Trying on jeans is about as bad as trying on swimsuits!

[jacqui in mo]

I cannot find jeans that fit, and I hate trying on pair after pair just to see how ugly they make my pear shape look:glare:. They all seem to want to fit too snuggly in the thigh and all have a tremendous gap in the back waistband area (seriously, what is with that?) unless of course you have an elastic waistband. But if you have an elastic waistband then you usually don't have useful pockets.Arrggh, I do not want to go to a gillion stores trying to find one pair that fits me.

 

Mostly this is a vent, but maybe, possibly someone could point out a store that they seem to find a good fit in jeans. I am around a size 8 depending on the brand.

 

Oh, and also maybe educate me on the terms they use: Midrise, bootcut, relaxed fit, etc. I sorta understand bootcut, but the other terms don't mean much & even seem to vary in meaning.

 

Bleh, I just want to quickly find a functional pair of jeans. It's not like I'm shopping for a wedding dress or something. I don't want to see a bizillion styles & brands. And I don't want to pay a wedding dress price for them either.

 

Okay, maybe the rant is over. :tongue_smilie:

[Michelle in MO]

I think the midrise jeans are the more low-cut jeans (not quite sure about that) and the bootcut jeans have really narrow legs at the ankles so that you can stuff them into boots. The relaxed fit are for me---and I'm not a size 8 anymore :eek: but closer to a size 12 (true confessions here; I'm working on that). Basically, relaxed fit are cut more loosely around the hips and thighs, typically a problem area for me, and I'm sure for some other women as well.

 

Once I find a brand of jean that fits, I stick with it forever and ever until they stop making them. Right now, LL Bean has good jeans that fit me well; relaxed fit, and they size them according to height, which for me is medium tall (I'm 5'6"). If you have their LL Bean Visa card, you get free shipping; the jeans typically run $29.00. If I have two pairs, I'm good to go!

[Starr]

I have the opposite figure problems, but I do have a little advice. When you find a pair that fit, buy a dozen! :D

[Michelle in MO]

I have the opposite figure problems, but I do have a little advice. When you find a pair that fit, buy a dozen! :D

Not a bad idea at all! (Except for me, I'm trying to shrink that size, so I'm hoping that I can get by with just two and then the next pair will be smaller! ;) )

[jacqui in mo]

I have the opposite figure problems, but I do have a little advice. When you find a pair that fit, buy a dozen! :D

 

I think you're right! However the few times I've bought extra (Not a dozen!) of something, I've ended up not liking them well enough to keep using. LOL Guess you just can't please me.

 

Or the opposite, I find something I like and wear it a few times to be sure & then the store doesn't have anymore. Usually the store only has a couple in my size of whatever, especially if it is a hard to find item for me.:D

[mcconnellboys]

I've just been getting Lees at Wal-mart of late. They come in different washes, or shades of color, so I can have a little variety. I don't like mine so low, so I get those that at least "fall at the natural waistline".

[jacqui in mo]

I think the midrise jeans are the more low-cut jeans (not quite sure about that) and the bootcut jeans have really narrow legs at the ankles so that you can stuff them into boots. The relaxed fit are for me---and I'm not a size 8 anymore :eek: but closer to a size 12 (true confessions here; I'm working on that). Basically, relaxed fit are cut more loosely around the hips and thighs, typically a problem area for me, and I'm sure for some other women as well.

 

Once I find a brand of jean that fits, I stick with it forever and ever until they stop making them. Right now, LL Bean has good jeans that fit me well; relaxed fit, and they size them according to height, which for me is medium tall (I'm 5'6"). If you have their LL Bean Visa card, you get free shipping; the jeans typically run $29.00. If I have two pairs, I'm good to go!

 

LOL, see I thought the boot cut was one which the lower leg was much wider so it would fit around the boot!

 

I had found what I thought would be a brand of jeans I could stick with. They are Riders at WalMart. I got 2 pair a couple of years ago and now need more. But now the Riders WM has don't fit like the ones I got before. So I'm stuck looking all over again.

 

I'll have to check out LL Bean. I'm afraid though of having the same fitting problems & having to ship items back & forth until I find the right sizing:tongue_smilie:.

[buddhabelly]

If you google pear shape jeans, you will find that boot cut is the most flattering for pear-shaped people. Eddie Bauer has a "curvy fit," which means that the waist is one size smaller than the hips. I have the opposite problem -- no hips at all, and a huge belly. But back to you.... I also like (for you) Eddie Bauer's Natural Fit Bootcut Stretch jeans -- very ladylike. (But you might have the gap in the waist with Natural Fit. You should probably stick to "curvy.") You don't say how old you are, but sometimes it's hard to find jeans that look womanly rather than girly.

 

Julie

[buddhabelly]

LOL, see I thought the boot cut was one which the lower leg was much wider so it would fit around the boot!

 

 

 

Yes, you were right about the bootcut. MY favorite pants (not jeans) are bootcut. They differ from "flare" pants in that they very gradually get wider as they go down. They don't flare out from the knee.

 

You are right in that you should find bootcut. Apparently it helps balance you visually or something ("you" as in pear-shaped). HTH a little.

 

Julie

[elegantlion]

I am a pear shaped. I also hate trying on jeans. Boot-cut has a wider leg. I also make sure my jeans have at least 2% spandex, so they will mold to fit my shape not the other way around.

 

I also look at junior sizes. Kohls brand junior size jeans fit me better than misses sizes.

[Michelle in MO]

LOL, see I thought the boot cut was one which the lower leg was much wider so it would fit around the boot!

 

I had found what I thought would be a brand of jeans I could stick with. They are Riders at WalMart. I got 2 pair a couple of years ago and now need more. But now the Riders WM has don't fit like the ones I got before. So I'm stuck looking all over again.

 

I'll have to check out LL Bean. I'm afraid though of having the same fitting problems & having to ship items back & forth until I find the right sizing:tongue_smilie:.

 

I guess I haven't bought any myself. I presumed that they were narrow and were stuck into the boots. I never wear boots except if we get a lot of snow in the winter.

 

Yes, the shipping thing with LL Bean can be a hassle, but I managed to find the right size and fit for myself, so it's worked out well. They are good about returning things, though, and if the mistake is their fault, the return shipping is for free.

 

I never buy low-rise; the jeans have to fall at the natural waist. My girls call them "Mom jeans"; in fact, they even found a picture on the internet that says, "I wear Mom jeans" and showed it to me. I think they even found a T-shirt with the logo on it and were going to give it to me!

Edited February 22, 2009 by Michelle in MO

[jacqui in mo]

You don't say how old you are, but sometimes it's hard to find jeans that look womanly rather than girly.

 

Julie

Well, I'm at that age where I don't tell my age anymore:D, but I'm definitely not girly anymore. A lot of the jeans are made for more youthful styles it seems.

 

I will look into your suggestions! What stores carry Eddie Bauer?

[JudoMom]

Someone here recommended Fashion Bug for jeans for this problem. I plan on trying them out when I get around to shopping for jeans.

[buddhabelly]

What stores carry Eddie Bauer?

 

 

Just Eddie Bauer. Where I am, we don't really have any stores (not even Kohl's or J.C. Penny), so I do virtually all of my shopping online. So just google Eddie Bauer, then when you find the store, click on women's and then you can search by fit. Perhaps click on "jeans," then "boot cut."

 

It is expensive, but these days they have frequent sales.

 

Julie

[yslek]

No advice, just :grouphug:

 

Buying jeans is super frustrating; I don't have any right now, as I have similar problems. If I find jeans that will fit my thighs/tummy, theres' a huge gap in the back waist. :glare:

 

My current favorite pants are a pair I found at the thrift store. They're corduroys made by Horny Toad. The waist is lower than the natural waist (but not really low-rise) and, best of all, there's an internal drawstring that snugs up the back waist! I've looked up Horny Toad clothing online, and it's sadly beyond my budget (around $70 for a pair of pants!) I do wish more companies would include such a feature, though. We can't be the only ones with this problem! :tongue_smilie:

[Hen]

I get frustrated looking for jeans, too. I adopted a rule a few years ago, if I try on a pair of jeans and they don't make me want to cry when I look in the mirror..then I buy them, no matter how much they cost.

 

I have had good luck with Gap boot cut, and I recently found a pair of trouser jeans (yeah!..maybe the low-rise jeans will die out soon!) at J.Jill, they were actually on sale, but I would have bought them anyways because of my rule..

 

oh, and I am really liking banana republic, I have a pair of jeans from them, and some slacks...I think they have the mature woman who is not 16 in mind with their clothes. I am usually a size 8 or 6, a little heavy in the thighs.

[Marylou]

http://www.missussmartypants.com/

[Ottakee]

one option is to go to a nicer thrift store and try on all the jeans in your size (and one size bigger and smaller). You just might find something then that will fit---and it would be preshrunk as well.

 

I have a TERRIBLE time with jeans as I am VERY short waisted--meaning my waist is only a few inches above my hips so jeans that sit at the "natural waist" come up almost to my bra band and the low rise jeans gap terribly in the back.

 

Often I will try on 10-15 pairs of jeans and MIGHT find 1 that fits. I had a nice pair from CJ Banks but then the zipper broke. I have tried several pairs from LL Bean and had to send them all back (thankfully I have free return shipping).

 

Someone must make jeans for normal sized ladies with less than perfect bodies. I just haven't found them yet.

[lynn]

I am curvy to say the least. Ann Taylor Loft makes curvy jeans and they tend to size down:D . Also, eddie bauer makes a curvy fit and their short length is perfect for me. It's worth it to keep shopping until you find exactly what you works for you. JC Penny usually has several brands and styles. I usually get a bootcut, midrise, dark wash.

[ElizabethB]

I've given up on jeans, they aren't as comfy as they used to be.

 

I now wear cords in the winter (They're so comfy I sometimes forget to switch into my sweats when I come home!) and light weight comfy cotton pants in the summer. The styles and cuts available in these materials are much more flattering on me than any of the current jean styles, and you actually look a bit nicer while being just as comfy (more comfy, actually, as I've said, given the current state of jean selection.)

[jacqui in mo]

I've given up on jeans, they aren't as comfy as they used to be.

 

I now wear cords in the winter (They're so comfy I sometimes forget to switch into my sweats when I come home!) and light weight comfy cotton pants in the summer. The styles and cuts available in these materials are much more flattering on me than any of the current jean styles, and you actually look a bit nicer while being just as comfy (more comfy, actually, as I've said, given the current state of jean selection.)

 

I 'm afraid to wear "nicer" pants, as they'd probably show dirt more. Seems like I can't go 1/2 a school day without getting something on me. Jeans hide stuff like that better & wash better for me. I end up with stains on other pants. Of course, I shouldn't talk now, the jeans I have on now have a black ink stain from when a pen broke & dripped on them (when they were nearly new, of course).:tongue_smilie:

[MUJLBE]

My favorite jeans for small waist big hips are Lee side elastic jeans. I have been buying them for 6 years. I bought my first pair in a store but with the measurements (waist, inseam) I now buy on Ebay (usually NWT or NWOT). Here they are at JC Pennys:

 

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=51245&CatID=51245&Grptyp=SIZ&ItemId=15889f7&cmRef=http://www.jcpenney.com/products/Cg10030.jsp

 

Susan

[Brigitte]

Go to Talbots. I have been really happy with the cut/fit of their jeans. I have always found them on the sale rack for about $29.

[Garga]

I'm pear shaped as well. I've been told that boot cut (wider on the bottom) are supposed to be good for me, but they're not.

 

The only thing I find that is flattering is a straight leg. That means that it doesn't go in at the ankle or out at the ankle. Instead it sort of goes out at the hip, and then straight down.

 

It's hard to find straight leg, compared to the others, but it is remarkable how much better straight leg looks on me. Maybe you need straight leg, too?

 

But mostly, I find that the denim material in jeans makes me look extra pear shaped, and recently I've just started buying cotton pants--you know, they look like jeans in every way, except they're cotton and not denim. The thinner material looks better (and I still stick w/ straight leg.)

[Tami]

I don't know when jeans became so tight in the thighs, but it is not flattering to my figure AT ALL.

 

If you are bigger in the booty, hip and thighs, I would suggest a wide-leg trouser jean. They are fanstastic. I just bought a pair at New York and Company, after seeing them on an episode of "What Not to Wear." The belt is removable. Usually I get a 2" gap at the waist, but these fit my curves perfectly! No gapping. This store had a ton of affordable denim, business casual, and fashion-forward items at very reasonable prices. We are talking blazers, dress pants, and gorgeous tops on clearance for $5! Half the store was on clearance when I was there, and I got a ton of stuff. Jean lengths in average, short and tall - nice to have jeans that actually FIT.

Edited February 22, 2009 by Tami

[bettyandbob]

I think jean shopping is worse than swimsuit shopping. Not because I don't try on thousands of swimsuits, but because denim is an unforgiving fabric. You have to admit right away you've gained weight and upped a size. Swim suits are stretchy and you can keep telling yourself that this suit or that suit is just the wrong cut.

 

That said, I get my jeans from LLBean. They have several styles and I think my preferred style is the loose fit (I think that's what it's called).

[ElizabethB]

I 'm afraid to wear "nicer" pants, as they'd probably show dirt more. Seems like I can't go 1/2 a school day without getting something on me. Jeans hide stuff like that better & wash better for me. I end up with stains on other pants. Of course, I shouldn't talk now, the jeans I have on now have a black ink stain from when a pen broke & dripped on them (when they were nearly new, of course).:tongue_smilie:

 

You need camouflage pants! When I was in the Air Force, I wore them often. They were brilliant for hiding stains.

[KAR120C]

I hate (HATE) jeans shopping for exactly the reasons you say... and I had been suffering through some Levis that used to fit (they shrank! I swear they shrank! LOL) until I found the 529s. Not only do they fit, but they're comfy! Woohoo!! I bought three pairs, which is all they had in the store in an 8. :)

[jacqui in mo]

I hate (HATE) jeans shopping for exactly the reasons you say... and I had been suffering through some Levis that used to fit (they shrank! I swear they shrank! LOL) until I found the 529s. Not only do they fit, but they're comfy! Woohoo!! I bought three pairs, which is all they had in the store in an 8. :)

 

Yeah, don't ya just hate how jeans shrink! I'd gotten down to size 6, but as you said, I'm sure they shrunk. LOL Actually they are tighter right after I've washed them. They loosen up a bit when I've worn them, but I'ma not fitt'n in the 6 at the store:D

[ELaurie]

until I discovered the "curvy fit" jeans at Eddie Bauer. They are a perfect fit every time, with no gap in the waist. They were on sale for $29.99; less with a coupon or discount code. They fit slightly below the waistline, and the legs are straight cut. They didn't shrink in the dryer either :)

[nukeswife]

I also hate shopping for jeans. I've had the same 4 pair from Old Navy for about 5 years now and I can't stand the way they fit because they seem tight when I put them on and the thigh is always tight but now the waist seems looser if I wear them more than one day (I don't wear them all day so why wash them if I only ran to the store for an hour) Also when I got them all they had was "super low rise" and "midrise" I got the midrise and then had to go buy new underwear because when I'd stoop down the pants dip and my underwear would show. I don't see how pants can gap so bad at the back but yet give me a muffin top at the front. It's a nightmare. I'm also a size 16 so that doesn't help either, every where I go they have tons of size 4-10 but not much of sizes 12-18, which seems odd since the average size now a days is something like a 12

 

Oh well, I guess I'll also have to keep looking.

[Guest janainaz]

I hate, hate, hate and hate buying jeans. I would love if someone invented a custom jeans company where you could tell them what kind of denim, where you want the pockets, how wide for the legs, what waist size, the whole deal. My very favorite jeans I ripped right up the butt doing the out of the dryer stretching squat - it was damage that could not be undone. I'm still mourning the loss. :crying:

[Stacy in NJ]

Two words for you: cargo pants. :001_smile:

[Carol in Cal.]

This year my search for jeans became a crusade. I was able to get some pretty nice jeans from the Levi's website, size 18 but short. Torrid (hate the name, like some of the styles) had jeans that looked great but the elastic was not right and they didn't stay up. That was what finally triggered the crusade.

 

But my favorites were a brand called Not Your Daughter's Jeans that I found at Nordstrom. Now, ordinarily I would not shop for jeans at Nordstrom, but I was quite desparate after having exhausted all of the local thrift stores and other, more typical, stores. I got these on sale, but even so, they were kind of pricey. However, Nordstrom will take back anything that does not work out, and I'm a jeans not working out kind of gal these days. Well, they NYDJ have been fantastic, and I am so glad that I found them. And my size is NOT the largest one they make in the line, so I have room to, ahem, grow.

[Veronica in VA]

I like the Coldwater Creek jeans. They have various kinds - including shape me - which has panels in the front of the jeans, and a new curvy style. They are a little price - between $39 and $60, but I buy them when they go on sale. After Christmas, I bought a couple of pairs for $22 each.

 

Veronica

[ekarl2]

I found out long ago that men's jeans fit me better. The only thing I have to do is get the waist taken it (usually costs about 10 bucks at the tailor). I agree with boot-cut, for sure. Very flattering. Taking in the waist takes care of that gap in the back. My favorite are Lucky Brand jeans. Not cheap, but that last forever and they fit great!