DENIM FIT GUIDE: Jeans can be a friend or a foe! (I prefer friend)

YIKES!  A bad fitting jean can really ruin your appeal/self-esteem.  But, I'm here to help you learn what to look for when selecting the right style for your shape.  There are so many options out there and many women can attest to the fact that shopping for jeans is never easy for anyone (whether you are Heidi Klum or Star Jones).  The good news is that because jeans have become such a staple of fashion, there are many different designers who focus on specific shapes and ways to improve and accentuate your 'assets'.

TO BEGIN...Here are some ABC's of denim terminology that every women should know:

Abrasion - The process of making garments look worn and aged by scraping or rubbing the surface of the fabric causing abrasion.
Acid wash -  The finish that gives indigo jeans sharp contrasts by soaking pumice stones in chlorine and letting the stones create the contrast.
Crosshatch -Mixing uneven yarns in both the weft and warped directions to create a unique type of denim that shows a square grid-like pattern in the weave.
Denim - The word denim is believed to be a derivative of the French term, serge de Nîmes, a rugged cotton twill textile, in which the weft passes under two or more warp fibers, producing the familiar diagonal ribbing identifiable on the reverse of the fabric distinguishing denim from cotton duck.
Double needle -A common seam on jeans where two stitchs run parallel to each other for reinforcement.
Enzyme wash/Stone wash -A more environmentally sound way to create a stone wash, organic proteins are used to eat away at the indigo.
Indigo - A blue dye obtained from indigo plants. The chemical structure was synthetically produced in 1987. Indigo's inherent features are good colorfastness to water and light and a continual fading. This allows the blue color in jeans to always look irregular and individual.
Pima cotton - Originally grown in the 1900's in Peru, Pima Cotton is known for its long fibres, making it a very high quality, luxurious cotton. Pima Cotton was brought to America and got its name from the Pima Indians, who harvested this particular type of cotton.
River washing - The process that creates a naturally aged look by combining pumice stones and cellulose enzymes. The washer is first loaded with stones and fabric. The second stage introduces the enzymes and tumbled together to give denim a vintage, worn hand.
Rivet - A metal accessory that is used for reinforcement of stress points as well as nonfunctional ornamentation.
Sea island cotton - Known for its silky feel and lustre, one of the best cotton fibres.
Whiskering - Term used to describe a denim that has a fading of the ridges in creases in the crotch area and back of the knees giving the appearance of aged denim.

(Courtesy of Jeans.com...http://www.jeans.com/Articles/ABC%27s%20of%20Denim.lasso)

Various fits----(**a bit outdated as it does not include skinny or jegging**)

**There is also length indications for some styles: Petite, Regular, or Long**

Denim styling for 2010 is trending towards slimmer fits, darker washes, and bold pocket statements.  Also, the rise of the Jegging is upon us! (Jean + Legging = Jegging).  The stretchy fabric can be a godsend for some of us in the hourglass/pear shaped categories because they provide a fitted waist with enough stretch to embrace our curves without suffocating them.

There are various body shapes out there...some that have a lot going on in the lower curves and some that don't...

Needing flattering 'booty boosting' styles:

Apple shapes:  Bigger on top than on the bottom.  You are going to want to look for jeans that are roomier in the waist and give shapeliness to your rear.  Try to stay away from 'slim fit' and higher waisted stylings or  you will be a victim of the dreaded muffin top.

Rectangle:  Straighter hips, overrall straight shaping from mid section to thighs.  You are like the apple shapes, and want a jean that creates more curves, and shapes the booty nicely without suffocating your mid-section.

What to look for...

• Both of these shapes would be best in a tapered or skinny jean that makes the butt more noticeable.
• Flap pockets and/or quilted pockets will add dimension to your backside
• Kitten heels, or any heels for that matter will also add boost to your booty

Brands to try:

• Siwy: Quilted pockets lift and shape the backside. Try the Harmah or the Rose
• True Religion: The Billy's straight leg and flap pockets add shape to the hips and backside.

(Courtesy of http://www.couturecandy.com/jean-guide.htm)


Needing flattering bootylicious accentuating styles:

Pear Shapes & Hourglass:  Both need room in the hips and thigh areas.  But, also need to be fitted in the waist or you can get the dreaded 'plumber-ass' where the back of the waist creates an unflattering 'crater' due to the lack of fit around the mid-section.  It is best to stay away from some of the low-rise and ultra low-rise styles for this reason.

What to look for...

•  Stretch denim or the jegging style will give you the waist fit you want without suffocation your natural curviness.  Any style with a fitted waist will also be preferable.
•  Darker washes can provide a slimming effect for those thighs

Brands to try:

• Joe's Jeans - Honey Style- Made for curvy girls with a fitted waist and contoured butt
• Serfontaine - These are a curvy girls best friend. Each pair is meant to highlight the gift of shape. The Sweatheart Fit truly cannot be beat.
• Genetic Denim - Their moto is to accentuate accets and that they do! Try the Riley 

 (Courtesy of http://www.couturecandy.com/jean-guide.htm)