The Perfect Jean Style Guide

By Jayme Chandler and Isabelle Redfield

Apart from meeting your boyfriend’s parents, or coming out as a conservative in 2020, few things are as daunting as buying a good pair of jeans. It sounds simple, but it’s not. With endless colors, cuts, styles, prices, and brands, buying the perfect pair of jeans is no easy feat. A good pair of jeans is worth your investment— you need a few solid pairs that you can continue to go to for years. However, there is a silver lining to the complexity. The sheer amount of jean styles, colors, and brands really does mean that there’s a perfect fit for everyone out there. With a little patience, a little hemming, and the right guide, everyone can find their ideal pair.

Thin— wear straight-leg jeans

You can’t go wrong with a classic straight-leg jean. Timeless, vintage, and effortlessly paired with everything. Wear with a simple white tee and blazer during the day, and throw on a black blouse and heels for night— you can rock this jean anywhere. Because a straight-leg style jean doesn’t have much definition, the slimmer body type flatters this jean best.

Tall— wear wide-leg jeans

Bring back that 70’s vibe with a wide-leg jean. Retro, fun, and different— this jean is always a show stopper. Pair with some booties or sneakers and a simple tee, this is the perfect summer look. Wide-leg jeans are hard to pull-off, and a taller frame with long legs best flatters this style.

Long-Torso— wear high-waisted jeans

High-waisted jeans make your legs stretch on for days. From crop-tops to french tucks, lengthen your legs with this style of jean. High-rise jeans shorten your torso, flatten your stomach, and define your waist, they make anyone and everyone look better.

Petite— wear white jeans

White jeans are a summer staple. However, they can be difficult to pull off and are anything but forgiving, so a petite frame best flatters this style. Paired with a flowy blouse and sandals, white jeans always dress-up a casual summer look. From an all-white edgy look to a Hamptons-ready-prep, white jeans are a stylish take on denim, but must only be worn during the summer! We would also advise you to steer clear of red wine, a chilled white-wine is better for summer anyways!

Athletic— wear flare jeans

Flare jeans are a fun and ever-so flattering take on denim. Versatile, stylish, and timeless, a flare jean will hug an athletic figure in all the right places. This foolproof style can be dressed up or down and pairs well with sneakers or booties. It’s hard to go wrong with flare jeans.

Curvy— wear black jeans

The edgiest and coolest take on jeans, black denim, is universally flattering, curve-hugging, and slimming. You can never go wrong with a black pair of jeans. Transition them from day to night with sneakers to heels and a graphic tee to a bodysuit. You’ll always feel hot in black denim.

Photos via Vogue, the Zoe Report, Pinterest, Getty Images, and Pinterest