INVEST IN A PAIR OF PERFECT JEANS

DONNA IDA THORNTON, 45, is founder of Donna ida Jeans. ONcE you’ v e found a really good pair of highwaisted jeans, there’s really no going back.

They used to be considered mumsy, but not any more. Be careful with the rise, though — you shouldn’t pick a pair that go too high. If they go above the tummy button, then they will make you look paunchy.

Opt for a curved waistband. When shopping, hold up the jeans; you want the back to be at least an inch higher than the front to pull your bum up. If you have even an ounce of bum, a straight waistband will pull your jeans down and you’ll have to yank them up to compensate, giving you a mum tum even if you don’t have one.

Once you have the rise right, think about leg shape. With slim legs, you can wear anything: flares, crops, skinnies. Everyone else should go for a cigarette-style cut close to the leg.

Beware the bootcut. We’re starting to see a resurgence, but it’s not as easy to wear as we all think. It looks best on tall, skinny girls. We all wore bootcuts for so long, but only a handful of women look great in them.

choose a decent weight of denim, as a thinner jean won’t support you. Look for something around 10oz; a good denim specialist will help you. White jeans will always be more flattering than pale blue ones. They just are. They sound frightening, but trust me: you will look thinner in them.