Flare, boot cut and skinny. Fashionista Dawn Williamson gives us the low-down on finding yourself a great pair of jeans
One of the things I get asked a lot by women is help with finding the perfect pair of jeans.
Jeans are, for most of us, a wardrobe staple, dressed up for evening, dressed down for the school run. Yet how often are people able to really find a pair that ticks all the boxes? I know firsthand what a minefield denim can be and unfortunately there is no real shortcut to trying on 50-plus pairs just to find the right one for you. However, there are some simple rules to keep in mind when shopping for jeans…
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to invest in a classic. By this, I mean a pair of jeans that will never go out of fashion, so the colour, cut and fabric should be simple. This is one area worth investing in. A designer pair from a denim specific brand. A classic pair for most people will include one pair of skinny jeans with a very dark wash, soft denim and a little bit of stretch. So many women are scared of the ‘skinny’ jean thinking that it’s a style best suited to ‘skinny’ women. This is a common misconception and not even close to being true as skinny jeans are actually one of the most flattering cuts for all body shapes.
When buying a classic pair of skinnies, always choose styles that are long in the leg. Also buy a pair with at least two per cent stretch, just for the comfort factor, so that the jeans will keep their shape over time. Lastly look for quality fabrics; super thin denim shows every lump and bump.
I’m not the biggest fan of boot cut jeans; I prefer the extremes of skinny or flared. Kate Moss is often seen rocking in super flared jeans, with the J Brand Love Story’s being one of her wardrobe staples. What’s great about these jeans is that the top half of the leg is fitted; the flare only starts below the knee, which is super flattering. A big mistake people make is buying jeans that flare from the upper thigh, thus creating a giant leg effect.
Cropped jeans come and go, most often in fashion in the summer. Cropped is a very wearable shape if you follow some simple rules: Always choose fitted and cropped, never loose and cropped; trousers flapping around your lower calves, cut off your legs and ruin the line of your body. So think Capri pants, gently hugging the calves for a more slimline look.
One of my favourite looks is the boyfriend cut, nothing too baggy but loose with a tailored shape, I particularly like the boyfriend styles that have a bit of shredding and are heavily rolled at the ankles. These look great with heels and a loose top, casual and understated.
Colour washes can date, hence why when picking classics, choose black, white or a dark indigo blue; every other wash will be too trend-led. A capsule wardrobe should include one black pair either skinny or flared, one white pair of pencil or skinny leg – white is very much something exclusive to the UAE and other countries benefiting from brilliant sunshine. While white jeans will never go out of fashion, they definitely suit a hot climate.
Distressed is one denim trend that comes in and out of fashion regularly; super shredded and distressed has been a major fashion trend on the runways and copied all over the high street.
Tread carefully here; if you want to invest in a seasonal pair of denim then choose something cheap and cheerful from the high street that won’t matter if you only wear them a few times.
In terms of sizing and fit, never pick a pair that are already loose straight off the rack; this is one of those times where you should pick an item that is on the tight side. This will mean that even after a few wears they will still fit you well. It’s disappointing to find a great pair of jeans and then have them lose shape quickly.
Never discount a great pair of jeans just because of something simple that can be tailored. I regularly get clothes tailored to fit me exactly. Exercise caution with tailoring lengths though, the longer the better for all styles.
For daily fashion inspiration and tips follow Dawn on twitter @Dawnwstyle
