A clever ploy by fashion designers is to change the look of the jeans we wear each season. This year it's the turn of the flare and high-waisted, wide-legged jeans. However, there is no reason to become a fashion victim at the expense of being on-trend, if the current "it" cut in denim jeans is not right for you.
A big hit this year is the high-waisted, wide-legged jean. More versatile than last year's fashionable leg-constricting skinny jean. Wide-legged jeans are comfortable and high waists are butt-flattering, so are likely to appeal to more women.
High Waist or Low Waist?
“Only a tiny segment of the population should be wearing low rise jeans,” according to celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. The problem with low-rises is that for the average-sized women with a little extra around the stomach, a roll of flab is pushed up over the waistline causing a “muffin top.” Wearing fuller smock-style blouses is one solution to the problem and avoiding cropped style tops.
Low rise jeans can also mean unsightly butt-cleavage (or builder’s bum). A curved waistband is the solution to minimize showing off your assets! If you are either very young or very daring, however, then maybe try the new trend in ultra-low-rise bikini jeans.
Wide waistbands do wonders for minimizing a fat stomach and high-waisted jeans do a lot for lengthening the leg. If you are short go for a mid-waisted rather than high-waisted jeans, which has the effect of creating an even shorter torso.
Your jeans should fit your waist so that the waistband does not cut into you. You’ll be surprised the effect is has on your figure if you swallow your pride and go for one size up. No more sausage squeezing denim; allow jeans to just skim over your curves rather than constrict them.
For those enviable hour glass shapes waist bands can cause a particular problem, as to find the right fit on the hips usually means a large expanse of gaping waist. Choose a hipster cut which avoids the waist entirely and gives the added benefit of visually reducing the line of your hips.
The Right Leg-length
Whatever style you are buying, this season’s trend is for the leg-length to hit the floor, thus creating the illusion of longer legs. However, this can also mean scraggly, dirty hems, which is not so attractive.
Short frames need to wear a leg length that enables the hem to hover just above the ground. Bunching around the lower leg is an advantage as it has an elongating, slimming effect.
No matter what your figure, a woman really needs two lengths of jeans, one to be worn with flats and the other with high-heels. Of course, if you are wearing boots then these can be tucked inside the jeans, or you can always roll up the legs and wear with ballet flats.
For those with a shorter than average frame, roll up the legs of skinny jeans and wear them with high-heels.
The Right Color
The darker the color, the more slimming the jean. Go for grays, blacks and dark blue (indigo) if you want to create the illusion of thin legs and hips. Also shaded denim can work to camouflage a heavier figure, providing the shading is in the right places. This season's passion for indigo looks chic with a trendy bright white shirt.
Finding the Right Jeans
Denim is incredibly versatile and with so many cuts and styles to choose from the selection can be mind-boggling, not to mention time consuming. First get an idea of which shapes are more likely to suit your figure and start from there:
Skinny Jeans
- A lot has been said about the pros and cons of skinny jeans. However, they do look best on long-legged boyish figures. Wear skinnies with ballet flats or ankle boots for an edgy look.
- Apple shapes (big busts and stomachs) should avoid skinny jeans are they accentuate the top half and make you look more like a duck. Due to their clingy nature, they can also accentuate big hips and a big butt. Tunic-style smock dresses and longer-length tops will cover chunky thighs and large hips, however.
- If skinny jeans make you look like a stick insect then some careful camouflaging with shaded denim does wonders.Says Ilovejeans.com, “Don’t go for anything too dramatic, but panels of slightly contrasting dyes are good for adding some contours.”
- If you are sort and petite then straight-legged or slightly skinny jeans are preferable than wider cuts.
Flares and Wide Legged Jeans
- Flares have come back into vogue this year, with the reemergence of the seventies look. Victoria Beckham also gave her seal of approval by casting aside her ultra skinny jeans and wearing a pair of `70s-style flares on her 1st April 2008 arrival back in Los Angeles.
- Flares look great with fitted tops and skinny sweaters that can be tucked onto the waist. Chunky platforms balance out the flare. If its comfort you are after, flared jeans tend to make you look slimmer and gives you a sexier silhouette than slouchy boyfriend jeans.
- Wide legged jeans are popular because of their comfort and versatility factor. They are kind to pear shaped women as they balance out large hips and thighs.
Bootcut Jeans
- A timeless fashion staple, bootcut jeans make the most of your curves and their wider hem deflects attention away from ample waists, hips and thighs. They also disguise large calves and make legs look leaner.This classic style is best for the fuller figure, particularly if it has clean lines with minimal detailing and embellishments, which add unnecessary bulk.
- Worn with high-heeled boots to create extra height, these jeans have a very slimming effect. Wear them with flats, however, and they can shorten the leg.
Boyfriend Jeans
- Boyfriend jeans are perfect for women who are brick-like in shape. With no waist and a boyish figure the loose leg, slouchy waist and large pockets are flattering on bigger sizes, especially bigger butts. Tone down the masculine effect with a feminine, fitted top or add a blazer. These jeans look effortlessly stylish worn with a pair of flat loafers.
Gill Hart - Gill Hart is a fashion and image professional who specializes in women's fashion over 50.
