How to Shop for Jeans

When it comes to shopping woes, buying a perfect pair of jeans that look good on a real woman’s body ranks right up there with finding a perfect bra. By the time you are on your fifth (Okay, fifteenth-that-feels-like-fiftieth) pair, you start wondering if well-fitting jeans actually exist. And if maybe you are the only woman in the world who has a body that doesn’t have the “perfect” waist, hips and legs at the same time.

Well, good news!  You aren’t the only one who wishes that shopping for jeans was as easy as walk in, grab and go. Real women around the world understand exactly what you are going through. Finding a pair of jeans that fit comfortably and look good–it’s not easy. But it’s not entirely impossible, either. Here’s a few “real woman” tips to help you find your perfect pair without loosing your hair.

 

How to Shop for Jeans

1. Have a little Plan

Don’t leave home without a plan. Figure out what your modesty guidelines are. Get some idea of what you want in your ideal pair before you head out the door. This is the number one thing for avoiding shopping frustration.

Ask yourself questions like these:

1. What do I want in a pair of Jeans? (Dressy, Casual, Work?)
2. How do I want to feel when I wear them? (Comfortable, Stylish)
3. What kind of “look” am I going for? (Mature, Trendy, Classic)

You might not even know the exact answers. But asking can help you start finding somewhere to focus. It can help you find a direction to aim for when you actually go out and start shopping.

2. Try them All On.

Unfortunately, there is no magic trick to make finding a perfect pair of jeans a grab-and-go experience.  We’re all unique, and that means that there’s not going to be a one style fits all solution. So there’s still only one way to find a pair that fits you. And you won’t know how it fits or if it fits if you don’t try it on. Chances are you probably won’t find the perfect pair in the first stack you take to the fitting room. Or the second. Prepare yourself to try on more than 15 pairs before you find one that works. It’s the sad, unfortunate truth about shopping for jeans.

So take a deep breath. Bring an honest friend or spouse who can help you stay focused and will give you feedback on what works and what doesn’t for your body.  Make sure you have snacks in your purse. (Because shopping hungry is the worst feeling ever.) Then go and grab an armful of jean possibilities and hit the dressing room and start trying them on.

If you do find the perfect pair on the first try, you are one of the luckiest women alive and should definitely celebrate (quietly, of course)!

2. Size does Matter.

You know that tag in the back of the jeans that has a number on it that tells the size? That number is something we woman tend to hate because sometimes it really hurts. We somehow have started to think that the number on the tag is a judge about who we are or how attractive we look. I know how that feels. 

But here’s the truth about size numbers and tags: Size matters. The number on that tag does not. 

It’s important to wear a jean that fits you well. It will make you feel better about your shape (or less-of-shape) if you wear the size you should be wearing and not anything else.

That number on the tag? It’s just a number, plain and simple. It can change-and it probably will- and that’s okay. Truly.

But don’t make the number your focus when you go shopping. Don’t let yourself believe the lie that any kind of number says anything about how beautiful you really are. Make your shopping trip all about finding the right size that makes you look your best.

3. Style Matters.

If you’ve been in a department store lately, you probably know that there are 101 styles to choose from. It can be overwhelming just to know there are that many options of anything!  So when it comes to jeans, remember that trends in anything are fleeting and rarely flattering to most body types. Instead of focusing on what’s in (and will probably be out next month), focus on the styles that work to your advantage with your body type and that you can pair with tops and accessories to always look well dressed and stylish.

Remember not everyone can and very few should wear those super duper skinny jeans. Aim for something more classic. Pick a wardrobe essential: Straight legged, dark wash denim is very stylish and it’s very flattering for most body types. It’s a classic that will look good this year, next year and five years from now!

Bonus for us shorties

If you are on the shorter side (like me!), it’s incredibly frustrating when you can’t find a single jean that isn’t way too long to even be hemmed decently. After frustrating hours of searching for someone who carried “short” sizes, I discovered a lot of places do offer shorter jeans online. And Amazon actually had the brand that works best for me on sale…in my necessary short size. It never hurts to ask or to look.

4. If it fits, buy two

Take it from a woman who wore the same single pair of jeans for four years.  When the glorious moment comes that you find the brand, style and size that is the best fit for you, buy two pairs. I bought a single pair of jeans that fit me perfectly. I went to the same store and found the same pant in the same size a few years later to replace it. Except…it wasn’t the same anymore. The fabric and cut were different even though the name was the same. So if you find one that fits, do yourself a favor and buy two pairs!

5. Stay Positive.

It’s important to keep a positive attitude. After trying on 15 pairs with no luck, it can be easy to start letting negative thoughts tell you lies about yourself and your body that simply aren’t true. If you start to become discouraged and those negative thoughts try to take over, promise that you’ll take a break. That you’ll step back and remind yourself that your worth isn’t wrapped up in a pair of jeans. You are valued and loved and beautifully made. And no size tag or silly pair of jeans can take that away from you.

More Tips on Shopping for Jeans

Want to learn more about how to find the perfect pair of jeans for you? Here’s some links you might find helpful!

• Perfect Jeans: The Ultimate Buying Guide
• Seven Rules for Jean Shopping
• How to Shop for Jeans in 11 Steps