One of the worst quests of being a woman is shopping for jeans. Even if you order them online rather than visiting the shops, you’ll probably order more than you need in various styles and sizes to see if just one pair is your perfect fit. In fact, many women say jeans shopping is just about the worst type of shopping there is!
Whilst we’re the biggest believers in wearing whatever you want and feel confident in, a starting point is to consider your body type. Each body shape has some guidelines on which fits are the most flattering, especially when it comes to denim. Here’s our guide on everything denim where we’ll answer the question on your mind: what’s the best jean style for my body shape?
How to figure out your body shape
First of all, you need to work out which body shape best fits your figure. Again, it’s a guide because you might not fit every characteristic but generally fit into that shape. There are five main body shapes for women and we have complete guides for each of them: rectangle, pear, triangle, hourglass and oval. Work out which best suits your body shape and give them a quick read. Each shows the general features of that body type as well as some general styling tips to help you out when choosing those key pieces.
Now you’ve worked out the body shape which best suits you, it’s time to see which jean styles best fit your figure.
The best jeans for a rectangle body shape
With a rectangular shape, we’re sure you’ve heard that you have very little shape and been told you have a ‘boyish’ frame. The key here is to create a more womanly figure. A pair of well-fitting skinny jeans will miraculously give you shape, especially around the bottom, thighs and calves. Darker washes will also elongate your legs if that’s what you’re after. Many styles are made from a stretchy cotton blend fabric, meaning they will hug any curves you do have and accentuate them.
If you’re looking to add more shape, wide legged jean styles will add volume to your slender frame. Bootcut and flared jeans are often avoided by many women but they will widen your slim figure without adding bulk. High-waisted styles worn with a belt will give the illusion of a waist too as many rectangular figures dream of!
The best jeans for a pear body shape
Pear-shaped figures often have shorter legs so you never want to pick a style that cuts your legs in half. Elongating them is the key here so go for dark, slim jean styles, such as skinny jeans or straight cuts. You’ll probably want them in a mid or high rise so they don’t feel uncomfortable around the stomach area.
If you prefer a less fitted style, a bootcut style can be super flattering too. Again, choose an indigo or black wash to give the illusion of long legs. You’ll want to stick to a style that flares just a little at the bottom as super wide legs will drown you, especially if you’re on the petite side.
The best jeans for a triangle body shape
Whilst those with a triangle body shape might have wider shoulders, they narrow the further down you get. If you have a triangle shape, you’re one of the lucky ones who can carry off just about any jean style! Want to accentuate your long, lean legs? Dark wash skinny jeans will make your legs look like they start under your armpit! Prefer a classic bootcut style? Pop a pair of heeled boots on your feet to elongate them.
You can also experiment with coloured and patterned jeans, which often come back into fashion during the spring and summer. Whether you go for a subtle khaki shade or a bright pop of colour with a bubblegum pink pair, keep your top half neutral so your jeans stand out. You could try a cropped pair too for more casual occasions or go for a style with embellishments, such as biker jeans or embroidery.
The best jeans for an hourglass body shape
With curves in all the right places, we think you should show them off! However, many hourglass shapes have larger thighs so often feel uncomfortable in skinny or slim fit jeans. Instead, opt for straight leg jeans. They will give you a little more wiggle room around the hips and thighs but fit better around the calves and ankles.
High waisted jeans might become your favourite jean style as they will accentuate your feminine figure. They will cinch you in right at the waist but you can add a leather belt to do the trick also. Stay clear of any embellishments or excessive zips around the waist and hips as they can make your figure look wider than it is. Stick to classic denim shades, such as indigo and black, and you’ll have found your go-to pair of jeans for every occasion.
The best jeans for an oval body shape
Those with an oval body shape tend to be more shapely and narrower towards the bottom and top. With shapely legs, you might prefer a pair of slim fit jeans to show them off. However, many with an oval figure are on the shorter side. In order to elongate your body, a darker wash of denim on your bottom half will make you look much taller. Whilst they obviously don’t give you length, they give the illusion that your legs are much longer than they might be in reality!
If you prefer a looser fit, how about flared jeans instead? They will be fitted around the thighs but give your calves a little more room to breathe. Don’t go for crazily large bell bottoms but a simple kick flare style will give you a dressier look for a night out. You don’t want them to be too wide or baggy as it won’t give you much shape but a flare that is just at the foot of the jeans works for your figure.
Low vs mid vs high-rise jeans
Every few years, we’re told by fashionistas to switch our high-rise jeans for a pair of low rise jeans instead and then vice versa. We believe that jeans are not just for one season, you can wear your favourite style for years. Whilst low-rise jeans might be on-trend right now, they’re a style that suits very few figures. If you have a petite and slender frame, they’re perfect. For your average female, most steer clear.
How do I find the right jeans for my body type?
Unfortunately, unless you’re a textbook definition of one of the five key figures, you might have to try on multiple pairs for the perfect fit. Even then, different stores have different fits of jean styles even if they’re meant to be the same style! When you find that dream fit though, you might be tempted to buy it in multiple washes! Remember that darker wash jeans tend to have a little more stretch in them than a lighter wash so you sometimes have to size up.
Finding the perfect fit of jean style for your body shape can feel like a chore but trust us, investing in one or two quality pairs that fit you like a glove will see you through a tonne of different occasions. Dark wash jeans can be dressed up easily with a pair of heels and a small bag. Dress down with canvas sneakers or boat shoes and a polo shirt. Trust us, the perfect jean style is out there for every body shape!