There’s nothing more versatile in your closet than jeans – they’re the perfect accompaniments for any top and shoes. The right pair of denims can take you through the seasons.
With so many different cuts, washes and styles to choose from, the options are endless when it comes to buying jeans. Though many factors may come into play when choosing a pair of jeans, knowing your body type will help you find jeans that flatter your best features. With the perfect pair of jeans that contour your body, you can feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Below is a guide on how to choose the most figure-flattering jeans for your body shape, whether you have a pear, apple, inverted triangle, rectangle or hourglass figure.
Hourglass Body Shape
The hourglass body shape is characterized by similar hip and bust measurements and a narrower waist. The key to dressing for hourglass shapes is to follow your natural silhouette by proportionally dressing on the top and bottom of the body, while accentuating the defined waist. It’s best to avoid unbalancing the frame by dressing too top-heavy or bottom-heavy.
Generally, baggier clothing makes you appear heavier. Jeans with a clean cut and sleek silhouette, such as classic bootcut jeans or straight-cut jeans, are best-suited for the hourglass body shape. Jeans with a wide waist band are perfect for highlighting the defined waist.
Skinny jeans are great to showcase your beautiful feminine silhouette, but you might want to steer clear of denims with too much stretch as they can make thighs and hips appear larger. Cropped-cut high-rise jeans are ideal for a petite hourglass figure. A hem that hits the ankle – the narrowest part of your legs – creates an illusion of longer, slimmer legs, while the high-waist cut enhances your midriff and gives structure to your figure.
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Apple Body Shape
An apple-shaped body usually features a shorter upper torso with most of the weight on the belly. For those insecure about this body type, it’s possible to divert attention away from your midsection by creating the appearance of curves. A handy tip is to draw attention to your chest or legs.
Mid-rise jeans are your best options as they don’t draw attention to the stomach, focusing on your lower hips instead. Unlike low-rise jeans, mid-rise bottoms don’t create a muffin top effect. Also remember to avoid any embellishments around your waistline so the focus is anywhere else but the stomach.
Jeans in a skinny style put the focus on your legs and elongate your figure. Pair the skinny jeans with a loose-fitting or fit-and-flare top that conceals your midsection. When compiling an outfit for an apple body shape, the focus should be on your fabulous legs while creating an hourglass silhouette.
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Pear Body Shape
Pear shapes are characterized by a small, defined waist and curvy hips that are the widest part of the body. By highlighting your small waist and drawing attention to the upper torso or anywhere away from the hips, you can effectively downplay any extra weight you’re carrying around your hips.
Relaxed fit styles, such as boyfriend jeans and mom jeans, provide some extra room in the thigh and hip area, though it’s important to avoid dressing too loosely so you don’t appear bigger than you actually are. The smaller the back pockets are, the fuller your butt will appear. Opt for jeans with bigger back pockets if you wish to make your butt look smaller. Jeans with vertical detailing can make your lower half appear slimmer. Alternatively, buy jeans with a dark wash as the dark blue color can also downplay a larger lower hip section.
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Rectangle Body Shape
Figures with rectangle or banana shapes have similar-sized bust, waist and hips, with an athletic build and very few curves. With the right jeans, it’s possible to add a more rounded shape to your hips.
The exaggerated cut of wide-leg jeans add oomph to the straight long legs of the rectangular body type. Curvy detailing on jeans help add shape to a square frame, while jeans with embellishments around the hip and bottom area can add curves to the silhouette. Small back pockets will make your bottom appear fuller. Bootcut jeans with a slight flare at the bottom can add the right amount of volume and curve to your lower body, while softening the square frame. High-waist jeans help define your natural waist and give the illusion of curves, whereas low-rise jeans draw attention to the straight waist.
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Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Those with broad shoulders and relatively narrower bust and hips fall into the inverted triangle bracket, which can seem top-heavy. The perfect jeans to flatter this body shape would add volume to the bottom half for a more balanced figure.
Wide-leg jeans typically work well for the inverted triangle body shape as they widen the lower frame and help draw attention downwards to the lower half of the body. Denims with eye-catching details such as cut-outs, distressed designs and embroidery offer similar effects. To create more curves, bootcut jeans and flared jeans can balance out the width in your upper body, proportioning the figure and creating a more feminine silhouette. Denims with details like whiskering and flap pockets also add some highlights to your lower body. Cargo jeans are particularly flattering for this body shape!
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