Stylist reveals how to find your perfect pair of jeans according to your body shape
A good pair of jeans can last you a lifetime but finding that perfect pair to buy can feel impossible. Every dressing room is a battle, and nothing looks like it did on the model display. Combined with every shop listing their sizes under different measurements, you’re not alone if you dread buying new jeans.
But a high-quality pair of jeans that you can always rely on to look good is one of the best things you can have in your wardrobe. It's a versatile staple that you can dress up or down, and makes putting together a fabulous outfit for any occasion easier than ever. Read on to explore the different styles of jeans on the market and find the perfect pair for you today.
Why do we love denim jeans?
Good quality denim jeans are the most essential item you need to have in your wardrobe. They can be dressed up for a work appropriate look around the office whilst looking effortlessly chic for your evening attire. They’re the all-around perfect piece of clothing that can be ripped, stretched or slimmed down for any occasion.
Denim outfits were originally used as workwear uniforms for their strong and durable material that was resistant to tough and dirty working conditions in factories. Wearing denim meant that workers could rely on the clothes they were wearing to not snag or tear, made from thick material to keep them warm. Brands like Levi Strauss & Co transformed denim jeans into clothes to wear outside of factories, dating all the way back to the 1850s.
Today, denim jeans can be found in most households as an item of clothing worn every day, whether at work or for a casual outfit thrown together for lounging at home. Even Beyoncé has taken the double denim look by storm with her latest Levi’s collection, giving the staple a timeless look worthy of your investment. You can bet that jeans aren’t going to be leaving our shopping baskets any time soon.
Denim Jeans 101
Celebrity stylist Miranda Holder says we shouldn’t be buying solely what’s on trend: ‘Whilst it’s important to keep an eye on what’s happening on the catwalks (more from an avoiding looking dated perspective rather than being bang on trend), the overarching ‘rule to follow’ when buying denim is finding that illusive flattering fit.’
‘Jeans shopping is a ‘whole thing’ and I often dedicate a styling session just for this purpose, as it can take kissing a lot of proverbial frogs before you find your jeans prince. If you are tackling this on your own, my best advice, whether you are trying on in shops or the comfort of your own home, is to allow plenty of time, not rush the process, and try on way more pairs and styles than you think you need - I promise it will be worth it.’
What’s my body type?
Understanding your body and what you want to highlight through your clothes is the first step for creating an outstanding outfit. Your proportions may flatter certain lengths or cuts, but the key is to explore new styles to find out what makes you feel most confident.
Miranda says: ‘In terms of the fit, considerations include the length of your torso compared to your legs (what we call vertical scale in the biz) - which would dictate how high a waist would be best for you. So, if you are longer in the body a higher waist would visually help to put you back into proportion, whereas longer legs can rock a hipster look. Then you want to consider body shape on a horizontal plane. If you are super curvy, a wide leg or flare would keep things balanced, if you have a figure like Gisele then skinnies would be your friend, but you could get away with almost anything.’
‘Although great styles are available in abundance on the high street, denim, in particular jeans, is one garment I would always encourage my clients to invest in, not least from a ‘buy better, buy less’ environmental perspective (if you look into the amount of water and chemicals used to produce each pair it’s quite eye-watering). Beside this, the quality of the fabric, from the cotton to the elastane, as well as the stitching will be far superior - the ‘baggy knee’ look that happens with cheaper pairs is not good on anyone.’
Investing in the right jeans for your style could help you to find your next long-life clothing item that won’t rip or stain after you wear them once. Wearing a great pair of jeans doesn’t have to compromise your bank account and can last you a lifetime.
Here’s some of Gathered’s top recommendations on what to look for during your next shopping spree, filled with expert advice from stylists helping you to build your perfect outfit.
Mom Jeans
A mom style gives you plenty of relaxed space around the waistline and upper thighs, while maintaining a slim look with a short crop at the ankle. This style finds the perfect balance between slim and baggy, giving you room to relax without the added weight of a baggier style, making it a great addition to your wardrobe that you can wear seamlessly in every season.
Try this look if you want a go-to pair of jeans that will suit most body types with its comfy fit. Gathered recommends:
Light Wash Ava Mom Jeans, £20, Matalan
Slim / Skinny Jeans
A skinnier, slim fit provides you with a completely snug fit to your jeans that can show off your figure with a low effort. Pair a slim style with your favourite ‘nice top’ and you’ve already planned your next going out outfit.
Second-hand and vintage fashion expert Josh Hembry from Messina Hembry believes that dressing for your body type doesn’t have to be a bore: ‘From skinny to flared, cropped to wide-leg, each silhouette frames the body in its own way. Skinny jeans, with their body-hugging stretch, tend to flatter petite or hourglass figures by emphasising curves.’
If a slim, cigarette silhouette is what you prefer, give this style a try. Gathered recommends:
Blue Stretch Straight Leg Jeans, £49, River Island
Wide Leg Jeans
This loose style makes your jeans have a breathable feel that provides extra support with a high-waistline and a comforting fit around the lower torso.
Josh advises: ‘Taller frames often carry off wide-leg styles that a petite shopper might find drowns them. Strawberry shapes tend to also pair nicely with wider-leg styles, helping to create a balanced silhouette.’
A wide leg can add a glamorous, luxurious touch to an understated pair of jeans that can give the perfect chic tone to your outfit. Gathered recommends:
High Waist Wide Leg Jeans, £27.25, Very
Baggy / Loose Jeans
Loose and baggy styles can help you to create a street-smart outfit that gives you the confidence to wear your jeans with pride. The flexible cut is a great long-term investment that can match you at any size to perfectly flatter your shape, giving you the freedom to not rebuy lots of new jeans if you often move between sizes.
A baggier style has seen the resurge of low-waisted silhouettes coming back into trend, Josh explains: ‘Low-rise styles are making a comeback, nodding to the nostalgic 90s and early 2000s aesthetic. High-rise fits are especially flattering on hourglass, pear, and petite body types, while mid to low rise jeans often suit athletic shapes by subtly highlighting the hips.’
If you like a low maintenance but high-quality tone to your outfits, we recommend trying out a baggier or loose style. Gathered recommends:
Wide Leg Jeans, £22, Bon Marché
Straight Cut Jeans
Straight cut styles create an elongated shape to make you look effortlessly taller and work in any season. The flattering shape doesn’t compromise comfort and can even be folded at the ends to provide a styled crop to the look.
Josh says, ‘Straight leg and boyfriend cuts usually suit athletic or pear-shaped builds, their relaxed fit gently skims this body shape.’
Gail Painter, personal stylist at Not Givin In, agrees: ‘A straight-leg jean is a great starting point - it generally suits everyone. The shape isn’t too clingy or too loose, which helps balance the hips and creates a clean silhouette.’
If you’re looking for a durable material that won’t miss out on any trend, a straight style could be what you’re looking for. Gathered recommends:
Filby Relaxed Straight Jeans, £59, FatFace
Bootcut / Flare Jeans
Flared styles give any look an authentic, 70s glamour that makes your outfit look anything but dated. This snug wait fit becomes looser towards the end of the leg and adds a new dimension to your wardrobe.
Gail says: ‘Bootcut and wide-leg styles are very flattering and work well across most body types, offering comfort and ease while still looking polished.’
A flared cut can be a great way to bring a bohemian style into a modern and refreshing outfit that can make your style look timelessly elegant and eclectic. Gathered recommends:
Blue Low Rise Flare Leg Denim Jeans, £34.99, New Look
Tapered Jeans
A taper-style will cinch and bring in a material towards the end to make your jeans have a sharp and well-defined shape suitable for any occasion.
Josh says: ‘Straight leg and boyfriend cuts usually suit athletic or pear-shaped builds, their relaxed fit gently skims this body shape.’
This style could be the perfect office-casual wardrobe staple that you’ve been looking for, simply pair it with a patterned blouse or a thin-knit cardigan and you’ve got your new work go-to outfit. Gathered recommends:
Western Tapered Jeans, £50, M&S
Where should I be shopping?
There’s plenty of retailers on the high street and online for you to choose from, making finding new clothes accessible to however you like to shop for your next wardrobe update.
‘I really rate Marks & Spencer and often take my clients there,’ Gail shares, ‘The breadth of their denim offering on the high street is unmatched – they have every style, wash, and fit you could need.’
‘What’s especially useful is that they stock jeans in different lengths, which means I can find a great pair for women of all shapes and heights. It’s rare that a client leaves without at least one pair - more often than not, it’s two! If someone is starting from scratch with their denim wardrobe (often after years of wearing the same pair), I always aim to find them one pair for casual, everyday outfits and another for going out. The price point is also very purse-friendly, which makes it easier to experiment. And if you’re thinking about upgrading to designer denim later-on, starting on the high street is a smart move – it helps you understand which fits really work for your body before making a bigger investment.’
Investing in your wardrobe should be fun and exciting, not a bore. Miranda says: ‘My favourite way to jeans shop is to go into a denim department that stocks a wide range of styles and brands and just have a good old fashioned try on, using your camera phone to document each pair so you can calmly review over a coffee, avoiding any emotional impulse purchases - take an emotional support friend with you if you can for a more objective view.’
‘For breadth of choice, nothing beats Selfridges, who stock a wide range of price points as well as styles, whereas if your budget is happier on the high street, River Island do very good denim in shapes to suit everyone.’
What does a good pair of jeans look like?
Once you’ve found the style for you, make sure that you’re not getting tricked by a pair of jeans that will wear and tear after a couple of cycles in the wash. If you’re spending money on quality jeans, make sure they’re worth the price tag you’re paying. ‘A good pair of jeans should feel substantial in your hands rather than featherlight,’ Becky says, ‘Look for a strong denim that has some weight and inspect the stitching.’
‘You are looking for neat, tight, double lines of stitching (especially around the seams) and metal zips or buttons that feel secure rather than flimsy.’
The material of the jeans can also vary from style to style. ‘Jeans made from 100% cotton will gradually lose their shape with each wear and typically regain it after washing,’ Gail says.
‘These are great if you’re after a more rigid, traditional denim feel. If you want more comfort and a fit that works with your curves, look for denim blended with 1–2% elastane. This small amount of stretch helps the jeans mould to your body, keeping their shape throughout the day, without sagging or bagging.’
How can I look after my jeans?
So, you’ve bought the perfect pair of jeans, but without the right protection you might be causing more harm than you realise. Taking extra care to look after your denim can make the material look brand new after every wash.
‘Wherever you shop, the key is to choose a pair you’ll wear again and again as jeans are only truly sustainable if they’re loved and lived in,’ Becky says.
‘And don’t wash them too much! We throw our denim in the washing machine far too often - just give them a good airing in between wears to keep them in better shape for longer and when you do wash them, turn them inside out, wash at a lower temperature and air dry rather than tumble.’
How should I be styling my jeans?
So, you’ve found the perfect pair of jeans for you, but you have no idea how to materialise the perfect outfit that you imagined in your head. The good news is that you’ve already done all the hard work, and now you can bring your personality into your fashion.
‘When it comes to styling your jeans, the best news is that the options are utterly endless - especially in today’s world where smart-casual has largely replaced the formal dress codes of old,’ says Miranda.
‘For the best look, it’s always worth taking time to understand your body shape and how to balance it out - the goal being to visually represent a figure of 8, with evenly balanced shoulders and hips and a defined waist. If this isn’t you - and take comfort that it isn’t most of the population - things can easily be cheated to fake the look, and these little style tricks are highly effective.’
‘Of course, if you want a more fashion forward look, you can through the more traditional body shape ‘rules’ out of the window. The old adage of ‘jeans and a nice top’ still remains a strong option for those ‘don’t know what to wear’ moments - if you want to nod to the trends of this season, try incorporating some leopard print, lace, or even a sheer look if you dare, and if you want to have fun with an accessory - go for an unusual belt - they are definitely having a moment, the more unusual the better!’
‘The most important piece of advice overall though, is that you should not only feel confident in your ensemble but also comfortable. There is nothing less stylish than fidgeting or a funny walk - this is definitely something to live and die by!’
How is denim impacting the planet?
More of us are shopping with the planet in mind, as retail creates a major contribution to the climate crisis each year. According to Earth.org, 85% of all textiles end up in landfill each year, with clothes production contributing to water pollution as clean water sources continue to dry up. It means that something as simple as the outfit you wear could be contributing to the climate crisis, particularly if you’re guilty of buying from fast fashion sites.
Fast fashion refers to low-cost clothing items made with a quick turnover by workers often earning low wages in poor conditions. Many UK brands you may not have even realised, who could even be hiding in your wardrobe, have shared fast fashion items on the high-street. In 2022 a Channel 4 documentary titled ‘Inside the Shein Machine: UNTOLD’ discovered that brands like Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing had been paying factory workers only £3.50 per hour. That amounts to 3p earned to an employee’s wage for every item they make.
Sustainable stylist Becky Barnes believes that wearing great jeans shouldn’t come at a cost to the planet: ‘Durability is the real marker of quality and the longer your jeans last, the more sustainable your wardrobe becomes.’
The UN Framework Conventions on Climate Change predicted in 2018 that carbon emissions caused by textile production would grow by over 60% by 2030. At this rate, it might be worth investing in a good-quality pair of denim jeans that treats your wardrobe and the planet with the luxury it deserves, creating the perfect capsule wardrobe that you can style or fashion into any outfit. But how can you buy the perfect pair of jeans that won’t fall out of the latest micro-trend?
The best ways to update an old pair of jeans
Got a pair of jeans that you never wear but can’t bear to give to charity? Try these tricks to update them and see if you can give them new life:
Embroidery
Stitching and sewing onto a pair of jeans can be a foolproof way to breathe life into a blank canvas. Experiment with new designs and beading to add different textures and materials to your denim.
Ripping
Adding a tare or rip to your jeans can add a rustic edge that transforms your outfit into a retro, casual tone to make any outfit look cool.
Patchwork
Craving a change from a block colour? Sew on different shaped patches of colours and fabrics to give your jeans an entirely new design and show off your personality.
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