Fashion

How to buy jeans

20th July, 2023

Jeans are a cornerstone of my wardrobe

I can’t live without denim. It’s a key part of my wardrobe all year round so it’s key to find the perfect pair. I buy a lot of stuff online and while I have purchased jeans from a website before, usually it’s when I already own a pair in the same brand and can feel a little more confident in the sizing. I think jeans are one thing that you really need to go in store to try on to make sure the cut, fit and colour all work well. My key criteria is that it works with my body shape, has some flexibility and isn’t too stiff, isn’t too low rise (yes, even if they’re back in fashion!) and is generally high-waisted and has to be of a good quality so it lasts. When you find the perfect pair of jeans you just know! If you’re in the market for new jeans, here’s my foolproof plan to find The One…

Buy the right size

It may sound obvious but I’ve been caught out before by the whole “it will stretch” claim. I’ve learned that you should always just buy a size that’s firm but not super tight. It should feel comfortably snug but not so much that you feel like you can’t breathe!

Take the time to try things on

Yes, you may have a pair of old faithfuls that have served you well but it pays to try on different cuts, styles, washes and brands when you’re buying jeans. It can be a tedious process, I know, but taking the time to actually try things on outside of your denim comfort zone may help you unearth a pair of jeans you never knew you always wanted.

Identify your go-to style

I used to favour skinny jeans over every other cut, but more and more I’ve made a high waisted straight leg my go-to. Occasionally I’ll still wear a skinny silhouette but I’m definitely favouring straight more and more. While this works for me and my style, your perfect match might come in the form of a wide leg or a boyfriend cut. The key is to try on as many different styles as you can and once you’ve found the perfect pair invest in a few different washes.

I've become a convert to the high waisted straight leg jean

Know your denim

A heavier denim has more durability than a lighter denim. So if you’re after a pair of jeans that will last a few seasons, it pays to go for something a little thicker. Also a heavier denim will generally offer better support than lighter, thinner denim which can be a little less forgiving. However if a stiff denim isn’t for you, look for a pair that is made up of around two per cent lycra and 98 per cent cotton—it’s got enough give to be really comfortable but is able to hold you in where you want it to.

Expand your denim wardrobe

I love light denim jeans but I also like black denim and white denim. I find that having all three shades in my wardrobe covers all the bases and allows me to have options for plenty of different outfit combinations. Also, know that some washes will show wear and tear a lot sooner than others. For example dark denim will show obvious “whiskering” a lot sooner than lighter denim so keep that in mind when choosing the colour of your next pair.

Don’t be a denim snob

I’m not too stuck on brands—I’ve bought jeans from ASOS and loved them as much as a designer pair, but the most important thing is how it fits. I’m picky when it comes to the colour or the cut but apart from that I’ll happily wear any denim label. Even if you’ve got your go-to brand, it’s a good idea to try on a few different brands each season in case you find another one that works better for your body. There’s SO much new denim each season that you need to keep on top of what’s out there in case there’s a new range that would perfectly suit you.

If you’re getting jeans hemmed, bring the shoes you’re wearing with them with you

If you’re going to get jeans tailored it should only ever be the length that you alter. You should keep looking until you find a pair that fit you around your bottom and your legs rather than trying to do anything with the waistband or legs. I’m not that tall so jeans can be quite long for me so I’ll take them to be professionally altered. I like my jeans to sit on my ankle bone. When I’m getting them hemmed I’ll normally take the shoes I’d wear the most with them to the alterations place so I can be sure to get the correct length. If you really want to wear them with multiple shoe heights, I think if you get the right length for high heels they can work with sneakers, flats and most other shoes quite fine.

What are your favourite go-to denim brands?

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6 Comments

  • Reply Laura 15th July, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    Having a pair of jeans that fit right is so important!
    Love your blog :)

  • Reply West Brothers 9th July, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    So nice to read an honest pov on jeans, I don’t think I’ve ever owned a pair in my life that fit as perfectly as they do on you :/

    • Reply Kate Waterhouse 9th July, 2018 at 2:23 pm

      Oh I’m glad that you liked the post. Hopefully my tips will help steer you towards your perfect pair of jeans. :)

  • Reply Kirsten Palmer-Jeffery 6th June, 2022 at 2:16 am

    Oooo where did you get your white jeans in the pic? ❤️

    • Reply Kate Waterhouse 6th June, 2022 at 1:40 pm

      Hi Kirsten, the jeans are a few seasons old Bec and Bridge. :)

  • Reply Peadar Macmanus 24th September, 2022 at 10:20 pm

    A

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