The first step in jeans-shopping is knowing what you’re looking for.
Although many brands have their own types of jean (like the “boyfriend” or “weekender” styles), there are three fits that are pretty much universal across brands.
Classic jeans fit higher on your waist, and have straight or slightly tapered legs.
Relaxed fit jeans are just as their name implies: roomier, lower-waisted jeans, usually with tapered legs.
Slim fit jeans ride low on the waist and hug your hips, thighs, and derrière; they’re best for those with narrow hips.
Next, choose the right cut for your body type.
If you are …
Petite – your perfect jeans will be straight-legged and long; not so long that they drag, of course, but the more length in the leg, the more elongated you’ll appear. Stay away from very low waistbands; not only will they appear to shorten the leg, they’ll also make your rear look flat. If you want your butt to appear rounder or perkier, choose jeans with small back pockets, positioned high.
Plus-sized – the jeans that will flatter you most are slightly flared at the bottom, to balance out any thickness in the hips and thighs. Make sure that the back pockets are big and set close together. And you can use the jeans’ color, or wash, to your advantage: the darker the denim, the skinnier you’ll look. Jeans that are darker on the outer thigh and lighter on the inner also have a slimming effect. Stay away from pleats, and choose jeans with lots of pockets in the front.
Tall and thin – straight-legged, close-fitting and low-rise is the recipe for your ideal jeans. You can show off that flat stomach!
Short-waisted – a low-rise pair is what you’ll need to give the illusion of a longer torso.