Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Angela Fashion: The Jeans Guide

• Jo Whiley
• 27 Nov 07, 05:18 PM

Today Angela our fashion expert gave us her guide to the jeans that will suit you.

Here Angela takes us through her top jean tips!

Rules for buying a pair of jeans...

Leave loads of time, or go to a great jean specialist shop where they can do the thinking for you.

For all body types: Make your legs look as long as possible because then your eye automatically assumes your body is in proportion too, which will maximise the impression of your height.

BODY TYPES

Tiny Frame -
Skinny jeans or slim cut jeans and coloured jeans
You can go for flared jeans, but make sure they’re skinny stretch flares not too flappy flares.
And wear your top tucked in or a shorter top that hits the waistband to make your legs look longer. Also buy them down to the floor and wear with heels.

Tall with Long Legs
If you’ve got long legs and you’re slim, you can pretty much wear anything.
I would say women should avoid that classic square cut five pocket 501 jean because it could make your legs look a bit tree trunky.
Flares will look really great even with flat shoes.
Avoid cropped styles because you’ll just look like you’ve grown out of them. And also really bright colours might just look a bit like too much colour.

Pear Shape
Best jean for you, is a subtle boot cut jean in a dark wash with a bit of stretch, you want a wider curved waistband so it won’t gape. Avoid the high waisted thing, it's not great. A mid rise; ie a real waist is better and again, a wider waistband will give the look. A really great cut for pear shapes is the trouser cut.
Pockets are cruicial: Avoid small back pockets, or widely spaced back pockets or no back pockets; all of which will draw attention to the expanse of your behind.
And also; the best best tip; buy jeans with those diagonally slanted slit pockets in front; because your eye will automatically think that’s the outline of your hips, which shaves crucial inches off your silhouette.
Again, buy long and wear with heels because this elongates and balances out the width of your hips.

Apple Shape
Avoid diagonally cut pockets because they will always bag out. The best pockets to disguise a belly are little square or curved patch pockets stuck on the front.
Slim cut jeans with a slightly higher waistband will hold you in more than you expect and are more flattering than the muffin top you’ll get from low rise jeans; and also avoid ultra-skinny stretchy styles. 4% stretch to hold you in.
Wear tops that finish at the base of your belly. Avoid longer tops or stretchy tops. Heels will make you hold your stomach in - and can be excellent for posture.

Larger Ladies
Side zip can be really flattering.
Or wide, parallel leg with a wide hem to balance; the best will be dark wash to elongate and slim.

Men... we haven't forgotten about you!

Shorter
Low or v neckline to avoid looking neckless.
Tuck your tops in, or wear shorter tops that finish at the waistband, avoid low cut waistbands; they’ll make your legs look shorter, as will turn ups. Dark shoes will look better than lighter contrasting shoes because they won’t break up the leg line. Longer shoes, always good.
Go for the waist and thigh fit, and don’t worry about the length, you can get them re-hemmed.

Beer Belly/Love Handles
You want to go for a wider leg jeans to balance your midriff, not too low waisted, and preferably a wider waistband. Should sit just below your belly button. Don’t wear a belt, because your just highlighting the circumference or your body. And always wear tops that finish a couple of inches below your belly. Any lower and it could look a bit like a dress. Never tuck in. A looser shirt, preferably in some kind of large pattern, then with a black suit style jacket or a stiff zip up leather jacket over the top worn open, so you just see a narrow strip of pattern.

Skinny
Shorter Boxier jackets are good because they widen the torso, epaulettes great for adding shoulder emphasis. Horizontal stripes. Thicker knits, but not oversized. Go for slim cut, not skinny skinny. Low rise is fine, will add curves to your legs.

Athletic with Chunky Thighs
Wear a wide leg jean, with a lighter wash, to balance the silhouette and stop it appearing too top heavy. Vertical striped shirts, tailored jacket. Tuxedo lapel will play up strong shoulder line, if necessary buy trouser that fit around the tush, but have the waist taken in.

Tall
Go for midwidth to avoid looking like a stick insect. If you go too wide, you’ll look bottom heavy. Broaden chest with horizontal stripes. Or layered knits; crew under v or zip up. A contrasting colour shoe adds a bit of visual interest.