Hi again Imogen,
Could you write an article and put up illustrations on the best jeans styles for different body shapes?
Also, could you add a variety of outfits to wear with those different styles of jeans?
Thanks!
Regards,
Eve
How to Choose the Style of Jean to Suit Your Body Shape
You may be interested in revisiting this post on Jeans Trends for 2014 which includes advice of the kind of shoe to wear with each jeans style.
Now here is a simple guide to the popular denim shapes and which suit each body shape
Not sure about your body shape? Take the body shape bible quiz here!
Denim Guide – Distressing
What about colour?
Denim Guide – Undertone
There are warmer and cooler undertones of denim. It’s not super important, but you will find the denim that goes best with your colours is one that has a matching undertone of either warmth or coolness.
Denim Guide – Colour
Given that denim comes in a variety of blues (and other colours, but let’s just look here at the blue jean), you can choose a denim colour to suit. Ignoring the distressing and details on these jeans, you can see there are light, medium and dark value jeans. Which you choose will come down to:
- Your body shape – if you are an X or A or 8 you may not want to draw attention to your lower half with an overly light colour – opt for medium to deep value denim.
- Your colouring – If your palette is overall lighter – go for light to medium value denim as your every day. If you have darker colouring go for medium to dark value denim.
- The occasion – dark denim is dressier, unless it’s white – which is also pretty dressy. Otherwise the mid-value denims are more casual.
- Your personality – do you like to stick to the rules or break them? Doesn’t matter what the rules are if your personality wants to bend them, go right ahead and choose the denim that expresses who you are.
Denim Guide – Styling Options
Apart from skinny jeans – which unless you are an I shape, need tunic tops. All other denim styles can take a top that’s not too voluminous, there aren’t too many rules here! Remember the principle of volume when deciding what to pair with your jeans.
There are many ways to style denim for smart casual occasions (or just every day). Think about moving past the ‘plain t-shirt’ to a top that has a bit more detail or interest, unless you’re going to add the interest in scarves or accessories.
This top would work with: Bootcut, Straight leg, Boyfriend
Here is a long sleeve top with a cowl neck, but by the addition of a funky snakeskin belt it creates a more up-styled look.
This top/outfit style would work for: wide leg, bootcut, flares, straight leg (not for skinny)
A blouse is a great way to style a pair of jeans, not so stiff as a cotton shirt. The alternate coloured boots work if you are taller, but avoid if you are petite, instead match or go darker with your shoes.
The tucked in blouse would work with all jeans shapes (except skinny if you want more hip balance)
This is a dressier option, with a silk top and heeled sandals. Great for a dinner out with friends.
This kind of styling works with all bar skinny jeans.
This top is loose and comfortable and makes these coated denim (which is a dressier look) more casual. The suede bootie also relaxes the outfit.
This more voluminous top is better for straight or skinny jeans, avoid it with flared, wide or bootcut.
For more tips on wearing denim check out this post.
Regarding skinny jeans, Ive a question about skinny dresspants – are these appropriate for a business casual/relaxed or are they more smart casual (or too “revealing” for business relaxed)? (Skinny/Slim fit, but dresspant fabric)
Although I love bootcuts/wide legs, very few fit properly (and I live in town where tailoring is very difficult to get) but my style is more on the tailored/dressier (non denim) side so thats why I asking. (now my internship are creative smart casual, i just like to dress a bit more formal-ish. I do start to accepting tailored jeans/denim skirt with dressy tops but i prefer twill/woven/jersey bottoms more).
Oh regarding this article., Im definitly a rule breaker. I love wearing untucked dresshirts with skinny jeans especially non blue ones. I prefer wearing tunics with jeggings/treggings, not regulare skinny jeans. It feels like this ‘rules’ are written for someone who working in a very conservative enviroment which i can understand for corporate lifestyle but otherwise disagree. Bigger hips or bust than average is never “unflattering” to me! But thats just a personal opinion. 😛
Bigger/Smaller than the “ideal” hourshape I mean. x/
And talking about these type of pants: http://p.lefux.com/61/20130610/T0001DZWMF/-pants-trousers-spring-and-summer-career-suit-pants-p3766510-1-big.jpg
( Everytime I ask on forums people are just rude because Im XS in pants and have skinny thigh and defined waist but I dont think my bodyshape has anything to with formality “sorry thats inappropriare your thighs are gross”. Looking naturally like that, its no fault. (Size matters in dresscodes sounds a little bit too insane, so I cant really take forums “advise”). =S )
I see no reason why these aren’t appropriate – – they are straight leg not super skinny
Well, I dont have exact pants on the pics, but the fit and fabric (woven/polyester blend) are similare to the model (though Im shorter).
Sometimes im noticing when trying on different styles are that they are *very* formfitted around the thighs but than become looser towards the calves. Even skinny jeans looks fits like that. They dont fill out the knees. Because they emphasize someones thighs, I keept wondering if that can make them appear too ‘revealing’ to th viewer. I often hear people discussing it looks inappropriate when wearing a top too small. But perhaps I just overthinking! ;P
I think that people are referring to ‘camel toe’ as being inappropriate
A question: why won’t the cowl top work with skinnies?
It will if you are an I shape, but if you’re not it can make you look unbalanced
Imogen, have you done a post on skirt styles, such as V-shape?
What can you suggest for someone in their late thirty’s with a small waist but big thighs. I am extremely self conscious of my “thunder thighs”.
Dark colour – no distressing, straight leg and then look for a brand that does a “curve” cut – Have a look in Jeanswest and other jeans stores as they may have them.
Hi Imogen,
you write: Here is a long sleeve top with a cowl neck, but by the addition of a funky snakeskin belt it creates a more up-styled look.
This top/outfit style would work for: wide leg, bootcut, flares, straight leg (not for skinny)
Why wouldn’t this style work for skinny?
Tina
Hi Imogen,
I am an X shape so I am looking for more jeans that are skinny with a flare to balance my square shoulders but without being baggy around my thighs. Many companies offer classic vs curvy jeans. Is an X shape considered curvy or do I need to measure something else to figure it out?
I’d class an X as a curvy shape – of course they vary from brand to brand as well – which is why you need to try them on.