Style Stop
By Linda Peavy
Jeans are not what they used to be. Once thought of as only used for manual labor, they now beautifully complement outfits from a crisp white blouse to a designer Chanel jacket. Jeans will never go out of style because they are the definition of “versatility.” There are very few pieces of clothing that jeans don’t complement, and as long as you find the right style and fit, their comfort is unparalleled.
To find the perfect pair of jeans, consider their four main features: cut, rise, wash, and Spandex/Lycra percentage.
Trying on new jeans is incredibly important. Every brand has its sizing chart and version of terms such as “regular,” “slim” and “short.”
Cut
Seven major cuts of jeans will create a specific look on the legs: Bootcut, Skinny, Wide Leg, Boyfriend Jeans, Flare Leg Jeans, Mom’s Jeans.
1. Boot Cut: These jeans are snug on the thigh, flaring gently at the knee.
2. Skinny: Skinny jeans are snug at the thigh and hug the calf and ankle. A common complaint is skinny jeans are too fitted to be comfortable for plus-size women, so try to find a pair in a softer wash.
3. Straight: A combination of skinny and boot cut, straight jeans have a bigger leg opening than skinny but not quite as wide at the bottom as boot cut.
4. Wide-Leg: Wide-leg jeans often have at least a 20 inches in circumference at the hem. Wide-leg jeans differ from bell bottoms in that the entire length of the leg is large, whereas flare jeans become wider below the knee.
5. Flare leg: Also known as bell-bottom jeans, these are very fitted at the thigh and flared at the leg more than a boot cut.
6. Boyfriend Jeans: If you like a slouchy, laid-back fit, as if you borrowed a man’s jeans, then these jeans are for you.
7. Mom’s Jeans: These retro jeans have made a comeback. They have a high-waisted relaxed fit with a slight taper in the leg to keep them from being too loose.
Rise
The rise of a jean refers to the distance from the crotch joint to the top of the waistband. Choose a rise that follows your natural silhouette for the best look and comfort while avoiding waist gaps.
The following definitions will help you eliminate jeans that are too revealing, ill-fitting, or won’t stay up on the body:
- High-Rise: Usually hides the navel and ends at or over the waistline
- Regular or Average: Should end right at or just below the navel
- Mid-Rise: Sits between the hips and belly button
- Low-Rise: Ends 2-3 inches under the navel
- Super Low-Rise: How low can you go? This rise generally ends just above your crotch.
Wash
Denim wash means the texture and shade of the jeans and can influence the aesthetic and how long the denim will last. A good rule of thumb is the lighter the wash, the more casual the look.
Acid Wash. Acid wash jeans contain areas of different colors, usually a mix of darker and lighter blues.
Stone Wash. Stone wash jeans will appear worn out and are usually softer and more flexible than other washes.
Dark Wash. This dark wash style is submerged in a darker dye after being sewn together, letting the dye soak into all the seams for a deeper color.
Medium Wash. The medium wash jean is a shade lighter than dark wash. You can combine these with almost any color or texture.
Light Wash. Light wash jeans are two shades lighter than medium wash denim and just slightly darker than bleached denim.
Need More Help? For more information on washes of jeans and how to wear them for your style, check out the following websites: Thredup.com, Jolynneshane.com, and Makeyourownjeans.com.
Stretch
Spandex and Lycra can give jeans just the right stretch when used in the right percentages. While stretch denim may take slightly longer to wear in, too much Spandex and Lycra in jeans can cause loss of shape. The right combination of Spandex and Lycra (usually between 1 and 4% each) allows jeans to hug your body in all the right places.
To help ensure you get perfect-fitting jeans, check out the following websites for further guidance on how to find the best-fitting denim:
- denimhunters.com
- thehealthyjournal.com/faq/can-an-older-woman-wear-skinny-jeans
- thecurvyfashionista.com/plus-size-jeans-guide-the-fit-style-guide
Best Jeans for Your Body Shape
Pear Body Shape – Pear shapes are larger in proportion in the hip area than other parts of the body. To help balance out the curves, consider flare/bell-bottom jeans.
Hourglass Body Shape – Since most styles look great on the plus-size hourglass body, skinny jeans or bootcut jeans will especially enhance the curves.
Banana Body Shape – The hip area measurement is similar to the middle section on a banana body, therefore, consider skinny jeans to help define your curves.
Apple Body Shape – Since the majority of the weight is in the middle or stomach area, balance out the lower part of the body with wide-leg jeans for a flattering fit.
Need to find your body shape? Visit the Culturedcurves.com post, Determine Your Plus Size Body Shape to Find the Most Flattering Clothes.
Where to Buy Jeans
Petite Jeans
American Eagle
Plus-Size Jeans
Tall Jeans
Custom-Made
How do you love to wear jeans? Leave a comment for Linda below.
