Why do we wear jeans?
What would we do without them? They’re a timeless wardrobe staple, good for almost any occasion and they’re pretty durable.
You can mix and match them with almost anything, dress them up or down, and they are the ultimate in versatility right?
They come in different washes and silhouettes to reflect your personal style.
Jeans are always in style!
You should definitely have a go-to pair at all times.
Wow, I just said “should”. If you’re familiar with my message and my beliefs as I stylist, I don’t use that “s” word a lot. I will rarely “should on” you and your sense of style but I say with confidence, that every woman should own a killer pair of jeans that fit and flatter her unqiue shape.
They should make her feel like a rockstar, a freaking boss, a classic goddess, a badass...
whatever feeling hot means to you…
“ every woman should own a killer pair of jeans that fit and flatter her unique shape. ”
In the past 4 years I’ve styled over 15,000 boxes at Stitch Fix.
Nope, that’s not a typo. 15,000+ and I have dozens of in-person clients as well. So I know a thing or two about how the right jeans can make a woman FEEL. And I’ve also learned, it is completely normal to try on dozens of jeans before finding a pair you love. This happens to everyone. Remember, “it’s not you it’s the clothes.”
But how to find a pair that’s right for you?
Above all else, you should wear any style you damn well please. But you should at least know the 3 basics of finding the right jeans. Armed with some basic knowledge of denim, you’re well on your way to finding a killer pair!
The basics include: rise, inseam, and silhouette. I’ll keep it simple:
rise: the length of the seam from the top of the waistband to the crotch. the part that keeps the tummy in its place.
inseam: length of the seam down your leg, from the crotch to the hem.
silhouette: the outline the jeans draw on your body (skinny, straight, bootcut, flare).
Here are some standard measurements for you BUT keep in mind they’re NOT hard and fast rules. Everybody type is different. I’ve had thousands of touch points with denim and woman through my years at Stitch Fix; every curvy girl is not the same, every petite girl is not the same, every tall girl and so on.
As a matter of fact, I hear fashion bloggers advise their followers everyday, “Oh I’m 5’10 so if you want these jeans just grab them in petite.”
No.
Petite does not simply mean shorter, it messes with the rise too. So learn the 3 basics that match you and your unique shape.
Rise
the rise is the belly part, the measurement from the top of the waistband to the crotch inseam.
low rise will be around 7 or 8” depending on the brand. Sits well below the belly-button.
mid rise around 8-9.5'“ depending on the brand. Sits below belly-button.
high rise: around 10” and above.
Inseam
the length of your jeans, measured from the crotch seam to the end of the leg.
Skinnies should fall at or above the ankle so this will be around 25-27” long on petites, if you’re 5’4 to 5’7 your skinnies should be around 28” long, and for 5’8” and above your skinny jeans will fall about 31” to maybe even 35”.
Straight leg jeans could use another inch or so depending on each person, and bootcut/flare just add a few more inches.
Remember that I use averages a lot because body types are so unique. For example, I have had two clients who are 5’9. One loves 28” skinnies but the other client won’t wear skinnes shorter than 30”. They might be the same height but one woman has shorter legs. We are all proportioned differently!
Silhouette
the main silhouettes are skinny, straight, bootcut, and wide leg .
For the most part, the silhouette that will flatter the most if one that works great for your body proportions. For example, balance out a fuller upper half with a bootcut silhouette, use a slim/straight jean as opposed to skinnies if you really don’t like true skinny.
Sound confusing?
Not sure what works right for your body type? Are the choices overwhelming? Yes?
So if I were you, I’d hit me up right away and I’ll help you find a great pair for your shape.
If you want to get started on your own, here are a few favorites:
My petite women love these for skinnies because they also come in curvy fit. And petite women love these skinnies as well.
Best regular- fit skinnies these and my personal favorite skinnies here and best skinnies on a budget these.
New favorite high rise, straight leg here and I have them in black too.
Most-loved girlfriend jeans here.
Killer bootcut with some help for the tummy and here’s a popular bootcut style too.
Best newcomer brand here… curvy women typically have a full bootie and hips or thighs so when they find a great fit on the curvy parts, the waistband gaps. This brand is a great option because of their contoured waistband. And when you shop on their site, you can choose to see the jeans on a few model types as seen below. Shop here.
