We are now just past the mid way mark through Summer and by now we have all bought our Summer wardrobes, and soon retailers and fashion magazines are going to be filled with items for Fall. When I think of Fall I think of warm sweaters, knee high boots and the number one staple or any fashionable Fall wardrobe… JEANS!!!
Finding the best fitting plus size jeans is not about the size of the jean you wear but rather about the shape! Think of your body as a given, your “canvas” and the clothing that you put on it is like a paint stroke, affecting the balance of the composition. Any detail can attract or deflect attention to an certain area. The important thing is to be in control of the composition by knowing your body type. It’s a simple process of accentuating the right curves to achieve a feel of balanced proportions.
Below is a guide to help you determine your body type and help you find your perfect pair of jeans. If you need further help don’t be afraid to visit one of your local plus size retailers like Addition Elle and have one of their sales consultants help you find you your perfect fit. Jeans can look and feel fabulous on any plus size women but it is all about finding the perfect size and fit for your body.
When looking through this guide, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, any idea of “perfect proportions” is not universal by a long shot. Even within our culture, our idea of physical perfection is not consistent and always changing. Remember too, that classifying body types is nothing but a tool to organize our knowledge. You may share characteristics of more than one type. Selecting the best fitting jeans is a matter of making the right choice for your body and style.
DIAMOND/OVAL
Characteristics: Narrow shoulders, small bust, broad hips generous thighs and more slender calves.
Goal: Your goal is to elongate, while detracting attention from your waist and placing some emphasis on your bust and shoulders.
What to Wear:
- A boot cut fit with some stretch is your best bet, and is usually a staple cut of most women’s designer jeans
- Opt for a relaxed fit
- Use dark denim and pair them with dark high heels and dark tops
- Look for pockets that sit higher as they will make your legs appear to be longer
- Look for larger pockets for they will make your butt appear smaller
- Allow hem to reach the ground when wearing jeans with high heels
- Same color on shoes, socks and jeans will make your legs look longer
- Skinny jeans would look best worn with a tunic
- If you are slightly short waisted, a slightly low rise cut will help make your torso look longer
What Not to Wear:
- Tapered or ultra-tapered legs, as they call attention to the hips
- Cuts that will rise above your natural waist
- Small pockets as they may make your rear end look larger
- Washed out areas in rear and thighs
- Embellishments in rear pockets as they attract attention to that area
- Find a fit that contours, not hugs your body
TRIANGLE (PEAR)
Characteristics: Rounded hips with defined waist. Full rounded hips and bottom. Narrow shoulders and small bust. Tend to gain weight in bottom and thighs while the stomach remain relatively flat with a small waist.
Goal: To enhance your upper body and detract attention from your bottom. Within reasonable limits, to mold your hips and rear end with well cut designer’s jeans.
What to wear:
- Boot-cut and flared legs give a long and lean look, but the gentler flare of the bootcut will serve you better
- Womens designer jeans in stretch fabrics will make any fit more comfortable
- Look for dark washes
- Try to find a pair in which the outseam is brought further to the front. This gives the illusion of a thinner thighs
- Avoid pockets that sit too low, near the beginning of the butt, as they will shorten the look of your legs
- Avoid excess fabric in the rear-end area
- Low rise jeans can help make your rear end appear shorter and your torso longer
What not to wear:
- Pleats widen the look of hips and thighs
- Small pockets in rear, as well as pocket-less jeans and pockets placed too wide apart
- Tight jeans, especially those that are tight at the knees
- Bundling fabrics at waist
- Horizontal detailing at hip level, such as contrasting pockets
- Even if this is the rage in women’s designer jeans, avoid washes in the back pocket area, as well as any embellishment
Characteristics: Shoulders and hips are of equal width, with little waist definition. Bust size is average, rib cage large, waist not marked, flat butt, and thinner legs. Tend to gain weight in the abdomen, thighs and love handles, and tend to have a little belly. Finding the best fitting women’s designer jeans for the straight body type is not an impossible task.
Your Goal: To create curves.
What to do:
- Look for a relaxed flared fit that hugs and lifts your but
- A straight fit from the hip to the knees with a slight flare and the end will work for you
- Low rise jeans with a high back and low front are a good choice if you are short waisted
- If you are well balanced or long waisted, a higher rise pair of women’s designer jeans can help accentuate the curves on your hips. You may even venture to try on a tapered cut
- A contoured waistband will help create curves
- Strategically placed washes or embellishments in the back pocket areas will attract attention to your hips
- Smaller or pointed back pockets spread far apart make your butt look fuller
- Lighter washes or fades along the legs and knees add shape to thighs
What Not to Wear:
- Straight cut jeans
- Baggy jeans
- Cuts with excess material at the bottom
Characteristics: Balance of curves and angles, straight shoulders, defined waist, curvy bottom. Bust and hips in proper proportions. Weight gain is usually in the love handles, stomach and thighs. Even for this “ideal” body type, it’s not easy to find the best fitting jeans.
Goal: Work with your shape. Draw attention to your waist, don’t complain!
What to Wear:
- Look for a good fit
- Try those that give a smooth fit at the waistline and hips and aren’t bulky in the thighs
- Look for jeans that run straight from the hips to the knees, with a good flare at the end of the legs
- Look for a cut with larger hip and smaller waist to avoid an opening in the back
- If you don’t find pants with this fit, be willing to buy a pair that fits around the butt and is loose at the waist. Some tailoring will be needed.
- Go for stretch denim, it will hug your curves and work with them
- Low rise jeans will help balance your proportions if you are slightly short waisted
What Not to Wear:
- Oversized pants
- Even though you may still look great in straight cut jeans, it’s a shame not to get some more mileage from your natural curves
- You have no need to embellish your jeans, but if you must, it won’t hurt
INVERTED TRIANGLE (APPLE)
Characteristics: Broad shoulders, medium to full bust, average waist, narrow hips and shapely long legs. Weight gain usually is apparent in the stomach, midsection, breasts and arms. Rear usually remains flat and thighs slender.
Goal: You must divert attention from your shoulders and bust, and show off your narrow hips.
What to Wear:
- Boot-cut and flared legs give a long and lean look, which is flattering to most women
- Look for styles that enhance your backside without sagging in the rear
- Consider a low rise jean with a contoured waistline
- Tapered legs to the knees but not with exaggerated flare will also work well
- Skinny jeans look best worn with a tunic and a belt to accentuate the waist and the flare from the tunic will create the look of wider more hips balancing the out the shoulders
- Strategically placed washes or embellishments in the front & back pocket areas will attract attention to your hips
- Also lighter washes or fades along the legs and knees add shape to thighs
What Not to Wear:
- Never use tapered jeans or any that are tight in the knees
- Standard straight legged jeans
- Jeans with very small waistbands
- Pocket-less jeans
- Big rear pockets
- Women’s designer jeans in darker colors will make your hips appear smaller
FIGURE EIGHT (ROUND)
Characteristics: Round body with fuller shorter waist, wider rib cage, rounded neck and back. Lower hips and slender legs.
Goal: To take focus away from the hip, thigh and bottom area. Elongate, and do not cut in half.
What to Wear:
- Boot-cut jeans give a long and lean look, which is flattering to most women
- Darker color womens designer jeans
- Look for pants that fit your waist and are relaxed in the hip and thigh areas without adding bulk
- Look for jeans with the seam closer to front, this gives the impression of thinner thighs
- Try medium to high rise, but stay at least one inch below your belly button
- Wide waistbands can be very helpful in holding back your belly and feel more comfortable
What Not to Wear:
- Pleats widen the look of hips and thighs, so avoid them
- Tapered or ultra-tapered legs, as they call attention to the hips and thighs
- Avoid saggy or baggy pants, especially in the rear end
- Never use cuffs
- Avoid jeans with small pockets, that are tight in the knees and that hug your body
- Avoid distressed jeans with faded bottoms and thighs no matter how fashionable
- Don’t wear belts too tight
- Avoid high waisted jeans as they will make rear end appear larger
Leave a reply