We'd wear jeans every day if we could. But sometimes we wonder if we can pull a particular style off. And while the answer is yes (you can and should wear whatever you want), there are certain silhouettes that are more flattering than others. Here, the best pairs for petite, tall, curvy, straight and somewhere in between.
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Just because you’re slight doesn’t mean you have to wear heels to look taller. Find a smart pair of jeans that hit just above the ankle (to make your legs look a touch longer) and that are fitted but not ultra-skinny (as not to diminish your frame). A mid or high rise will have a similarly leg-lengthening effect, as will a pointy-toed flat.
Let's get real: Most jeans are a hair too short for you anyway. Make the point yourself with purposefully cropped pants that have an exaggerated hem. You may now proceed to flaunt any and all statement heels.
Get the look: 1822 Denim ($45); Free People ($98); DL1961 ($199)
Think of this silhouette as falling somewhere between a boot cut and a full-on flare, which can sometimes come off as a little cartoonish. The slight kick at the bottom balances out a wider middle, and if you score these jeans in a stretch fabric, your toned legs will get that much more love.
Want to fake miles-long legs? Wear floor-skimming jeans in a sophisticated trouser silhouette (obviously tailored to your height). The high rise draws attention to your slim waist, and the roomy legs hide any insecurities. To avoid feeling drowned in fabric, pair these with a cropped or tucked-in top.
Get the look: Standards & Practices ($96); Bishop + Young ($120); Goldsign ($295)
If you’ve got it, flaunt it, and if we’re talking about flaunting curves, fitted skinnies are still the way to go. A dark wash will streamline your whole look, while a stretch fabric will hug you in all the right places. Accessorize however you please.
Get the look: Loft ($80); Blank Denim ($88); Good American ($149)
No-brainer, right? The reason this works is because your ankles will strangely give you curves. If you're hoping to add shape to a straight-up-and-down frame, simply let the jeans hang loose and counter them with a more traditionally feminine pump. Then cuff the hem to draw the eye to a smaller part of your body, creating an optical illusion.
Get the look: Old Navy ($40); Kut from the Kloth ($98); Citizens of Humanity ($248)