Jeans are sort of my downfall
I can't go into a Target and grab $20 jeans, because I'm not tall and I don't have slim thighs. Every once in a great while, Target makes something short in a size I can get over my legs and button comfortably (the pair of jeans with the incorrectly sewn on waistband, and my work pants), but it's not like I can make a habit of it.
Back in the day, I could go to Wet Seal and pick between two sizes in their "short" length. Then, suddenly, I went in one day and all the same sizes I had at home, I suddenly couldn't even get over my hips, and the even the short length was too long... what happened??????
I've always loved YMI jeans, but I've never had a pair that doesn't get the hem totally ripped out because of how long they are on me.
Needless to say, me + jeans is kind of a disaster.
People say jeans should be the one thing you splurge on it, and that's true. You're going to be wearing them a lot, and usually when you wear them, it's because you want to be comfortable. But plenty of us know that $120 is not even close to an option, while some people consider that "cheap" for jeans. Ha!!!
So, what can you do to find jeans that actually fit RIGHT (as all jeans should), while keeping it in the "I can afford this without a credit card" range?
Tip #1: If you can find a size that fits, always buy your jeans in the juniors department.
This can be tricky at times, especially since I have hips and a good number of them are made straight through the waist, hips, and thighs. But you're saving about 50% if you go into a place like Nordstrom or Macy's by making this choice. And not all of them look like something only a teenager would wear.
Tip #2: Nordstrom Rack is your new best friend.
If you want to splurge by getting the very best jeans, the least you can do for yourself is find those same jeans at a much more reasonable price. Sure, not everything at Nordstrom Rack is at the same quality as what's in the real stores. But that's usually not the case. Most of what I buy from Nordstrom Rack is off season. Sure, there's plenty of stuff that's never made it to their real stores for various reasons, but I haven't found quality to be a big one. The only thing I've gotten from them that's fallen apart is tights, and to be perfectly honest, I can't find tights ANYWHERE that won't fall apart.
Tip #3: Don't limit yourself to one style.
I was extremely against skinny jeans for the longest time. One I started wearing them, I found that in spite of my curvier figure, they actually flattered me a lot more than some other jeans I'd been trying. I still go for moderate flare and bootcut when I can, but why fight jeans that fit correctly?
Tip #4: First trip to the dressing room, load up on the item limit with JUST JEANS!
Once you find your favorites, you can start pairing them with shirts, but first, try different brands, try a range of sizes, and don't settle until you're absolutely satisfied with the fit.
Tip #5: Be aware of certain fit problems that will annoy you more once you're home than they do in the dressing room.
Extremely long legs, too short legs, waist gaping in the back, waist pinching anywhere, anything digging into your hips, and tight material in the thighs. (The last one, I have discovered, actually makes your jeans more prone to sliding down in the leg, and taking the waistband with them)
Of course, if you mess up on leg length, you've got solutions later. High heels work wonders with length problems in either direction. They lift long hems off the ground, and look adorable with skinny jeans that hit right at the ankle. Hemming is always as an option for the long pairs, and boots over the legs of the short pairs will leave no one the wiser. The other problems are a bit trickier to overcome, so if you're not really the same height as your waist size in most brands, don't sweat it, that's manageable.
Ultimately, if you end up with a couple pairs that fit you perfectly, and a go to brand that you can fall back on next time, AND you can spend less than $40 per pair (ok, I'm living in a dream world, but my perfectly fitting brand is only $25 per pair at Nordstrom Rack!), you'll be fine with jeans in the future!
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