An insider's guide for getting the best of what’s in store.

Jean Pool
Hassle-free denim may sound like an urban myth. But with a little legwork, you can easily find the perfect fit.
By Carla Gonzalez-Hart

What is it about jeans shopping that can reduce an otherwise intelligent, reasonable woman into a frantic mess? Ironically, the very appeal of denim is in its ease—as a universal wardrobe thread that can take you from day to night, dinner to dancing, lounging to lunching. But shopping for this versatile staple can make many women question their bodies, their judgment, even their sanity. The good news is, there are several simple techniques aimed at helping you find the right pair of jeans in the proverbial haystack.

Divide and Conquer
Given the dizzying array of denim available, it’s tempting to sidestep the madness completely and settle on the first pair that vaguely fits—a mistake, according to Larissa Noble, head designer for 7 for All Mankind, who encourages women not to shop half-heartedly or make snap decisions. “Try on as many styles as possible,” she insists. “A pair of jeans can come to life when you try them on. There can be a magic in the fit that you may not have seen on the hanger.” This also means reserving enough time for your jeans-shopping excursion, not relegating it to a lunch-hour event.

Barneys New York denim specialist Erlens Vital also stresses the importance of trusting your inner voice, as opposed to those of your closest shopping buddies. “It’s good to go by yourself,” he says. “After all, you’re your own person—you’re the one who’s going to wear them.” In addition, Vital encourages women to concentrate on fit before fashion: “You want to go with what’s best for your shape, and that may not be the same style J.Lo or Beyoncé is wearing.”

The Perfect Pair
Of course, finding the right fit is easier said than done, but there a few basic guidelines to follow. If you want to minimize a large butt, choose jeans whose back pockets are angled toward the center back seam. To enhance a small backside, also opt for back pockets but avoid superlow rises, which can have a flattening effect (and run the risk of revealing unwanted cleavage). Extremely high-waisted styles may look fabulous on the runway, but unless you’re a six-foot supermodel, the most flattering waist will most likely be one that hits around the hipbone—not too high or too low (most manufacturers offer a range of rises, from ultra-low to natural waist). To create the appearance of longer legs, avoid Capris and shorter styles, and instead opt for jeans whose cuffs extend to the mid-heel. For an instant thigh-minimizing effect, try a classic boot-cut shape whose side seams are positioned slightly toward the front (this creates a slimming optical illusion for virtually every body). And to add curves, forego straight, skinny styles in favor of boot-cuts or cargos.

Along with the fit, there’s the fabric—something that should prompt you to think about what you really want out of your jeans. “A lot of people love stretch because it’s soft and feels more comfortable,” Vital says. “A non-stretch fabric isn’t going to move as well with your figure.” Conversely, “a thin fabric with a lot of stretch is going to loosen up very quickly” (for that reason, you may want to go down a size), while a non-stretch will hold its shape longer. To find out how much stretch a pair of jeans has, take a look at the tag (the Lycra/spandex content can range from 0 to 20 percent).

Keeping It Fresh
When it comes to trends, Vital and Noble both advise shoppers to beware of throwing good money after bad—wasting money on a fad whose time has come and gone. Just because you liked those enormous flares in the ’90s, for example, doesn’t mean they’ll look good today. Also watch out for overly embellished styles: Not only can excessive decoration date a look; it also cuts down on the versatility that makes jeans so sought-after in the first place. As far as washes, “We see them moving in a cleaner, darker direction, with fewer embellishments and more experimentation with silhouettes,” Noble says.

Stores are currently featuring a variety of fashionable leg widths, from dangerously skinny, such as 7 for All Mankind’s white Roxy Jeans, to ultra-wide, like the brand’s soon-to-be debuted Emma Trousers (“our widest jean yet,” Noble exclaims). But if you prefer a more classic look, Vital praises the ever-popular boot-cut: “It’s a timeless look that offers a lot of advantages, including various shoe options,” he says. For a pair of dark, non-stretch boot-cut jeans that will retain their shape, check out Paige Jeans Hollywood Hills.

And finally, to ensure success, think of jeans shopping as an exercise in discovery, not self-doubt. Trust your instincts, be realistic, and keep your eye on the prize—the prize, of course, being the addition of a new beloved staple to your wardrobe.

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