The Best Cuts and Styles of Jeans for Every Body Type
Finding the perfect pair of jeans can feel like a quest for the holy grail. The good news? There’s a flattering jean style for every body shape! Whether you’re curvy, petite, athletic, or somewhere in between, the right cut can enhance your natural shape and boost your confidence.
As a plus size chick, I always found it annoying when plus size was considerered a shape. I mean, you can be plus size and curvy or plus size and boxy or plus size and petite. So let's break it all down!
Here’s a guide to the best cuts and styles for different body types to help you navigate your next shopping spree.
1. Hourglass Shape: Embrace Your Curves with High-Waisted and Bootcut Jeans
Women with an hourglass figure typically have a balanced bust and hips with a defined waist. The goal is to enhance your waist while balancing your proportions.
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Best Styles:
- High-Waisted Skinny Jeans: These accentuate your waist and highlight your curves, hugging the hips and thighs before narrowing at the ankles.
- Bootcut Jeans: Slightly flared at the bottom, these create a balanced look from the hips down, elongating the legs and enhancing your silhouette.
- Avoid: Low-rise jeans that can create a muffin top effect and break the natural waistline.
Try the Alba High Rise Destroyed Hem Skinny Jeans by Judy Blue
2. Pear Shape: Balance Hips with Straight-Leg or Wide-Leg Jeans
If you’re pear-shaped, your hips are wider than your shoulders, and your goal is to balance your proportions while flattering your lower body.
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Best Styles:
- Straight-Leg Jeans: These create a long, lean line from hip to hem, minimizing the width of the hips.
- Wide-Leg or Flared Jeans: These draw attention downward, balancing your wider hips with a fuller bottom leg.
- Dark Wash Jeans: Darker colors can have a slimming effect on the hips and thighs.
- Avoid: Super-skinny jeans, which can emphasize the width of the hips.
Checkout these dark wash high rise jeans: Hazel High Rise Vintage Wide Leg Jeans
3. Apple Shape: Highlight Your Legs with Skinny or High-Rise Jeans
Women with apple-shaped bodies tend to carry weight around their midsection, often with narrower hips and slimmer legs. The right jeans can help create a more defined waist and show off your legs.
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Best Styles:
- Mid to High-Rise Skinny Jeans: These help tuck in the tummy and focus attention on your legs. Look for styles with a bit of stretch for added comfort.
- Straight-Leg Jeans: These offer a great fit that balances the waist while keeping the look streamlined.
- Tummy-Control Features: Many brands now offer jeans with built-in shaping panels for extra support around the waist.
- Avoid: Low-rise jeans, which can accentuate the midsection.
We have alot of tummy control jeans. You may want to go for a size smaller to really hold you in. Be sure to measure! Try these vintage wash Judy Blue Jeans with light distressing and a control panel to hold you in
4. Athletic Shape: Add Curves with Boyfriend or Flared Jeans
If you have a more athletic or rectangular body type with fewer curves, the goal is to create the illusion of more defined hips and a curvier silhouette.
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Best Styles:
- Boyfriend Jeans: The looser fit around the hips creates the appearance of curves, while a cuffed hem adds a relaxed, stylish vibe.
- Flared Jeans: The volume at the bottom adds width to the legs, making your hips appear fuller.
- Low-Rise Jeans: These sit on the hips, adding a bit of curve to your waist area.
- Avoid: Extremely skinny or straight cuts, which may emphasize a lack of curves.
Try these boyfriend jeans for a fun and flattering look.
5. Petite Shape: Lengthen Your Legs with High-Waisted and Cropped Styles
For petite women, the key is to elongate the legs and avoid cuts that overwhelm your smaller frame.
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Best Styles:
- High-Waisted Skinny Jeans: These are perfect for lengthening the legs and creating the illusion of height.
- Cropped Skinny or Straight Jeans: A cropped hem that hits just above the ankle can make legs appear longer while still offering a sleek, fitted look.
- Monochromatic Looks: Wearing one color from top to bottom (especially in dark shades) can create an uninterrupted line, making you look taller.
- Avoid: Wide-leg jeans, as they can make a petite frame appear shorter.
RISEN Jeans has a great crop that we suggest for a lengthening look.
Also-- did you know that jeans with an unfinished hem, also called a 'raw hem', can be cut to length? Now you know!
6. Tall Shape: Rock Almost Any Style, Especially Wide-Leg and Bootcut
Tall women have the luxury of being able to pull off a wide variety of jean styles, but the key is finding the right length and cut that complements your frame.
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Best Styles:
- Wide-Leg Jeans: These create a balanced look for long legs and add volume in a chic, flattering way.
- Bootcut Jeans: The subtle flare at the bottom works wonders for balancing out long limbs.
- Straight-Leg Jeans: This classic cut is always a good option for elongating and balancing your frame.
- Avoid: Cropped or capri jeans, which can cut off the length of your legs awkwardly.
Don't have anyone asking where's the flood. Aim for inseems 32" and longer. We're digging these flares.
Final Tips for Finding the Perfect Jeans
- Stretchy Fabrics: A little elastane (stretch) in the fabric can go a long way in offering comfort and fit for most body types.
- Tailoring: Don’t be afraid to get your jeans tailored. A nip at the waist or a hem adjustment can make a huge difference in how your jeans fit.
- Dark vs. Light Wash: Darker washes tend to be slimming, while lighter washes can add volume, so choose accordingly based on the look you're going for.
But the biggest tip? Wear what you like! I'm 43 and no one is going to tell me I can't still wear ripped jeans. Finding the best jeans is about more than just following trends—it’s about choosing the styles that make you feel confident. No matter your body type, there's a perfect pair of jeans out there just waiting for you!
Need help finding your style? Send me a message at Lynda@knittedgrace.com for a one-on-one denim consultation.
For all of the jeans we have in stock, checkout Denim Days.