If you’ve been frustrated by the search for a pair of jeans that is comfortable and looks good, you’re not alone. Many women have struggled to find a pair of jeans that looks good on their bodies and feels great, too. Some women struggle so much that they’ve given up on shopping for different styles and brands, and will only wear one style of jeans from a single brand.
But getting the perfect pair of jeans for your body doesn’t have to be a lifelong quest. There are several styles of women’s jeans to choose from, and each one is best suited to different body types. Whether you’re a pear, an apple, a banana, a strawberry, or an hourglass, read on to learn how to find your perfect pair of jeans – without pulling your hair out.
Your Body Type Determines Your Perfect Jeans Style
Do you know what your body type is? If you do, you can use that information to shop for a pair of jeans that will fit and feel great.
To figure out your body type, measure yourself at the shoulders, bust, hips, and waist. Then use those measurements to see which of the following body type categories you fit into:
- Apple bodies are round in the torso. They carry any extra weight in their bellies and have slim hips, slender legs, and a pronounced bust.
- Banana bodies are rectangular in shape. There aren’t many curves and the shoulders, hips, and waist are about the same size.
- Strawberry bodies are widest at the shoulders with a medium-sized or larger bust. The waist and hips are smaller than the shoulders and bust.
- Pear bodies are widest at the hips. Pear-shaped women have generous hips and thighs, with a slender torso, small bust, and shoulders that are smaller than the hips.
- Hourglass bodies are slimmest at the waist. If you have an hourglass figure, your shoulders, hips, and bust should be about the same size, and your waist should be at least 10 inches smaller than your hips and bust.
Once you have an idea of which body type you are, you can start shopping for jeans.
You Need to Know How Different Styles of Jeans Fit
When you go shopping for women’s jeans, you’ll encounter a few different styles: skinny, straight leg, flare leg, bootcut, and boyfriend are the normal styles that most stores carry. You might also find additional styles like relaxed fit or curvy fit.
Each style is best suited to a few particular body types, except for skinny jeans, which look good on everybody. Dark wash skinny jeans can have a slimming effect for pear and hourglass women, with their prominent hips and thighs. If you’re an apple, banana, or strawberry shape, grab a pair of light wash skinny jeans instead.
Straight leg jeans are ideal for most body types – they’re a little more relaxed than skinny jeans, but still have a slim fit. They’re flattering for women with apple, banana, and strawberry bodies, but women with pear bodies should stay away from this style, and it may not offer enough room in the thighs and hips. Pear and hourglass shaped women will look good in flare and bootcut jeans, because they can balance out large hips and a curvy figure. Boyfriend jeans look best on women with slim hips: apple, banana, and strawberry bodies. However, if you have a pear or hourglass figure, boyfriend jeans can provide a comfortable fit. Just don’t buy your jeans too baggy, because that will make your hips look even larger.
Petite and Tall Women Need to Wear Different Jeans
If you’re petite or tall, choosing a pair of jeans that will make you look taller (if you’re petite) or accentuate your long legs (if you’re tall) is more than just a matter of looking at the inseam. If you’re petite, a high-rise jean will elongate your torso and make you look taller. Ankle jeans are also good for making short and petite women look a little taller.
If you’re already tall, you probably have long legs that you want to show off. Flare-leg jeans are great for tall women, since they tend to run long, anyway. Bootcut or flare-leg jeans that come down far enough to brush the floor will show off your long legs and make them look longer.
Buying a pair of jeans can be a real challenge if you’re a woman, because women’s bodies are all shaped differently and there are only so many styles of jeans to choose from. Narrow your search down based on your body type, and never have trouble buying jeans again.
