Finding the Perfect Fitting Jeans

We all know that most women struggle when shopping for their denim jeans. It seems like there are an infinite amount of styles and brands out there for a variety of prices. So how do you know which ones are right for you? While I can’t see you and tell YOU specifically, there are some great guidelines that all women should follow. Here are a few things to take into consideration when shopping for jeans: fit type, rise, leg fit and wash type.

• Fit Type: Most jeans come sized relaxed, slim, regular, etc. Slim and extra slim are best for those who are tall and thin.

• Rise: Rise is something that really gets to me when shopping for jeans. No one wants a high rise unless you’re specifically looking for a pair of high waisted jeans. TRY ON your jeans to assess the rise before you buy them. Try sitting, crossing your legs and bending over to make sure that you’re comfortable.

• Leg Fit: This is the part that usually gets me the most frustrated when shopping for jeans. These days a lot of women are looking for the skinny leg jean, but some women have larger calves than others. I’ve found what works best for me with a skinny jean is that it MUST have spandex or lycra in it to give it some stretch, otherwise it will not fit over my calves. Also, look at other cuts like boot cut, straight, skinny, wide, flare, etc. Don't forget to keep in mind the shape of your hips and shoulders when choosing a leg fit in order to give your entire body a uniform silhouette.

• Wash Type: Darker washes tend to be more flattering and thinning, and are also easier to dress up if you’re wearing jeans out at night. Whisker washes draw attention to the hips and thighs. Lighter washes can hide a multitude of sins BUT can also make some look heavier, so be careful when trying these on and know what look you’re going for. Also, color washes can tend to add stiffness to the jeans because of the larger amount of dye in them.

Lastly, when you’re shopping for your jeans, don’t be afraid to pull a sales associate aside to assist you. Get opinions in the dressing room so that you don’t walk out wearing a mistake. Also, research your jean companies. Most websites have great sizing tools for denim for all body shapes and sizes; take advantage of that! And finally, it’s not always true that spending more money gets you a better fitting jean. Every body type is different, and brands that you’d never imagine trying just might be the ones to surprise you!

Why Would You Wear Your Boyfriend's Jeans?

Every time we turn around there's a new style of jeans taking center stage. Several years back the emergence of the low-rise phenomenon had mother's of teenage daughters -- not to mention dads -- shaking their heads in horror. Shortly thereafter, the "yummy mommy" (i.e one who would NEVER be caught in "mom jeans") jumped on the bandwagon after realizing not only how comfortable they were but also how they transformed your body. (They conveniently fell below that little "pouch" many of us can't get rid of and gave you a streamlined look.)

Designers quickly realized conservative moms were not trying to hear "how low can you go," so the mid-rise jean was ultimately unveiled. And just when everyone thought they had comfortably settled into the latest and greatest jean fad, we were thrust back into the 80's with the re-emergence of the skinny jean.

This summer style makers turned to loose, comfy fitting clothes, including harem pants "ala MC Hammer." And yes, the jean makers followed suit - boyfriend jeans were born. If you need a visual, imagine -- you put on a pair of your man's jeans that are loose-fitting, look "lived-in," the knees are worn, and you can't keep them up without a belt!

When I first took a look at these jeans, I thought, "no way . . . not me." And then one day I saw a pair of ripped up Joes Jeans (my favorite brand) online, and I said "what the heck, let me give them a try." Much to my husband's chagrin, I fell in love. It wasn't because they made my body look good. (These are definitely not the jeans to enhance your shape.) It was that they are just so darn comfortable! They are super soft and feel like you're relaxing in a pair of your favorite sweats.

I, of course, had to figure out a way to style them so I could still look like a diva and not some tomboy walking down the street. The key is to roll them up a few times (I prefer thinner rolls than pictured above), and then funk them out with a pair of high-heeled gladiators (I just happen to have the ones pictured above), and a cute loose top. You can even throw on a chic jacket for added pizazz.

I know - I know: some of you just can't get with that. No worries. You're going to see them a lot this fall so here's my style tip: buy them one to two sizes smaller, and they will fit just like your regular jeans! And make sure you click here to check out a great online site for jeans: shopbop.com.