More from the mail bag: October is class reunion month, and we need some jeans
I am going to my 10 year college reunion and it involves a football game, so I thought it was time for some new jeans. I have 2-year-old twins and have worked from home since they were born. My entire wardrobe could use some help . . . My body shape has changed a little since the pre-pregnancy days, and some things no longer fit quite right. Others are worn out or just need some updating. I have a classic style, and I'm not a big fan of shopping.
So last weekend my husband, boys and I went to the mall where I tried on roughly 20 pairs of jeans. I tried on all the denim styles I could find in Coldwater Creek, Talbots, the Lands End stuff at Sears, and JCPenney. Much of what I found was boot cut, and I confirmed that I just don't like the way that style fits me. I'm 5'6", probably about 145 lbs, with strong hips and thighs. If they fit through the thighs, they are ridiculously big at the waist and too long. I'm looking for a straight-legged pair of jeans that sit slightly below my natural waist... Any suggestions on where to look or a specific style to try?
Thanks for your help!
I spent TWO HOURS the other day trying to find some jeans I don't hate; I am feeling Marthena's pain. But I am also a little at a loss as to what to tell her, because I am COMPLETELY DEFEATED by jeans.
That's where you come in.
Let's talk jeans. What brands do you love? Why do you love them? Are you buying high end or low end or something in between? Share your secrets! Marthena and I need to know.
Just so you don't think I'm shirking my responsibilities here, let's talk about what else one could wear to the college reunion that involves a football game. I am a HUGE fan of skirts, even for this type of event -- a great A line denim skirt with a fitted tee and some beautiful driving mocs is a comfortable, casual, polished look. Denim is good because it wears well (if you spill your
Not feeling the skirt? How about a great pair of chinos? A little dressier than jeans, but still not dressed up. Or, if the weather is cool, a pair of corduroys. Again, pair with cute flats and a sweater or tee; add a jacket or cardigan for warmth.
Ten years out of college, it's okay to look like a grown up during the day. Marthena wants to find an outfit that flatters her post-baby figure and makes her feel pretty and fresh. That may be jeans, but it's okay if it isn't. Don't feel like you have to wear what you were wearing ten years ago; you're older now, and that means that you can dress like a grown up.
Even if you are tossing back a cold one at the football game.
16 Comments:
I have good luck at Kohl's. Gloria Vanderbuilt works well for me personally, but they have a good variety of cuts and fits.
Have you never tried Zafu.com???
Tons of jean suggestions for every shape & size
After I lost a lot of weight recently, I went on a search for the best pair of jeans I could find for my body. It took me a couple of weekends of jeans shopping- very frustrating! I was about to call it quits and buy myself a custom made pair, when I discovered I love the jeans at NY & Co. They have the perfect silhouette and dark wash that I love, and best of all- they cost under $40.
You know, Susan, I think I told you the story of my $10 Lucky jeans which I scored at TJ Maxx completely by accident... and they fit like a dream (larger hips/thighs, smaller waist) and I have NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND THAT STYLE AGAIN. I even broke down to where I thought maybe I'd pay retail for another pair, but THEY DON'T EXIST. Perhaps they were at TJ Maxx because they were defective. You know, like my ass.
Oh, wait. Was this not about me? My bad.
I have two pairs of Levis that fit very well, post-baby. I had written off Levis as Those Jeans My Dad Wears until I desperately tried some on when I was on the hunt. They are stretchy and forgiving, and the length works for me.
I love my Ann Taylor jeans; however, it seems as if they have gone more toward the boot cut this year, but they still have some straight leg styles and they've come out with a curvy fit for those of you who carry your weight on the bottom (not me, I wish it were). Their jeans run $78 which I would call middle of the road, but they also do coupons if you sign up for their email list. Oh and I had some good luck with Target Mossimo black jeans last season. Haven't tried them this year.
Just my opinion on a skirt to a football game: Where I live, if you wore a skirt, you would freeze to death before the game even hit half time! I tried on 26 pairs of jeans at Kohls a few weeks back. I despise shopping for jeans. Levi's still had the best fit for me even though pre-baby I couldn't fit into them for any reason. Also Nine and Company worked fairly well. I did find one Apt. 9 pair that fit. Find some cute khaki's instead.
I'm a little bit shorter than your reader (5'3"), but am shaped very similar. Smaller waist/hips, larger thighs, and have always had this problem too. I discovered that both the Limited and Banana Republic carry a few styles of jeans that fit me really well. I tend to have to shorten them a bit but at least they fit all over, not just one area of the body. The bonus is that if you keep an eye on them, the Limited will put the new styles on temporary 40% off sales regularly, and Banana will have random savings on current styles as well. Good luck!
I am very tall and have narrow hips and a proportionally large waist 5'11', 39-31-38), and I spent the time from puberty to age 33 wearing men's Levi's 501, the old fashioned button-fly jeans. They fit (34 inch inseams, even 36 if you look hard!) and fit my budget, but definitely gave my boyish figure even more of a boyish look.
Then I discovered some jeans that can make me feel like a woman - Levi's 515 boot-cut stretch. They come in short, medium and long lengths (the longs aren't long enough for me to wear with heels, but luckily I never wear heels). They are mid-rise, so work with the fact that I have small hips and a big waist. They are boot-cut but not exaggeratedly so. I am narrowly built, but I recommend these for anyone who has a high hip-waist ratio - if you are all apple-y, try 'em.
I, too, have consistently had the best luck with Levis, but I also can't stand to spend more than $40 for a pair of jeans, so maybe that's my problem!
I bought two pairs of Refuge jeans at Charlotte Russe last year (I was shocked because I think most of their clothes are pretty cheap and poorly made) but they've last beautifully after being worn at least twice a week for a year. I've tried to get new jeans for the last several months, but I had no luck. I finally bought two more pairs of Refuge jeans two weeks ago and I love them both. They fit in the waist and the thighs and are the right length. Now I have two pairs to wear with flats adn two to wear with heels. They are a fairly heavy weight denim with a slight stretch and a nice cut. I LOVE them.
I have to second the Zafu recommendation. You basically go through and answer questions to tell them what style you like, and what problems you have with jeans (gapes at the waist, fits the thighs but not the waist), and it spits out recommendations for brands and styles. I ended up finding a pair of jeans at Old Navy that actually fit after I used Zafu.
I highly recommend tailoring jeans. If you find a pair that fit you well in your thighs, you can easily have the waist taken in. Most places that sell "premium denim" will do this for free, or you can go to your local tailor.
I must say, I'm addicted to high-end denim. I don't have 390 pairs or anything, but I bought one pair, and was hooked. Levi's Capital E (their premium line) has great straight-leg jeans, I think the style is called Swank (they run about $150). Citizen's for Humanity also fit universally well, about the same price range.
For far cheaper jeans, I head to the Gap. Their Long & Lean line is great, and runs about $50.
Lastly, I recommend you buy in person at first, until you find a specific brand and style you like. All jeans fit differently, every pair, even ones from the same brand. Good luck! :-)
I am completely defeated by jeans as well. I'm in desperate need of a new pair, but don't even dare begin the quest, since last spring I spent an entire day at a mall and ended up with 1 pair that are a lot like Susan's here---and they bother me too. It is totally discouraging how difficult it is to find jeans that fit!
Thanks so much for everyone's great suggestions! At least I'm feeling re-inspired to try some more stores and styles. Now I just have to find the time for another shopping expedition. And, since the weather has finally turned cold, I'll probably be wearing cords and a sweater to the evening game.
Ok, I'm kind of late responding, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in. I'm also 5'6" and I weigh 150 pounds, with big hips/thighs and a small waist. Gap jeans are working really well for me right now--I have two pairs about six months old and they're holding up great. I can't remember the styles, but one was about $50 and one was $75. I nearly didn't buy the second pair because they were so expensive (to my cheap self), but they are really great and clearly better quality than the cheaper ones. So, I suggest trying the Gap. (As an aside, my mother is also the same shape and she wears Levi's as many other posters have suggested.)
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