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Have jeans just never really worked for you? We get it. They can be uncomfy, unflattering, and unforgiving. We would love to live in our loyal leggings forever, but the yoga-ready bottoms are not ideal for all occasions. 

It’s time for you to scale that denim mountain and discover your perfect pair of jeans. Shopping for jeans shouldn’t be distressing, even if the denim is distressed. So, consider this your complete guide to shopping for jeans that suit your body and aesthetics. From cuts to shades to brands, we’re going to cover it all for you. 

What’s Your Body Type?

Determining your body type is a must if you want to find your soulmate jeans. It’s not as easy as it seems. We are often too familiar with our bodies but from the inside, so it can be tricky to assess things objectively. 

We recommend asking someone you’re close with to evaluate your body shape. If that’s not convincing enough, you can always post pictures of yourself on a subreddit like r/DressForYourBody. These Redditors are often body type experts and can provide unbiased opinions. 

These are the best jean styles for some common body types:

• Hourglass: High-waisted, flared, skinny
• Pear: Dark wash, bootcut, mom
• Apple: Dark wash, flared, wide
• Rectangle: Mid-rise, straight, bootcut
• Oval: High-waisted, slim, bootcut
• Triangle (Spoon): Skinny, slim, mom
• Inverted Triangle (Top Hourglass): Bootcut, boyfriend, straight
• Diamond: Wide, flared, bootcut
• Column (Athletic): Baggy, mom, flared

These are not hard and fast rules, and not all bodies will exactly fit these body types. 

Let’s Cut to the Chase on Cuts

Knowing what jean cut works for your body can be a rocky journey, but once you know what looks good on you, shopping for jeans becomes a breeze. Popular jean cuts include:

• Skinny: The tightest type of jeans. They cling to the legs from the ankle all the way to the hip/waist.
• Slim: Slim jeans are like relaxed skinny jeans, staying close to the body but not tight.
• Straight: The legs don’t taper in toward the ankles; they go toward the ground in a straight line. They’re usually fitted around the hips and thighs.
• Bootcut: Bootcut jeans fit like straight jeans, but the bottoms are slightly wider to accommodate large boots.
• Boyfriend: Boyfriend jeans are typically loose-fitting throughout with a low or mid-rise waist.
• Mom: Mom jeans have a high, fitted waist and structured silhouette with a tapered leg.
• Baggy: Baggy jeans are generally looser than boyfriend jeans and have an oversized look.
• Flared: Flared jeans are an exaggerated bootcut. Bell bottoms flare out dramatically at the bottom.
• Wide: Wide jeans are wide from the waist to the ankle, creating a triangle-like shape and leaving structured space between the legs and the jeans.

These are not the only styles, but they’re the main ones to keep in mind when shopping. Some jeans can cross over multiple categories. Listen, the world of denim is not a perfect science, so leave a little wiggle room (pun intended) in all these definitions. 

Profiling Your Perfect Pair

Now that you know your body and the vast array of jean styles, let’s discuss what factors to consider when looking for denim. Can you squat in them? Do they cover your belly button? Will they last through hours and hours of thighs rubbing together? These questions are essential!

The Stretch

Stretch often determines how comfy and durable a pair of jeans are. For the record, we’re not including jeggings in this conversation. They’re a type of leggings, not a type of jeans. And we’ll die on that hill with a smile.

Stretchy jeans are usually thinner and made with a blend featuring spandex or elastane to enhance the fabric’s give. While they let you move and groove, they’re more likely to rip or wear out over time.

Traditional jeans are made from spun cotton, which gives them that dungaree durability. When you first buy them, they’re often thick and rigid, with little to no stretch. This might sound negative, but traditional denim can last a lifetime, or several! It’s also protective, making it ideal for rough activities like riding a motorcycle, or a horse, or gardening. 

Consider what you want out of your jeans. If you plan to laze around in them, stretch denim is probably better. If you need them to be more life-proof, go with a sturdier denim. 

The Style

We talked about jean cuts, but styles are different. Styles refer to jean categories like distressed, patchwork, cargo, whiskered, and embroidered jeans. From bedazzled pockets to shredded styles with frays and fringes, the style comes down to your individual fashion sense. 

Do you wanna go grunge? Do you like clean-cut and polished outfits? Are you into artistic and sparkly styles? The options are endless, and while we love classic jeans, you don’t have to settle for them if you want something with more pizzazz.

The Shade

Lastly, you have to pick a shade. Of course, there’s the enduring blue jean blue. And then you have timeless styles like light washes and dark washes. But other options include acid, bleach, stone, marble, sunlight, green cast, dirty, raw, and over-dyed washes. Plus, there are colored jeans that come in everything from coral to ivory to bold orange. 

As a general rule of thumb, dark washes are best for creating a slimming look, while light washes can add volume to your silhouette. Brightly colored jeans and funky washes might draw attention where you don’t want it. Be careful when buying flamboyant washes — they can be unflattering. 

Denim Brands That Don’t Disappoint

Not sure where to start shopping? Start with these fabulous brands. 

Levi’s

An icon. A classic. A cornerstone in the world of denim. It’s tough to overstate Levi Strauss & Co.’s impact on the jeans industry. The brand has been giving us good ‘ole blue jeans since 1853, and everyone from yours truly to Beyoncé wears them. They’re always well-made and reliable, so you can’t go wrong with a pair of Levi’s. And they have every shade, style, cut, and stretch you could want. Right now, we’re obsessed with the Baggy Dad Pieced Women’s Jeans.

AGOLDE

AGOLDE manufactures high-quality denim and has plenty of vintage-inspired fits and washes. The brand makes trendy yet timeless styles that celebrities and average Joes both love. If you want something casual and chic, check out the V-Waist Baggy Jeans in Milkshake — super fresh and cozy.

Wrangler

Wrangler is another timeless denim brand known for its quality. This company has a greater hold on the blue-collar, working-man market — so these jeans can be tough and durable. But Wrangler has expanded its collection to include more fashion-forward styles. We’re intrigued by the embroidered jeans, like these Wrangler x Lainey Wilson Embroidered Bell Bottoms.

AG Jeans

AG Jeans is all about the jeans. It’s the company’s thing. Sure, AG makes some jackets and tops and whatnot, but the jeans are the star of this show. Try the Cloud Soft Denim, which incorporates a unique blend of cotton, polyester, and elastane for a supple feel that looks like regular denim. 

Buffalo Jeans

Buffalo Jeans aren’t quite as well-known, but they offer affordable prices and cool jeans. People particularly enjoy their stretch denim varieties, which are comfy and flexible. If you want a pair of wear-everywhere skinny jeans, we highly recommend the High Rise Skinny Skylar Women’s Jeans in Night Rain Blue. The figure-hugging silhouette is ideal for hourglass figures and triangle body types.

Madewell

As its name suggests, Madewell only sells beautifully crafted clothes that feel as good as they look. And these jeans are certainly no exception. You can find plenty of enduring styles or opt for something fierce, like these Low-Slung Baggy Jeans in Dark Coffee Leopard Print.

H&M

H&M is a notable brand, and while people love it, we think its jean selection is overlooked and underrated. Like with Levi’s, H&M has every type of jean you could be hunting for, so it’s a great place to look if you’re at the beginning of your jean journey. You can try on just about every kind of cut and wash to see what works for you. They’re incredibly affordable, and you can find quirky styles like these Denim Pull-On Pants, which we think count as jeans.

Frame

Frame is one of the pricier brands we’ll mention here, but the company loves to push the envelope when it comes to jeans. If you’re bored to death by typical jeans and want something to revamp your look, Frame is the place to shop. For example, The Bubble Crop in Knock Out Raw Fray is a head-turner. These are perfect for slim figures — like athletic or rectangular body types — that want more volume on the bottom.

One Teaspoon

One Teaspoon is another company that’s not afraid to bust out of the metaphorical box and revolutionize jeans. These are runway-level looks that grab people’s attention while offering the reliability and durability of classic denim. We’re loving the Jackson Mid Waist Wide Leg Denim Jeans in Textured White, ‘cause they feel edgy yet elegant.

Nudie Jeans

Nudie Jeans isn’t quite as adventurous, but this brand refused to compromise on quality. Nudie Jeans can be a bit expensive, but considering how long the pants will last, they’re not exorbitant. Breezy Britt Casual Blue is a favorite. The high-rise style works on most body types, and the slim leg is quite flattering. The soft blue wash is lovely and a must-have in every wardrobe.

Paige

If standard jean cuts and styles don’t work for your body or don’t quite suit your tastes, shop Paige’s jeans. The brand offers standout styles that feel unique without being too out-there — perfect if you want something distinct but not weird. For example, the Anessa Petite 25″ Wide Leg Jean is a wide, short cut with boxy front pockets and double belt loops that can be stunning on apple and diamond body types.

The Fitting Room Is Your Friend

You know it. There are times when fitting rooms can feel like the enemy. Between unreliable door locks, the general discomfort, and the glaring fluorescent lighting, we get it. But jeans are tricky (that’s why we made this guide). So whenever possible, try those bad boys on before you swipe your card. It’s the only way to know if you’ve truly found your denim soulmate.