The eye of the stylist: finally find the jeans that suit you

After years of narrow cuts copied and pasted, jeans are available in relaxed or more sophisticated forms. The thighs swell, the waistband rises above the navel, the hem brushes the floor or remains camped at the ankle, the legs flare out delicately or inflate like balloons. Balloon is also the name given to one of these jeans that seems to settle for good in the middle of the classic straight, flare or cigarette cuts. Perhaps you imagine that this fashion object only goes to slender girls, that the boy-friend accentuates the curves or that the mom jeans are incompatible with a round belly? Have you tried? I've seen so many bodies try on different jeans that the experience has taught me to look beyond prejudice. There are far too many different cuts, details, shades, names and denim in one category to be frustrated by clichés. At best, you will find that this form that you thought was "impossible" for you works very well. At worst, it failed. And even… I recommend that you don't give up: missed, the first try doesn't count. Look elsewhere, for a slightly different model, another fabric, with more stretch or on the contrary a raw side that ensures its hold. From one brand to another, for a similar model, the cuts vary, the name changes, the material also with subtleties of weft, washing, placement of pockets, height of crotch which can change everything...

Also read >>> The stylist's eye: do palazzo pants really suit everyone?

And above all, do not fantasize about the sublime jeans of the saleswoman or influencer. At the same size, your morphology is necessarily a little (or a lot) different: you may not have the same length of thighs, legs, a more or less marked waist and hips... Comparison is rarely an ally.

Here are some avenues that should enlighten you, or in any case, open you up to cuts that you may have forbidden yourself until today.

You think you're too round for loose shapes

For years you've sworn only by slim or boot-cut. I validate the first if it is not too tight (we will rather speak of straight jeans) but I have reservations about the second as soon as it is low waisted with thighs that are too tight. I suggest you try high-waisted jeans, wide at the thighs and perfectly tightened above the ankle. Boyfriend, girlfriend, baggy, balloon, sluchy, paper bag or mom jeans, they all have a specific size that varies according to the brands. The benefit: redesign and balance your silhouette. If you're not used to it, experiment gradually. But steer clear of soft, loose fabrics for a sturdy canvas. And then pair your jeans with a soft, loose top tucked in and out. Over: a kimono-style belted jacket or a clean blazer to wear open. At your feet, ankle boots, derbies with notched soles or chunky sneakers.

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You don't like the extra-size trend

Stay close to the body but stay away from low rise, super skinny (outdated), jeggings stuffed with stretch (it's sassy) and artificial wash on the front and back of the thighs (not chic ). Instead, bet on a straight cut, mid-rise waist in a dark fabric (slim or cigarette). Do you find yourself stuck? Generously release the ankle to lighten the leg. If you don't want to emphasize riding breeches, beware of the top that stops at the hips. Try it with a loose blouse or a fluid knit that goes down under the buttocks. Finally, check that the thin soles do not crush you.

You think that your generous buttocks prevent you from getting out of classic jeans

Forget about the too thin fabrics that mark everything. Just like the excess elastane effect leggings. Count on a canvas that has aplomb and a navel size. With a slightly raised back, the buttocks will fit better without being flattened. Good point for the pockets placed in height. You have the cuts that start to widen from below the buttocks: the flare that grazes the floor or the oversized jeans rolled above the ankles. Do you have a flat stomach? A thin waist? Wear your jeans with a bodysuit, cropped sweater or tucked-in shirt. Dare to go for the raw denim total-look (dark canvas) which will lengthen the silhouette. Vary the pleasures with color.

For you, being small is incompatible with oversize

You are wrong: the oversize cut can go to small sizes. Straight or puffy cuts (boyfriend, girlfriend or slouchy), it doesn't matter. If you opt for a mid-rise or high rise, you visually lengthen the leg. Attention, to reinforce the tensor effect, roll the bottom of your jeans at least five centimeters from the malleolus: even if you wear high socks, we will guess your leg. Does this mean that the leg eph (flare) is forbidden to you on the pretext that you do not have gazelle legs? No, if the hem goes very low and covers your shoes, choose them with a thick sole (platform boots, for example). You should like!

Your round belly encourages you to limit yourself to low-rise jeans

On the contrary! The belt that is placed right where you want to remain discreet will form a bead. Same if you have love handles. Go for a high or semi-high waist that will envelop your curves. Depending on your sensitivity and the desired finish, opt for a slightly stretchy denim that won't compress you or a sheathing fabric that will subtly flatten your belly. The little slimming detail: the small patch pockets on the front. Also try paper bag jeans (with a big elastic above the navel or a belt) whose gathers will blur in the right place. Afterwards, all cuts are allowed: wide, straight or flared. You just have to choose the wash and the color.

Do you think that your very thin body confines you to jeggings...

Precisely, with an androgynous lower body, ultra-tight jeans tend to accentuate flat buttocks, especially if they are devoid of of pockets. Have fun with these things that give curves to the buttocks such as low-waisted models, pockets placed on the buttocks... Conversely, dare the open sea to accentuate a tomboy quickdraw with boy-friend jeans, a sluchy or a flare ultra-loose…) lowered on the hips. Play with a man's shirt, oversized cashmere, an airy silk blouse... And why not two-tone jeans?

You look enviously at those who wear white jeans

It will soon be your turn. Because white or ecru, it accompanies the beautiful days, illuminates the winter and your silhouette. He gains weight ? Not if you find a thick fabric (not an imitation denim) and if the cut matches your figure. You are likely to love it when you realize that it goes with as many pieces of your wardrobe as possible (heather gray sweatshirt, colored sweater, navy turtleneck, leopard blouse, khaki pea coat, camel coat, army boots, loafers , sneakers…). It remains to choose the cut!