How to find the perfect pair of jeans for your body

Low rise, high waisted, bootcut, flared and pocket proportions. Ask just about any woman and she'll tell you that even the slightest differences between pairs of jeans can make her look slim and sexy or lumpy and frumpy. Style choices can be daunting and the perfect pair of jeans can be elusive.

Even fashion reporter Jeanne Beker, host of FashionTelevision, admits that shopping for jeans can be as frustrating as choosing a new bathing suit -- but it's important to stick with it and find the perfect fit for you.

"If you're not comfortable, you're not going to feel good, " says Beker. "And if you're not going to feel good, you're not going to look good."

In favour of fit
Similarly, Noah Stern, CEO of Montreal-based French Dressing Jeans, says finding the right fit is more important than following the hottest trends.

"Don't try to force yourself into something that's tailored to an 18-year-old body if you are 40 or 50 years old, " he warns. "Find something that you are comfortable in."

But this doesn't mean you have to forfeit fashion altogether. The key is to know which jean styles suit your body -- and which don't. Here's some help:

Best jeans for petite women
Stern suggests a mid-rise (rise goes from crotch to waist line) jean for women who aren't especially tall; something that falls just below the belly button. A low waistline will make your torso look longer and your legs look shorter whereas a higher waistband will accentuate your waist and elongate your legs.

If you're petite and slim, you can easily wear skinny jeans. If you'd like to add some curves, try a denim in a light-coloured wash.

If you're petite with hips and don't want to accentuate your curves, you might want to avoid wearing skinny jeans and opt for a boot cut or a slight flare so people's eyes aren't automatically drawn to your hips.

Click to continue for tips on best jeans for different body types..

Best jeans for tall women
If you're tall and slender, you can wear skinny jeans to accentuate your curves. Skinny jeans pair well with flat shoes so you can avoid wearing heels.

If you're tall and "hippy" you can balance out your shape by looking for jeans with a boot cut or slightly flared leg. Trouser jeans also work well because they maintain proportion and create the look of a nice straight leg. Dark-coloured denims help to elongate and slim your body.

Best jeans for curvy and hourglass-shaped women
If you've got wide hips and ample buttocks, jean styles labeled "relaxed fit" usually have the slack you need in the hips and bum area. But mind your butt! Too much extra space in the back of your jeans can make you appear to have a saggy rear.

If you're wide at the hips, but have a very narrow waist (as in the hourglass shape), you may need a tailor to take in your jeans at the waist. Find the proper fit for your hips and behind, and then alter the waist accordingly.

Darker colours make you look slimmer. Similarly, higher waistbands can help conceal the dreaded muffin top.

Small pockets can emphasize a larger tush, so look for pockets in proportion to your body.

Shopping tips for every body
No matter which body shape -- or combination of body shapes -- you're blessed with, Beker shares the following tips for finding your perfect pair of jeans:

• Go to a shop with lots of mirrors

• Talk with an employee and ask for help

• Feel confident about the employee's style

• Trust your own opinion, first and foremost!

• Don't feel intimidated by what's in style at the moment. Go for what suits you and what you feel comfortable in.

Click to continue for the denim staples you'll need in your wardrobe...

Jean styles: Staples for every wardrobe
When you've found your perfect pair of jeans, you're on the right track for finding more great styles that suit your body type. And, naturally, you'll want to expand your inventory of jeans to strut your stuff in.

"It's never enough to have just one pair of jeans anymore because there are so many variations," says Beker, who owns about 15 pairs of this wardrobe staple. "You're going to want your black jeans and your blue jeans, your faded jeans and your dark blue jeans and you're going to want jeans that have maybe a little bit of fancy detailing on them."

Even so, it's safe to say that jeans are still one of the most versatile pieces in your closet and you can pair basic dark denim with almost anything. For the hottest looks, Beker suggests wearing the following with your denim:

• Short booties or tall boots

• Vests

• Big, thick, bulky sweaters

• Sweeping ponchos, capes and cardigans

• Jackets, such as a boyfriend jacket

• Crisp white shirts, whether tucked in with a belt or worn out over top to conceal your waistline

Once you know what looks and feels best on you, you might just find yourself collecting jeans instead of avoiding shopping for them.

Check out this season's hottest fashion trends in our Fashion and Beauty section.

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