What do you look for in Jeans, and why?

Nicole

It seems we are discussing jeans quite a bit. I didn't want to hijack anyone's thread about jeans, so I hope you don't mind that I started another one that is more general. Maybe we can all discuss observations and tips about jeans.

My hairdresser is very stylish, trendy and current in her clothes. I noticed she had on these really overly tight skinnies today. They were ridiculously tight--like her body molded itself into the shape of the jeans. It flattened her rear, and the denim formed these horizontal indentations across the backs of her thighs. Not flattering or attractive. How tight do you like to go with your jeans?

My midsection tends to be a little fuller than my rear end and thighs. I have found that Tahari jeans are cut with my proportions in mind. Most other jeans sag in the rear or are too tight around the waist band. I have lucked out and found a few pair of Tahari jeans at Marshalls for a reasonable amount of money. I can't spend $200 on a pair of jeans.

I also took to heart Angie's comments about the quality of denim affecting the growth of jeans, and Maya's comment about lower rise jeans giving her muffin tops. I never considered either of these things and will now pay more attention when I am shopping. And finally, what's up with the gap in the back of the jeans? A lot of women I talk to have this problem, including myself. What causes this and what style or alteration can be done to avoid it?

18 years ago

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Another superb topic Nicole. I spend a lot of my time finding women jeans and unless you’re a slim, long-limbed "rectangle" (the quintessential boyish frame), it's one of those items that aren’t that easy to fit. Dresses, dress pants and skirts are much easier. I'll start the ball rolling with a few short answers:

1. Jeans should be snugger than you would think when you first put them on. If you buy good quality denim, they'll stretch in an hour or two to fit you perfectly. The horizontal line at the back of one’s thighs should go after a few hours.
2. Don’t buy jeans with more than 2 % lycra. They’ll be too tight to start off with and grow to enormous widths throughout the day.
3. You need to fit jeans (and any bottom) so that they fit around the biggest part of you first. This often means alterations afterwards.
4. Always buy jeans with a curved waistband (with the front rise shorter than the back).
5. Mid rise jeans are best
6. Jeans that sag in the rear are a less common problem than jeans that gape at the waist. Everybody's curve around their bottom and waist is different and denim is not a drapey fabric, so it's very hard to design jeans that will fit everybody's waist and bottom.
7. Altering is the only solution after you've tried and tested enough pairs to get the best possible fit. I have all my jeans altered and it’s worth every penny.
8. Different styles of jeans offer different looks. Some can wear it all while others can’t. Experiment with different looks and styles and keep your look evolving.

Putting together a set of guidelines on how to fit a pair of jeans is virtually impossible because there are just too many variables, but there are tips that I can offer along the way. Needless to say there shall be loads of tit bits popping up along this thread.

18 years ago

christie

Active Member

I love jeans. Most of all, I love the fact that jeans can now be dressed up enough to wear to work or out. I love that jeans have gone designer.

There was a time, about 10 years ago, when I vowed that I would never buy jeans again. I could never find jeans that fit. I am a hair under 5'4", but I don't have a petite inseam. Petites were too short. Regulars too long (and came up to my ribcage). I just could never find jeans that fit. Now I have no problem.

In spite of my love of jeans, I am embarrassed to say that I only have three pairs that i wear. I have one pair of Diesel low rise, that are lighter in color, and that I have cut to wear with flats. I wear these for casual or what I consider less-smart casual (out to dinner in lesser-nice places, like the local indian food joint, or when I need to walk a lot). I have one pair of Dark, boot cut, super low-rise Sevens. I have these cut for heels, and wear these to work, meetings, and out at night. Finally, I have a pair of boy-cut JCrew jeans that I wear around the house or to walk in the park. These are my "chucks" (i.e. converse tennies) jeans.

I only have three pair of jeans (and really only wear the first two) because I have tasted quality and I can't go back. It sounds so snobby, but it's true. I can't afford to buy many items of clothing, but I can't bring myself to buy lesser quality clothes. So my closet is half empty.

As my husband and I get further along in our careers (I started my own business last summer--I've yet to make a profit, but I'm not in the red, so I'm moving forward!), we have more income, and I feel less guilty about spending some of that money on clothes. And as I decide to purchase clothes, I am making an effort to focus on smart-casual (which I can wear except when going to court) and jeans are the key event. Luckily, the most amazing new boutique opened here in town that specializes in selling jeans--small, independent, designer brands that you won't find most other places--plus some cute tops and shoes to go with. I have my eyes set on this store to expand my wardrobe. Next up: trouser style.

This wasn't the point of Nicole's post, but I just thought I would say all that. I am lucky, I suppose, in that I fit most jeans that I try on (minus having to hem the bottom). I am most comfortable with low cut jeans. I have a petite rise (learned from Angie!), so low-cut jeans are really mid-cut on me. Low-cut jeans don't give me any gap. I like jeans that are a bit tighter on my hips and rear, parts of my body that I am happy to say I actually like.

I bought my diesels two years ago and my sevens a year and a half ago. I wear them very often. Yet, in spite of near-daily-wear and frequent washing, they still fit wonderfully. This is more than I can say for any inexpensive pair I have bought. Plus, they are still flattering.

I have tried on a couple of pairs at the new boutique. I forget the names, but they were beautifully cut. I'm going to go back again soon (SALE!) and I'll find the names for everyone.

Cheers,
Christie

18 years ago

mayapple

Active Member

I don't know why, especially since I'm petite, but the rise on most pants just isn't long enough for me. What most people consider high-waisted is usually mid-rise for me, hitting just below my belly button. It's not noticeable if I'm standing in low rise jeans, but as soon as I sit down, you can definitely tell. Thankfully I've been wearing slightly longer tops to remedy the problem.

I'm relieved to hear that higher rises are coming back. I'd love to tuck my shirts in again and not worry about butt cleavage and muffin top. I think a rise that comes just below the belly button in the front and well above the butt crack in the back is pretty much universally flattering, but the exact measurements are different for everyone. Most designers seem to accept 8" as mid-rise, but I usually don't feel safe until 9. I think jeans are one of the hardest things to find for most women because everything has to be so exact. Maybe it's time to invest in a pair of Me Jeans!

18 years ago

jeans

(website)

Member

I really, really want to know, what hasn't yet been done in jeans that should be? Height, width, and other dimensions are important, but I am looking more at stylistic, cut, material, etc.. related stuff. I remember hearing about a lady that designed some jeans that are meant to make you look thinner--great idea. Are their other ideas here?

18 years ago

Marianna

Active Member

I used to wear Gap jeans because they fit my hips and waist. Now I buy my jeans from White House Black Market. They fit me all over, I don't even need to hem them.

18 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Okay, it seems everybody is looking for white jeans. I found a pair today but I'm not sure of them. Angie says not to buy anything with more that 2% lycra. These are Citizens of Humanity with 3% lycra. They fit really good and would need no alterations. They are on sale for half off, which really surprised me. The store did not have any white jeans except for sale ones. They must not have any in yet or aren't getting any. So does anybody have Citizens and do they stretch a lot through out the day? I don't want to make a mistake and buy them just because they are half off. I do like them a lot, but will I like them after wearing them for long?

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I was wondering about denim "like" material. For instance, I just bought a pair of walk shorts that from Express that are a denim like material--36% lycra elasterell, and 63% Cotton. The material is thinner like dress pant material, but they have a dark rinse and are dressier. Will these stretch out too much, you think, or are they an entirely different beast altogether?

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Ana, I'm not at home now so I can't check it, but I have three pairs of trouser jeans from Express that I suspect are the same material, since they keep using it for a couple of years now. They stretch just a bit, I'd say much less then my 7's booutcut jeans. I'll check out the material content in two hours when I get home and let you know

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can live with 3% Shannon. I hope that your beautiful white jeans meet with your expectation. When are you going to tell us about Chicago!

Ana & Tanya, I quite like the Express fabric you are speaking of. It's super. Enjoy it. ( btw, I think that the two of you are SO sweet).

17 years ago

Anonymous

This is a great topic to discuss. I have enjoyed reading everyone's responses, and it seems that people look for things depending on their body type. That's how it is for me, anyway.

I have a larger top half, and a smaller bottom half, (ie. 34DDD breasts, but a flat butt and chicken legs), so I tend to opt for jeans that accent the smallness of my bottom half. I got for the fitted straight leg jeans, but I never go so tight that there is any gaping or anything. I think I am lucky in that I've found the brands that work for me. I like very low rise jeans because I have a very small butt and anything with too high of a rise seems to be baggy in that area. I also enjoy jeans that have back flap pockets. If you like them, try Hudson jeans and True Religion jeans. I also hate jeans that give me a muffin top, which I've experienced with some brands like 7FAMK and Paige. With these brands, if I go up a size, the legs and butt are too baggy. While I really hate buying clothes I have to alter, I always have to get my jeans hemmed or they will rip and shred at the bottom. I also do not mind spending a good amount on jeans, since they are articles I wear almost everyday and they are investments. Designer jeans tend to be of much better quality and will last you forever. I agree with Angie about stretch - 2% lycra is great because it conforms to your body, but any more and everything seems to stretch out too much. I also wash all of my jeans on cold and hang dry them so the lycra stays in tact.

I hope I helped. From what I have read, we seem to have similar problems regarding our bust size (finding tops is incredibly difficult, especially if there is empire seaming), but I don't know how similar we are on the bottom.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Lissy, it does sound like we have similar body types--inveted triangles. I also like flap pockets (both in front and rear) and I like cargo pockets on me. I'm not crazy about wearing jeans that are too form fitting though, because I feel that making my lower half look smaller, just makes my upper half look that much bigger. It shows off the disproportion. But if you're a smaller size, or have narrow shoulders, you may not have this issue. Thanks for the head's up on Hudson jeans...I'll have to look for them. I don't wear jeans daily, maybe once a week. I am shopping for white jeans though so I'll definately keep that in mind! Thanks!

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Ana, I have just got home and checked the fabric content- and that's it indeed. No worries, it won't stretch. One of those trouser jeans I've had for over three years and they still look very good.

Edit: Angie, I thank you for the compliment as well! I missed your post the first time since I was in a hurry to check the material.

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for checking, Tanya!

The shorts are pretty fitted, even though they are a 6 and that's what I usually wear. I was thinking they would stretch out a little (but not too much). Sounds like that's exactly what they'll do. Great!

Aw, thanks for the compliment Angie! *blushing*

17 years ago

Chickey

(website)

Active Member

Jeans are one of my favorite things to wear, but sometimes I have difficulty finding great-fitting pairs.

I have a very classic pear-shaped figure: tiny waist, large hips. My jeans have to fit comfortably over my hips AND hug my waist at the same time. I like a very slight low rise (sitting on my hips), and crotch fit is important -- no baggy butt! Flared is my favorite leg opening, but sometimes I can do boot-cut.

As for labels and fits, I really love Gap's original low-rise flare jeans...but they're hard to find now! I tried on some Long & Lean pairs last week, and they were pretty nice...the inseam was actually perfect on me, and I usually have to order shorter lengths online. I also tried some Lucky Brand Sweet n'Low jeans -- nice sexy fit that I think would stretch nicely with wear.

I wear size 12, so designer jeans are just within my reach...but I tried several pairs (Seven, Citizens, Hudson) at Nordstrom and found them all super-stretchy (ick!) and super low-rise (double ick!). I think 100% cotton is best for me!

As far as washes go, I like darker blues, and "tinted" or "vintage" washes. I used to like faded jeans, but they do nothing for my figure. I find natural fading (as the jeans are washed and worn over and over) to be much nicer and more authentic-looking.

My only denim regret is that I should've had my favorite pair replicated in ten different washes: they fit perfectly but have pretty much disintegrated.

Whew!

17 years ago

Anonymous

I have several pair of David Kahn jeans and they work well for me. I am a flat but rectangle. I get them at Nordstrom's.

17 years ago

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