How to find the perfect pair of jeans...


Come and listen to a story 'bout a woman named Kim
Middle-class and average-sized, she wasn't exactly thin...
Then one day she was looking at her shoe
When she happened to notice there were holes in her blue...
Jeans, that is,
Average-size, straight leg, too. 

(my apologies to whoever wrote the theme for The Beverly Hillbillies!)

how to find the perfect pair of jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

The story begins...

My two favorite pairs of jeans are now sporting holes along the inner thigh seams. This distresses me on several levels:
  1. I can no longer wear my favorite jeans in public.
  2. Levi's no longer makes this style.
  3. I now have irrefutable proof that my thighs rub together.
  4. I have to go shopping for jeans.

Last week, I noticed that Macy's was having a sale,  so I tortured myself by shopping for jeans there. The Macy's nearest my house is an older, smaller store, and only carries a few of the "popular" brands. But I didn't feel like a 30 minute drive to the really nice Macy's, so I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Now I know that some of you are shaking your heads, wondering why in the world I hate shopping for jeans. You're probably tall and skinny and I hate you probably wouldn't hate jean shopping if I had your body. But I also know that there are just as many of you out there shaking your heads, commiserating with me - because you know my pain.

I just want a pair of jeans that fit. No gaping in the back, no muffin top. No mom butt. No looking like I'm trying to be a teenager or a trendy old lady.

So when I got to Macy's I grabbed about 10 pairs of jeans (not caring that I was breaking the "please limit garments to 6" rule) - Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, I.N.C., Lee - all straight or skinny leg mid-rise in short length.


None of the Levi's fit right. One pair was too long, even though the length said "short":

the search for the perfect pair of jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

All of the Lee jeans gave me mom butt (I spared you a picture). The Tommy Hilfiger ones were a weird fabric, and the I.N.C. ones made it look like I was expecting a flood. I don't think I've ever met any jeans that were too short for me - I was utterly shocked.

shopping for jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

Yep. Too short. Even for me. Seriously. I have a 27 inch inseam. Who has shorter legs than me (not counting those who shop in the girl's department)?

So back out I went. I rounded up several more pairs - Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Style & Co.

shopping for the perfect jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

I can't even speak about the Ralph Lauren ones. And I love Ralph Lauren. But these jeans in no way, shape, or form, even came close to fitting me. The picture says it all - and remember, these are supposed to be "short":

what kind of jeans should I buy | enjoytheviewblog.com

Style & Co. petite went a little too far in the opposite direction. Not quite as short as the I.N.C. ones, but still a little too short.

how to get perfect-fitting jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

The DKNY ones just fit weird (again, I spared you the picture), which is odd because I have a pair of DKNY jeans that are pretty awesome (just not my favorite day-to-day jeans). The Calvin Klein jeans were NOTHING like the Calvin Klein jeans of the 80's - which were, by the way, completely awesome jeans that I lived in from 1980-1988.

So I got redressed for the second time, and went back out to see if there were any ones that I missed.

perfect-fitting jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

Another style of Levi's, another style of I.N.C., a pair of Miss Me, and a couple of others I've forgotten. Did I mention that it was extremely hot and muggy inside Macy's? And even more so in the dressing rooms?

By this time, I had worked up a sweat. Yuck.

But wait...maybe, just maybe...

Hey, these Levi's are a lot different than the other ones. These might actually - dare I say it? - FIT! Length? Not too short - can wear them with heels. Not too long - can wear them with flats!

my perfect jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

Rear view? Nicely placed pockets. No gaping. No muffin top. And a quick pic sent to Gus assured me that I did not have mom butt in these jeans! (This will probably be the only pic you ever get to see of me from this side.)

my perfect jeans | enjoytheviewblog.com

Plus they were on sale for $39.99 (orig. $54)!! (And, no, I didn't walk around all day with the tag on my shirt, I was trying that on, too!)

The moral of the story is: You gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find your Prince. Or - you have to try on a lot of jeans to find your perfect pair. Don't give up!

Advice for finding the perfect pair of jeans:
  1. Try on a lot of jeans, and when you think you've tried enough, try some more.
  2. If you're shopping alone, take pictures of yourself in the jeans (especially from the rear), so that you can see what they really look like.
  3. Look for well-placed pockets. If they're too high, they can give you mom butt. If they're too low, they can make your butt look saggy. If they're too wide, they can make your butt look wide.
  4. Don't always listen to the "pros". According to them, I should wear bootcut jeans to balance my top half. Boot cut jeans just make me look short and dumpy. Straight or loose skinny jeans make me look thinner.
  5. If you're over 35, chances are you'll want to skip the bling on your booty. Just sayin'.
  6. If you find a pair that is almost perfect, check the rack for more in the same size. Sometimes, you'll find that even though they're the same size, there will be little differences in the fit - so a different pair in the same size/style may be perfect!
  7. If you a find a pair of jeans that you love, but they need a little tweaking, don't worry!! Find a good seamstress and have the waist taken it, the legs hemmed, or whatever needs to be done to make them perfect. It'll be worth the investment.
And in case anyone is curious, my new favorite jeans are Levi's 525 Perfect Waist Straight Leg (not to be confused with the other 525 styles). The length is petite medium.

Have you found your perfect jeans? What kind are they and where did you find them? What do you love most about them?

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Are you blog-stalking me yet? If not, you should be! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Bloglovin', Pinterest, LinkedIn, & Polyvore!

I link up at these parties: party, Party, PARTY!
Kim
25 Comments

25 comments:

  1. The pocket tip is so good! I have not thought about this in a while since it'a been summer. Now it's time. I'm under 35 but not sure I want bling on the back!

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    1. LOL - well, use your own judgement, of course! I just picked "35" - I haven't worn bling on my butt since I was in my early 20's! ;-)

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  2. I hate shopping for pants, especially jeans!
    Congrats on getting featured on the #GYBHop today :)
    Happy Thursday!
    Ang

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    1. I think clothes shopping in general is a little on the painful side. Yes, I like new things, but man, I hate trying stuff on and seeing how much doesn't fit or look right, LOL!

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  4. I'm 5'1 and I have always hated shopping for jeans! The lengths are always all over the place and it drives me crazy. I used to wear American Eagle all the time because they were the only ones that fit and fit well. But since I'll be 28 this Fall I think it's time to graduate to another brand that doesn't scream "teen"! So far, I've only ventured out to Old Navy because they fit wonderfully, but I'll have to actually go out shopping and use your tips. :-)

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    1. You should try Buckle. My daughter used to get all of her jeans at AE (I think she still may get a few there), but she really likes Buckle's selection as well. And they fit just as well as AE, if not better!

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    2. I forgot to say, too - Buckle will hem your jeans for free!

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  5. I HATE jean shopping. I literally have two pairs, and like you I have proof that my thighs rub..... not fun. Those jeans you picked out look nice though, I hope you bought a few!

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    1. I knew there were people like me!! I only bought one pair because that's all they had in my size. I know. I'm sad. :-(

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  6. Kim, I have this problem all the time myself, because I'm so short.

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    1. It seems to be a really common problem. You would think that designers and buyers (for stores) would recognize that and give us shorties what we want/need!!

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  7. Kim, I fell that you were talking directly to me. I have the same issue with jeans and pants. I am 5'3 1/2"so no jean fits me right. Thank you for sharing

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    1. Girl, I feel your pain. I'm just glad that I live near a large city. Back in my hometown, there wouldn't be anything available for me unless I drove at least 45-60 minutes. I cuffed my jeans all 4 years of high school!

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  8. I totally forgot about the Calvin Klein jeans from yesteryear, you're right they are different. Levis used to have a Levis Strauss line that was the total "IT" thing when I was a kid. Having that white patch on your rear meant you were just cool, lol.

    Thanks for sharing your blue jean adventure, and for linking up to Super Sunday Sync.

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    1. Calvin Klein jeans were what all the cool girls wore when I was in nursing school. They were magical. You could squeeze into a size smaller and look great, LOL!

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  9. That happened to me too! I must've gone through the whole Levi's store to find the perfect pair. Love my Levi's!
    I'm so glad you found a new pair that fit well. You look great in it and the length is perfect!

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    1. Thanks so much! Levis have been a favorite of mine for years - and they always manage to discontinue my favorite styles, so hunt again I must. Sigh.

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  10. oh my! I hate shopping for jeans!! I love all the pictures you took on your shopping adventure! Makes us all feel normal! :o) Do these still fit great? I've had several pairs that stretch out TOO MUCH and are about 2 sizes to big after I wear them... :O) Love! EMily @nap-timecreations.com

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    1. So far, so good, Emily. Now let's hope it stays that way!! LOL!

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  11. My daughter has the same issues as you, Cami - and she also loves Mossimo jeans! Some others that fit her well (so they might work for you) - certain Buckle styles, certain American Eagle style - not the really low-cut ones. She can also wear one of the Old Navy styles (I forget which one - maybe Diva?) - I can't wear any of their jeans, LOL!

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  12. I do the same dressing room invasion technique. Then when I find a pair that fits, I'll buy a couple pairs. I'm amazed at how long slacks are anymore. It's like the designers just assume we're going to wear heels with them.

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    1. Oh, believe me - if there had been another pair like this in my size, I would've bought them! I do often wear heels with jeans, but some of these would be too long even with heels! And that's a "short" length! It's crazy!

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  13. I struggle with jeans too! I am short, but have long legs, so length is usually an issue. My favorite jeans are the ones that have some stretch to them!!

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    1. My daughter has the opposite problem. She's about 5'6", which isn't short, or tall, really. But her legs are short for her height. So regular length is usually too long, but short length is too short. She either has to opt for Buckle jeans, where they'll hem them for free - or try on jeans by the dozens like me, or cuff them!

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I love reading your comments!!