Denim Delights – Best Jeans for your Body Shape
Everyone owns at least one pair of jeans… They are a wardrobe staple alongside a pair of heeled ankle boots, a wool coat, dark pair of smart trousers and leather or a denim jacket. There has been a lot of talk in the press recently about the death of the skinny and the rise of the flare but I think that the 4-5 basic styles are perennially classic and are here to stay.. They’ll always look good provided you wear them with the right items and wear the style best suited to your body shape.
So what are the 4-5 main styles of women’s jeans and the best jeans for your bodyshape ?
The Skinny – tight from thigh to ankle seen in all three rises – low, mid and high. The ultimate jean in this style and beloved of Kate Middleton is J Brand 811 (as shown). However, Uniqlo also do an excellent and much cheaper great skinny, Citizens of Humanity are also good and M&S does a wide range of skinnys and jeggings in a multitude of colours, washes and lengths.
J Brand 811
The Boyfriend
Rolled up and baggy from the thigh – normally in mid to low rise. Started as being a copy of your man’s jeans but feminised but now increasingly seen as slim boyfriend so slimmer over the thigh and ultimately more flattering.
Gap
The Bootcut
Not seen around as much over recent years but an immensely flattering cut on the majority of women so always in style for that reason. Tight down to mid calf then comes out helping to balance the hips. Comes in all three rises – mid, low and high rise.
H&M
The Flare/Mini flare
Having a moment right now but because of the jean coming out from either above or below the knee but tight over hips, bum and tum always a very flattering cut especially the kick or mini flare as it is easier to wear. Also seen in mid, low and high rise.
MIH
The Straight
Similar to the skinny but less tight over the calf and ankle and slightly looser over hips and thighs. More flattering for curvier women as doesn’t cling to every curve in the same way as the skinny. Generally seen in mid and high rise.
Citizens of Humanity
So what style to wear if you are hourglass – similar width hips and shoulder with a defined waist? The best style is arguably a high rise slim fit jean as the high rise draws attention to the narrowest bit – your waist. Wear with a bit of stretch in a super soft denim as they will move nicely on your curved hips and thighs and hug your skin.
If you are boyish – straight up and down with similar width hips, waist and shoulders with no curve on the thigh then a high rise with a a tapered leg will work wonders as the fabric over the hips and tummy will give the illusion of more curves as the loose fabric will add texture, draws attention to the waist area making it look more defined and the tapered leg will make the thighs look slightly more rounded.
If you are pear shaped – heavier on thighs and hips and slimmer and narrow on bust and shoulders with a defined waist then opt for a mini flare or bootleg as the volume of fabric below the knee will nicely balance out the hips and thighs. Mini flare starting to come out from above the knee will bring the most balance but the flare cut is not for everyone so settle for the bootleg. Highrise will flatten the tummy and draw attention to the defined waist. Wear with heels, heeled boots to further elongate the leg and always in a darker wash.
If you are long and tall – go for a cropped kick flare as you can carry off anything and this is the key denim trend for S/S 2016 although it will not suit everyone and will make legs look shorter. I recommend this pair from Whistles if you do want to buy into this look this year.
Whistles
My favourite on trend denim style is currently the culotte. So flattering for all shapes and sizes.. if you are wanting to get a modern cut this is what I would recommend for the coming spring and summer. Asos does a great collection but you will find them everywhere.
Iris & Ink – The Outnet
Some general styling tips for jeans
- The darker the wash the slimmer your legs will look
- Full length jeans instead of boyfriend or cropped with make your legs look longer and leaner
- Wearing jeans with pointed stilettoes will make your legs look longer and leaner
- If you have a curvy hips and bottom wear a sleeveless waistcoat or gillet over to slim down this area and wear with accessories ie necklace/scarf above the bust area or with a patterned/bright top to bring the eye up from the hip area.
- Super stretchy denim will always be the most flattering as it will move over your curves not constrain them.
- A higher waistband flattens the tummy and draws attention to your waist and makes your legs look longer.
- Bigger pockets either at front or on the bottom will always flatten and make you look smaller
- The darker the wash the smarter the jeans look.
- Beware rips and tears – difficult to pull off over the age of 30.
Last Words
Every ladies clothing retailer sells jeans so apart from my handful of suggestions I would recommend that you try lots of pairs on in a variety of shops and see what pair fits best and makes the most of your legs. That’s the pair to buy. They say you get what you pay for with jeans but it’s not always necessary to spend a fortune to get a great pair…. Uniqlo jeans which fit and wash like a dream are only £29 and are owned by the same parent company as J Brand so arguably no need to pay J Brand prices just head down to Uniqlo (that’s what I do). Also, check out The Outnet and Brand Alley as well as large department stores as they always have jeans on special offer and you can generally get a £200 pair for less than £100.
Follow up
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