Jeans are a wardrobe staple, but finding the right pair can be overwhelming. With so many brands, washes, and styles available, jean shopping can feel like navigating a maze.

I don't have just one favorite pair of jeans, but the pairs that I tend to wear on repeat share the same qualities: 1.) Stretch, 2.) All day comfort, 3.) Fit well. Numbers 2 and 3 are related. For example, if my jeans are gaping at the waist and I have to keep re-tucking in my shirt, then the lack of fit in the waist impacts the comfort level.

A recent addition to my denim collection are the Good American Always Fits Good Legs Straight Jeans. I was looking for a new pair of straight leg jeans that I can take on my upcoming European vacation, and I couldn't resist, given that the same pair of jeans can supposedly be worn by people who typically wear different sizes (sizing is 00-4, 6-12, 14-18, 20-26, 28-32). I also received a $50 coupon for my first purchase on the Good American website, which brought the cost down considerably (originally $159). I have to say that I really like these jeans (see photo below)! I can definitely feel the stretch, and the denim feels substantial. These jeans do live up to the "gap proof waistband" promise as I don't need a belt but they also didn't feel like they were digging into my waist. They are billed as a mid-rise jean. I have a balanced/slightly short-waisted body type (see more on that below), and they come up to my belly button. I am five foot four and these jeans are about ankle length. I also have to say that they make the backside look lifted (if that's important to you)! 

I love fashion, but I'm also practical when it comes to how I dress. If my jeans aren't comfortable, I won't wear them. This is true for any article of clothing. Life's too short to spend all day fidgeting in your clothes, and given all the available options out there, there's no reason to.

A note about color and wash: As a color analyst, the colors that matter the most are the ones that you wear close to your face (ex. tops, scarves, jewelry). The color of your pants and skirts matters less from a color analysis perspective. That being said, I do gravitate to white or light-wash denim in the spring and summer and darker wash denim or black jeans in the fall and winter. I also pay attention to the contrast level of my overall outfit. As someone who is on the lower end of high-contrast, I tend to wear darker colors with lighter colors, so if I'm wearing a pair of white jeans, I'll often wear a darker color top (like navy or a dark, neutral brown).

​Disclaimer: You can wear ANY jeans you want. After all, fashion is self-expression! In this guide, we’ll discuss what I consider the most universally flattering style of jeans and how to style this and two of the trendiest jean styles to create the most flattering silhouette.

It's okay to invest: I'm okay with spending money on a quality pair of jeans. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely possible to get a good pair of jeans for $50 or less, and I've never paid more than $200 for a pair of jeans. But if you fall in love with a pair of jeans in the $100-$200 range and you plan to wear them for a long time (I still wear a pair of AG jeans that I bought close to 20 years ago), treat yourself and consider it an investment.

​Fit matters most: The jeans need to fit properly. We each have things we like to focus on. For me, it's about how the pants sit around the hips and waist. The way a pair of jeans are cut can really make a difference in how your body looks. And don’t be afraid to take your jeans to the tailor (more on that below).

If you ask me which style of jeans is the most flattering across the widest range of body types, it’s the straight leg jean. It’s also the cut of jeans that I consider the most timeless and easiest to style. The straight leg jean creates a long vertical line without clinging too tightly and balances a person’s body proportions better than ultra-skinny or overly wide styles.

Straight leg can mean different things, depending on the brand. The most universally flattering straight leg jean isn’t too wide or too narrow in the leg. It skims the body without clinging and avoids making hips and thighs disproportionately larger or smaller. Stick with a mid-rise or high rise jean.

After COVID, which brought a more relaxed, casual vibe to fashion overall, the wide leg jean usurped the skinny jean as the most popular jeans style, when styled right, the wide-leg jean can be incredibly flattering by creating a long, lean line. And for someone who wants to de-emphasize their curves (hips, thighs, or calves), a wide leg jean is a good option. The key to finding the right wide leg jean is to find one where the leg isn’t too wide. On petite frames especially, wearing a wide leg jean with too much material can give the effect of shortening rather than elongating the body. I’ve noticed that a lot of wide-leg jeans don’t have any stretch. It’s not necessary, given that the fabric doesn’t cling to the leg the way a skinny jean does, but it can make a difference from a comfort perspective.

For shoes, almost anything goes. A Mary Jane flat can look cute with a cropped or ankle length wide leg jean but loafers or sneakers are a better choice when wearing a longer wide-leg jean. High shaft boots and heels can look great with a wide leg jean too.

Barrel jeans are the newest trend, featuring a curved, barrel-like silhouette that tapers at the ankle. While wide leg jeans are straight from hip to hem, barrel jeans have more volume through the thigh and taper at the ankle, creating a distinctive curved shape. Barrel jeans are a style statement and are about creating an intentional silhouette.

​Let me just say that I was extremely skeptical of the barrel jean until very recently. Until I tried this cut of jeans on for myself, I didn’t see how this style of jean could ever flatter someone’s figure. While I probably won’t be owning more than one pair of barrel jeans, I did recently purchase the Rivete Seamed High Rise Barrel Jeans from LOFT:

I found the seaming on the jeans especially appealing and I liked the fit through the waist and hips. My fitted scoop neck tee combined with the volume of the barrel leg created visual balance. I found the combination refreshingly different.

Barrel jeans can work on various body types and are a good option for someone who wants to create the illusion of more volume and curves, such as someone with a slim or straight body type. On a more voluptuous body, the barrel jean can actually read more like a straight leg jean and may be a good option for those who find that pants that fit in the hips and thighs are too large in the waist. On petite individuals, the barrel jean may create too much volume and look overwhelming. The proportions of the barrel jean vary from retailer to retailer, so it’s important to try on pairs from several brands to determine what works best.​

Barrel jeans look best with a bodysuit or fitted tee, tank, or sweater to keep the proportions balanced.

When wearing a barrel jean, your footwear shouldn’t compete with the jeans. Stick with sandals, loafers, and sneakers with cleaner lines. Flats shouldn’t look too delicate in comparison to the jeans. Avoid bulky looking shoes like athletic sneakers that can visually weigh the outfit down. Stick with ankle boots with a narrow shaft and a more elongated toe.

The rise (the distance between the crotch seam and the top of the front waistband) is specified when you buy a pair of jeans (low, mid, high). The rise you select really depends on what goal you're trying to achieve. Are you trying to create visual balance? Are you trying to make your legs look longer?

Here are the typical measurements (in inches) for each rise:
1.) Low (7-8), 2.) Mid (8.5-10), 3.) High (10-11.5) and Ultra-High Rise (12+).

It's helpful to know if you are short-waisted, long-waisted, or have balanced proportions before buying a pair of jeans (or any pair of pants for that matter). If you don't know, watch this video and try this easy test:

Your natural waist is typically 1-2 inches above your belly button. If you have balanced proportions, a mid-rise jean will hit below the natural waist while a high-rise jean hits at the natural waist. Alternatively, if you are long-waisted, a high-rise jean may feel more like a mid-rise jean, hitting you below your natural waist. For long-waisted individuals, an ultra-high rise jean may be necessary to create a truly “high-rise” jean look. Meanwhile, for someone who is short-waisted, a mid-rise jean may feel more like a high-rise jean, and a high-rise jean may come up too high relative to your natural waist to the point where it may feel uncomfortable when you sit down.

Once you know which rise you prefer, I would stick to buying jeans in that particular rise. My one caveat is that "mid-rise" and "high rise" are defined by each retailer, so a "high-rise" jean may feel more like a "mid-rise" or "ultra high-rise" jean, depending on the brand. Unfortunately there will always be some level of trial and error. If you’d like, you can take the extra step of measuring the rise on your favorite pair of jeans so that you know the exact length of the rise you prefer.

I generally favor a jean that comes right below or at my belly button. For me, that's typically a mid-rise jean. A jean that hits at the belly button elongates my legs and sucks in my stomach but doesn't feel too restrictive when I sit. Jeans that hit above the belly button can feel too restrictive.

There are so many brands out there that the decision fatigue can become overwhelming. Plus, even within a brand, the choices can be endless. I would suggest having no more than three "go to" brands. For me, a disproportionately large percentage of my jeans come from White House Black Market, but Madewell jeans are quickly becoming a favorite as well.

I always prefer to try clothes on before I buy, but it's not possible if a particular retailer is online only or doesn't exist in my area. Also, even when I can shop in-store, retailers typically don't carry every style and color offered online. I don't advise ordering jeans online if you have to pay for shipping or returns. I made an exception when I purchased the Good American jeans because I was SO curious if these truly were a "miracle" pair of jeans. Some places offer free shipping but not free returns unless you're able to return to a local store.

A gaping waistband or jeans that are too long are easily fixed by a visit to the tailor and can ensure a perfect fit. A good tailor will also preserve the original stitching at the hem. For those in the Richmond area, I use Natale's Alterations in Short Pump (3418 Pump Road, Richmond, VA 23233).

The stretch factor is extremely important because of how important comfort is for me. I remember growing up in the 80s when jeans had absolutely no stretch, and I'm not sure how any of us got through it! A lot of wide leg jeans being sold in stores right now don't have stretch. I try to avoid those because they just don't feel as comfortable around the waist as the day wears on.

Looking at the size is a common mistake people make when shopping for jeans. Unfortunately, sizing is no longer standard across brands or within a brand. Start with your usual size but don't despair if you have to go up a size (you may even have to go down a size). What matters most is how the jeans fit. No one is going to know (or care) what size your jeans are if they look incredible on you!

Finding flattering jeans is about comfort, fit, and knowing what works for your body. These are guidelines to help you feel confident, not hard rules about what you "should" wear.

If you'd like help building a wardrobe that includes jeans and other pieces that actually work for your lifestyle and body, I offer wardrobe consultation services. We can shop your closet together, identify gaps, and create a plan for pieces you'll actually wear.

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