What jeans do I need in my wardrobe, for real?

Hey, There,

Do you own a pair of jeans that you absolutely love? You know, the kind that you just can’t wait to get into when the weekend rolls around? Or, perhaps you’re one of those lucky ones whose job allows you to wear jeans on a daily basis or at least on casual Fridays.

Whatever the circumstance, jeans are a core basic that everyone needs to have in their wardrobe. You don’t need to have many unless you do wear them daily, but you want to own at least a few pairs of jeans so that you are covered on all occasions.

I’m bringing this up today because my client, Tracy emailed me this question:

“Michelle, What jeans do I need in my wardrobe, for real? Is this based on body shape? lifestyle? wash?”

Good questions, Tracy! And the answer is, “All of the above!”

That’s it for this week. We’ll talk again in two weeks on…

Just kidding! 🙂

But the truth is, jeans are a staple and can be pricey. So the best way to get the most bang out of your hard-earned bucks is to make sure that your jeans address each of those areas, because even if you love the “wash” of a jean, and the casual look fits your “Lifestyle Requirements,” but it doesn’t work with your “Body-Type,” it is not a jean you should buy.

Let’s start with your Body-Type. Thankfully flared and wide-legged jeans are making a comeback. In my opinion, they never went out of style, because hey, not everyone looks the best in skinny jeans. But what seems like forever, skinny jeans were all the rage and everyone was wearing them, including people who don’t necessarily look their best in them. (Yes, I am talking to you, Ms. Kardashian.)

I’m shopping all the time and believe me, skinny jeans were all I could find. But I don’t need to tell you that. If you’re one who knows your Body-Type and you know that skinny jeans aren’t for you, you probably were already aware that it was difficult to find anything but skinny.

I hear your frustration. I have been frustrated also while shopping for my clients. It’s like I wanted to contact all of the jeans designers and say “Hey, news flash! Skinny may be in, but jeans that fit other Body-Types are in too! Get with it. You’re missing out on selling to half of the market out there.”

Now with the 70’s styles making a comeback, hopefully our frustrations are over and buying jeans is at least a little less challenging than buying a bikini. 🙂 I know you know what I’m talking about.

 

OK, let’s get to it. Here’s a list of jean styles that look great on the 4 different Body-Types:

1. Hourglass: Your shoulders and hips are in alignment, and you have a defined waist.

1. If you’re a slimmer Hourglass, yes, you can wear skinny jeans. But if you’re a more voluptuous Hourglass, skinny jeans can make your butt look wide…er. 🙂 Now if this is what you’re after then go for it. “Rock that butt!” But if you want to maintain your already balanced Body-Type, I suggest straight leg jeans, or even better, Bootcut because it’s going to look much better on you.
2. If you want your hips and thighs to look slimmer try a pair of trouser cut jeans that is nice fitting across the butt and looser fitting on the thighs. 
3. Look for styles that cater to a “curvy fit.”

2. Rectangle: Your shoulders and hips are in alignment, and your waist is undefined. 

1. If you’re a Rectangle, you can wear skinny jeans. Straight leg jeans, slight bootcut or baby bootcut, along with a slight flare leg will also look good on you.
2. Trouser cut jeans that are good fitting across the butt and looser fitting on the thighs will also work. 
3. Look for styles that are cut for a wider waist for comfort on your tummy. 

Triangle: Your shoulders are smaller than your hips, and you have a tiny waist.

1. Skinny jeans are not the best on you because they will make your butt look wider, and emphasize your thighs. Again, if this is what you are after, by all means, “Go for it.” But if you want to create a more balanced Body-Type, you may want to minimize your bottom half to balance out your smaller top half. Bootcut or flare legged jeans will do that the best.

2. Wide leg or trouser cut jeans with fullness throughout the thighs will be the most flattering.

3. Look for styles that cater to a “curvy fit,” with no added details (No contrast stitching, side seam pockets or cargo pockets)

4. Inverted Triangle: Your shoulders are wider than your hips. You may or may not have a defined waist.

1. Skinny jeans are your go-to jeans because they give width to your hips balancing out your broad shoulders.

2. Straight legs jeans will look flattering, as well as slight bootcut or flare leg. You can also wear trouser cut as long as they fit and don’t bag out in the hip area.

3. Look for styles that have details such as cargo pockets, side seam pockets or contrast stitching.

Once you find a jean that suits your “Body-Type,” see if the overall look fits your “Lifestyle.” Some questions to ask yourself before you buy:

1.  I love to run around with my kids, are these jeans comfortable to do that? Will they sustain the wear and tear from getting down and playing around?
2. I wear jeans everyday for work, do they look professional enough?
3. Comfort is very important to me. Do these jeans have enough stretch so that I can sit in them all day?
4. I have a very physical job bending and moving around a lot. Do they have enough stretch to do that without looking stretched out and baggy after one day of wearing?
5. I like my jeans with a little structure, to hold me in a bit, is the fabric heavy enough to do that?

Once you find a jean that fits your “Body-Type” and meets your “Lifestyle Requirements” make sure that the “Wash” works too.  Here are a few things to consider before you buy:

1. Clean, dark wash jeans (Including black and Indigo washes) with no contrast stitching are best if you work in a professional environment, and is acceptable all year-round. However, lighter washes during the summer months, is perfectly acceptable. In both cases, the wash should be even throughout – No whiskers, fading, distressed, or novelty dye looks. No sparkle, jewels, beading, or studs either.
2. Even if you work in a casual environment, I don’t suggest wearing jeans with rips or holes, even if they are intentional.
3. Medium washes are a nice alternative to a dark wash and are great for casual work environments or the weekend.
4. Lighter washes can add weight to your thighs and hips (Great for “Inverted Triangles,” not so much for “Triangles.”)
5. If you like jeans that have novelty looks such as whiskers, know that any horizontal lines going across the thigh area will make your thighs appear bigger. Fading on the top of the thigh area will also highlight your thighs making them appear bigger.

The good news is, we have so many choices for jeans. The bad news is, we have so many choices for jeans. 🙂 The key is to try on lots of pairs and narrow it down to the ones that meet your most important requirements. If you find a pair that does this and you absolutely love them and feel great in them, buy them. In fact, you might want to buy two. Styles are constantly changing, and so are the fabrics. Many times you might not be able to find the exact same pair ever again.

You may be asking, “So…how many pairs of jeans should I own?” Good question. There is no right amount of jeans that you should own as long as you are wearing all the pairs that you have. If you are more formal in your dress, you may own just a few pairs. If you live in your jeans for work and play, you could own many.

In my experience as a stylist dressing many women and men, I find these 5 styles to be go-to styles for many of my clients. They cover almost every occasion where you can wear jeans. Please take into consideration what will work for your Body-Type as you peruse this list.

1. Skinny jeans to wear with heels or tuck into knee-high boots.
2. Straight leg jeans for the weekend to be worn with urban tennis shoes or with high heels.
3. Bootcut jeans to wear with…well boots!
4. Clean-lined trouser cut jeans – great for work or for a dressy but casual night out.
5. Relaxed jeans, and boyfriend jeans with intentional rips and holes. Weekends only. I prefer to wear these styles a little more dressed up to balance the casualness of the jeans. You want the relaxed look of the jean or the rips and holes to look intentional and put-together, so make sure that your shoes and other accessories are in good condition. Pair them with high quality basics such as a crisp white button-front shirt and cashmere sweater or a jacket.

I hope that answers your questions, Tracy! 

Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle