I’ll admit it, I own one pair of jeans at the moment. They cost me $25 and they fit precisely no areas of my body that well. They’re too long so I roll them up, and they sit too high on my waist.
I’m definitely not great when it comes to purchasing jeans simply because I don’t know what I’m looking out for and find the whole process, well, kind of stressful.
And let’s face it, when it comes to buying jeans we’re spoilt for choice – there are different washes, jeans with rips, high waisted, low waisted, mid-rise, the cheap, the expensive.
At best, it’s confusing. So, we might end up grabbing the first pair we lay eyes on and hoping for the best.
Thankfully, personal stylist Natt Cross knows exactly what we should be looking for when choosing a great pair of jeans and how to get the most out of them.
Here’s what to look for when you’re next shopping for a pair of denim jeans:
Look for stretch
The first and most important thing to look for is the stretch in your denim, according to Cross.
You want to ensure your jeans have a little bit of ‘give’, fit nicely around your body and, of course, optimise comfort, especially if you’re wearing them to work.
Try before you buy
Something we’ve all been guilty of from time to time is skipping the changing room but it’s better to ‘try before you buy’ rather than risking a dodgy pair of jeans collecting dust in your wardrobe, Cross suggests.
If you can’t use a changing room at the time of purchase, check the store’s return policy to make sure you can take them back if they don’t fit well.
Shop for your shape
“Always shop for your shape,” Cross said.
“For most women, the legs are a key asset and we want to show them off in a stunning pair of jeans, not hide them in baggy, oversized jeans that cover the shape”.
Think of the areas of your body that you love. If it’s your waist, go for high-waisted jeans.
Cross said she always styles women in skinny/slim or straight leg cut jeans because they look good on most body shapes.
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Consider the quality
These days, jeans are a staple in most wardrobes so dropping a little bit of coin on quality is going to help you in the long run if you’re planning to get a lot of wear out of them. But how much should you spend?
“A good quality pair of jeans should set you back between $89 to $129. Anything under that I would be cautious, and anything over that is completely overpriced,” Cross said.
“Cheaper jeans lose shape quickly due to poor fabric quality and the zippers and studs are also more likely to fail. Fabric, fit and fastening quality is what you look for.”
Balance the look
So, you’ve got your new pair of jeans and you’re excited to wear them, but what exactly should you wear them with?
“If you are wearing skinny leg jeans, then add volume to your top half with statement tops or layer with a jacket and statement shoes,” Cross said.
“If you are wearing a denim culotte, which is very on-trend at the moment, balance the look with a tighter fitting top or cropped jacket.”
To create a sophisticated ensemble, considering pairing your jeans with a leather bomber jacket for women.
Try something new
As we naturally gravitate towards styles we love and brands we trust, different styles of jeans may also surprise you and become your best loved threads.
“A lot of women I style want to wear ripped jeans but are a bit scared to try them. I style them in a ripped jean that has lining so you can’t see their skin – they never look back from that moment,” Cross said.
