Style tips: Strides in jean-etic selection

No matter what shape or size we are, jeans have always been a wardrobe staple. However, sometimes we have to endure an arduous journey on the way to finding the right fit and style. With the cooler weather approaching, it's time to conduct a wardrobe audit and decide whether to use these few simple tips to invest in a new pair or two ...
Body basics
The best place to start when buying denim is to take a look at your body and decide which shape you are. Someone with an hourglass-shaped frame is not necessarily going to suit jeans that look incredible on someone with a slim, athletic figure.
If you do fall into the slim, athletic category, you're going to be the envy of other body shapes to some extent. You'll be relatively spoilt for choice, as you'll be able to pull off most cuts with little effort - from boyfriend-style to skinny-leg.
When it comes to colour, lighter-washed denim will help to create curves. And if you do opt for slim-fit styles, put some thought into what you're wearing on your top half. Pair your jeans with a structured, graphic-print blazer for the ultimate in casual chic.
Petite priorities
Skinny-leg jean styles are also a great choice for petite figures. Avoid weighing your lower half down with bulky, boyfriend-type cuts. To lengthen your legs, look for high-waisted jeans.
Unfortunately, for the petite figures out there, jeans can often be too long. Some brands do alter the lengths of their jeans with size, but don't let too-long jeans put you off investing in the pair that fits perfectly otherwise. Provided you're not going to lose the style of the jeans by having them taken up, get them to a professional alteration company post-haste.
Keys for curves
Despite the popularity of slim-fit denim, jeans do look great on curvy women. Finding the perfect pair for a fuller figure, however, can take a bit longer.
Since hourglass frames tend to have small waists and wider hips, jeans may appear to fit perfectly, but peering over the shoulder to see how they fit from behind often reveals the dreaded gaping waistband. Having encountered this problem many times myself, the best advice I can offer is take your time, try on pair after pair and don't be put off searching in places you wouldn't usually shop. Some of the best jeans I have purchased have been picked up for well under $100. Always keep your eyes peeled for cuts with a larger hip and smaller waist - they do exist. To emphasise your feminine curves, choose stretch fabrics over stiff denim.
When it comes to curvy figures, it's important to consider the colour or wash of the denim. Just as black is slimming, so are jeans in dark-wash denim. Light denims will add weight. Low-rise cuts won't flatter your figure, so instead go for styles that sit higher on the waist, with a thick waistband.
The same basic advice goes for all body shapes and sizes - if you are struggling to find jeans that suit you, take your time. In the meanwhile, invest in other denim pieces. Denim jackets and vests will add a little something to your casual wardrobe, and even look great when teamed with more elegant pieces.
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