How To Buy The Perfect Jeans

If you’re spending more time at home, I’ll bet you’re wearing your pajamas, workout wear, or loungewear more than usual. I’m all for comfort, but I know from experience that those stretchy pants have a way of making us forget those extra calories and missed workouts! So I’ve been looking for jeans with just the right blend of stretch (for comfort) and structure (to pinch you when your waistline starts expanding). I just tried on 12 styles to find my perfect jeans. Here’s what I learned…

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. As a ShopStyle Member, I earn a smallcommission when you purchase through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for reading and supporting Fashionipa.

1. Style And Size Matters

Jean sizes can be a bit deceiving. The numerical size doesn’t always match your waist size. Different brands have different standards for sizing, so a 27 in one brand may be different from a 27 in another.

Even if you only buy from one brand, you may need different sizes for different styles. For relaxed styles like boyfriend jeans and mom jeans, you may have to size down. For styles without stretch, you may have to size up.

The best way to buy jeans is by trying them on. If you are shopping online, check the size chart, read reviews, and be prepared to order a few sizes. Most brands will mention in their descriptions whether their styles run small, large, or true to size, to help you decide.

These are some of my most comfortable DL1961 jeans from a few years ago (these are similar). This style ran large so these are a size 25, but for most jeans, I’m a 26, 27, or 28!

I figured that DL1961 was a brand that just worked for me, so I ordered several styles, including this Florence Instasculpted Mid Rise Skinny Cropped jean. They were comfortable but I felt like they made me look shorter and wider. I think the kick-flare of my older jeans helped to balance out my wider hips, better than the tapered leg on this one.

2. Find Your Rise

Fashion may dictate which type of rise you should buy, but you really have to think about which rise works for your body. If low-rise jeans are trending, but tend to give you that muffin top look, you may want to pass on them.

High-rise jeans are 10-12″ which means the waistband will be a few inches above your belly button. They make your legs look longer, but if you have a short torso or are petite, this style might feel really high on your waist.

Mid-rise jeans are usually 8-9″ so they’ll land closer to your belly button or a little below it. Whether you’re curvy or straight, these are probably the most versatile and comfortable fit.

Low-rise jeans are 5-8″ so they’ll land a few inches below your belly button. They’re ideal for a slim, straight body and longer legs.

Do the seated rearview test to make sure your waistband doesn’t come down too low when you sit down!

3. Know Your Length

I’m just under 5’4″ so I should fit into petite jeans, but I find that most of them are just a tad short for my longer legs/shorter torso. So after much trial and error, I’ve figured out that my perfect jeans are 28″ long, and since I don’t have a lot of time or options for tailoring, I don’t even bother with longer ones. If you’re shopping online, look at the “product details” which will tell you the exact inseam (length) of each pair of jeans.

Take your favorite pair of jeans, and measure or check the label for the inseam (the length from the crotch seam to the hem).

For skinny jeans, you’ll want an inseam that doesn’t leave extra fabric bunched around your ankles. Of course, you can always cut your jeans to the perfect length and leave the hem frayed.

These are the DL1961 Florence Mid Rise Skinny Jean in a regular length. They were really comfortable, but at 30″ length, they were a little too long.

For wider-leg jeans, aim for a half-inch above the bottom on your feet so you can wear both flats and heels without dragging the hem on the floor.

If you buy straight leg jeans that are too long, you may be able to fold them up to your ideal length.

4. Match Your Personal Style

It always makes me smile to see headlines that read “Dark Skinny Jeans Are Out! Faded Wide-Leg Jeans Are In!” because I think lifestyle is so much more important than trends when it comes to jeans.

Dark, solid-color jeans that are not too fitted or loose are the most versatile and look the most professional (if you plan to wear them to the office).

Slim jeans with a wide flared leg have a casual, bohemian vibe.

Skinny jeans are the most versatile; you can wear them with flats or heels, with sandals, or tucked into knee-high boots.

Wide-leg cropped jeans are a cool casual style.

If you’re not sure what your style is, take a look at my How To Define Your Perfect Style post.

5. Stretch = Comfort

Unless you are planning to stand still all day, jeans with stretch (lycra, spandex, etc) are going to be more comfortable than rigid ones (100% cotton).

If you have curves and find it difficult to find jeans that fit your waist and hips, look for a stretch or a “curvy” style in addition to stretch. They have more room in the hips.

Some brands use strategically-placed stretch panels to lift, tuck, and tighten your body i.e. jeans and shapewear get married and have the perfect jean-baby!

At Madewell, look for “Magic Pocket” jeans.

DL1961 calls it “Instasculpt”.

NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) includes Lift Tuck® Technology which smooths out your belly and lifts your backside!

Love your Levi’s? Take a look at their Levi’s^® Sculpt line which offers all0-over stretch with great recovery (i.e. they won’t permanently stretch out and leave you with saggy jeans!)

My Perfect Jeans

So what did I end up with for my perfect jeans? These Madewell 9″ Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans in Larkspur Wash with a 28″ inseam. They have a combination of cotton and TENCEL™ lyocell which makes them soft and comfortable. I also love the dark color which allows me to dress them up or down.

I tried on some of Madewell’s curvy jeans but they were just a little too roomy for me around the belly.

Their 9″ Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans in Millis Wash were the runner-up for me, but they were just a little stiffer than the ones I bought.

Let me know in the comments below, about your favorite jeans! And if you’re looking for some comfortable shoes to wear with your jeans take a look at Why You’ll Love Allbirds Tree Runners. I wear these with my jeans all the time!