- Take time to try on an assortment of sizes and styles - they may fit slightly differently depending on the cut and the brand.
- Sit down while wearing the jeans to make sure they are comfortable and there is no gaping at the back.
- Consider buying a size smaller to allow for the natural stretch in denim, especially with a non-stretch pair.
- Bring or wear the shoes you are most likely to wear the jeans with in case any alterations are needed.
- Larger thighs? Try bootcut and avoid tapered legs or anything baggy.
- Pear shaped? Low rise styles will make your bottom appear smaller. Wide legs will help slim your figure.
- A bit of a tummy? Look for specialist designs with hidden control panels. Avoid fussy waist details.
- No waist? Detailed waist bands and belts create shape. Tuck in tops to add definition.
- Wider calves? Look for flares and bootcut styles.
- Curvy? Choose classic straight cut or bootcut styles for balance. Choose dark shades for a leaner look.
- Make legs look longer with a narrow cut. A higher waistband lengthens the silhouette.
- Gap brand: styles Best Girlfriend, True Skinny Ankle and Cropkick Flare are cut shorter in the leg than the rest of Gap fits, so end up the perfect length for petite frames. Gap also offer a customization service that includes hemming.
Washing
- Wash jeans inside out, and with similar colours - new jeans are especially likely to bleed colour.
- If drying outside, hang them inside out to lessen fade. Shake before bone dry and fold - they shouldn't need ironing.
Good Housekeeping, February 2014 and February 2018
