What is it about jeans that makes us lust for them? I always find it hard to digest, even as a stylist, how jeans seem to match everything even though, for the most part, they’re blue. And blue can be terribly difficult to match. But they form part of a capsule wardrobe, and I find, once I have the bottom half of me sorted, the top half seems easier to style.
Laura, Jessica and Liz all love their jeans!I eternally search for the perfect pair, and despite there being oodles of choice, they have to fit everywhere. When buying jeans there are few key tips.
The first place to check fit is your bum. The fabric needs to curve under your bum to define it. If it doesn’t do that, they don’t fit and will sag. NO ONE likes a soggy bottom. Secondly, the waist is always a tough one. Sometimes you get the perfect fit on the bottom, hips and thighs, but they are miles too big on the waist. This is just down to the way we are made. You’d think jeans companies would have addressed this. Well some of them have.
On the premium end (over €100), the likes of Paige Denim, Made in Heaven, Levis and Frame all make a good jeans that commands a very high price. But what you get is a great fit, no sagging, washable long-lasting jeans. Luckily, I have found that are some amazing high street alternatives that do all the above, but for €50 or there abouts.
- The Skinny
Jeans, €50-55, OasisIf the skinny jean is your thing then “Jade” at Oasis which they carry all year round are just perfect. They wash really well and don’t loose their elasticity. I’ve yet to find someone who doesn’t like them. For summer the wash is light, but I do prefer these in a dark denim which makes them more timeless.
With a skinny you need to watch the shape of what you wear with them to keep proportion in your body. Wear tops that come to your hips which will flatter your thighs. If you are wearing a cropped or ankle grazer pair make sure you wear even a small heel to elongate your calves. And a good ol’ stiletto never fails. For anyone who is a strawberry shape or hourglass, then the skinny is for you.
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Ankle grazer skinny jeans, €17, Penneys- The Flare and Bootleg
Jeans, River Island, €55 (jean styles start at €35)The return of the most flattering shape came this year thanks to the seventies trend. Bootleg styles are super flattering on all body shapes, you just need to wear them with a bit of a block heel or platform to keep their shape. I recently did a shoe workshop on Xposé and this was one of the tips I did. It also applies to a flare. With a bootleg, make sure the length is long enough to wear with a heel. They aren’t at their optimum with a flat.
- The Mom
"Mom" jean, from €39.95, ZaraStreet style blogs have championed the mom jean, but to be honest, I’m not sure what to make of it. I think there’s a certain style that can pull it off with some chic runners like Adidas Stan Smith’s, a bomber jacket and a plain white t-shirt. If the mom jean is your thing, then check out
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Have you a favourite jean style, or have you a hero pair that we can check out too? Tell us your jean tales!
