My struggle with finding the right jeans. - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

My struggle with finding the right jeans.

Ankita

(website)

Hi Fabbers!
I'm kind of cranky at the moment, so my apologies in advance.
Lately I've been finding it IMPOSSIBLE to find the right fitting with jeans...and it is so so so darn frustrating!
I am on the heavier side, with my thighs and bum being the issue.... not only do I suffer from the thunder thighs syndrome, I also have the well endowed backside with a somewhat small-ish waist! ... so when I find a jeans that goes up my thighs smoothly it's big on the waist and what's fitted at the waist is usually a tad bit tight at the thighs...sigh!
I've been on the hunt for a pair of good distressed boyfriend jeans and a black jeans...so I went tried 50 pairs with no major luck...
Sharing some pictures with you all just to show you what I mean... these 3 seemed to fit ok... but I'm getting those lines at the crotch area which aren't very pleasing to my eye....or is that normal?...am I thinking too much???

The first pair of black is a straight fit mid rise from Levis... I also tried the same in a skinny fit but forgot to take a picture. Very comfy these were.

The second is a Zara skinny which is greyish black and I ended up picking these coz they seemed very reasonable on sale...however once we got back Manny & hubby both saw pictures & said the Levis looked better

The last blue is a distressed boyfriend which looks so yummy from the sides , was superrrrr comfy, high waisted, but has that thing going on at the crotch area again!

I'd really appreciate your honest thoughts on these and if or not any of these are worth keeping.
Thanks if you've stuck with me till the end!
xoxo

This post has 7 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Ankita

Diana

Veteran

Ah, this is always an issue for me too. I think a little whiskering is ok. Paradoxically it's more of an issue with slim but not super tight pants (I guess because w/super tight skinnies the fabric is stretched all the way so there's no excess to whisker up!)

Anyway... To me the #1 Levi's look good and the whiskering there is fine. It's subtle and will probably fall out a bit when you move/the jeans stretch.

The whiskering on the second pair (smile shaped and extends all the way to the side) is I think an indication of the backside being too tight / not having enough fabric(so it tries to pull fabric from the front to compensate). Sizing up might help but it's possible the front to back ratio is just wrong for you.

#3 is a different issue. That type of crotch fold is indicative of a too-long rise. It's part of the BF style (dropped crotch), so not necessarily bad but you have to decide whether you like it. The fit overall is good. Something sold as a "slouchy skinny" would likely not have as dropped a crotch as a "boyfriend" if you're looking to compare styles.

Roxanna

Veteran

*sympathetic nod from a fellow pear shape* I so feel you on this one! I hate jeans shopping too as I have quite a pronounced difference between my hips and waist. I ends up buying to for my hips and then I take in the gap at the waist worth 1-2 small darts - I find that works best.

Echo Diana's comments above. I also like 1 vs. 2 because the rise is slightly higher and straight across, nor curved, which De-emphasizes the curve of the hips.

I would also try going more slim than body conscious by looking for styles with a lower percentage of spandex - I find this style of jam is now flattering to our shapes and it doesn't cling to every lump and bump. I try to stick to 2-3% Lycra /spandex maximum. BR sometimes had some good less stretchy options.

lisaflex

Veteran

fit the thighs and hips and tailor the rest. its tough. i feel your pain! and, yes, the less lycra/spandex the better. investing in a good tailor can go miles

Roxanna

Veteran

I posted about a great pair of Gap 'girlfriend' jeans a while ago - distressed and slouchy like boyfriend jeans, but a bit slimmer and therefore more figure friendly for pear shapes. Lower spandex content, good quality denim. Here is me in them today for reference.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Diana

Veteran

Ah, yes, lower spandex (I like 1-2%) and the rest should be cotton. The poly-containing fabrics always feel too clingy and stretchy. Thicker, fabric, not too stretchy is the best.

I also have the gap girlfriend jeans!

Ankita

(website)

Thank you ladies so very much!
@Daine & Roxanna: thanks a ton for the details. This is the first time I tried high waisted jeans so dint know what to expect. I'll look more for ones with lesser stretch tom.

@lisaflex: completely agree... I usually take my jeans & trousers to a tailor to cinch in at the waist ☺

So #2 & #3 are a NO right?

Colette

Veteran

I like the fit on #1, I say keep those. I am right along side of you on the hip/thigh/jean problem. I can write an essay on it.

If you are ever in the market for a bootcut/toned down flare jean try Paige Hidden Hills. I have to have them shortened but don't *have* to have the waist taken in because it's only a tad bit loose and I'm fine with it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The Levis look great on you, Ankita!! Go back and get yourself a pair of those for sure.

For the rest, I agree 100% with Diana. Looks like slightly different fit issues with the different pairs, and you now have some good information to continue the hunt.

I totally hear you on the quest for good jeans; it seems there is no woman who doesn't struggle with this one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your bod is fab just the way it is, Ankita. You might find that a fit for curvier shapes will suit you better. Have you tried the Levis Curve ID line?

I echo what Diana said. And a little whiskering on jeans is fine.

Ankita

(website)

@Roxanna: those jeans look gorgeous on you...and yes I can see they fit you beautifully...only if I could get my hands on these here in mumbai!

@Colette: Haha! I'd like to read that essay someday! I'm new to the jeans struggle coz I wore low waists all my life & this latest transition to miss rise & high rise is driving me insane!
Think I will go back for the#1 sometime this week ☺

@Suz: Definitely going back to get the Levis ☺

@Angie : aww thank you...your words always brighten up the day! Even I was thinking of checking the Levis curve line...let's see how that goes! I just wish the distressed blue one had fit right...sign!

lisaflex

Veteran

note to self...try the gap girlfriend jean...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ankita, you've gotten lots of great wisdom here, and I'm learning as I read. Just wanted to chime in that you look great. Just remember, it's the jeans' fault they don't fit you. And you'll find a pair of lighter wash distressed jeans that are right for you, I'm sure. That look is still going strong.

Sal

Veteran

Have been away for the weekend, but 1 look terrific. Please get them and wear with confidence!!

I have jeans struggles too. I now just go into a retailer that has a wide range of jeans and try on as many pairs as I can face and hope that one will suit. Normally 10 are awful, 1 is okay and 1 is great!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

you know I like #1 best. And everyones answers have been real informative. I'm reading and learning why jeans shopping is such a nightmare.

Lucy

Veteran

I can second the Levi's curve ID line. I'm a curvy hourglass, and I have multiple pairs of them. Comfy, they wear well, and no more change room dramas!

Lucy

Veteran

Also if you go to the Levis shop, a good SA will eyeball you and hand you the perfect pair. It's like a jeans miracle
(and no I don't work for them!)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You are singing my tune. Although I got the hips and thighs, but no booty, which sometimes makes fitting even trickier (tight thighs and sagging fabric in the bum do not make a good jeans look). Plus I have a long inseam, which means many jeans that fit otherwise just come up short in the length department. I can't even get into the higher waisted styles because I'm quite short-waisted and they make me look like there is nothing in between my boobs and my hips, plus the crotch ends up hanging too low and I get that same bunching that you're getting in the last photos. Soooo frustrating.

That said, I agree with the others that #1 looks good. So far I've completely struck out on jean/denim shopping this summer, but admittedly I haven't tried too many things yet. My weight is up too, and I get discouraged pretty quickly. I did have success last year with the bootcut Lolita jeans from Lucky Brand (they come in lengths, yay!). Paige used to fit me very well, but now they seem to be cutting the thighs narrower, which seriously peeves me. AG sometimes works too, as long as it's not the ultraskinny cuts. Kut can also sometimes work.

Ankita

(website)

@Firecracker: aww, thank you! Yes, the search for a light wash distressed pair shall stay on!

@Kiwigal: i'll definitely be going back for the 1st pair and maybe even trying out some more levis curve...and you're so right- try 10 pairs & maybe 1 will be 'IT'!

@Lucy: thank you so much Lucy...i'll definitely try the Levis curve after all your recommendations

@Janet: ah, i see we sail in a somewhat-same-boat! Yes, it's so so so frustrating and there are days when i go in & try 1 pair of jeans that are perfect! Plus I think here in India we have another problem, the basic brands available are Levis, Lee, Pepe and a selected others, so selection goes down further