Dream Jeans: Finding the Perfect Pair

During my time working at Harvey Nichols there was always one item that caused more headaches than any other; Jeans! Shopping for jeans should be a dream, not a nightmare but time and time again I saw women confused, trying to find that perfect pair, unsure of what they really should be looking for.

It’s easy to see why, if you walk into any department store you’re faced with walls of them. Once you’ve navigated your way through the department your left with the conundrum of selecting the type of cut and that’s no mean feat considering you’re likely to have to choose from; Bootcut, Boyfriend, Flared, Straight, Skinny, Cropped, High Waisted, Wide Leg. If that wasn’t enough to leave you dazed and confused you’re still left to decide what wash to go for from the the vast array of shades of blue, that is if it’s blue you’re after.

A good pair of jeans should be an investment, that you can rely on to dress up or dress down, but most importantly they should make you feel comfortable, confident and sexy in them. You may want to decide before hand on what purpose you want your jeans to serve? Do you want smart, sexy, relaxed or something for all occasions?

To start with you need to get the correct size, many women overestimate their size you want to pull on the back pocket and test the elastane in the jeans, if you can pull too much then the jeans are too big for you. On the other hand, make sure you don’t have the waistband digging in to you, if it’s too tight you’ll be left with a ‘muffin top’. Check for pleats on the front of the legs, this is also an indication that they are too big and make sure the jeans flatter your derriere and do not flatten it. If you’re looking for longevity from your jeans then go for a classic cut like the straight leg and a dark wash, these will look good no matter what the occasion.

Designer or High Street?

I’d recommend you spend a bit of money on finding the right pair as a good pair of jeans are a wardrobe staple you can rely on and keep for years. Although the high street is good for seasonal items, if you’re looking for something that will last then you’ll definitely have to invest. If you consider the price of one pair of jeans that will last you a good number of years versus the price of a new pair each season, then you’ll probably find you’ll end up spending the same amount, if not less on a designer pair. Most designer stores also have strong sales every summer and winter where you can find hundreds of jeans with at least 50% off.

Once you’ve found your dream pair of jeans make sure you take care of them, you don’t want to invest in a pair then ruin them when washing. I’d advise you follow the washing instructions on the label to avoid any disasters. Most quality denim brands advise you to wear the jeans in for as long as possible then wash them inside out in cool water. Turning them inside out helps preserve the colour of the denim and the cool wash helps avoid any shrinking, always try and hang dry your jeans rather than using a dryer.

For All Mankind Straight Leg Jeans £150 at www.net-a-porter.com

And just in case you don’t have time to read the article in full here are a few fast track points to always remember:

• Remember, flatter not flatten, never let your jeans flatten your bottom.

• Avoid waistbands that are too tight, otherwise you’ll end up with a muffin top

• Choose a dark wash, if in doubt

• Opt for a mid-rise, not too low or too high

• For a cut that will last choose a straight leg

• Keep the leg length just skimming the ground, it will make your legs look longer