dynamic denim,
Choose the right style of jeans for your body type
Raise your hand if this has happened to you: Those jeans looked fabulous in the window display (or on your best friend), and you just HAD to have them. You found the jeans in your size, breezed into the dressing room, tugged them over your hips and zipped them up, looked in the mirror and
gasped in horror at the sight.
Learning to choose the right jeans for your body type can help prevent such dressing-room disasters and help boost your self-confidence, no matter what your size or shape — and you can still wear many of the latest styles.
“There are many fantastic trends out there, but the trend is lost if the fit is poor,” said Amy Hughes, proprietor of The Humble Thread in Cabot. “The most important tip we can give about finding the perfect pair of jeans is to find a pair that makes you feel great. Confidence is always the key.”
Jamie Darling, the owner of Darling’s Fine Things in Newport, advises choosing jeans in misses or women’s sizes instead of from the juniors department.
“The rise tends to be higher and more flattering to adults,” she said. “This will help you avoid a muffin top.”
The rise, or distance from the crotch to the top of the jeans’ waistband, ranges from ultra-low to high and has a large effect on how a pair of jeans looks on a woman. In general, if you have a little extra padding, you should probably opt for mid- to high-rise jeans to help smooth the abdomen. The waistband should be just below the navel, covering your stomach.
Regardless of style, Darling said, it is important to choose jeans that accentuate your positives and balance your body shape. For example, extra-curvy women may want to avoid embellishments around the hips or on the back pockets, as these may highlight problem areas.
“For those who are top-heavy, I would suggest jeans with a straight leg or even a flare to help create balance,” Hughes said. ”For those who are bottom-heavy, you can’t beat a pair of straight-leg jeans with the added touch of a colorful top belted at your smallest point.”
Flared-leg jeans can help create curves for a woman with a straight figure, while those with a rounder shape may want to look for simple boot-cut jeans with a bit of stretch for a streamlined look.
“When buying jeans with a lot of stretch, you are probably going to need to go down a size,” Darling said. “Often, as the day goes on, stretchy fabric tends to ‘grow.’ You don’t want to be tugging on your jeans to pull them up.”
The following pointers can help you find the right type of jeans for your body type.
• Round: Typified by a rounded waist and a torso that is wider than the lower part of the body. Look for mid-rise jeans in thick denim with a dark wash — the thicker denim provides added support, and the darker color is visually slimming. Avoid pockets or other details around the waist.
• Rectangle: Straight figure with square hips and an undefined waist. Create the illusion of curves with high-waisted jeans. It’s OK to call attention to your rear end with extra embellishments — but stay away from plain, pocketless fronts that can look a little too masculine.
• Oval: Full through the hips and thighs, with a narrower torso. Jeans with a little stretch will hug your hips without gapping at the waist. Choose a straight-leg cut in a dark wash. Avoid jeans with tapered legs — they can draw attention to wider hips.
• Hourglass: Narrow waist with the hips and bust about the same size. These lucky women can wear almost any style of jeans, from skinny jeans to boot-cut and flare leg. However, don’t go for a rise that’s too low, or you could expose a little too much skin when you sit down.
• Petite: Less than 5 feet, 4 inches tall, regardless of size or shape. Look for a cut that’s long and lean to create the illusion of longer legs. Avoid baggy or widelegged pants; these can make you look shorter.