JEANS GENIUS
THREE MEMBERS OF THE RED TEAM GO IN SEARCH OF THEIR PERFECT DENIM
Three women find their perfect pair
REBECCA HULL, RED’S BEAUTY WRITER, VISITS GAP
By my own admission, I am jean-obsessed, but that doesn’t mean I’ve ever found “the one”. I’m 5ft 1in, so I’ve always struggled to find a pair that fit my short legs. My dream jeans would lengthen my legs, flatter my shape and, ideally, they’d be budget-friendly, too!
Lucky for me, in 30 shops across the UK, Gap has launched Denim Addict, an in-store customising service that offers shortening, re-seaming and adding frayed edges, plus other quirky details.
My Gap stylist listens to my likes and dislikes before selecting a couple of styles for me to try. One is a pair of cropped kick flares, which I love. They are flattering but just a little too long – as ever – and this is when the customisation bar comes into its own. Finally, a pair of jeans that are actually the right length! They’re great for work, with a cool shirt and shoes, or at home, with a cosy knit. The high waistline draws attention to my smaller middle, while the dark colour helps slim down my legs.
I’ll be heading back to Gap soon to customise a pair of skinny jeans. Silver studding, anyone?
SARAH TOMCZAK, RED’S EXECUTIVE EDITOR, VISITS DONNA IDA
The perfect pair of jeans has transformative powers. They make you look slimmer, cooler and upgrade everything else in your wardrobe. They’re just as good with a thick knit as a silk blouse, with trainers as heels. The perfect pair of jeans has so far eluded me. In fact, I’d given up looking.
Shopping for denim is up there with searching for the “just-right” pair of black trousers. It’s not fun. And you don’t get that same purchase “high” as you do with a swishy midi dress. So I’ve lived in those recently, and my wardrobe has been crying out for game-changing jeans.
This is why I find myself in Donna Ida, looking at shelves of (seemingly identical) piles of denim. Ida herself (petite, glossy and denim-clad, obviously), suggests a pair of super-skinny Rizzos, which she says will taper and elongate my legs. They do, but I want something slouchier and more low-key. Next up, I try the Boy Dazzler, which I love. They’re looser, cropped at the ankle but with a high waist (Ida’s signature cut features a high waistline, which sucks everything in, in a very pleasing way). I’m taken with these, but they only come in a light wash, black or printed with stars. I keep looking.
Finally, I spot the Margot. It’s one of Ida’s most-loved styles, and gets updated each season – this time, with a plaited denim waistband. The mid-blue shade feels season-less and the wide culotte cut is a new shape for me – the frayed hem adds an edge, too. They look good dressed up, but also with Converse and a T-shirt. They feel a bit French, a bit laid-back and a bit ’70s, which is always good in my book. They also feel transformative and make everything in my wardrobe look better. Who knew that could happen?
BIANCA PERRY, HEAD OF CONSUMER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT HEARST, VISITS THE DENIM STUDIO AT SELFRIDGES
Jeans are my go-to for all occasions – I wear them to work with a blouse, at the weekend with a cosy knit and on a night out with a slinky top and heels. In the past, I’ve struggled to find jeans that fit both my thighs and waist, often having to go up a size to fit the leg and then being forced to wear a belt. So high-waisted stretch skinny jeans have become my denim saviour, in particular Topshop’s Jamie jeans, which are now a staple in my wardrobe: I have a pair in pretty much every colour.
I’ve been wearing skinny jeans for almost a decade, so I was interested to see if there were any other styles that would be as versatile and flattering. But the thought of trying on hundreds to find a pair that fits has always put me off. So for me, the free personal shopping service at Selfridges’ Denim Studio really was a game changer: it took all the hassle out of finding the right pair. Mark, the in-house stylist, was amazing: I told him what I was looking for and he came back with a selection – which all actually fitted me! He also advised on what worked best for my shape. No searching through piles for your size or trying on the same pair in different sizes. It was a dream.
I ended up falling for J Brand’s Maria skinny high rise, which are incredibly comfortable, super-flattering and I love the colour. I haven’t deviated from high-waisted skinnies, but I’ve been introduced to a couple of new brands and styles that fit and suit my shape, which have helped me to clarify exactly what I want in my jeans.