Style guide for wearing jeans that fit you well

The appeal for jeans is universal. We have all seen, admired and worn them — the classic skinny jeans, the retro boyfriend jeans, the flares aka bell-bottoms — denim are certainly an indispensable anchor to any wardrobe and are donned as casual wear by many. Again, it is unanimously acknowledged that denim pants never go out of style, and they function as versatile wear in countless occasions; however, ill-fitted jeans can be anyone's worst nightmare and negatively impact the overall look.

Here are some tips to help you choose jeans that complement your natural form.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Understand your body shape

No two people have the exact curves in the same places, and everybody has their unique fits. Nevertheless, there are five distinctive silhouettes that determine body shapes: hourglass, banana, strawberry, apple, and pear. Hence, figuring out your body shape is crucial for choosing the correct jeans that will precisely suit and accentuate your figure.

Each type of jeans hug and bring out the finest features of different shapes very distinctively; therefore, it is a difficult task to find one variation of jeans that suits every type of body shape — if the upper part of your body is in proportion with the lower half and if you have slim legs and a flat hip, then you are in the possession of an apple-shaped body! And for you, straight-leg, skinny and flare jeans will be the most suitable options.

Have you ever closely noticed a coke bottle? Well, an hourglass shape uncannily mirrors the figure of a coke bottle— or else, think about Marilyn Monroe. High-waisted, wide-leg and skinny jeans will accentuate your curves and shape stunningly. And if you have a pear-shaped body (small shoulder and wide hip), go for a bootcut and slim-straight jeans.

Strawberry shaped body types resemble the shape of a triangle— wide shoulders, slim hips and very little weight around the thigh area. So, your goal should be to make your silhouette or top half seem balanced; try to avoid skinny jeans and opt for flared and straight-leg versions.

As unnatural as it may it sound — a banana-shaped body lacks a natural waist definition! And the hips are almost as wide as the waist. Stay away from baggy and boyfriend jeans, and go for the jeans that fit right above the hips or low on the waist.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

The versatility of jeans

Jeans are stylish, versatile and easy to maintain; and we all possess at least a middling amount of sartorial imagination — so why not be creative and make jeans the ultimate go-to clothing item in our wardrobe that is perfect for every occasion?

Jeans can be regarded as the quintessential smart-casual wear. Ponder over blouses, polo shirts, button-downs or even panjabi/kurti and pair them with straight or tailored-fit dark wash jeans. And voila! You can easily rock a look that you can effortlessly wear to office, parties or family gatherings. However, do remember to avoid ripped or faded jeans as they can be deemed inappropriate and are not included in the "smart-casual" dress code.

Again, jeans can be donned as business-casual wear when paired with business attire and styled for the office environment. If you have black straight-leg jeans, a button-down shirt and an elegant jacket or blazer, you can easily transform the outfit into business-casual wear by pairing it with a nice pair of loafers or dress heels or flats.

Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to check with a specific company's dress code — so, if ever in doubt, do not hesitate to ask the company if they have any particular dress code, especially, if you are interviewing for a job. 

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Dos and Don'ts

Jeans are certainly a popular and preferable item of clothing for many — some like to don it as casual wear whereas others as both smart and business casual wear — and nowadays, many shapes and styles of jeans are available at everyone's disposal.

But no matter how comfortable and fashionable they may be, there are a few dos and don'ts that should be kept in mind while wearing denim pants.

Jeans come in a variety of washes, so do choose dark wash denim, especially black and other dark colours as they are more formal and transitional. However, don't choose overly distressed denim or jeans with splashy patterns.

By all means, do get a pair of well-fitted jeans as the jeans that fit you just right will naturally highlight your best features and style. And in the least, don't buy low-hanging jeans!

On a final note, always remember to choose the types of jeans that make you feel confident and comfortable — as by finding the right fit, you can not only show off your style but also can feel phenomenal in any situation.