. On the other hand, I am not about to buy low-rise, so I cannot go too young, either. I am going to try J Brand on just to see what the fuss is about. If they look good and I feel great in them, I will splurge. Jeans can last years, so it is worth the investment.

»

John, 4-26-2010, 6:17PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
John

Just so that people don't write back and say, ("Stick to the story at hand") Well I am you stupid retards! My comment is, I think women shouldn't wear any jeans at all. Then they woudn't have to shop for the perfect pair of jeans. hell, they look like they are not wearing them at times any how. They are so tight that they give you all the groves and curves right before your eyes. Go ahead ladies, take that plung and wear no jeans. Your body is beautiful and if you don't mind showing it, I don't mind looking at it. God I love woman!

Reply »

Judi, 5-03-2010, 1:54PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Judi

John your comment "retards" was NOT necessary.

»

Tom, 4-26-2010, 8:11AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Tom

The article seemed to make sense and was suscinct.

The comments, heretofore, seem to make sense.

What amazes me is the constant battle between the buying American female pants shopper and the American/foreign pants maufacturer.

If women want to find/buy pants/jeans that fit them, force the manufactureres to produce clothes that fit them.

Produce jeans/pants and list 3 measurements on the label/sales ticket:

Waist size;
Hip size; and
Instep length.

Wouldn't that eliminate all of this sizing crap, complaints, and generation of all these needless "style" articles?

Or, do women not want to know their true size?
Would they just prefer to sit back and and complain about the jeans?




Reply »

Michele F, 4-26-2010, 8:32AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Michele F

Treat yourself to a moment for YOU, go to Bloomingdales and try on different fits and styles of denim and look at yourself in a full length 3 sided mirror and ask for help from the ladies there, they love to help! You will spend more on designer denim but if you take proper care of them (no dryer), they'll last forever. It's also great motivation to not gain weight after spending that much! Joes Jeans are really great for petite ladies, (I am 5'3"). Everybody can wear denim, it's just a matter of finding what looks great on your body type, so do something nice for yourself, you'll look and feel great! And don't forget to get them hemmed for flats or heels, whatever you plan to wear. Bloomies alters for free with your purchase and nothing is worse than seeing a torn, worn & dirty cuff under someone's nasty flip-flop!

Reply »

Noddy, 4-26-2010, 8:44AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Noddy

I think the problem with jeans sold in the U.S.A. is that many of them are made in Asia. There seems to be a lack of understanding that many American females are taller than 5'5", weigh less than 130, have ample rear ends and long legs.

Many of the jeans made in Asia -- the mid-to-low price ranged ones, in particular - are made to accommodate short legs and flat as a pancake butts. They also tend to have pockets that are set low in the back. All the "don'ts" come with jeans made in Asia, in my opinion.

Same thing with bras made in Asia: poor fitting.

My opinion is not racist (my own great grandparents are Asian), but I do think it is a realistic point of view.

Reply »

litmlpark, 4-26-2010, 9:11AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
litmlpark

Little in the Middle jeans are a great fit for curves. They are made with a patented sizing chart. The jeans are sized by the waist and one size larger in the hip and thigh area. You can check them out at http://www.littleinthemiddle.com

Reply »

Gerry, 4-26-2010, 9:43AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Gerry

I am tiny also, you can get real size 0 jeans at Feranda Jeans, they have a website and stores in Florida.

Reply »

Dave, 4-26-2010, 11:04AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Dave

I don't understand why you care so much about how you look. What you DO in those jeans makes every difference in the world. When I'm walking behind a pair of jeans in the mall, I always wonder if she's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. When I'm walking behind a pair of jeans that doesn't have your "seal of approval" , the chance she is a person worth knowing goes up 100%.

Beauty for a woman is like power to a politician. The more beautiful they are, the more likely they are to be arrogant and self serving and vice versa. If you want a marriage that lasts, don't marry her because she's attractive. Marry her because her values haven't been skewed by her beauty.

Remember, if you want to attract a man deeper than a 1" bake dish, you have to climb out of your own 1" bake dish.

Reply »

stacy, 4-26-2010, 2:23PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
stacy

Walking around in a pair of ill fitting jeans that are not comfortable can make someone feel uncomfortable. Its not about beauty. Its about how you feel. Its similar to wearing a t-shirt where the tag is itching you in the back. When you wear clothes that fit properly, you tend to feel better. You can focus on more important things after that. If your pants are dragging on the ground because they are too long, that is going to aggravate you after awhile when you see your jeans are getting ruined or if your jeans are too tight or too baggy. I don't expect you to understand what we are talking about because you are not female.

Even though some guys understand because they like to wear comfortable clothes too. You don't get it. So, for you to be so superficial to judge someone based off the way they look is no different than someone else who judges based of expensive material objects. I am assuming you probably just roll out of bed and pick out some clothes out of the hamper to wear and your out the door. Well, not everyone is like that, so its not fair to judge this as beauty when its not about beauty. Its about comfort and feeling good. All of this because of jeans? I don't know what marriage has to do with jeans. Okaaay.

»

Gayle, 4-26-2010, 9:59AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Gayle

Were do you get jens to fit when you wear a 16 or 18 when all you seem to ever make are for the skinny kids? 0-6 I didn't think you even thought about others.

Reply »

Sara, 4-26-2010, 10:04AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Sara

wrong. spandex has been the worst thing for jeans. if they are right size or close to right size they hug every single aspect of your body, which looks cheap. I am not going to the club, I don't want skin tight jeans. if they are too big, the spandex gapes in the waist and thighs. not everything has to be trendy. I would prefer real cotton denim jeans and am disappointed so many retailers have stopped selling them. BTW..that is the general opinion of every friend I have. And no, you don't have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans, but you better not have hips or a butt. I am 5'5" 120lbs and they look ridiculous on me because I am not stick straight. People should stay away from these. only my 11 year old stick thin niece looks good in them.

Reply »

R, 4-26-2010, 11:13AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
R

No one has addressed my problem. I am tall and have narrow hips and thighs with somewhat of a thick waist. Some call it a "boyish" figure. I want curves, but if my pants are too tight, they appear to accenuate my faults and if they are stretch, they tend to slip down. I can actually take them off without unbuttoning or unzipping. Help,,,, where do I find a "perfect fit?

Reply »

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