When shopping for women's jeans, there are many different features and considerations to keep in mind. All women’s shapes change throughout their lives so even when we find that perfect pair of jeans, remember that those jeans won’t always fit the same way. The perfect fit isn’t always the same for every person or even perfect for the same person, depending on the outfit, comfort, style, purpose, etc. Over time jeans have grown past just the weekend use and have evolved into an option for every time, occasion and aspect of our daily lives. Because jeans are so versatile and can be dressed down, dressed up or fit everywhere in between, most women have multiple pairs of jeans. Though the search is never complete.
The Five Important Questions
1: What are the newest trends?
A: Jean trends change constantly. While it took a while for some to fall into the skinny jean trend, it may take longer to let it go. The newest trend leads to either the baggy, stonewashed look (think 90s skater), or towards the more clean, crisp skinny bootcut for a slim look, (think Friends character Rachel Green). Embellishments from pockets to hems are all over. Fringe undone hems and distressed legs lend to a more comfortable and laid back look while stylish pocket embroidery details and clean bootcut jeans are showing to be more appropriate for the workplace look.
2: What types of washes are there?
A: Depending on the type of look you want, the runways are showing everything from stone-washed to dark-washed, but color is king now. Bright colors and muted tones are all in the mix from greys to violets to lemon to azure. These colors are fun to add with solids or even to mix with patterns and other shades. Keep in mind that washes can make an impact on the size and fit as well. Baggy fits that are similar to the oversized jeans from the 90s skater appear in lighter stonewashed colors. Dark washes are more fitting for a more crisp fit, as they tend to hold shape better.
3: What types of rises are there?
A: When trying on jeans, you will find that different types of rises are abundant. This impacts the look and fit drastically. The rise of your jeans essentially determines where the jeans fit you specifically which in turn determines where your waistline is. Because it may create an illusion of that waistline, be careful about the perceived dimensions. The right rise can flatter while the wrong rise can distort. Low rise jeans are meant to fit below your waist along your hip. Think of the 70s bell bottom top. If you tend to have a more boyish figure, low rise will flatter your hips. Mid-rise tends to reflect the natural lie of your waist and hips. This mid-rise, also known as natural rise, is flattering to most as it can hide a little extra around your natural waistline while still maintaining comfort and flattering your curves. Sitting right at the navel or above is your high or even super high rise. These tend to hide your midsection but still create a becoming straight look due to the height of the crotch area.
4: What different leg openings are there?
A: Leg openings of your jeans truly depend on your look and comfort. Here are the some of the main leg openings types: skinny, straight, bootcut, flared and wide leg. As skinny jeans taper in from the knee, they are versatile enough to be worn with flats, boots or heels though they seem to be trending out. Straight and bootcut jeans are trending upward currently. They create a straight look because they maintain the same width from knee to leg whereas the bootcut narrows slightly at the knee, opening wider for the shoe hence boot or heel. The flared jean creates the visual look of the bell bottom. Wide leg jeans are often worn more for comfort as they maintain a more relaxed look throughout balancing for wider hips and legs.
5: How should you wash your jeans?
A: It is famously said that an iconic jeans designer NEVER washed his jeans, yet anyone that has worn their favorite pair more than a few times knows that jeans lose shape and fit. Many brands have begun to detail their care and wash on their labels but maintain that every 10 wears is ideal. Typical instructions say to wash inside out in cold water with like colors while either hang drying (recommended by most brands) or to dry with low heat if needed. The lifetime of your jeans will depend drastically on how much, how often and how you wash them.