It’s that time of the year when we start to get some cooler days and I start to break out the jeans! Now if you are anything like me the past couple of COVID months I was a pretty big fan of a stretchy waistband and didn’t REALLY notice that my jeans had gotten pretty tight.
I don’t know about you, but jean shopping sometimes can be soul crushing and exhausting until I figured how to find the best fitting jeans for MY body. Today I’m going to let you in on my shopping secrets so that even if your jeans are fitting a little snug these days you can grab a new pair with ease even without trying them on in a store!
Old Navy Pop Over Blouse | Old Navy mid-rise Rockstar jeans | Long-Line Open-Front Sweater | Transport Stripe Embroidered Zip Top Crossbody Tote | Vince Camuto Gradina Block Heel Bootie
Fit Tips: Blouse size up for larger chest, L // Cardigan tts, M // Jeans tts, 12 short // Booties size up 1/2
STEP 1 RISE & INSEAM
These two measurements are going to be your BEST FRIENDS when shopping for jeans especially online. The problem with many jeans is that a “low-rise” in one brand can have the same rise as a “mid-rise” in another brand. So knowing what EXACT measurement range you like and fits your body best can help decipher how a style will fit on you.
RISE is the distance from the middle of the crotch seam (right between your legs) to the top of the waistband. It usually ranges from 7 inches to 12 inches. Pant rise is important because it determines where your pants sit on your body, which in turn creates your perceived waistline.
INSEAM is the measurement from the crotch to the bottom of the leg or hem.
Now I know what you are thinking, um how do I get these measurement? Grab your favorite pair of jeans, maybe the are a little tight in the waistband or maybe the style is not exactly what you are looking for, that’s fine you want to figure out what is the RISE and the INSEAM on those jeans as a starting point.
Then on your body you will want your hip and waist measurements (the ones you are right now not when you lose a few pounds).
STEP 2 BOOTY SHAPE
The shape your butt is depends on the placement of your pelvis and hip bones, the distribution of fat, the size of your glutes, and the way your muscles are attached to the thigh bone.
Here are the classic 4 shapes, and I know what you are thinking HOW does this help me buy jeans?!
For too long I thought that my overall body shape made a difference on what styles I should get I’m curvy (aka large on top and bottom with a smaller waist) so I should get a “curvy” style.
Although that is NOT how jeans are designed. Most “curvy” jeans are designed for a O and A shape where there is more fabric in the hip area, not ideal for my H butt. I’ve found better results with a modern fit which mirrors my H or square shape. Jeans that say slimmer in the hips tend to work best for my frame.
This also impacts the waistband and how “high rise” I can go because most brands that make a mom jean or high rise tend to taper in the waistband quite a bit which then in uncomfortable for me because it’s squeezing around my belly.
STEP 3- STYLES
Now this is where is gets a little tricky, there are SOOO many styles out there! Mom jeans, skinny jeans, straight leg, boyfriend fit, girlfriend fit, jeggings, it goes on and on!!
Now this is where I want to mention that not ALL trends do you need to wear or try. Recently I was sent some Target distressed mom jeans and they were HORRIBLE on my body, they made me look twice my size and about half my height. Now I saw the EXACT same jeans on a friend that is 5’9 and size 4 and she looked amazing!
I do think each season it’s important to try a few new trends like I’m getting more button fly jeans and I really like them but I’m not touching the distressed 90s jean with a 10 ft pole.
STEP 4- FABRIC
Now to fabric! There is FOR SURE a magic blend of stretch –> it stretches but not too stretchy, prevents saggy butt, lets me wear my jeans several times before washing and most importantly allows me to sit down without unbuttoning my pants (socially awkward).
This magic blend comes from the percentages of cotton and “stretchy” fabric. Although each brand of jeans uses their own types of stretch but you will mostly see:
- TENCEL™ lyocell (or just TENCEL)
- Elastane
- Polyester
- Modal
- Rayon
This percentage along with cotton will determine that “stretch” factor. Many of my go to jeans have a blend like Wit & Wisdom have 54% cotton, 27% rayon, 17% polyester, 2% spandex. I have other jeans that have less stretch like the KUT from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend but are still comfortable and they have 98% cotton & 2% spandex but have more of that “traditional” jean feel.
STEP 5- SHOP
Yes this is now the time when you have to start putting some jeans in your cart and then on YOUR BODY! See how they fit, what do you like, don’t like where are the uncomfortable? Over the years I have narrowed down to a few retailers and styles that tend to fit me the BEST.
Each season I buy new washes or maybe a slight variation in their style and I’m almost ALWAYS happy. Here are my favorites that fit my body perfectly for fall 2020 at various prices.
American Eagle Dream Jean– extremely stretchy lower mid rise (9.2″) size down if in-between, 12 short
Old Navy Mid-Rise Black Rockstar Super Skinny Jean– some stretch lower mid rise (9.5″) comes in tall, regular and short lengths tts, 12 short
KUT from the Kloth Diana Ab Fab Jean– has stretch and higher rise (10 3/4″) does not cut in at waist but pulls in the belly with front slimming panels if in-between size down and these run long (30″ inseam in regular) 12P
KUT from the Kloth Catherine Distressed Boyfriend Jeans– least amount of stretch feeling but will loosen as you wear them so if in-between size down, 12
KUT from the Kloth Donna Button Fly Ankle Skinny Jeans– pretty stretchy mid rise (10 1/4″) I would not size down if in-between because of the button fly but that’s personal preference you have enough stretch if you want to, run longer but raw hem can be cut. 12
Wit & Wisdom Itty Bitty Bootcut– good stretch and these now come in a high rise (10″) and lower rise (9″) this year I went with the high rise and like the fit and was able to size down 1 full size, 10R. These also have an affordable sister by the Democracy brand on Amazon.
Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution Distressed High Waist Ankle Jeans– These have good stretch and light distressing, they go come tight to the ankle for a good skinny jean. Higher rise (10 1/2″) size down if in-between 12R.
Old Navy Mid-Rise Button-Fly Rockstar Super Skinny Cut-Off Ankle Jeans– some stretch with mid-rise (10″) and shorter length with chewed hem, true to size 12R.
Professional Images by Audrie Dollins
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