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Finding The Best Fitting Jeans
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To find the best fitting jeans, all you need to do is understand some simple rules of composition and visual perception and apply them. The first step to achieving your own personal style is simply wearing clothes that fit (a matter of size). The second step is understanding cut as it relates to your shape (a matter of styling). In short, you've got to learn how to dress for your body type, and this is what we are here for. The magic words here are Balance and Proportion. In our jeans fit guide, a great deal of emphasis will be placed on achieving a longer, leaner look. Remember, this is a cultural bias that changes with time. Be that as it may, let’s use all the tricks at our disposal to achieve this long lean look.
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Y!MyWebAnything you put on is like a paint stroke, affecting the balance of the composition. Any detail can attract attention to an area. It can do so in a positive or a negative way. It can accentuate or camouflage. The important thing is to be in control of the composition. It's a simple process of accentuating the positive and downplaying the problem areas (and yes, we all have them) to achieve a feel of balanced proportions.
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Don't be too critical of yourself. Remember, any idea of "perfect proportions" is not universal by a long shot. Even within our culture, men's and women's idea of physical perfection is all over the map. Remember too, that these body types are nothing but a tool to organize our knowledge. You may share characteristics of more than one type. Selecting the best fitting jeans is a matter of making the right choice for your body and style, not about the latest fashions.
The subject of dressing for your body type obviously extends way beyond the world of denim. Understanding and applying these principles is an essential first step in defining your personal fashion style.
Here Are Some Extra Thoughts
- Don't take these guides as universal laws
- Don't go shopping with a huge "do and don't" list without understanding the underlying principles
- Choose which rules you wish to apply, but be conscious of the effects each decision will have
- If you fall in love with a pair but it just doesn't fit, be brave, walk away, try on another
- However, if you're comfortable showing some "muffin top" (some men prefer not so flat tummies) by all means go for it
- You should also learn to differentiate between cut and fit in order to select your best fitting jeans.
With a little bit of knowledge, you can camouflage those minor figure problems by choosing the best fitting jeans for your body. Click on the links that correspond to your body type, and a new window will open with suggestions for each classification.
Rectangular: This body type is not common. Shoulders and hips are of equal width, with little waist definition. Bust size is average, rib cage large, waist not marked, flat butt, and thin legs. Tend to gain weight in the abdomen, thighs and love handles, and tend to have a little pot belly. |  |
| Pear Shape: Rounded hips with defined waist. Full rounded hips andbottom. Narrow shoulders and small bust. Tend to gain weight in bottom and thighs and are prone to saddle bags while their stomachs remain relatively flat and their waists small. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to camouflage a large rear end. |  |
| Hourglass: Balance of curves and angles, straight shoulders, defined waist, curvy bottom. Bust and hips in proper proportions. Shapely legs and usually fine boned. Weight gain is usually in the love handles, stomach and thighs. Even for this "ideal" body type, it's not easy to find the best fitting jeans, as you will see in the link that follows. |  |
| Inverted Triangle: Broad shoulders, medium to full bust, average waist, narrowhips and shapely long legs. Weight gain usually is apparent in the stomach, midsection, breasts and arms. Rear usually remains flat and thighs slender. The best fitting jeans in this case may require handling optical illusions! |  |
| Full Rounded: Round body with fuller shorter waist, wider rib cage, rounded neck and back. Lower hips and slender legs. A great deal can be done to find the best fitting jeans for an oversized rear end. |  |
| Diamond: Narrow shoulders, small bust, broad hips generous thighs and slender calves. |  |
Go to the links above and follow these simple rules as a first step in learning how to dress for your body type. Don't forget to also dress for the occasion. Your best fitting jeans, with the right accessories can now go anywhere. To wrap it all up, don't be shy about adding your own special touch. Jeans allow you to be daring, be creative and dress to enhance your personality.
GENERAL TIPS FOR A LONGER, LEANER LOOK
- Look for denim with a bit of stretch for better comfort and fit. Stretch can go a long way in helping you find your best fitting jeans.
- Opt for a relaxed fit--but not too baggy or saggy.
- Don't underestimate the trusty 5 pocket classic.
- Boot-cut and flared jeans give a long and lean look, which is flattering to most women.
- Ultra-tapered legs should be reserved for the most lean shapes, because they call attention to hips and thighs.
- If the jeans are a bit loose, try the next smaller size: they may give a bit with use, especially those with some stretch.
- Cuffs are fun, but should be avoided if you are under 5'5" tall. They will make your legs look shorter.
- Except for special cuts, like capris, make sure they are the right length. If they are too short, they make your legs look shorter. Remember, you generally want to accentuate a long lean vertical line.
- Make sure the hem covers most of your shoe.
- Pointed dark colored shoes will help accentuate the long line theme.
- Wear dark colors
- Remember it's about shape, not size. Buy the best fitting jeans and the best style for your shape.
- This is a big one: Be conscious of back pockets: both placement and size have a great effect on how well your rear will look. Avoid tiny pockets as well as pockets that are too far apart, they will make your butt look oversized. Pockets that are situated lower on the jeans make your bottom look higher. Be careful with embellishments and faded finishes in the rear.
Let's admit it, how good our butt looks is what the search for the best fitting jeans is all about. If you follow our simple rules for dressing for your body type, you should be able to find jeans that will flatten your tummy, make you look slimmer, contour your hips, lift your buttocks, allow you to wear one size smaller, and make you feel younger! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but........
It's crucial that you measure yourself correctly.
Please refer to our article on Jeans Sizes for a thorough coverage of this topic.
If you're new to the designer jeans world, be cautious about online shopping for your first pair. Spend some time in a store that carries many brands, get to know the differences between them. Don't worry about trying on too many pairs, they're used to it. When you feel ready, by all means shop online, and don't hesitate to return a pair that didn't fit correctly. Again, the stores are used to this. Remember too that jeans should fit perfectly where you're largest; they can easily be modified in other parts.
It's much easier to find the best fitting jeans for men. To begin with, men's jeans come in much fewer variants, as do their bodies. Men are also less conscious of "body defining" styling and are usually satisfied more by comfort. Even so, there is a high demand for men's designer jeans, even for low rise jeans for men.
