A Guide to Women's Jeans

All jeans are not created equal. The style that we chose is determined by our taste and budget. Even armed with a budgeted amount and an idea of how you want to look in a pair of jeans, shopping can be stressful. There are literally hundreds of styles, washes, cuts, and details to choose from. Knowing what styles of jeans are best of your body type will help you narrow the selection.

If you are shopping for jeans online, measurements are critical. First, find a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly. Then measure the waist, hips and inseam of those jeans by laying the jeans down flat and using a tape measure. Buying jeans with these measurements will insure a good fit. It doesn't hurt to check the measurement charts of a few online retailers with brand that you know you will be seeing in the stores. This way you will have an idea of the sizes that you need in a particular brand. Most store have limits on how many pair of jeans that you can take in a dressing room, this will save you a few extra dressing room trips.

Next you should decide which leg cut is best for you. Boot leg jeans look good on almost every woman. The slight flare at the bottom balances out the hips. Straight leg jeans help elongate your legs, which is great for women on the shorter side. Skinny jeans are not just for the skinny, and you can easily tuck them into boots. Wide leg jeans look nice on taller women, and women with curves. They should be worn with a rounded toe shoe for the best effect. Baggy jeans add weight to your hips and thighs. The less common flare leg and bell bottom jeans should be avoided by women of less than average height. Whichever leg cut you decide on, a hem that is 1/4" from the floor when standing barefoot, will look the best with any footwear.

Low rise jeans are very popular and sexy too. They are cruel to any woman with a bit of a tummy though. If you like the low rise style, be sure to check a full length mirror from all sides in the dressing room. The "muffin effect" is never flattering. Think of a muffin, with the top spilling over, and make sure that you don't resemble one. Always check the front, back, and sides. The same tip goes for the high waist jeans. Do not wear high waist jeans unless your stomach is flat. Those of us with a tummy should stick to the traditional waist jeans.

The seat in a pair of jeans should always fit you snugly. Almost all women look good in jeans with large back pockets. Jeans with small back pockets should only be worn by women who need a few more curves in the derrière area. Jeans with no back pockets give the illusion of a flat derrière.

Jeans are available in a variety of finishes. The traditional stone wash looks good on everyone. Sandblasted jeans with their worn spots are also flattering, but be sure that the highlighted areas are not your problem spots. A pair of sandblasted jeans with faded thighs and darker edges is very flattering to larger thighs. Whiskered jeans are a fashionable and flattering choice for most women. Whiskers are the tiny lines at the top of the thighs where the jeans fold when you sit down. If the top of your thighs are a problem area, skip the whiskered jeans, or chose a very faint whiskered look instead.

Always chose the best jeans that fit into your budget. While some designer jeans cost several hundred dollars the denim is softer and more flattering. They will also last longer, as better cotton is used to make the denim. Not all cotton is created equal.