“Let’s go jean shopping! It will be fun.”
Said no woman, ever.
Childbirth, coupled with our nightly glass (or three) of red wine and a few late night Oreo binges have shaped our body into something otherworldly from our 20s when sliding jeans on (and off) was so easy.
And it sucks. Because we all love jeans. Jeans are cool. They are casual. They are dressed up. They aren’t yoga pants.
But, never fear, every body type can wear jeans! And they can wear affordable jeans!!
Take these demin tips from #YahooStyle (coupled with a few of my own) and you will be on your way to wearing the “best denim jeans” ever.
1. Clean out your old denim. Take a moment, put every pair of jeans on. If a pair of jeans makes a “muffin top” or “back fat roll”, put them in the donate/sale pile. Yes, you might lose the weight someday. But it is today, not someday. They need to go away. (Need inspiration to get cleaning, check out this Clean Freak Gift Guide.)
2. Get naked and figure out your problem area. Where does your weight sit? In your tummy, your hips, your thighs, or your butt? Be honest. You need to find jeans that take this problem area into account. For me, my extra weight sits in my hips. This makes buying really low-rise jeans problematic. I’m better off with a mid-rise jean to hold the extra “padding” in. If you have extra weight in your thighs, you might have issues with skinny jeans. In your butt, you might have issues with boot-cut jeans.
3. When you go shopping, be ready to try on 30 pairs of jeans. All jeans are cut different, so be willing to try on different sizes, different styles and different brands. And once you find a brand that works for you, become a loyal shopper. Here are over 63 different styles of jeans….the possibilities are endless.
4. Pay attention to back pocket placement. As a general rule, look for longer pockets with placement in the middle of your butt cheek. Too small or too big of a pocket, makes your butt look bigger.
5. It’s okay to get jeans tailored. I love this quote from #yahoostyle, “From a simple hem, to a tailor at the thigh or a tuck in the waist, it doesn’t have to break the bank.” Simple alterations are less than $20 and that is worth it for a pair of jeans you love to wear.
And good jeans can be affordable. Here are the best jeans for women over 35 under $70…and for everybody type.
Best Jeans for Women Over 35 Under $70
Best Boot Cut Jean
Gap 1969 Perfect Boot Jeans for $69.95
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex.
Sizing: Available in regular, petite and tall (and plus sizes)
Gap is one of the standards for jeans and the fact these jeans come in extra sizes makes it easy to find a pair that fits.
Best Skinny Jean
Old Navy The Rockstar Black High-Rise Super Skinny Jeans for $34.94
Material: 71% cotton, 27% polyester, 2% spandex
Sizing: Available in regular, petite and tall (and plus sizes)
This Old Navy Skinny Jean is a high-rise, which helps smooth and hold everything in. Plus, the added polyester means it will retain its shape as the day goes on. Also, extra jean sizes means it will be easier to find a pair that fits.
Best Jeggings
JAG Jeans ‘Nora’ Pull-On Skinny Stretch Jeans for $69.95
Material: 77% cotton, 21% polyester, 2% spandex
Sizing: 0 – 16
These JAG Jean Pull-On Stretch Jean are a cross between a cotton jegging and a real pair of jeans. Plus, the high-rise panel is like an instant tummy-tuck, keeping things smooth and in place all day long.
Best Vintage Boyfriend Jean
JCPenney Joe Fresh™ Boyfriend Jeans for $49
Material: 100% Cotton
Sizing: 25 – 33
The Joe Fresh Boyfriend Jeans are the perfect combination of vintage and boyfriend. The higher waist and taper legged makes these jeans feel less boxy and more feminine.
Best Colored Jean
Maurices Denim Flex Pristine Jegging for $29
Material: 65% cotton 31% polyester 4% spandex
Sizing: X-Small – X-Large, in regular, petite and tall
These Denim Flex Pristing Jeggings are the right combination of jean and legging. The style is all jean, but the extra spandex means they will stretch to your body. The increased polyester helps them wash nicely and keep their color wear after wear.
With these pointers, plus a few styles and brands to get your started, you should have no problem finding the best jeans for your body type.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite brand of jean that I missed? Are there any style jeans that you just can’t wear? Leave a comment and we’ll see if we can’t find the right jeans for you.
Disclosure: Thank you Yahoo! for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Yahoo!, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. Want more information – check out my full disclosure statement.
Laura says
I have actually had great luck with American Eagle jeand the past few years. Many of the styles have a higher rise and you can usually find on sale for around 30.00.
Kelly says
Great tip Laura. I’ve never worn their jeans before, but I may have to give them a look.
Laura says
If you try…I recommend the straight jean! Doesn’t show butt crack.
Kelly says
No butt crack is important. 🙂
Sherrie Moore says
I also have had some luck with J.Jill slim cut jeans, and Land’s End new slim cut jeans. I do like the slimmer boyfriend cut for relaxed weekends. Bootcut for dress up and straight cut for the not too tight on the calves look!
Kelly says
I haven’t tried the J. Jill brand, I’ll have to give it a shot.
Sharon Brown says
I hope you can help me. I have trouble finding jeans because I have a wider waist, but very slim hips, thighs, legs, and no butt to speak of. I’ve had some luck in the past with Coldwater Creek’s bootcut jeans, but they have since changed and are not of the same quality/fit as before. I’d like to find some straight leg/slim leg jeans too. Is there any hope?
Kelly says
Sharon – My best friend is shaped like you and she has luck with Levis…also I’ve hear amazing things about NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans), they have jeans made for all women’s bodies. They are more expensive, but it would be better to buy one pair that fits and enjoy them long term.
Samantha says
Coldwater Creek knit jeans in the natural style are slightly below the waist, even though the side says they sit at the waist. They are very comfortable and forgiving for “pears” like me, and mine wear like iron without fading or stretching. I’m not sure where you live, but here on Long Island (NY) alterations can run to $20.00 PER CUFF just for hemming. Taking in a waist can run to $40.00 or more.
Kelly says
Great insights. Thanks for sharing!!