How to Find the Best Fitting Jeans for You

Blue jeans date all the way back to 1873, when Levi Strauss & Company received an official patent for this now infamous pair of pants. The idea for jeans came about when German immigrant Levi Strauss arrived in the United States to sell materials for tents and wagon covers. He came to realize the real demand was for a new style of pants that were stronger and more durable and he decided to use the canvas to create pants instead. With a few adjustments to the material, it was eventually transformed into denim and the nickname "blue jeans" soon followed. Years later, blue jeans have become a popular staple for women's wardrobes all around the world. From everyday wear to casual work attire, this style of pants can be found just about anywhere. Finding that perfect pair of jeans can seem like a never ending struggle for women, as the right fit, cut, color, and style often seem elusive even with the wealth of denim options currently on the market. The key to finding that perfect pair of jeans is to consider one's body type. Knowing one's shape and size will help any shopper find a pair of jeans that is sure to flatter one's figure.

Best Jeans for Your Body Type
Many clothing companies and designer labels are producing different styles of jeans for every sort of body type. As a result, every woman should be able to find a perfect fitting pair. It is important for shoppers to understand their particular body types, so that the proper style can be selected to make everyone look their best.

Petite Body Type
Petite women often find it challenging to find a pair of jeans that fit right in all the right places. A fit that flatters one's curves and length can be a tricky combination to find. Many designers in the fashion industry consider a petite size to be five feet four inches tall or shorter, and have begun to design jeans and other clothing styles specifically for this body type. Women of this stature should try to shop in the petite section of a store, and focus on petite lines of denim if available. Petite clothes are tailored to this particular body type. Specific tailoring includes shorter inseams and a lower rise to the jeans, which will prevent bunching around the groin area. Of course, petite styles will also be cut shorter than regular length jeans as well. This will often eliminate the need to have pants shortened by a professional tailor, which only adds to the cost and time needed in finding a pair of jeans that fits properly.

Best Jeans for a Petite Shape
Women who are petite should avoid baggier styles, as this cut of denim will appear to swallow up a smaller body type. Styles that are more fitted throughout the top of the leg, with either minimal flare or a straight leg at the bottom are most flattering to a petite frame. Shorter women should avoid wearing extremely low rise jeans, which will make legs appear shorter. Instead, try pairs that sit on the waist or just below it. This fit requires the design of the pant legs to be made longer, which in turn makes a woman's actual legs appear longer as well. Lengthwise, jeans should go just past the ankles to elongate the leg and create more height as well. Darker colored jeans are best for petite women, and make them appear lean and tall. These style guidelines can apply to both women who are regular or plus-size in petite wear. No matter what size a woman wears, ill-fitting clothes will make her appear larger or more misshapen than she actually is.

Rectangular Body Type
Women who are built in a more rectangular or boy-shaped way commonly have a body that goes straight up and down with minimal to no curves. This causes the waist to be undefined, so women of this shape often want jeans that will create a more hourglass figure. Women with a rectangular shape tend to have thin arms and legs, and the right cut of jeans can help accentuate these features while still creating the illusion of curves.

Best Jeans for a Rectangular Shape
It is important to choose styles of jeans that create more shape to one's figure, or at least emphasize what shape the body has naturally. Flared or straight-legged pants that feature a low rise would work best, as these styles will put more attention on the hips in order to give them a more curvy appearance. Tapered pants should be avoided, as these will only put more emphasis on the rectangular shape of the body.

Hourglass Body Type
The hourglass body type is commonly the most coveted body type by women, as it is considered one of the most proportionate of all body types. The bust size and hips are typically proportionate in size, and are usually about ten inches bigger than the natural waistline on a woman with an hourglass figure. Women with this body type should dress to put emphasis on their curves without making themselves appear heavy in any way.

Best Jeans for an Hourglass Shape
Women with an hourglass figure have multiple options when it comes to choosing a great fitting pair of jeans. Those who have a thin hourglass figure would look great in a pair of skinny jeans, which will show off curves in all the right places. For women who tend to carry a bit more weight in the hips, a pair of low- or mid-rise jeans with a flared silhouette will help balance out the shape of the body. Women with an hourglass figure should avoid jeans that are high-waisted or baggy, as both of these styles will only hide curves in added fabric and make one look larger. Instead, hourglass curves should be shown off.

Pear Body Type
A woman with a pear-shaped silhouette tends to carry more weight in the bottom part of her body than the top. The neck, shoulders, and back tend to be narrow, while the bust and waist are medium size. A majority of the excess weight tends to be held in the thighs, backside, and calves. When a woman has this shape it is best to try to even out the top and bottom halves of the body, which will in turn take attention away from the larger bottom portion of the body.

Best Jeans for a Pear Shape
With a pear-shaped figure, it is best to seek out straight-legged or bootcut style jeans with a relaxed fit. These will not cling too closely to the body, but will also not be too baggy or make a woman appear larger in size than she actually is. Dark colors work best and help make the body appear longer and leaner than other light colored styles.

Apple Body Type
Women who are apple-shaped in nature typically have a more proportionate upper and lower body, while their midsection is where most of the excess weight is carried. The torso is larger on this body type, with a minimally defined waistline and thinner legs. When dressing an apple-shaped body, it is best to try to camouflage the stomach area while creating an overall even appearance in size.

Best Jeans for an Apple Shape
When shopping for a proper fitting pair of pants for a woman of apple-shaped proportions, it is best to choose dark colored jeans that are plain and flat in design. Avoid jeans that include pleats, tucks, or other busy details that will draw attention to the waistline. Considering many women who are apple-shaped tend to have skinnier legs, try to even out the body without putting emphasis on particular problem areas. Jeans with a mid-rise design that are either bootcut or flared in nature are the best option for this body type. Tapered or skinny jeans will put the focus on thinner legs and thus make the body appear disproportionate.