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Jean frustration and Rockstar jeans update

MsLuna

Veteran

First of all, I'd like to thank you ladies for providing feedback regarding my frustration with the Evil Muffin Top and the Rockstar jeans. I purchased the Rockstar jeans today and wore it for a few minutes... All I can say is... ARGH.

I found the rise too low. There was still some spillage on the sides, though little. What bothered me most though is that it was just uncomfortable - despite feeling the jeans stretch significantly. I'm just really not a fan of my waist cutting through my belly.

I wish NYDJ worked for me because the waistline is perfect, but the legs see to be built for thicker thighs, knees and calves. I had to severely alter the pairs I bought (from eBay so it's a lot cheaper) and wrecked them almost immediately because I am just not good at alterations. I might try sizing down - but I'm afraid the waist might be too small again.

So yes. I'm back to square one.

Visually, I'm a rectangle, but I seem to find jeans that cater to my apple tendencies. So if there are lovely apple girls out there - Do you wear jeans/pants and if so, what styles/brands do you recommend?

Thanks again.

Body Type

20 replies

Latest reply was from April

Gaylene

Veteran

I didn't comment on your earlier thread because someone else mentioned the Jag pull on jean. You'll probably want to size down because they do stretch a bit, but I've worn a pair for over a week with just minimal bagging in the knees. My Jags are my go-to traveling jeans because they are as comfortable as sweats, eliminate muffin top on my IT shape, and wash like a dream.

Angie's Nordstrom's picks this fall included the Jag Malia which have a skinnier leg than the older Jag Paley Boot version. Jag is a Canadian brand so you shouldn't have any trouble finding them here. As a matter of fact, I just found a pair of the Paleys in Winners today for $29.95.
http://www.jagjeans.com/style/.....838190BKRI

K. Period.

Veteran

What a bummer. I tried on twenty or more pairs of rock star jeans and could not make them work for the life of me. Twenty. Or more! It was miserable. So I really know where you are coming from.

I find that ON jeans do, generally, work for me. I think Diva or Flirt styles are best. They have more room in the thighs and calves that the Rock Stars. I also like Gap jeans. I just tried on a few pairs that were decent. The Always Skinny, Long & Lean and Real Straight have worked well for me. Today I tried on a pair of Paige Denim jeans that were quite good too. It takes work, no question about it, but they are out there.

If your legs are lean and your waist is straighter, any of those should work well for you. Or at least they will be heads and shoulders above the Rock Star jeans!

rachylou

Veteran

Jeans give me indigestion. I only wear fake jeans. Super light weight things from Target, things with spandex, things that are really jeggings.

Probably my best pair of *jeans* were Giorgio Armani from Saks. But this was 10+ years ago. Long gone.

Anonymous

I've been lurking on the forum about a week now, but I had to register to let you know we share a similar body shape. I am equally frustrated in finding jeans.

I only need 1 pair of good fitting jeans (I decided tunics/leggings are the way to go.) I ordered the Karen Kane jeggings based on your review, but I don't know if they will work without giving me a horrible stomach ache as most jeans do.

I have tried all of the Gap jeans, J brand jeans, Jag jeans (really weird material and while they fit okay they felt really gross), KUT from the Kloth Diana, It, and zenim.

At the consignment store I I tried on a pair of 29X35 silver brand bootcut jeans and the rise felt right, but when I try on a 29X32 the rise doesn't feel as long.

If the Karen Kane's don't work out, I am wondering if I could find a mid rise straight jean in 29X35 and then get them hemmed.

Anonymous

I forgot to ask you...do you have a brand of leggings that work? I tried on the Hue brand, but they were very short in the rise for me.

I just ordered the Vince Camuto and I'm hoping they will work.

MsLuna

Veteran

thanks again ladies!

@Gaylene - I had no idea that JAG was Canadian! I'll try to look for it at Winners (one very close to my work!) or I'll see if I can order them online. Or at least use a store locator. Thanks so much for the tip!

@k can shop - I tried the rest of the ON jeans a while back and they were just a strange fit. I'm in between two sizes. When I try one, the waistline is too tight and the rise is uncomfortable. When I try the bigger one, everything but the waist is baggy. it's so frustrating Thanks for the tip though!

@rachylou - LOL Fake jeans seem to work no me too. I've had my share of fake jeans... Oh and ponte jeans. Yikes!

@mtgirl - The Karen Kanes are great, but I guess for me, it still has that mild muffin top (and depending on the time of the month, they can be slightly tight). But other than that, it's been the best brand I've tried so far. The best part about it is that it does NOT bag in the knees. NEVER! I just wish I could be slightly more comfortable on the waistline, but I think that's a personal preference.

I've also tried the Hue brand. It works on me, though I find their leggings to fall apart easily. I'm more inclined to buy ponte pants or denim leggings to begin with as I like the thicker fabrication.

With regards to leggings, what works for me is the Lululemon Will pant. It has a foldable waist and you can wear it high to cover the belly! I think they discontinued it though

Anonymous

Thank you!

I have sensitive skin so maybe that is why I didn't like the Jag jeans. Hope they work for you!

Didn't means to hijack the thread with my leggings question.... Back to the recommendations from the apples.....

MsLuna

Veteran

@mtgirl - Don't worry about it!!! I am sure there are some women who can benefit from this conversation!

I'm actually thinking about giving NYDJ a try again (of course, I'm eBaying it because those jeans are PRICEY!). I think I'll go down a size. I'll keep you (and everyone) posted! I'm not just about to give up on pants yet!

Traci

Veteran

Have you ever tried American eagle outfitter's jeans? I find them to be a straighter cut than many brands. Beware, the rise is very low in some styles. You need to try them all on to fine which cut works.

DonnaF

Veteran

IIRC, TransconaShannon has Wit & Wisdom jeans that were an Angie Pick within the past year, and they were great, albeit long on her. She's an apple, but her stems may not be quite as slender as yours.

I'm now thinking that at least some Jag jeans may not give you a good fit because I have heavy thighs and calves and Jag works for me. . . .

Macy's own brand of jeans, Style & Co., is not likely to work for you. They are cut even higher than NYDJ (which work for me), so they really girdle, but fit me well at the top whereas almost all jeans and skirts give me a gap. I doubt the Ralph Lauren jeans sold at Macy's would fit you either, as they are also cut generously in the legs.

Junior jeans are slim in the legs. Maybe some brand somewhere has a mid-rise jean?

CK

Katie, I just bought a pair of Kut from the Kloth jeans that Angie had recommended, and they are my new favorites. Skinny jean, perfect rise, and super comfortable but don't stretch out. I have apple tendencies as well. You might give them a try.

Carole

Veteran

It wore me out reading of all the trials and tribulations of trying on jeans. Sounds like you need to eat your wheaties before a day like that. That's probably why I never ended up with BF jeans this spring/summer, my shopping stamina just isn't up to that lately.

AJ

Veteran

I have a pair of NYD jeans and I find the rise to be perfect, but the stretching out from one wearing is not so FAB. Although it does shrink back with each wash.

Last year I bought a pair of Heritage Fit bootcuts from Talbots that fit great. Very minor stretching, so I can wear more than once before washing. If you don't mind getting the length altered or like to wear heels, you might want to give them a try. Some of their Heritage Fit pants/jeans are on sale:
http://www.talbots.com/online/.....id=2025562

Good luck!

April

Veteran

MsKK -- did you see the update I posted on your earlier thread yesterday? Recommending the Gap's mid-rise styles.

I also saw these online, which might be worth a try: http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=243728

Anonymous

I like American Eagle too, and MT is the ban of my existence. Also, make sure that your underwear is not enhancing the problem. You need looser fitting undies with a wide band, or boy short style.

K. Period.

Veteran

Just popping back in to say that I tried on a pair of the 1969 jeans yesterday at the Gap and they were quite good. Also, check out these boot cut ones:
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=849961

One of the reviews is quite critical of them because it says that the thighs are cut so slim compared to the generous waist that she thinks the waist is almost two sizes up. Slim through the hips and thighs? Waist two sizes up? That sounds like heaven to me!

Lisa

Veteran

Just dropping by to say you are not alone in your jeans shopping frustation. Before I found my ideal fit with Joe's Petite Provocateur's (I'm a pear shape and short) I probably tried on over 40 pairs. Your ideal jeans are out there.

Glory

Veteran

just catching up on this thread. I have exactly this problem with fit. I need a slender thigh and hip and a larger waist. I have an entire bag of jeans that have simply not worked out. I noticed the Bay this week is selling 3 styles of NYDJ and they are discounted to 99 dollars - I dont know if that is a good price.
Reitmans has the odd pair that can work. And, Costco has calvin klein jegging/skinnies which actually fit me! Other than that, nothing. The dreaded muffin and saggy thigh syndrome has defeated me over and over again.

shiny

Veteran

I had the day off and went to the mall today. Even though I'm pretty much all set on jeans right now, I tried on some of the recommendations here, with you in mind!

For the record, I am 27 inch waist (on a good day)/33 inch hips (i.e., 0.81 waist/hip ratio), 17 inch thighs, 13 inch calves, 5'0 tall, 111 lbs. And I am medium, not small, boned. I prefer at least an 8.5 inch rise, preferably 9 inches. 28 inch inseam.

Here are my reviews:

NYDJ: The rise is good, but my legs were swimming in the "skinnies." I wouldn't call these skinny at all! And did not care for the denim -- I can see why you say they might bag.

GAP mid-rise Always Skinny 1969's: these were "not bad" but not great. By my best guess, they are 8.5 inch rise. Comfortable in the waist band. But, they were still pretty loose in the thighs and calves (though not as loose as the NYDJ). I suppose they were "cool" loose -- but, well... I guess I just didn't fill them out. I might have tried sizing down except the pockets were too large, which I found unflattering. However MsKatieKat, you may like the pocket size.

Calvin Klein skinnies: these fit well, didn't seem like they would sag, looked nice on the legs and rear, but the rise was below the comfort zone. The waistband wasn't too tight, but when I sat down... I wanted to futz and yank them up. Nope.

If this sounds similar to your experience, I suggest:

- Urban Outfitters BDG High Rise cigarette jeans
- AG Farrah's (high rise skinnies)
- Jbrand (do not have specific style to recommend; I just know I tried on some high rises and they were *almost* but not as nice as the AG's)

I'd start with the UO's.

April

Veteran

Okay, seriously HIGH rise jeans here: http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....-denim.jsp