Dress, Warehouse.
Top, Marlene Birger; jeans,Earnest Sewn; shoes, Christian Louboutin.
Skinnies, flares, high-waisted or boyfriend – which styles are best for you?
With so many styles, colours and fits to choose from, is it just me, or has shopping for a pair of jeans become a bit of a challenge?
To be honest, I’ve always found it hard to get jeans that are a good fit, and I’ve spent a long time trying to find the perfect pair. I’m still not sure that they exist but after trying on skinny, high-waisted, boy-cut and umpteen other shapes, sizes and colours, it’s fair to say I’ve got a good idea of what’s out there now.
So what kind of jeans shape will suit you best? That’s up to you. I say, if you feel good in skinnies, wear them; or if you fancy giving high-waisters a go, just do it – that’s what I do. The main thing with jeans is to just try loads of pairs on: you’ll know yourself what works and what doesn’t. Here are my top tips on what’s out there and how to wear them.
MODERN CLASSIC
If you don’t like skinnies, try straight leg instead. Wear with a pair of cool wedges.
Top, Gap; jeans, River Island; wedges, River Island.
My jeans rulebook
1 Dress the Part
When you’re getting ready to go out shopping for jeans, be sure to put on the kind of top or tops that you intend to wear with them; I’d also take a good belt, too. If I’m wearing flats, I’ll shove a pair of heels in my bag, or vice versa. I like a big bag for daytime, so carrying shoes around is not usually a problem for me!
Take whatever you think you’ll wear your jeans with most, basically. It may sound like a hassle, but honestly, a little bit of planning works wonders, and I just think that jeans are such a big part of your wardrobe that it’s worth putting the effort in.
Jeans, Boohoo.com.
Jeans are such a major part of our wardrobes that it’s worth buying different styles for different occasions.
2 Don’t think ‘size’, think ‘shape’
The trick is to find a pair of jeans that highlight your best bits: you can always cover up your not-so-good parts. And remember, the sizing from one brand to the next can be completely different; so don’t think size, think shape. I have some Balenciaga jeans which I love because they are really thin and stretchy and make my legs look much longer, but they are a little less flattering around my bum, as they make it look a bit long too – and with my short legs, my bum isn’t long! But they do look nice with a floaty blouse that covers my bum, and I wear them all the time.
So, the trick is to think about balance and to use a few styling tricks. If you find a pair of jeans that make your bum and legs look great but that are a little loose around the waist, spend a little more on a good belt: it will pull them in and add extra style. The only definite no-no for me is when jeans are too tight at the waist, as this can give that wobbly spare tyre – or ‘muffin’ – look. I’d definitely go a size up in the jeans if this is the case: you wouldn’t believe how much more flattering they can turn out to be.
And don’t be put off by magazine articles that say a certain shape is not for you. If you like skinnies, wear them – you’ll soon find your own ways of making them work; whether it’s by wearing heels to add height, or pairing them with a jacket length that covers your bum and hips. Just do what I do: try, try, and keep trying until you find a pair that makes you feel good.
Style Tip
It’s always worth remembering that department stores offer alteration services, so ask to have your jeans altered to fit when you buy them.
3 How do I get the length right?
I think that one of the most important things to get right with jeans is the length. Most of us wear high-heeled shoes with jeans now, and if your jeans are just a tiny bit short it can have a major effect on the rest of your look: if you’re tall, it can make you look gangly, and if you’re shorter, it can make you look stumpy.
So when you’re wearing classic straight or bootcut shapes, you don’t really want to see too much of the heel of your shoe. This is when taking a pair of heels with you when you go shopping is really helpful, but also take a couple of pins, too, to help you get the right length and see if the leg shape is right for you. I’ll spend ages getting the hem right: I like to wear my jeans with the back of the hem just a millimetre or two off the ground – almost skimming the ground but not quite.
I apply the same rule if I’m wearing flats, too. Skinnies don’t look so bad with the hem ruched up at the bottom and worn with some flats (even though my brother says I look like a stump like that).
4 Mix and match
I think it’s a really good idea to have different pairs of jeans for different occasions: I’ll wear some pairs going to my mum’s for Sunday lunch, or for going out shopping; or I’ll dress others up with a nice top if I’m meeting my mates for a drink at night. I keep my ‘going out’ jeans for night-time only, because if I don’t wear them that often, the colour doesn’t fade and they always look smart. I’ve also got pairs with hems a little bit longer for wearing with heels or wedges and others that are hemmed just right for wearing with flats.
If you’re lucky enough to have found some jeans that do it all for you, I’d be tempted to buy a few pairs of the same style in different colours. I found a pair of dark blue J Brand ones that I liked, so I went back and bought the black ones and I also ended up getting them in a lighter blue, too. They’ve all got a different look and I can dress them up or down to suit wherever I’m going, but because I always feel great in them, at least if they decide not to do the same jeans next season, I’m sorted with my favourite fit.
Blouse, Boohoo.com.
Polka-dot tops always look great with jeans.
Style Tip
Department stores tend to have a good selection of designer or top denim brand styles, but if your nearest one doesn’t, go online. (See my Real Style File on page 265 for the best sites for up-to-the-minute styles.)
5 Is it worth splashing out on expensive jeans?
I do wear a lot of high-street-brand jeans – Topshop skinny blacks are a great fit and they do some great bootcut ones in dark denim – but I also have pairs in my wardrobe that I have spent