How To Buy Jeans That Fit? FAQs Answered By Denim Expert. - https://ilovejeans.com/ (2024)

You want your jeans to flatter your body shape not drown you in fabric. When buying jeans look at the fabric content to see if the style has a good amount of stretch ( 1-2+% Lycra or Elastane) and snapback (Polyester) for the jean to recover their shape when stretched. ‘Pull-on jeans by Liverpool Jeans have an elasticated waist & functioning pockets. Often because of the stretch, you can go down a size too. There are quite a few ‘Figure fixing’ denim brands that have Ab Solution, Smoothing pockets, or Lift Tuck® Technology. New denim technology is evolving all the time and a handful of brands offer collections that span over 3 sizes in one, which is perfect if your waist is a bigger size vs your legs and bottom.

All retailers and denim brands tend to work to their own size ratio, this is why jean shopping is so confusing! Turn jean shopping on its head, instead of trying to fit into a denim brand sizing look at your own rise measurement. For example, if your rise (crotch seam to belly button) measures 9 inches then only look for styles with this measurement. Often online retailers will give the measurement of the rise (if not email or ask in the chat for the rise measurements of the style). This is key to buying jeans that fit online. If you’re shopping in-store take a tape measure or cut a ribbon to the length of your rise to use as a guide. This way you can quickly sort through styles that are right for you before you go into the changing room, helping you buy the right size jeans.

Bootcut jeans are a classic style and should look good on all body shapes. However not all boot cuts are the same. Take a good look in a full-length mirror and try and pinpoint which area is not pleasing you. Try your jeans on with different shoes, sneakers, boots, and high heels as this can really change the look by elongating the leg. If you still are not happy then try a skinny flare style as this is one step away from a bootcut you may prefer.

The lightest weight denim is between 5 – 12 oz. Chambray is a light cotton fabric that usually comes in light blue similar to denim, which is soft and airy, and worn in the Summer. Denim is versatile and can be mixed with linen, hemp, Lyocell, and Modal–all materials that keep cool in summer, are environmentally friendly, easy to wear, and easy to care for. Always look at the fabric content label to see what denim clothing is made from.

Curvy body shapes often find it difficult to get the balance right of waist vs hip ratio. To eliminate the gape you need to shop specifically for ‘curvy styles of jeans, where the waist is smaller and the hips & bottom bigger. Good American has paved the way for inclusive curvy denim styles and lots of other brands are following suit. So don’t make do with jeans that are not cut for your body shape.

Ok, stretch denim is your friend! Look for jeans with 2%+ Lycra or Elastane content and a Polyester mix to give the jean the snapback after stretching. If you are 5ft 2″ or under you should consider looking at retailers Petite Collections as the inseam will be shorter and the style scaled down. ASOS and White House Black Market offer a ‘shop by fit section’ making it easier to shop for your proportions. MAC dream jeans have tummy control panels and a hidden elasticated waistband and a high lycra content making these jeans extremely soft to wear. They come in lots of colors too!

Start with identifying your body shape. You can take this quiz that will help you ID your shape and show you the latest denim styles for that shape. Then go on to measure your Unique Rise Measurement which is the key to finding the best fit for you. If you are still in need of help book a virtual Personal Shopping Service we have helped many women find perfect-fitting jeans! We really think this is the best way to shop for jeans.

Inseam – Measure your inseam first, this is the length of your leg from the inside from your crotch to where your foot starts.
Waist – The waist measurement is taken from the smallest part of your waist, under your ribcage, or where you bend ( bending to the side).
Lower waist measurement is where the waistband of the jeans sit – this is not a common measurement when shopping for jeans.
Hips– Stand with your feet together take the tape measure around your bottom and measure the fullest part of your hips at the top of your legs, approx 9 inches lower than your waistline.
Rise – Front rise measurement – with your jeans on take the tape measure from the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband.
The leg opening – This is the measurement that will tell you how wide the opening of the leg of your new jeans will be. Measure the circumference of the bottom of the hem.

Check out the measuring guide for visual guidance.

You’d be surprised at how many times I hear this as it’s one of the reasons women book a styling session with me. There are lots of different styles of jeans available but not every style will suit your body shape. The way to get out of the rut is by trying on ‘key styles’, I have chosen Levis as an example as they have an extensive collection of styles & sizes for all. Moving away from your skinny try the following styles, remember to try on with heels as well as flats. Keep an open mind as you may be pleasantly surprised.
Slim jeans >> Straight jeans >> Tapered jeans >> Bootcut jeans >> Loose Jeans.

Sizing is a bugbear for most as you may be a size 14 in one brand and a size 18 in another! Yes, the difference can be that big. The thing to know is it’s not you, it’s the retailer/brand sizing ratio that is different. Jeans are notoriously difficult as you have to take into consideration the stretch in the denim which may mean you could go down a size!
The first thing to do is to measure yourself especially if you’re buying jeans online. Look at the retailer’s size chart for the style and pinpoint where your measurements fit it. If you spread over two sizes then purchase both sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit. Another tip I use a lot is to read other women’s reviews which will guide you if the style is coming up large or smaller. Women are great at telling you how it is! For more insight on sizing read – Are we buying the right size jeans.