Find your Best Jeans Ever

If I had a pound for every time I have been asked what are the best jeans that you'd recommend?, I'd be pretty well off by now! Jeans are such a versatile addition to every wardrobe, but finding the perfect pair can be a challenge for the best of us. Trends and fashions change, but denim is one of the items that can be a more classic piece in your wardrobe, but it is also 100% important to find the best fit, material and quality to compliment your style if it's to look good.

If you’re anything like me skinny jeans have been a staple wardrobe piece for many years, they can work for almost every occasion and they suit my shape. However, if skinnies have never really worked for you then this years trend towards a wider leg denim may have you breathing a sigh of relief. As we are still having to shop on- line, knowing a few basic tips will definitely help you to make the right denim choices and not have to make those dreaded returns.

Knowing your body shape and measurements along with a few key styling tips will help you find your best jeans yet. I've put together a quick round up of shapes that work best for different body shapes and a few suggestions that may help you on your quest for the perfect jeans.

As always, if you need help I'm happy to offer you a free 30 minute consultation to help you on your way.

The Hourglass

If you have a defined waist with evenly proportioned bust and hips your figure is most likely an hourglass. This shape is generally in proportion and the best denim styles will maintain that balanced silhouette. Wide leg and boot cut denim will work really well providing they are not too baggy and shapeless. High waisted styles can work really well and will showcase a small waist.

French Connection recycled flared jeans £75.00

The Inverted Triangle

If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips then you probably fall into this shape category. The aim is to ensure you look in proportion and therefore styles that add width to the hips will give you a more balanced appearance and make your shoulders look less broad. Wide legged denim works really well for this body type, if you prefer a cropped style of leg this can also work. Mid wash denim or distressed denim will work well for this shape.

These jeans are by M&S, who have upgraded their denim range making it much easier to choose the best style for your shape. Just a word of advice, while their sizing has got more true to size over the past few years they are still more generous than other brands, therefore consider sizing down.

M&S Luxury high waisted jeans £45.00

The Triangle (Pear shape)

If your hips are wider than you shoulders and you are generally smaller on your top half you are most likely a triangle shape. Flared or boot cut styles work really well for this shape because they balance out the hips. A darker denim will work well and avoiding any zips or pockets around the hip will also be more flattering.

These jeans are by Paige denim, an LA brand currently stocked in Selfridges and a few select boutiques across the UK. If you are looking for a quality denim with fabulous shape and longevity these can be a great investment.

Paige denim, Manhattan Boot Cut £220.00

The Column

Generally if you have evenly proportioned shoulders and hips with no defined waist-line you are a column / straight body shape. The most flattering way to dress your shape is to add softness, therefore styles such as the ‘boyfriend’ style which hand loosely on the leg and sit low on the hips can look great on this body type. Just a word of warning about this style, if your stomach area is a problem for you then avoid low rise jeans and go for a mid-rise with a wider leg.

These jeans are by Hush (stocked in Jonh Lewis in the UK), they are a slimmer boyfriend style and fit to size.

Hush – Boyfriend jean £75.00

The Apple

This shape is more or less in proportion but tends to carry weight around the stomach / mid section with a lack of defined waist. The most flattering way to dress this shape is to highlight the hip line and legs whilst avoiding adding bulk around the middle. Flat fronted, semi-low rise if the most flattering denim for this shape and a boot cut or flared style of jean with a little bit of stretch will create flattering proportions.

7 For All Mankind Bootcut jeans £170.00

Long body / Short legs

Creating the impression of a longer leg is clearly the aim here, cropped styles that show off the ankle and wearing shoes with a slight heel in a nude or light colour will create this illusion easily. Add in a high waist will create the impression that your legs start higher than they actually do, therefore always go for high waisted styles.

Frame – Cobbert Jean £205.00

Short body / long legs

Mid rise denim will help to create the illusion of more length in the body that’s if you are comfortable showing of your waist-line. If you’re not a fan of belts or showing your waist play around with the length of the top (the aim being to elongate the body and shorten the leg).

Uniqlo relaxed fit tapered jeans £34.90

And A couple of final things……:

1. If you are in between sizes, then sizing down is the best option with denim. Whilst if it is decent quality it shouldn’t change shape it will stretch especially in between washes.

2. More expensive doesn’t always mean better, it’s better to take into consideration the cut, fit and wash of the jean that suits you best and that works with your existing wardrobe.

3. There are many different colours of denim available, it’s well known that darker colours tend to make the leg look slimmer and lighter colours tend to enhance size, it’s helpful to have this in mind so that you can use colour to create balance to your overall look.

4. Distressed denim, ripped denim or embellishments will draw attention to the area that they are placed, therefore if you’re concerned about an area of your figure make sure the detail on the denim doesn’t highlight your concerns.