Denim is one of the most universal items of clothing. And while it’s universally worn, it’s also universally frustrating.
Every woman is looking for her perfect pair of jeans. The problem is, there’s no such thing as one perfect pair of jeans. There’s not one style that every woman must own that is magically going to pair with every top and every pair of shoes for every occasion.
Like flowers in your garden, each pair is going to have different properties and qualities and is best used in a particular way. But with a little denim knowledge, you can start navigating your options and discovering what works best for you.
Before you start experimenting, it’s helpful to know some basics.
Cut - Denim ranges all the way from skinny to wide and everything in-between. Choose a cut that’s appropriate for your shape and how you’re looking to style it. Watch the video below for a basic breakdown.
Rise - No matter your shape, stick with a mid-high rise and leave the low rise pants in the early 2000s. This isn’t a matter of what’s in fashion. It’s about fit and comfort.
Inseam - Length is a tricky one and it depends on your shoes and how you like to style your denim. But I’ll keep it simple: Measure your inseam – from the crotch of your pants to your ankle bone. Subtract 1” to get an appropriate cropped style length and add 2-4” for wider cuts you’re wearing with heels.
Fabrication - Denim runs on a spectrum from rigid to super stretchy depending on the ratio of cotton to synthetic fibers. Cotton is durable, but synthetic fibers make jeans more flattering, more comfortable, and help them retain their shape.
Aiming for about 95% cotton will give you that denim feel with a little stretch for comfort and will still hold up in the wash. Plus, more cotton means they can be recycled into things like insulation when you’re done wearing them!
Wash - There are TONS of different washed out there, but you only really need to know that darker, solid washes tend to look more professional (ie. can be paired with your work blazer on casual Friday) and lighter, textured washes have a cool, relaxed vibe.
A shopping note …
If you are drawn to a fun, new denim trend, go ahead and try it. You might find something you like and want to play with! But do not, I repeat, do not go out and buy a bunch of trendy denim just because you feel you need to keep up with what’s new.
Every style comes back around and there are actually people whose job it is to rename, repackage, and rebrand old styles and call them new again just so you will replace an old pair. Find the shapes that work best for your figure and build a repertoire that is appropriate for your lifestyle.
How do you do that?
You need to try things on!
Sorry, there’s no getting around this one. Go in with an open mind and expect that not everything is going to work out. Remember those expectations we talked about? You don’t need 20 pairs of jeans, just need a few styles you really love!