Best Jeans for Women

 The best jeans for every style and shape, tested by a team of very opinionated readers.
Jeans for the Executive 
"Levi’s 501s are my comfort zone, so this wide-leg, waist-high style is new for me. They’d be great for work with a very fitted jacket." — Julia Jordan, 46, physician recruiter

Crisp, dark flares with an urban attitude and high rise are this fall’s black pants. Jordan’s Not Your Daughter’s Jeans ($118), with three percent spandex, have angled pockets in front and none behind for a sleeker shape. Lauren by Ralph Lauren wool tweed jacket ($260). Anna Sui wool turtleneck ($216). Lauren by Ralph Lauren pumps ($148).

 Joe’s ($158) Businesslike classics with a subtle high rise and enough polish for a blazer pairing.

 "I’m all about vintage-look funky jeans. Finding a style that fits my waist and my derriere is always the challenge." — Beth Kristiansen, 43, aesthetician

Beat-up hippie flares with an artsy soul are reincarnated as brand-new fades with a curve-accommodating fit that true vintage lacks. They’re great with this year’s floaty tunics and wedges. Kristiansen is wearing True Religion "Joey" style ($253) with contour seaming that slims the legs. Max & Co. silk tunic ($198). Kate Spade shoes ($325). Henry Beguelin bag ($1,325).

 Levi’s Red Tab flare jeans ($44) Soft as flannel PJs, with faux patch pockets in back to minimize your rear.

 "Right now I prefer wide-leg jeans worn with a body-conscious sweater — exactly the opposite of last year’s skinny jeans and a loose top." — Terri Borden, 44, fashion consultantSuper-wide high-waist jeans are this season’s hotties. Lightweight denims that mimic menswear weaves in sophisticated gray-blues or indigo top the list. Length matters: The hem should just skim the floor. Borden is wearing Hudson Jeans ($190) linen-weight style with deep patch pockets that lie flat under fitted tops. M Missoni top ($595). Manolo Blahnik shoes ($615). Tory Burch bag ($425). Suzi Roher belt ($345).

 "Stretch jeans and a pretty sweater are a quick, low-key solution for evenings out with my husband. It never looks like I’m trying too hard." — Molly Mahn, 42, former ad executive, mother of four

All our testers wanted one pair of tight, sexy jeans that are not super-low. These three won’t reveal your thong; pair them with feminine tops, metallic stilettos, and a fancy necklace. Mahn is wearing AG Adriano Goldschmied "Angel" ($145) with two percent stretch. White + Warren sweater ($155). Michael Kors sandals ($695). Anya Hindmarch bag ($980). R.J. Graziano necklace ($85).

Hottest Jeans for Curvy Women

The best jeans for curvy women are created to accentuate your curves and create a fantastic and impressive feminine silhouette. They are called skinny jeans because they hug your physique - and extend the legs. And curvy women look great in a pair of tight jeans. They hug your thighs, calves and ankles for a "thin " look.

 

Top Brands of Jeans for Curvy Women

When choosing the best pair of jeans for curvy women, look for the following key design elements that will flatter your figure. If the jeans look great from the front view but are less flattering from the rear view toss them.

• Choose a dark shade, black or navy hued denim

• Opt for a pair of jeans with some stretch that will hug your curves yet not appear overly tight or too small.

• Look for a boot cut or wide leg style which compliment a curvier figure

• Avoid distressed jeans, faded jeans and jeans with a lot of streaks  

• If you prefer a tapered look then opt for a pair of cuffed boyfriend style jeans as they look beautiful on a full figured curvy woman.

How to choose the jeans that look right for your body type

Curvy women like me often tend to have an hourglass figure. Back in the 40’s and 50’s that type of figure was highly desired. Men liked their women to have curves. Today, however, we are a bit outdated since modern man seems to prefer a slimmer form. Consequently, some fashions on the market today are not cut to fit our body type. Unfortunately, that also includes jeans.

Hourglass figures tend to have an average to ample sized bust, full hips, a rounded bottom, and a defined waist. Think about what was once considered the perfect figure – 36/24/36 – and you’ve got the hourglass shape.
An amazing number of women, particularly those over the age of 50 and women with sedentary lifestyles, fall into the pear shaped category. The overall silhouette looks just like its name suggests. It is that of a pear; smaller on top and bigger on the bottom. Women who fall into this category generally have a smaller than average bust size, a well-defined waist, exaggerated hips, and a full rounded bottom. It is often difficult to purchase an outfit straight off the rack to fit this body type. If the bottom piece fits, the top is often way too big. On the flip side, if the top fits properly then the bottoms are generally far too tight.

While the more Rubenesque women of days gone by often fall into one of the top two categories, today’s ideal woman is totally different. A common body type today is rectangular in shape with an average bust size, flat bottom, and waist that is barely defined. It is often referred to as a “boyish figure.”

Although the rectangular body is generally slim overall, few garments, including jeans, are made without clear definition between the bust, waist, and hips. I know lots of women with this body type who end up purchasing their jeans in the boy’s department. While the jeans may fit better than most that are made specifically for women, they are by no means perfect.

Another common form among today’s woman is the inverted triangle. Although there are some similarities between this and the pear shaped body type, there are also decided differences. Women in this category tend to have a medium to ample sized bust, an average waist, and narrow hips. Bottoms can be average with a shape that is flat or slightly rounded.

Once you have defined your body type, it becomes easier to shop for jeans that will fit.

General tips for choosing the best jean fit

If you throw up your hands in desperation because you just can’t figure out which body type you are, then try sticking to some general tips that should offer any figure a longer, leaner look:

•     Choose stretch denim. Not only is it more comfortable, it is also more forgiving.

•     When in doubt, opt for a relaxed fit, medium rise jean.

•     Never choose jeans that are too bulky or baggy.

•     It’s hard to go wrong with the standard five-pocket classic jean.

•     Most women can wear boot cut and flared leg jeans because they make any figure look long and learn

•     Few women can wear the skinny jean or tapered cut well because they basically require the perfect body. If it’s a choice between jeans that are snug or those a little big, go for the snug. Denim relaxes as it is worn.

•     Don’t choose jeans that are either too short or too long. The hem should cover most of your shoe.

•     Darker denims make any body appear slimmer while excessively light denims can actually add bulk.

•     Avoid focusing on “size” and pay attention to “fit.”

•     Be certain that back pockets don’t add ugly bulk or make the bottom look too large because of embellishment.

•     Just because everyone else is wearing embellishment doesn’t mean you have to if it doesn’t flatter your figure.

•     Make sure that “fades” accent your figure rather than working against it.

•     Take your body measurements with you on your search so sales clerks can help you locate the right fit.

•     Don’t get hung up on a designer label. Look for jeans that fit, even if that means a cheap pair of Levis.

Once you understand which cut and fit of jean best suits your body type, narrow down your choices that also suit your personal style. To make a statement with your jeans, they have to suit who you are as a person. That is almost as important as the fit itself.

Perfect Jeans - 5 Tips on How to Find Them

Oh, the joy of putting on a pair of perfect jeans that actually make you look slim and trim. Finding said denim - one that shapes and flatters to create a nice lean look - can feel like searching for fashion's Holy Grail. And while we agree that assessing which clothes to wear for your particular body shape can be daunting, the challenge of finding the right jeans can be broken down into five helpful tips. Here they are:
    Fabric Support: Lycra or Spandex are key to providing support and hiding some imperfections. It will literally "hold you in" and smooth out your silhouette creating the effect of long lean legs (and this is why we love perfect jeans, right ladies?). This fabric will also prevent sag and contour your butt to create a lifting effect. (Levi's 545 low-rise jeans are great for this as are many of J Brand's offerings, if you want to spend a little more.) "The most important thing is finding the right fit for you," says Michael Griffin, Executive Vice President of Product at Lucky Jeans Brand. "Don't be afraid of a 'skinny' fit; you don't have to be slim to wear skinny jeans."
    Waistband Placement: The waistband should hit below the belly button and should be stretchy. You should feel support but it should not pinch or trigger spillover. "The key to avoid muffin top is to avoid wearing jeans that are WAY too tight," says Nate Freeman, Creative Director Of 4 Stroke, the indie rock n' roll-inspired label worn by the likes of Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. "If you are on the short side and have curves avoid super tight skinny jeans because they will make you look shorter and wider in the middle. Wear a slimmer straight leg in a dark wash."

•     Avoid "Whiskering" and "Fading": "Whiskering" is the treatment applied to denim in which faded lines are added in the certain areas (usually the crotch, thighs, knees). Sometimes these lines can accentuate and widen your hips. "Fading" is to be avoided if you are craving a clean look. The denim discoloration will draw attention to unwanted areas (like the thighs and butt) and highlight them.

•     Look for Clean Washes: Whether you chose a light or dark wash (the latter is generally the most flattering across the board), make sure the lines are kept simple. Contrast stitching, embellished pockets, or excessive distress can add volume. "Wash can help create a slimmer look," says Griffin. "Dark washes tend to be more slimming versus lighter washes."

•     Pocket Placement: "This is very important," says Freeman. "In Europe I see lots of jeans with long pockets that come all the way down past the butt, and it looks good on about three people!" When shopping for that coveted pair of perfect jeans, your first instinct is to immediately turn around and look at how your butt looks. Assess the where the pockets hit on your body. The bottom of the pocket should be in alignment with the very top of your thigh. Low pockets will sag or flatten the butt instead of contouring it.