A Jean Buying Guide for Moms

Our own President, Barack Obama, was recently seen wearing 'mom jeans' in public when throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at an All Stars game. He said they were comfortable and that he doesn't know a lot about fashion. Well, that is apparent.

If you don't know what mom jeans are, this Hulu video courtesy of Saturday Night Live will give you a few insights. Jeans dubbed "mom jeans" have a few very specific characteristics in common. They are often high-waisted, lightly colored, butt-flattening, pleated, or, shudder, have an elastic waist. In Obama's case, I suspect the light color and baggy fit were why fashion bloggers everywhere exhaled a collective shocked sigh when they saw the pictures. Obama is typically well-coiffed, but in these jeans, he looked more frumpy than fresh.

So, how do you find jeans that are flattering and fashionable when you are a mom who has no desire to dress like a teenager? There are a few rules of thumb:

1. No High-waisted Jeans

You may think having a higher waisted jean may hide your muffin top. It won't. the muffin will still be there, only it will be covered in denim. Not a good look. However, the ultra-low hipster jeans are not only on their way out, they are also reserved for childless hardbodies under the age of 19. Well, at least they should be. Instead, find a jean that sits a couple of inches below your belly button, but that covers your bottom and hips well. It is important to find jeans that fit right in the waist. Not too tight to push your midsection pudge over the top, but not too loose, either.

2. Accentuate Your Backside

Mom jeans flatten the butt. The push the butt flat due to their ill fit, so that it spreads, making it look way bigger and flabbier than it already is. The perfect jean hugs your rear-end, without being too tight.

3. No Tapered Legs

Skinny jeans are in for the younger set, but to be honest, nothing good can come from these jeans for anyone over the age of 17. The reason is, there is no possible way your ankles are going to look as slim as your thighs. Skinny jeans make women look like candied apples on sticks. Mom jeans are worse though. While skinny jeans are tight all over, mom jeans typically balloon at the waist and butt, then taper at the ankle. Look for a jean with a slight flair, or that hug your thighs, hips, and butt, but that straighten out at the leg. Make sure the length is correct too. They should come right to the bottom of the shoe or heel, without dragging on the ground. This elongates your body, which is a good thing.

4. Don't Be Colorblind

One characteristic of the dreaded 'mom jean' is it's often light color. Avoid these colored jeans at all costs: stone-washed, white, light denim, light blue. Go for a dark denim. This is not only more fashionable, but helps you appear slimmer. A good color is a dark wash with an ever so slight lighter wash on the fronts of legs. Absolutely no-two toned or colored jeans. Even black is pushing it.

5. Become Friends With A Tailor

If you spend a few bucks getting your jeans altered, you will have a polished look that definitely won't scream I got these on K-Mart clearance. If you can find jeans with a nice, dark wash that hug (but don't squeeze) your curves in a way you like, then you can shorten the length or have the waist taken in at the back where there is often a gap. This way you can get jeans that look almost made for you, without the cost of couture.

Letting go of your mom jeans can be difficult if you are used to wearing them. You may miss the feel of elastic on your midsection, or the denim tight around your ankles, or the wind blowing through your balloon bottom. However, you will thank yourself when you see the new, fashionable you. Your kids will thank you profusely, as well.

Now that you know how to buy a great pair of jeans, time to go shopping!