Find the Perfect Pair of Jeans

DENIM FACTS

In 1948, there was a Gold Rush in the USA. Miners were desperate for strong work trousers … and thanks to one man … Levi Strauss … jeans were born.
Jeans became mainstream in the 1940s courtesy of the Silver Screen. Hollywood started producing Westerns, where cowboys were always seen wearing jeans and fans wanted to imitate their on-screen heroes. Later, film stars such as James Dean and Marlon Brando glamourised the look for the developing 1950s teenage market. It was Marilyn Monroe who made jeans sexy for women with her role in The Misfits (1961).
And the rest, as they say …. is history!

TOP TIPS:

1: Be Prepared – think about when and where you will be wearing your jeans as this will affect the cut and colour. Girls, will you be wearing heels? If so, you’ll need a longer leg length.

2: Looking Good – try to go Jeans shopping in a positive frame of mind. Make a bit of effort with your appearance and think about what you are wearing on top. If you feel confident, you’ll be more likely to find something you are happy with.

3: Don’t Scrimp – Choose your jeans on how they fit, rather than what they cost. If you find a great pair of jeans that cost a bit more than you had budgeted, it’s worth spending the extra – think about the cost per wear!

4:Make Amends – If you find jeans that look fabulous but are much too long, don’t despair, you can easily get the leg altered. Some shops offer an alteration service; otherwise a good dressmaker or tailor can do it for you.

5: Safety in Numbers – once you’ve found a great fitting pair of jeans, buy them in different leg lengths and different colours so you’ve got a pair to suit every occasion.

Finding the perfect pair of jeans….. if you are ….. TALL Jean Genie says:

Long legs can look amazing in jeans, but sometimes they have a tendency, especially on guys, to look a bit gangly. This is easy to avoid by following a few simple rules:
• Finding the right leg length is key – keep a look out for brands that do a longer leg length. A jean that is too short is a huge fashion no-no – never be tempted to risk it! 
• Lighter shades work well – but be careful not to go too pale. This is definitely one for the guys to consider. Girls, you can probably get away with it.  
• Girls – take it low rise if you want to balance out long legs and a short body.
• Guys – how about trying a slight flare or boot cut to add bulk to skinny legs? Choose darker denim with fading on the thigh or calf area to create width.
• Girls – any style will work for you if you legs are long and lean – try skinny or get totally on-trend with the 70s flare.
 
Finding the perfect pair of jeans….. if you worried about your BUM Jean Genie says:

Anyone out there with a slightly rounded derriere will know how hard it is to find a perfect pair of jeans. If you follow these tips, you’ll soon be wearing your jeans with pride.
• Avoid pockets: extra pockets add bulk so be sure that your jeans don’t have side pockets.
• Use pattern wisely: Steer clear of embellishment on the back pockets as this will draw attention to the area. Make sure that an fading is accentuating the positives and not highlighting those not-so-good bits.
• Low or high rise? A lower rise jean elongates the torso but you must be aware of any unsightly overspill from the top of your waistband … the dreaded muffin top! A higher waisted style will create a smoother line – just wear a longer top to balance the proportions.
• Boot cut or kick flare are great styles to balance out a bigger bum. Stretch denim works well and if your legs are good you can try a skinny jean or straight leg.
• Remember, dark colours are more slimming.
It’s not just those of us with a larger bottom that have concerns, for those with a distinct lack of behind, there are many different ways to create the illusion of curves.
• If you’ve got a small bum, try dazzling with designs and embellishment to add interest and draw the eye. Fading is a great way to create curves and add bulk. A high waist band can also create a more curvaceous shape.
• In terms of style, anything goes but a looser ‘boyfriend’ cut works really well. Both girls and guys need to be aware of wearing anything too fitted if they have no shape.

Finding the perfect pair of jeans….. if you worried about your TUM Jean Genie says:

For those people out there who are yet to achieve the washboard stomach or abs to die for, there are lots of ways to hide a tummy.
• The first thing to do is to draw the eye away from the problem area. If your bum is an asset then pockets on the back of your jeans, with or without embellishment, will draw the eye to the back of your body. If your bum could do with a bit of work too, it’s best to keep it simple – clean lines and a darker denim work best.
• Remember your underwear. The right underwear can work wonders and will hold you in in all the right places!
• Keep it natural. A natural waistband is probably the safest bet but be sure it fits well. You don’t want a waistband that is digging in but you also don’t want one that gapes as this results in the unsightly ‘builders’ bum when you sit down…. Not a good look!
• A boot cut jean works well as it balances out the body and draws the eye to the lower leg. The flare or kick flare is also a great style to try. A tapered leg or a skinny jean will tend to emphasise a top heavy figure, so should be avoided.

Finding the perfect pair of jeans….. if you are ….. SHORTer than average Jean Genie says:

If you are shorter than average, or feel that you have a long body and short legs, then you can follow a few simple rules to add length to your legs.
• Always make sure your jeans are almost to the floor – either in heels or flats – this will serve to lengthen the leg.
• A higher waist will add more length over all. If you wear a shorter top, you will balance out your body.
• For guys, the classic five pocket jean in a dark denim will lengthen the leg… and look smart too!
• If you find a pair of jeans that fit well at the top but are too long in the leg, don’t forget you can easily have them taken up. Always remember that any alterations need to be done in the same thread colour as the original seams.
• If you are under 5ft 3ins, you can check out the petite ranges in many stores. Petite jeans will be more in proportion for your height and smaller frame.

FOR MEN ONLY

The jean shape and selection for men is different – mainly due to genetics. You’ve certainly got a lot less to worry about in terms of waist to hip ratio! The most common problems facing men are selecting jeans which fit the bottom correctly and are also the right leg length.
Too tight around the bottom and you can end up not only looking, but also feeling decidedly uncomfortable. Too loose and you tend to lose all shape.
In terms of leg length, NEVER EVER wear jeans that are too short ... It is the biggest fashion faux-pas out there for men … and is something the Jean Genie feels particularly strongly about.
Another concern – wearing your jeans too high – think Simon Cowell! Need we say more?!

Your body shape isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing jeans – think about your height and your proportions. Most people have a mix of body shapes – for example, if you have a short body and long legs but are pear shaped with a bit of a tummy, your perfect jeans will have a waistband that sits just below the natural waist, a long, lean cut with a slight flare in dark, stretch denim.