Finding the right pair of jeans is like searching for the fountain of youth. In a perfect world, you want to believe they exist and can be in your grasp, but we all know that any fix is only short term. They just don’t make jeans like they use to, and that is a good and bad thing. There are many more styles and brands to pick from, but the quality is not always great.

Finding the right pair of jeans is like searching for the fountain of youth. In a perfect world, you want to believe they exist and can be in your grasp, but we all know that any fix is only short term. They just don’t make jeans like they use to, and that is a good and bad thing. There are many more styles and brands to pick from, but the quality is not always great.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. If you want to find the perfect fit for your body, you will definitely have to try them on in a terrible dressing room with fluorescent lighting. You will have to try what seems like a thousand pairs. Speak to the sales associates; they will help you. Talk to them about what you are looking for and ask questions. Questions like: What jeans here will make me look amazing? I need everyday jeans, what holds up best for all-day wear? I don’t want flat-butt jeans, which ones boost? What jeans look good with boots? What jeans will make me look rich and look like the queen of the world? Become best friends with your jeans people. They know which ones to order a size up or down. They know what color or fade have more stretch. They know which jeans to avoid because of static cling, flat butt or because they stretch out after 10 minutes. They will also tell you when there is a sale.

Figure out your basic body shape. If you’re a mix, try on jeans for both body types.

Women:

Petites: Boot-cut, skinnies, super skinnies, cropped skinnies, wide-leg.
Thin: Low-rise, straight-cut, flare, distressed.
Athletic: Mid-rise, straight boot-cut, flare, boyfriend, skinny.
Tall: Straight, boot-cut, skinny, flared, boyfriend, crop, super skinnies.
Pear shape: Low-rise skinny, tapered or slight boot-cut, fitted flare.
Small waist, bigger behind: High waist, stretch, flare, skinny boot-cut.
Plus: Straight boot-cut, crop, fitted flares, skinnies, crop, flat front.
Hourglass: Classic wide-leg, mid-rise, flat fronts, straight boot-cuts, skinny.

Men:
Men do not have as many options, so you have to identify what is suited best to your body type.

Athletic build: Straight or boot-cut, low waist.
Thin legs: Dark skinny or slim fit.
Short legs: Straight fit, slim straight.
Heavier: Relaxed, straight.

So just for informational purposes, I took my behind to three stores and bought jeans: Express (higher price), Gap (mid-price) and The Rack (lowest price). At Express, I tried on four pairs, all ranging from $89-$110 a pair. My body shape is petite and pear-shaped and fits into a size 10, so I have to try styles for both body types. I tried on Stella Low Rise Skinny, Stella Low Rise Boot Cut, Wide Leg and Distressed. They were OK – some better than others – but I wasn’t completely wowed.

Next stop was to the Gap Outlet and jeans that were all about $45 a pair. I tried on the exact same pair but in different colors. Black, Dark Rinse and Medium Super Skinny. The crazy part about these was the size differences. Black was a size 8, Dark a size 6, and Medium a size 10. I am usually a 10, but fluctuate up and down. Gap uses totally different material for each jean, so it is wise to ask how to size. Gap gave me a good selection for a fair price.

Lastly, I tried random jeans from The Rack. Like any variety brand store, it is hit or miss. I tried on a dark rinse, low-rise skinny, which was by far the most comfortable (and the cheapest at $36). These are a good everyday jean. They are really thin, so I’m not sure how long they will last. They will work great while wearing boots.

All in all, what matters most is figuring out your shape and trying your jeans on. If you are still really stuck finding the best for your body, buy jeans and photograph yourself in them.

by Jamie Burke