"Jeans can be tricky for me..." said almost every woman everywhere at some point in their life. I was supposed to do something on Staycation Style this week so super sorry if your sitting on the end of your bed with bated breath and your suitcase open. I have been distracted by the quest for perfect denim.
Every one of the ladies I have worked with this week, and over the years, say they struggle with jeans? Why? They are one of the easiest things to wear but one of the hardest things to find. Denim departments can strike fear into the hearts of even the most savvy shopper, but let me give you a few tips that will help you find your perfect pair...
HIGH HIGH HIGH WAIST IS THE MOST FLATTERING RISE.
ON EVERYONE. FULL STOP.
You know when you just can't seem to find a top that looks right with your jeans or you think you have a really abnormally long body and your tops always seems to ride up and your jeans always seem to fall down??? Your jeans are TOO LOW on your waist.
To be clear HIGH waist is the most flattering position on basically every body shape and in all types of bottoms from skirts to trousers and especially jeans.
High is when the waist band of the jean sits ABOVE YOUR BELLY BUTTON. Ladies who have a short body might find that mid rise jeans will sit at a HIGH waist position, but if you are like the majority of ladies you will have a long body and a high waist will be what you are looking for.
Check me, I made a DIAGRAM!!!
HIGH RISE MID RISE LOW RISE (or Aguilera's)
Why is this more flattering? The high waist draws attention to the waist - the slimmest part of the frame.
Mid-rise cut across a wider part of your frame - ie probably the most sticky out part of your tummy - from the side your jeans draw attention to the tummy, nothing is pulling it in and everything is just allowed to hang out more. If mid-rise are your preference, great, go forth and enjoy.
Low rise (or Aguilera's) are really only for when you'r feeling a little racy and fancy showing off your Karaoke skills and appendix scar in the club and singing DUURRTTYYY.
Not convinced by the DIAGRAM? This is a nice picture of my post 3 baby gut in mid rise jeans, enjoy! First pair of jeans are high-rise, give a great shape and make the legs look longer (because the denim starts higher up). The second mid-rise pair, sit right on the gut, don't pull it in, basically emphasise it and also make the legs look shorter. I'm not pushing it out, I'm just showing you the truth.
Enjoy, now this isn't so say you can't have a mid-rise in your wardrobe - clearly I do, but just know the difference and that will help you know how to wear them. I never expect a mid rise to be anything other than slouchy and I wear tops that go way down over the waist band and blazers to cover it all up and give back the shape the jeans lack. But if you want jeans that will go with EVERYTHING - high rise is your man.
WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME SHAPE AND SIZE
There is a jean out there for you, and the most flattering will be high...
ATHLETIC FIGURES - i.e. you think you have no waist, this still works for you because it will define your waist shape and draw attention to it.
CURVY FIGURES - This will work for you too, it will emphasise your lovely hourglass shape and form fitting clothing will always look more slimming. French tuck is your friend. Trust me, show off that waist.
TALL GIRLS - You still want to emphasise your best bits and chances are your legs are longer than standard not your body, there is a high waist for you.
PETITE GIRLS - You might find if you have a short body the mid rise is a high rise on you, you will have to try them to see whether they are above the belly button, but TRY THEM is the point. You will also find jeans which sit high on the waist will elongate your leg length and make you look taller.
100% COTTON IS YOUR FRIEND
Sorry but elastane isn't - there I've said it... this can be a preference thing. I always recommend a 100% cotton jean, they last longer, will stretch with you and generally be your best friend. YES they will stretch with you. Jeans with elastane don't stretch with you, they will feel a little softer and more comfortable initially but they may shrink over time with washing and eventually feel tight and horrible.
Love your denim, take care of them and definitely don't wash them!!! OK OK OK try not to do it very often, like they need to be RANK before you wash them. Use a cold, silk, wool or hand-wash setting. Wash them on their own and let them air dry flat.
BLACK OR BLUE?
In my opinion everyone should have both in their armoury, as well as white. I have worn straight leg jeans for years now and recommend a straight leg blue to all, they just look more flattering over the thighs, not skin tight. If you are a skinny jeans fan, I would urge you to convert on the blue denim at least you won't regret it. If you absolutely must keep your skinnies, keep the black, effortless for a night out. White is a wardrobe staple for the whole year, not just summer, but again I would go straight leg on these - thighs people, thighs.
OMG, WHICH ONES SHOULD I BUY???
Well obviously it depends on which ones fit well, and I cannot stress this enough you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your Prince-Charming-Jeans. You will have to TRY TRY TRY and probably TRY some more, there is no magic wand. But once you have them get them immediately! I have linked some recommendations below.
SHOULD I BUY THEM IN EVERY COLOUR?
Well that depends, will you wear all the colours? Blue, black and white denim are easy wardrobe staples, I would stay away from any garish colours or something so on trend its likely to date. Please check they fit the same in the different colours. Lots of brands outsource manufacturing to a variety of suppliers, one might make the black denims, another might make the blue. They should have their sizing uniform, but sometimes they don't - Zara anyone? So if you are about to load up your cart with 5 pairs of the same but different colours, just sanity check it with a good TRY ON.
OK SORRY, THAT WAS A TON OF INFORMATION,
HERE ARE THE JEANS!
So all that information imparted - which was a fair old whack, here are my pick of decent jeans from high street to designer that you might want to try. Some of the designs I have chosen do contain elastane for all you comfort freaks! And I have provided as many as I can find, but there are more out there. Just make sure when you look in the description you look at the rise. If its not listed try and find out.
HIGH STREET
ASOS DESIGN SLOUCHY MUM JEAN - £32 - These look amazing, ASOS Design are doing great things at the moment.
ASOS DESIGN CURVE JEANS - £20
NEW LOOK TALL TORI HIGH JEANS - £25.99
NEW LOOK ADALAE HIGH WIDE JEANS - £29.99
H&M STRAIGHT HIGH JEANS - £25
MANGO HIGH RISE BALLOON JEANS - £29.99
WEEKDAY ROWE HIGH JEAN - £40
M&S HIGH WAISTED AUTHENTIC STRAIGHT LEG - £39.50
& OTHER STORIES KEEPER CUT - £65
COS HIGH WAIST TAPERED JEANS - £69 I truly love these jeans, a little roomy on the thigh which is AWESOME!
HIGH END HIGH STREET/DESIGNER
WHISTLES BARREL LEG - £95 a bit expensive really for high street, high end high street really but amazing jeans. They often have them on sale in different washes.
MAJE PARIO STRAIGHT HIGH JEAN - £185
Good American Classic High Rise Straight Jean - £170 - Brand specifically for curvy women by Chloe Kardashian, and she knows her curves.
AGOLDE 90s CROPPED HIGH STRAIGHT JEAN - £240 - This light blue is stunning.
RE/DONE ORIGINALS STOVE PIPE - £240 - My favourite at this end.
WHAT TO WEAR THEM WITH
Everything. The End.
Only kidding there are so many pairs out there, you do need to do the leg work!!! (HAHAHA)
You will find them, and DO NOT settle for the 'they will do' jeans - find the 'OMG I love these Jeans' Jeans.