At CHIC in the City, we are constantly asked "What jeans would look best on my body?". So much so, we are offering a personal stylist shopping experience just around buying the perfect jeans! While jeans are the ultimate wardrobe staple, there are so many cuts and styles to choose from, many of us can get lost in a pile of denim without knowing what really works for our style and body type. There are seven main styles of jeans that work for various body shapes - bootcut, skinny, high-rise, flare, boyfriends, straight and trouser styles to name a few...here are some tips to help you...
Bootcut
A forever stylish, universally flattering style named for its slight flare.
Ideal For - Pear, Fuller Figure and Hourglass Body Types as it balances out the curves with the slightly wider hem opening. When worn with a heel, it also gives the illusion of longer legs.
How To Wear Them: Lengthen the leg with sky-high statement heels and balance your silhouette with strong shoulders...think fitted evening blazer.
Skinny
Sprayed-on or slouchy, this style skims the calf and ankle accentuating your legs.
Ideal For: Petite and Hourglass body types as it helps emphasize curves and lengthen legs.
How To Wear Them: Great for that Rock Chic look so pair with tough extras, like a loose cotton tee, leather biker jacket and studded belt.
High-Rise
A rise of 9 inches or more, meant to hit at or slightly above the natural waist.
Ideal For: Straight/Rectangle body shapes as it gives the illusion of curves and movement.
How To Wear Them: Channel ‘70s cool while emphasising the waist and lengthening the legs. Go for soft silk blouses (Equipment is the perfect shirt label), platform wedges and a thin leather belt.
Flare
Ideal For: Rectangle and inverted triangles, as it balances out the hips and shoulders.
How to Wear Them: Think Studio 54! Have fun with flares, but this is your statement piece, keep things simple with a basic singlet or knit worn on top and no-fuss jewellery to keep the silhouette simple with the movement of the flare the focus.
Boyfriend
Loose-fit denim designed to be worn low on the hips, in a slouchy style. These can be rolled up or left long
Ideal For: Rectangle body shape as it helps cover up legs that may be less than curvaceous! The boyfriend shape is another comfortable style to wear as this fit does not grip the thigh and legs and therefore ideal for the curvy and fuller Figure. It can elongate the legs on an averaged height girl but be careful on petite figures it can make you appear shorter.
How to Wear Them: As this is a boyish look, add preppy pieces giving polish to a slouchy style. Pair with a striped tee, a long-line cardi, a cross-shoulder messenger bag or tote and a cute pair of ballet flats, finish the look with a pair of wayfarer sunnies – Cute!
Straight/Cigarette
Ideal for: Rectangle and Petite body types as it flatters the natural proportions of each body type
How to Wear Them: Add some shape to these simply flattering jeans. With a chic pair of fitted leather boots, and a cute little fur vest to add some shape to your silhouette.
Trouser
Ideal for: the Pear and Fuller Figure, It can help elongate the legs with its detailed tailoring
How to Wear Them: Keep your look classic and tailored, pairing them with heels and a beautifully fitted blazer, add a printed silk scarf to add colour and to lift your look.
Other tips to consider:
- Have two pairs of jeans as a minimum - one pair altered to work with your high heels and another that is at the correct length for your flat shoes.
- If you are a curvy girl, avoid details such as studs, buttoned pockets or sparkles around the bottom area as this only draws attention to your trouble spots and go for a darker shade jean to create a more slimming look.
- When buying jeans, make sure they fit you snuggly, looking almost too tight, usually about half a size too small as most jeans will have some stretch in them once you wear them.
- Another important tip is to hang dry rather than tumble dry your jeans - tumble dryers have unfavourable effects on denim that has as little as 1% stretch. The heat first causes the lycra to contract (which is why our jeans feel tight after we have washed them), and then subsequently lose its elasticity completely (causing them to "grow"). If you have tumble dried your jeans, their fit will never be the same again.
Finally, once you find that perfect pair, it is often worthwhile to invest in more than one pair. If you are interested in more one-on-one stylist advice and want to book a stylist to take you shopping for the perfect pair of jeans, email us to find out more.
