How to find jeans that suit your body type
Marta Ābele
Remember: it's not your fault. It's the jeans.
Today I want to tell you something really important that so many women forget day to day -
it's not your fault when jeans don't look good.
It's the cut of the jeans that's to blame.
And once you find YOUR pair... everything changes.
That's why I've put together a simple, very practical guide to help you work out:
which jeans to choose for your body type and why they work in YOUR favour.
Every style of jeans changes your silhouette - it lengthens, shortens, balances or adds shape.
And it's perfectly normal for one pair to make you feel fantastic and another not so good.
This guide will help you see which jeans work for you - not the other way round.
If your hips are wider than your shoulders
Then the goal is to visually balance your proportions and lengthen your legs.
What suits you best:
- Flared - a gentle flare balances the hips.
- Wide-leg - they don't create an obvious "bell" around the hips but fall beautifully over them and lengthen the line.
How to choose jeans for a pear body type
- small bust
- narrow shoulders, slim arms and a long neck
- a waist much narrower than the hips
- a long torso and waist
- pronounced hips and thighs
Recommended jeans
- dark, close-fitting
- wide-leg, relaxed
- straight or "Mom"
- flared
- with a flare
If your fullest area is around the waist
The goal - to create a visually elongated vertical line and a balanced silhouette.
What suits you really well:
- Straight - they don't needlessly draw attention to the wider part of the waist, but create a rounded, balanced silhouette.
- Wide-leg with a high waist - the higher waist gives shape and visually lengthens your legs.
How to choose jeans for an apple body type
- soft upper arms
- a full bust
- wide hips
- full thighs
- a heavier midsection
- rounded legs
Recommended jeans
- high-waisted
- flared or straight
- with a firm, shaping tummy panel
- dark
- wide-leg, relaxed
If your shoulders, waist and hips are a similar width
The goal - to add volume and movement to the lines of your shape.
What works best:
- Straight, relaxed cut - adds a little volume.
- Wide-leg or with a flare - creates feminine curves where they're less pronounced.
- "Barrel" cut - adds volume and visual movement, and looks great on a slim rectangle.
How to choose jeans for a rectangle body type
- an angular silhouette
- a less defined waist
- even width across shoulders, waist and hips
- an athletic, well-proportioned body
- a flatter, less pronounced bottom
Recommended jeans
- light-coloured
- with different kinds of distressing
- structured wide-leg
- straight
- flared
If you have a defined waist and balanced proportions
The goal - to show off your beautiful lines, not hide them.
Choose:
- Slim / close-fitting - show your natural curves.
- High-waisted and flared, or straight - accentuate the waist and lengthen the line of your legs.
How to choose jeans for an hourglass body type
- a medium to full bust
- broad shoulders
- a curvy silhouette
- a defined waist
- shapely hips
- short but shapely legs
Recommended jeans
- wide-leg
- flared
- flared at the hem
- close-fitting, figure-flattering
- straight
And most importantly:
It's not your fault. It's not your body. It's the jeans.
When the cut matches your body - your look, your mood and your confidence change straight away.
Style tip
Wearing white jeans in winter?! Oh my God! Only joking, tell your grandmother to calm down, it's perfectly fine!
When you build an outfit around cream or white jeans, the key is to balance the light base with deeper shades. Add rich layers, such as a knit, even if it's just thrown over your shoulders. Add suede and leather accessories (a belt, loafers or ankle boots, for example) so it suits the season.
