Jeans to Suit Your Body Shape

Someone said to me today that she finds it impossible to find a pair of jeans which actually make her feel good.

I hear that a lot and decided to offer some advice which will hopefully help those of you who are still searching for that ‘perfect pair of jeans’.

It’s generally a good idea to spend as much as you can afford to avoid them becoming baggy, misshapen or fading. However, the real key here is to find a style which suits your body shape.

Pear Shape

If you’re a pear shape then buy jeans which are a dark, even colour. This will help slim down your bottom half and bring you back into proportion. They should be mid-rise with a slight boot cut to balance you out, otherwise there’s a chance your bottom half will look like an ice-cream cone (probably not a look you’re going for!).

Look at the back pockets and choose ones with pockets that are straight down rather than angled outwards. This will help to create the illusion of a smaller, less rounded bum, again in order to bring you back into proportion.

PLEASE AVOID:

• Big belts worn on the hip as this will high-light your bottom half
• Wearing jeans with a top which ends at your widest point as again this will draw the eye to the very area you’re trying to disguise
• Lots of pockets or any detail which catches the eye. Your jeans need to be as invisible as possible, add interest with accessories on the top half
• Skinny jeans

Inverted Triangle

If you’re an inverted triangle (broad shoulders with little definition between your waist and hips) then choose a slighter lighter colour to add a bit of weight to your bottom half. Slight fading/distressing around the hip area is also helpful and choose jeans with pockets facing outwards to make your bottom look curvier. 


Mid-rise or slightly higher waisted jeans are usually best and make sure you go for a slight boot cut which again will help to bring you back into proportion and stop you looking top heavy.

PLEASE AVOID:

• Skinny jeans. They will emphasise your slim legs but exaggerate your broader top half in the process. If you absolutely can’t resist them then wear tucked into a solid pair of knee length boots
• Really dark colours which slim your bottom half too much 

Apple

It’s best to buy jeans which are dark and even in colour. As a rule people who are carrying excess weight around the middle wish to look slimmer generally and a dark colour will help achieve this. Jeans should be mid-rise but make sure they are high enough so you don’t have a muffin top - a look we’re all terrified of!! Similarly you don’t want to have to keep pulling them up all the time, it’s annoying for you and looks dreadful. 


Choose a slight boot cut to balance you out and avoid the lollipop affect. In order to achieve the illusion of an hourglass silhouette try wearing a top with an empire line (preferably a v-neck). This high-lights the narrowest part of your body, which is slimming, and helps create an hourglass shape. 

PLEASE AVOID:

• Wearing jeans with tops tucked in or which end around your tummy area. 
• Skinny jeans as they will high-light your slim legs thereby making your top half look larger 

Hourglass

Lucky you! You have the most choice in terms of different styles but don’t get too cocky - you can still make mistakes.

A slight boot cut is always flattering as is a mid-rise jean. Celebrate your curves and buy jeans with pockets which face outwards slightly to accentuate the contrast between your neat waist and hip area. You can wear skinny jeans but make sure you choose the right top to go with them. Bear in mind you want to retain your hourglass proportions so if you wear skinny jeans with a top which broadens your shoulders (eg. boat neck, off the shoulder styles) then you’ll look like an inverted triangle.

PLEASE AVOID:

•  Hiding your hourglass silhouette by wearing a baggy top with jeans. Try to keep your waist visible and accentuated by selecting the right length tops and wearing belts

Rectangle (or boyish)

If you have little definition between your shoulders, waist and hips then you have a rectangular body shape and need to find jeans which introduce curves.

Mid- rise jeans work well as do high-waisted jeans. In order to create curves you must choose back pockets which face outwards at an angle to give a roundness to your bottom. Choose a slight boot leg to disguise your angular figure - any clothing which creates straight lines of any sort should be avoided. Accentuate your waist by wearing a belt of a contrasting colour or choose a flowing, feminine top to distract from your boyish shape.

PLEASE AVOID:

• Wearing jeans with a plain, fitted t-shirt. This will do nothing to create the illusion of curves
• Skinny jeans worn with flat shoes as this will only emphasise your boyish physique

If you're not sure of your body shape or would like further tips on how to dress for your body shape please contact me

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