Guidelines for finding the perfect pair.

« Previous |  1 of 1  | Next »

Buying jeans can be a daunting task: Not only do you have to sort through dozens of style details, but you also have to find a pair that works with your particular body. While the flatter factor varies greatly from cut to cut and brand to brand, there are a few baseline rules to follow when shopping for jeans:

Go for a straight or boot-cut leg. A straight leg falls straight from the hip to the hem; a boot cut flares slightly (to give jeans room to fit over boots). Both cuts are slimming and make you look taller and leaner. Avoid tapered legs, as they give an unbalanced silhouette and make hips and rear end look big.

Pick big pockets. The smaller the pockets, the larger your derriere will look. Choose jeans with pockets that nearly fill the space between the rise (the length of jean between your crotch and waistband) and the edges of your rear.

Stick to a dark wash. Dark denim jeans always look polished and are most flattering.

Try a low waist. In the past few years, waistbands have steadily lowered. While an ultra-low waist is better left to teenagers, jeans labeled "low waist" are actually flattering to women of all shapes and ages. Avoid jeans that come all the way up to your waist, as they make your lower half look pear-shaped.

Add some stretch. Jeans with a touch of Lycra or spandex are flattering because they hug your curves, and they're comfortable because they move with your body (instead of pulling or tugging).