A Shopper’s Guide to Buying Jeans That Fit Perfectly
Jeans are the essential element of almost any wardrobe. You can wear this versatile piece anywhere and everywhere. It looks stylish when you have the right jeans for your body type that are paired well with clothes and accessories. So, 5-Minute Crafts has a few tips and tricks for you to learn before buying jeans so that you fit comfortably into almost any style.
1. Size
Get familiar with the international scale of sizes, from ХХS to 4XL. However, it may not always be the same size that fits you when you try them. Here’s a little trick you can use:
- Take a pair of jeans that you like, make a fist, and put your arm in the waist. If it doesn’t fit, the jeans are too small. If you placed your arm in and there’s still free space, they’re too big. If the arm fits perfectly, the jeans will probably fit you.
2. Length
To determine your jeans’ correct length, here’s a trick:
- Hold the pants in your hands and spread your arms parallel to the floor to form a straight line. The jeans are too short if you can’t straighten your arms at the elbows. If the length of the jeans and your arms are the same, they’ll most likely fit you.
3. Ankle width
To find slim jeans, remember this trick:
- Make a fist and put it through the pant leg. The jeans are too tight if the fist doesn’t go through the seam. The jeans will be good at the ankles if you can get your fist through.
4. Rise
Mid-rise jeans will balance the upper part of the body. Mid-rise jeans are suitable for the following types of body shapes:
- Oval — people with this body shape usually have narrow hips, medium shoulders, larger breasts, and bigger bodies.
- Rectangle — the width of the shoulders is about the same as the hips, and the width of the chest is the same as the waist.
- Triangle — big shoulders and chest with relatively narrow hips.
High-rise jeans serve as a balance for the lower part of the body and make the upper part of the body look great. They’re suitable for the following body types:
- Pear — suitable for those with wide hips, narrow shoulders and chest, and a visible waist.
- Hourglass — the hips and the chest are the same width, the waist is visible, and the shoulders, along with the buttocks, are rounded.
5. Pocket height
- When you buy jeans, pay attention to the back pockets. They shouldn’t be too low. The best pocket positioning to make the hips look great is about 1.5 inches above the inner seam.
6. Fly length
- If the fly is high and short, it will make the hips look visually longer and steal attention from the waist. The best height is about 1.5 inches higher than the inner seam.
7. Quality
- Zips and buttons. Ensure the buttons on your jeans are well-made, while the zipper has to go and click at the end. Always check that there’s a spare button.
- Seams. Check the seams on the sides and the pockets — they should be even and follow a specific pattern. Carefully stretch the jeans at the seams — if you can see the threads tear, this is a red flag. Always go for a thick hem with loops.
- Threads. Check to see if there are threads sticking out, which signals that the jeans were made in huge batches quickly, and the quality wasn’t a high priority. Before purchasing, make sure you don’t see any threads out of place.
- Material. Stretchy jeans are made of cotton and a bit of elastane to make them stretchy and comfortable. Make sure it doesn’t exceed 2% elastane. The jeans will stretch fast and lose their shape over time if there’s more.
- Fabric thickness. Jeans with thick or heavy material are better than those with thin fabrics — thick denim will live a longer life. Yet, it may take you some time to get used to them.
Bonus: Some tips on pocket placement
Pocket placement is essential to highlight your curves. Here are some tips that may come in handy:
- Butt and pocket proportions need to be in the correct ratio. If you have small booty, don’t wear oversized pockets, and vice versa.
- Make sure the pockets aren’t too wide or too narrow but are located on your butt’s fullest part and angle. They can be lower, but make sure they end where your bottom meets your leg. If they are too low on your thighs, your legs will look short, or if they are too high, your butt may look flat.
- Remember, if the pockets are too far apart, it can make your butt appear wide.