Women’s Jeans Guide: From Jean Size to Best Buys
Want to learn more about the best jeans for women? Find out all you need to know with our women's jeans buying guide. From the different types of jeans and how to care for them to the easiest ways to measure jeans, we'll take you through the staple process of finding the best-fitting jeans for women. Read on and browse with confidence, knowing you will find a flattering denim addition to your wardrobe.
How to Measure Your Waist and Hips
How to measure your waist
- To measure your waist size, start by finding the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips
- Place a tape measure around your slimmest middle at a point halfway between them, just above your naval
- Make sure it's pulled tight and isn't digging into your skin
- Breathe out naturally and take your waist size measurement
How to measure your hips
- To measure your hips, firstly remove your clothes and outer garments
- Stand with your feet together
- Wrap a soft measuring tape straight and snug around the widest part of your hips
- Your hip measurement can be found at the point at which the end of the tape meets the remaining length
How to Measure Your Inseam
- Find a pair of well-fitting jeans, similar to the jean length you want to buy
- Check the label for the jean inseam, just in case
- Fold your jeans in half lengthwise on a flat surface Lift the top jean leg up over the waistband to reveal the inseam
- Run a measuring tape from the crotch seam to the hem of the jeans
- Take your inseam measurement
Types of Women’s Jeans
There are many types of jeans, and it's no secret that the style of jeans you go for could change your whole look. From sleek skinny jeans to baggy boyfriend fits, there is a cut that will suit any shape.
Boyfriend Jeans
How to wear boyfriend jeans is an often-asked question - we, however, would argue that the boyfriend fit jean is a laid-back design. Great for a relaxed and naturally trendy look, boyfriend fit jeans are usually worn low on the hips and tend to suit a light wash denim.
Hoping to add some volume and shape to your frame? The boyfriend fit jeans are the cut for you. However, if you're looking for a slimming design, though baggy in shape, you can always opt for boyfriend fit jeans with a tapered cut and a higher waist.
Straight Leg Jeans
Want to know how to wear straight leg jeans? If you're aiming to tick all the trend boxes, a pair of straight leg jeans will see you right. Perfect for creating a sleek look, women's straight leg jeans rest firmly on your hips and through to your ankles: a look that will lengthen your body and balance out your figure.
Wondering what body type suits straight leg jeans best? If you're wider at the shoulder, rather than the hip, a straight leg style is the one for you.
Bootcut Jeans
What are bootcut jeans, you ask? The bootcut jean is infamously trendy and has the power to turn heads. Bootcut jeans are a snug fit from the waist down to your thighs, which makes them great for highlighting your legs.
When it comes to knowing how to wear bootcut jeans, we'd recommend pairing them with a pair of heels or, of course, a pair of staple boots.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans have become a fashion favourite - but how to style skinny jeans has always been up for debate. As a cut that can be dressed up or down, we'd suggest pairing skinny jeans with some high-heeled boots for a dressy vibe, or a pair of trainers for a more casual look.
You can find skinny jeans with both high and low-rise waistlines - it's also worth noting that skinny jean designs in stretch fabric will flatter your legs while keeping you comfortable.
Jeggings
Jeggings were a mystery for a while, but now hearing the question 'what are jeggings' is a thing of the past! A mix between leggings and jeans, jeggings are great for layering in the colder months.
Wondering what to wear with jeggings? We'd recommend pairing them with a shirt dress, one that you can dress up or down with heels or trainers. Jeggings are a staple for offering endless comfort and will soon become your go-to-item for casual weekend attire.
Types of Jean Washes
Light Wash Jeans
Known as a summer staple, light wash jeans are great for the warmer months. When it comes to knowing how to style light wash jeans, we've got you covered!
Light wash jeans look good with neutral colours like white, khaki and camel. Pair with your favourite floaty top for a boho outfit that's perfect for summer.
Mid Wash Jeans
Mid wash denim or classic wash jeans have a traditionally deep blue tone - a shade that pairs very well with neutral block colours, such as grey, brown, black and white. Mid wash denim is a casual style that is best suited to an informal look - why not try popping some trainers on and rolling up the hem?
Dark Wash Jeans
Dark wash jeans are considered the smartest denim tone, and often the most versatile.
Want to know what to wear with dark wash jeans? We suggest dressing them up with a blazer and grunging down with a plain tee. Great for the office or out on the town, dark wash jeans are a reliable jean style.
Jean Rises
High Rise Jeans
Wondering what does high rise jeans mean? High rise jeans rest just below the navel and are known to accentuate your curves. Perfect for offering a little retro to your wardrobe, high rise jeans make for a chic silhouette.
Similarly to high rise jeans, Mom jeans also focus on your figure. Mom fit jeans are flattering, high waisted and waist-defining and very comfortable with a relaxed tee or jumper.
Mid-rise Jeans
The mid-rise jeans are considered to be the most flattering style of them all, as well as the most comfortable. They tend to sit on the hip bone and make for the perfect medium fit - not too high and not too low.
Wondering how to wear mid-rise jeans? The answer is that they suit any wardrobe and are sure to be a staple, drab or glam.
Low Rise Jeans
A novice when it comes to knowing what does low-rise jeans mean? Low rise jeans are perfect for highlighting a petite frame and will rest just below the hips: think very feminine fashion.
Low rise jeans look great with a decorative and stylish belt, offering an accentuated figure.
Distressed Denim
If you're confused as to what distressed jeans are, you should probably know that it doesn't mean they're stressed or anxious...
Distressed jeans are a style of denim that give the vintage, worn look through the manufacturing process. Try pairing your favourite distressed jeans with a floaty blouse and heels. A leather jacket and trainers are also a fun, stylish way to complement your distressed jeans.
Raw Denim
What is raw denim, you ask? Also known as dry denim, raw denim refers to jeans that have not been wet or washed before being purchased. Raw denim is left unwashed after the indigo dying process.
If your jeans have not been pre-shrunk before wearing, soak them in the bath to remove any excess dye – the hotter the water, the stronger the removal. You could even try wearing them in the shower!
