A Woman's Jeans - How to Choose the Perfect Pair

Every woman knows the perfect pair of jeans is one of the most essential items in their wardrobe but probably the most difficult to find. After all, we were not all created equal and the same goes for most brands. But help is here. Follow this guide and you'll be sliding into your new favorite pair of jeans in no time flat.

Jeans for Tall Women

My best friend Leslie is a beautiful long and lean woman and she loves to wear heels. She often used to joke "Can't I wear heels without looking like I'm preparing for a flood?" The good news is that more and more companies are making jeans with a 36'' inseam. She also came up with a little trick when she found a great pair of jeans that where a little too short; she would take the hem out and made sure that the hem fell to the bottom of her heel in the back and - whala - no more high-waters.

Best brands to try: Rock & Republic, Notify, Habitual

Jeans for Petite Woman

Okay, so you're not long and lean like my friend Leslie. Maybe you're the opposite and finding jeans that don't drag the floor is the hurdle you must overcome. There are some brands listed below that have shorter inseams, but don't be afraid to go with other brands and hem. The trick here is to stick with straight leg jeans and not boot cut. Straight leg cuts can be shortened and re-hemmed without destroying the shape of the jeans. And as a final tip, stay away from cuffed jeans. They will make you look even shorter.

Best brands to try: Banana Republic, Kasil, Jag, Caslon

Jeans for Big Tummies:

Unless you're a thin teenager, we've all had to battle belly bulge or try to hide our tummy at one point or another. If this is your current state of affairs, a boot-cut jean maybe able to help balance out a heavier mid-section but it depends on the thickness of your arms and legs. Thinner limbs are okay but if you have thicker limbs a boot cut will look worse on you. If this is the case, look for a mid-rise cut and make sure the jeans hit across the belly, not above or below it.

Best brands to try: Seven, Citizens of Humanity, Gold Sign, Gap, Paige Premium, Levi's, ck, Marc

Jeans for Wide Hips:

Women with wide hips should stick with a mid-rise jean that is slightly on the lower side. This will help to not create bulging love handles by fitting around the widest part. You should also look for a straight leg or trouser leg cut. These fall down from the hips to help create a longer looking leg line. Wider hip women typically have thicker legs and arms and straight leg jeans will help give the leg a more uniform width. You should avoid boot cut jeans.

Best brands to try: Cambio, Lucky, Banana Republic, Gap, Womyn, Tahari, Levi's, ck, Marc, Seven, Citizens of Humanity, AG, Diesel, Joe's Jeans

Best Jeans for a bigger tush:

If you're fuller in the booty department, you should look for jeans made with a lower rise in the front and a higher rise in the back. This will ensure a proper fit in the crotch. You should also look for smaller and angled pockets to help flatter your butt.

Best brands to try: James, Earnest Sewn, Seven, Citizens of Humanity

Best Jeans for a flat hiney:

Again, my friend Leslie comes to the rescue with these tips (yes, she is one of the gifted... tall AND thin). The secret here is to look for jeans with flap pockets, heavy embellishment or embroidery. She also looks for jeans with higher back pockets that give her butt that lifted look.

Best brands to try: True Religion, Joe's Jeans, l.e.i

There is nothing like a great pair of jeans. To make your next shopping trip more enjoyable (and a whole lot less stressful), keep this quick guide to womans jeans handy.