Jeans!

Oh yes, Jeans are one of those bugbears of everyone’s lives. Jeans are your weight management conscience. How many times have I heard – I just need to lose that extra 5kgs and get back into my jeans! Remember if you buy the right jeans, get them fitting you correctly and feel amazing you will not need to worry about those extra pounds. So what is important when selecting them and making sure we have the right jeans to make us look and feel fabulous?

Jeans have evolved so much in my lifetime. As a child of the 80’s Jeans they were rigid and stiff, nowadays most good brands have some lycra in them so there is room for that extra cupcake! Here are my top five pointers on choosing jeans:

1. Shop around – make sure you allow at least 2 hours in your shopping schedule to try all that is available.

2. Look at your figure and work out what is best for you.
a. If you have an hourglass or pear shaped figure then a bootleg is going to flatter your figure. However if you are a slimish hourglass or pear then you can get away with a skinny jean and a heel. A flat shoe will make you look heavy in the leg!
b. For a ‘v’ shaped or slim legged lady (usually carry’s their weight from the waist up and has wide shoulders) – embrace your lovely legs and wear the slim jeans, light, dark and beyond. You want to emphasise this part of your body.
c. For a fuller figured lady look for straight or wide legged jeans. Go for a higher rise that is comfortable in the tummy area. Check out K and K if you are a size 14 or above, also City Chic offers some great options for the fuller figure lady.
d. For the rectangular shaped figure (slimish but carries your weight in the middle) then get jeans that fit your tummy comfortably. Go for a higher rise and a leg shape that fits your legs. More than likely you will have lovely legs so again embrace the slim fit.

3. Don’t be afraid to get the jeans tailored. Many of you will need to go up a size to accommodate your thighs – this is a New Zealand figure thing! So please buy the jeans to fit our legs and bottom and then take them off to the tailor and get them taken in around the waist. I do this with almost every pair of trousers I buy.

4. Jeans should be snug on purchased. Even the most rigid pair often give around ½ – 1 sizes on wearing. You should be able to move but they also should be firm.

5. Select the rise (distance form crotch to waist) based on your shape. There is nothing worse than a spilling muffin over the top of the waistband of your jeans. Go for a pair that gives you a smooth line through the hips. Also high waisted jeans are now very trendy!

Time to hit the shops for jeans – my favourite brands for a good fit are as follows:

1. K and K and City Chic for the fuller figure
2. Max for the spectrum of jean cuts
3. Mavi, Levis, Lee, G Star – all from Just Jeans
4. True Religion
5. Glassons
6. Not Your Daughters Jeans – great for the ladies who like a higher rise with a lot of stretch
7. Verge – also a good classic fit
8. Diesel – funky, young brand and super trendy – smaller fit!

Enjoy! Today’s images are from Just Jeans and City Chic.