Jeans are universal. No matter your size, shape, gender or age, there is a pair of jeans out there for you.
But finding the right pair of jeans can be a bit of a minefield. There are all sorts of shapes and colours and cuts – how do you, as an average shopper, find exactly what you’re looking for? Where do you start?
Luckily, there are a few simple questions to answer when shopping that will help anyone find that perfect pair of jeans.
What are the jeans for?
This may seem obvious, but what purpose are the jeans meant to fulfil? Is it a pair for work (say, if you’re in construction or another manual trade) or is it a more fashion-forward pair? Or even a special pair to keep for ‘best’. Go shopping with a clear idea of what you want the jeans to do, and this will eliminate a whole load of options. For instance, if you’re a decorator, you probably don’t want to be painting houses in a pair of £600 designer jeans (unless that’s your thing, in which case, awesome) that are going to get spattered with paint. Which nicely brings us to…
What’s your budget?
Know how much you want to spend. Seems obvious, but jeans can vary wildly in price from about £5 in a fast fashion store to hundreds of pounds in a designer store. How much are you prepared to pay? And remember, price doesn’t always equal quality. If you’re in the UK, Marks and Spencer’s do affordable jeans that don’t run past the £45 mark and they’re decent quality.
Stretchy or stiff?
Pardon?
You heard me – stretchy or stiff? If you want your jeans to have a bit of ‘give’, look for pairs that have lycra or elastane. Otherwise, it’s straight up denim, which can be a bit unforgiving if you need to move around a lot. You know your lifestyle. Consider if you need that extra ability to move.
Where do you want the waist?
Low rise? High rise? Mid-rise? There are a lot of different options with a waistband. I am one of those people who prioritises comfort over fashion when it comes to jeans. I’m too old for low-rise. High-rise hurts when I sit. I favour mid-rise. You, as the shopper, will know exactly what you want.
What cut do you want?
Now we’re getting into the hard part.
There are a ton of different cuts of jean. Skinny, boyfriend, mom jeans, bootcut, classic… so what’s going to suit you? Unfortunately, you’re going to have to try on a few different kinds to find what you like and what suits you. You may well get disheartened if a pair of jeans you’ve set your heart on looks awful when you get it on – don’t give up. Move on and try something else.
And don’t worry about the sizing – sizes are only there so shops know what to reorder. Every shop sizes differently. You will find your perfect jeans. The number on the label is just a guideline. It’s not about size, it’s about shape. The correct shape of jeans will make you look and feel a million dollars, and to heck with it if it happens to be a size or two up from what you’d normally wear.
oOo
So that’s a simple guide to finding that elusive pair of perfect jeans. They are out there somewhere! Just ask yourself the important questions, don’t pay over the odds, and you will soon have a pair of jeans that look amazing on you.
Stay fabulous x
WEST SURREY STYLE 