Everything You Need to Know About Finding the Perfect Jeans

Denim is one of the toughest and scariest things to shop for, not just for the slimmer. Consistently topping surveys, charts and reports, plus size jeans are the hardest thing to shop for! More often than not, you will find yourself buying 10-20 pairs of jeans that never quite fit, and it’s just insane!

However, equipping yourself with the right tools while shopping will only alleviate anxiety and sometimes instill confidence, making you feel more confident while shopping!

Below are a few tips for shopping for plus size jeans…

Everything You Need to Know About Finding Plus Size Denim

To cut

Let’s talk about the different shapes of jeans. In general, there are usually four/five styles that differ from these, depending on what’s trending right now.

The main cut types where you can find plus size jeans:

• Boot Cut– this universal cut grazes the thigh with a slight opening that breaks at the knee
• Skinny– these fashion-forward jeans strip the thigh and stay fitted across the calf and ankle
• wide leg– often referred to as trouser jeans, this denim attaches to the waist and seat and begins to flare at the top of your thigh and continues to flare throughout.
• flare leg– these jeans are usually very tight to the thigh and flare outward noticeably more than a boot cut.
• straight leg– these jeans have a straight up and down cut along the leg from waist to hem. As trends emerge, this style is seen in boyfriend jeans or casual-fit jeans.

rise

This refers to where the jeans hit your waist. This is the length of fabric from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. Knowing the rise of your jeans, how the jeans hit your waist, the comfort level will help lengthen the legs and strengthen the back.

• natural ascension– Regular jeans sit between nine and eleven inches. The waistband sits just above or below the belly button.
• Low Rise– It can vary by around eight inches, but up or down an inch. Expect this jean to sit about three inches below the belly button.
• Super Low Rise– An increase of up to seven inches and varies from there, can go up to three inches above the crotch
• high rise– Over eleven inches, these jeans traditionally cover the belly button

Wash

The washing of jeans refers to the texture and color of the jeans, which affects their appearance. Washes can affect the wear, fabrication and life of jeans as well as completing an overall look.

Spandex and Lycra

The magic of denim and its ability to hug your curves is a blend of both Spandex and Lycra. It is the use of one of these that gives denim its flexibility.

I know:

• The optimum spandex level should be between 1 and 4 percent.
• 100% cotton denim takes less time to wear than stretch denim
• The higher the percentage of Spandex or Lycra, the more likely the jeans will lose their shape.
• Regular jeans will last much longer as the elastic fibers are more prone to breakage

Plus Size Denim Designers

If you’re looking for plus size jeans for your curves, don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered a list of plus size denim brands and designers we know and love.

Here are the plus size denim designers, brands and retailers you should know:

If your favorite brand isn’t here, don’t worry, leave us a comment and we’ll add them to our list!

Do you want to keep your plus size jeans for as long as possible?

Here are a few maintenance tips for your plus size jeans:

Madewell jeans professional Mary Pierson, shares a few tips on the site and we had to share these tips here!

1. Wear often, wash less. “Don’t wash your jeans too often. The less they touch the water, the longer the color will last. I know people who are deadly and wear jeans for two years without washing them. This might scare clean freaks out, but natural elements like ozone in the air, some dirt and body oil add beauty and character to jeans. It’s like the headboard and dirty hair are a little sexy—same for jeans.”
2. Wash them inside out. Mary continues to share HOW to wash them: “Wash inside out in cold water with a mild detergent to preserve their colour. Don’t use bleach – each time the bleach touches the indigo it gets lighter.”
3. Hang dry or air dry. “It’s best to let them air-dry, and if they’ve hardened a bit, you can put them in a low-heat dryer for a few minutes to soften them.”

Did this help you? Think you can score your next pair of jeans with these tips? Let us know what you think and where you got your favorite jeans!

Happy shopping!