How To Find Jeans That Look Good On You

1. Find Your Rise

Regardless of what’s trendy, figure out what waistline makes you feel your best. Are you a low-rise gal, a happy medium mid-riser, or totally obsessed with vintage-looking high-waisted picks. It’s up to you, but know this—the most universally flattering waistline is a mid-rise. Low-rise jeans can put pressure against your tummy, while high-waist pairs can make your midsection seem broader thanks to all that fabric. Viva la mid-rise!

DL 1961 Hepburn Wide Leg High Rise Jeans

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These high rise jeans are relaxed and spacious with a beautiful exaggerated distress at the hem.

2. Select A Silhouette

There are so many different options when it comes to jeans, from baggy boyfriend fits to rockstar skinnies to retro wide-leg flares. The best advice? Don’t limit yourself into thinking you can only wear one style. Grab the biggest dressing room in the store and go through all your options until you find the fit that makes you happiest. Then, stock up on that or find another fave to love, too.

3. Pay Attention To Specifics

How your jeans fit isn’t all about the size—it’s about the way they’re cut, too. Brands like American Eagle and Madewell now have Curvy Fit denim especially designed to flatter wider hips and thighs, while plenty of brands offer the same pairs of denim in regular, petite and tall options.

ELOQUII

On Sale 39% off

$66 Buy Now

ELOQUII recently launched an expansive line of denim jeans and jackets with an extended size range.

4. Be Picky About Pockets

If you want to downplay your butt, avoid back pockets with a flap, buttons, studs or embroidery, all of which beef up your bottom—keep ‘em simple and streamlined instead. On the other hand, backside embellishments are a great option if you’re looking to fake a bootylicious bum.

5. Stretch Stretch, Baby

Jeans do not have to feel restricting, y’all! Find a pair with a little (or a lot) of stretch and wonder why you even bother wearing sweats when denim feels just as good. Choose jeans that are blended with lycra, elastane, polyurethane, or spandex, rather than 100 percent cotton.

That said, pay attention to sizing when buying super-stretchy jeans. If they fit like a glove when you first put them on, but have a ton of stretch, it’s possible they’ll get looser and looser throughout the day. If one size smaller works, you’re better off sizing down to avoid bagginess in the long run.

6. Don't Freak Out Over Sizing

Are you a size 27 in one brand and an eight in another? Don’t get too wrapped up in the numbers, babe, especially when they’re on two totally different sizing scales. When trying on denim in-store, grab the size you think you’ll be, plus one smaller or larger depending on the jeans themselves. Focus on the fit, not the number. You’re the only one who sees the tags!

Charles Jeffrey Loverboy Blue Wide Jean

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This printed jean from Charles Jeffrey Loverboy has a boxy silhouette to match its geometry.

7. Focus On Fade

Be strategic about the wash of your denim. Jeans that are lighter in the center of the leg give the illusion of a long, slender figure. That said, avoid pairs with fading only on the butts or thighs if you’re looking for a slimming effect—they act like a spotlight.

Sea Elena Baggy Denim Pants

$325 Buy Now

These jeans are technically not jeans! They’re made of denim and cut like trousers for comfort.

8. Take 'Em To A Tailor

Real talk, not all jeans will fit you perfectly, but if you fall in love with a pair that doesn’t completely hit the mark, it doesn’t have to be a no-go. Make your local tailor your BFF and don’t be afraid to have your denim altered. All the celebs do it! Why settle for a gaping waistband or pantlegs that are a little too long when you can customize your fit?

9. Distressed and Best Dressed

Edgy ripped jeans? Grungy and cool. Denim so shredded it looks like you just fought your way out of a zombie apocalypse? Not so much. Of course, your preferred level of distressing is all up to you, but don’t get too carried away with a trendy detail. Distressing adds interest, but keep the rips and shreds within reason.

10. Step It Up

If you feel like your legs look short in jeans, first of all, they don’t. Stop being so hard on yourself, you look bomb! That said, if you want a legs-for-days look, slip on heels or heeled booties to visually elongate your lower half When you’re wearing heels, you automatically engage your calf, thigh, and butt muscles to help maintain your balance. The result? Everything looks tighter and firmer.