HOURGLASS, APPLE, PEAR or STRAIGHT
the Best Denim Styles for YOU!
Ok, who can identify with me on this one, when it comes to jeans & clothes. I’m online, shopping for a pair of jeans because a little something new and cool is in order! Scrolling down, I spot them! An uber hip pair of “it” jeans on an even hipper looking 5”11 perfectly style model, looking appropriately disinterested.
The jeans are wide-legged, cropped with a big denim ruffle down one side, and look amazing! I desperately hit “BUY!” like 80x hoping my order will go through faster! They arrive, I almost twist an ankle, jumping over the dog, running upstairs to try them on and…. Wahh waahhhhhh. Disaster. I’m drowning in denim and look like a walking “Ruffle” with just a head, hands and 2 little feet. Sadface.
It’s obvious what went wrong. I wasn’t looking past the model and factoring my height and body type into the equation. If I had, I would have known that a big huge ruffle would overwhelm my 5”2 frame and not look anywhere near as cool as it did on the model.
Let’s fix that, shall we? The KEY to finding the right jeans is knowing your body type and what silhouettes are most flattering! That’s what we’re gonna do!
3 Steps to Finding the Right Jeans
1. Identify your body-type! Use the definitions below as a guide.
2. Next, read what styles look best on your body type & why!
3. As important – Know styles to avoid!
Just knowing these 3 things will make shopping SO much faster, easier and enjoyable! Why? Because when you know what to look for, your success ratio skyrockets. Within a 10% margin of error or so – you’ll be able to spot jeans that will look amazing on you at a glance ….. just by knowing your body-shape and what styles are flattering!
Now, when I see an amazing pair of denim-ruffle jeans – I immediately think, “those are cool but not for me” and keeeeeeep goin’!
Here are the 4 most common body shapes, and the jean silhouettes that will be the most flattering on you! OH – and the TOPS paired with each jean, were chosen to compliment and flatter that body type! Makes it easy. 😉
HOURGLASS
Full bust, narrow waist and full hips that are about the same circumference as your bust. Think Kim Kardashian. Or not.
Best jean silhouettes for you – BOOTCUT & FLARE
Bootcut and Flare, baby! Both are fitted through the thighs, then flare out to a wider hem starting at your knee. The bootcut flare is less dramatic than the Flare jean. High-waisted versions are extra flattering on your shape.
Why they work:
These styles totally flatter you because the wider bottoms balance out hips, while the snug fit through the hips and waist showcase your curves. Add extra emphasis to your amazing shape by choosing a high-waisted version. This will emphasize your tiny waist and curves!
What to avoid
Steer clear of jeans without a little stretch! Stretch helps the jeans to follow your curves and eliminate that annoying gapping at the waist. Avoid jeans with whiskering or fading at the hips! It will make your hips look much wider. Yeah, I’ll pass on that one.
Shop the HOURGLASS look
High-waist Flared Jean
Printed neck-tie Blouse
Black Tote
Black Bootie
PEAR SHAPE
Pear shapes are much smaller on the top part of the body, fuller through the hips and butt.
Best jean silhouettes for you – TROUSER, HIGH-WAIST & DARK WASH
A Trouser jean will look amazing on you! Choose dark wash and high-waisted version. Trouser jeans are fitted at the waist and hips, then expand on the legs, finishing with a clean hem creating a long continuous line from your hip to the hem.
Dark wash is more slimming. You’ll also want to steer clear of small back pockets which make the butt look bigger…..choose larger pockets. More flattering!
Why it works:
First, dark wash denim is always slimming. We like that. Second, because the trouser silhouette expands beginning right after your hip, it creates a visually long, slim line from hip to hem. The result – you look longer and slimmer! Finally, a high-waist version will eliminate the gap at the waist and they’ll highlight your small waist!
What to avoid:
Avoid light-wash denim and jeans that have whiskering around the hip area – those 2 things add visual weight to the lower half.
Shop the PEAR look
High-waist, dark wash Trouser
Ruffle Wrap Top
Animal Print Pump
Croc-embossed Clutch
APPLE SHAPE
Apple shapes carry weight around the upper body and mid-section, but have slimmer hips, legs and butts.
Best jean silhouettes for you – MID-RISE TROUSER, BOOTCUT OR STRAIGHT
It’s all about the Mid-Rise! Mid-rise Trousers, bootcut or straight silhouettes are your bag baby! For your shape, the rise (where the waistband hits) is the most important element. Too low creates a muffin top, too high and it’ll accentuate the belly.
Why it works:
A mid-rise will hit right at your belly or a little under and give a smoother, sleeker look. Make sure the waist band fits snug enough to give smoothness and shape without being too tight. Finally, pick a jean with a heavier fabric – it’ll help contain the mid-section!
Check out these “Ab-solution” mid-rise bootcut jeans. They’re constructed with power-mesh panels to sculpt and hold you firm in all the right places. Plus, gives the butt a nice little lift. That’s always a good thing, right?!
What to avoid:
Avoid skinny jeans – they’ll make the torso look bigger. If you really, really love a skinny – fake it with a straight-leg instead! It’ll give you the “skinny look” – but be more flattering!
Shop the APPLE look
Mid-rise Bootcut Jean
Empire waist, flattering on apple shape, Top
Layered Necklace
Ankle Boot
STRAIGHT
Straight body types have very little definition between shoulders, waist and hips…. Thus the term, “straight.” Most women with this body shape have a flatter butt.
Best jean silhouettes for you – LOW RISE SKINNY
If you have a straight body shape, you want jeans that will create some curves! Your best jean is a low-rise skinny jean with a very tapered leg. Why? Skinnies will hug the body and create the illusion of more curves. You also look amazing in skinny coated jeans – you know, the ones that look like leather but they’re just a polished cotton. Super cute! Back pockets with flaps that sit higher on the butt will give an automatic butt-lift. Yes please!
What to avoid:
Avoid trouser and wide-leg styles. They’ll emphasize a straight shape. You’ll also want to avoid high-rise jeans and instead opt for a low-rise to add curves to hips and butt.
Shop the STRAIGHT look
Skinny low-rise Jeans
Wrap cardigan Sweater
Hobo Bag
Shearling ankle Boots
Oh, and btw – no body type is better or “best.” Every woman and every shape is beautiful and worthy of feeling amazing ;-).
