Struggling to find a pair of jeans that make you feel both beautiful and comfortable? Would you like to discover which jean style is best suited to your body shape?
I'm here to help you.
As a fashion enthusiast, I understand how important the cut of clothing can be when you’re looking for a basic item to wear every day.
That's why today I'm sharing this guide to jeans, the essential trousers found in nearly every wardrobe! It's aimed at all women, regardless of their style or body shape. 😉
Women with an O body shape will look great in mid-rise bootcut jeans, which will balance their silhouette without adding bulk. For women with an X or 8 shape, flare cuts and fitted jeans (skinny or slim) will hug their curves beautifully. If you have an A body shape, I recommend going for mid-rise pants, such as bootcut or boyfriend jeans. Low-rise or high-rise jeans are perfect for accentuating the curves of a woman with an H shape. Finally, the legs of women with a V body shape will be enhanced by most styles of jeans!
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:
- What is your body shape and which letter or number corresponds to it?
- Which jeans to wear if you have an athletic build or a few curves,
- How to find a pair of jeans that are comfortable and won't slip down your hips,
- Everything you need to check before buying jeans,
- And plenty of outfit ideas featuring these timeless trousers!
How to Determine Your Body Shape?
Even though we are all different, there are indeed types of female body shapes. Contrary to what one might think, they do not depend on our weight, but rather on the shape of our skeleton.
Knowing your body shape helps you choose clothing that flatters your figure, enhances your best features, and is comfortable to wear. By observing your body, you'll find out which category you most closely align with:
- Body Type O :
- You have an average to large bust.
- The upper part of your body is proportionate to the lower part, but you tend to gain weight around your waist and belly.
- Your waist is relatively short.
- You have slender legs and a less pronounced backside.
👩 Examples: Jennifer Hudson, Kate Winslet, Catherine Zeta-Jones…
- X or 8 Shape :
- Your silhouette is very feminine: wide hips, a slim waist, and a rather pronounced bust,
- Your shoulders and hips are about the same width,
- When you gain weight, it tends to be evenly distributed across your body, although you might notice a bit more in your hips, thighs, and bottom.
👩 Examples: Selena Gomez, Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek.
I'm sorry, but it seems like there's no specific text provided for translation. Could you please share the content that needs to be translated into English (South Africa)?Kate Winslet / Scarlett Johansson / Selena Gomez
- A-Shape Body Type :
- Narrow shoulders and a small to medium bust,
- Wide hips, which is where your curves are located.
- Your bottom is quite pronounced.
- Your waist is the thinnest part of your body.
- Your bust and chest are the slimmest parts of your body.
👩 Examples: Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez.
- H Shape Body Type:
- Few curves,
- Shoulders are quite square, aligned with your hips and legs,
- Your waist is not very defined, as are your hips and legs.
👩 Examples: Zoe Saldana, Cameron Diaz, Keira Knightley
- V-Shape Body Type:
- Broad shoulders, athletic build.
- Medium to large bust.
- Your silhouette narrows towards the bottom, resembling an inverted triangle.
- Your hips are slim, and you don't gain weight on your legs and buttocks.
👩 Examples: Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Garner
Kim Kardashian / Zoe Saldana / Keira Knightley / Angelina Jolie
What jeans are best for an O-shape body: broad bust with some curves
If you have this body type, it's the upper part of your body that draws attention first. Therefore, it's important to accentuate the lower part of your body with your trousers to balance your silhouette. To achieve this, I recommend highlighting your waist with fitted tops and belts.
✅ Prioritise:
- Jeans with an elastic waistband,
- High-waisted trousers, especially if they offer a bit of coverage for your tummy,
- The bootcut style, straight and elegant, perfect for your figure.
- Dark slim-fit jeans
🛑 Avoid:
- High-waisted jeans that accentuate your belly, especially if you have a little extra.
- Low-rise jeans that don't cover your hips properly, which can lead to them "spilling over" the waistband.
Which jeans are best for hourglass or X-shaped body types?
This type of very feminine silhouette is enhanced when you manage to highlight your assets, meaning the curves of your hips, thighs, and bottom.
In general, any baggy and loose-fitting clothes may make you look heavier, while clothes that are too tight can draw too much attention if you’re carrying a bit of extra weight. To feel comfortable, I recommend finding a pair of jeans that accentuates your body shape rather than squeezing you in.
✅ Prioritise:
- Flared pants (also known as bell-bottoms), as long as they are not wider than your shoulders,
- Low-rise bootcut jeans for a casual yet stylish look.
- Skinny jeans, unless you have a curvier lower body,
- Dark colours (indigo, black, etc.) to highlight your curves.
🛑 Avoid:
- Jeans that are too stretchy, which could cause your hips and thighs to widen,
- Loose-fitting jeans that don't flatter your shape, such as baggy jeans.
What jeans are best for an A-shaped body: narrow shoulders and wide hips?
This type of female body shape is one of the most common around the world! Since your waist is slim and well-defined, highlighting it should be your number one priority when looking for ways to dress.
✅ Prefer:
- A low-rise or medium-rise pair of pants,
- A bootcut jean that will elongate your legs,
- Possibly a boyfriend jean, worn with a blazer to balance out its width,
- Dark colours in contrast to a light top, to draw the eye to your waist,
- A well-cut flare jean that doesn't slide down and will balance your silhouette.
🛑 Avoid:
- Pants with small pockets at the back to avoid visually widening that part of your body,
- High-waisted jeans, which would hide your waist while accentuating any curves you may have around your tummy.
Which jeans suit an H-shaped body: long and straight?
If you have this body type, you're likely looking for pants that create a feminine silhouette without slipping off your hips. For this, I recommend opting for trousers that sit either below or above your hips, to help define your waist. For the top, choose items that add volume and aren’t too fitted to the body.
✅ Prioritise:
- A low-rise jean,
- A high-rise jean,
- Straight or bootcut styles,
- Feminine and delicate details: embroidery, bows, inserts… to give your look a feminine touch, if that's what you prefer.
🛑 Avoid:
- Baggy or boyfriend jeans, which would only highlight the shape of your figure,
- Flared jeans, which are too wide at the bottom and could throw off the balance of your outfit.
What jeans are best for a V-shaped body type?
Women with this body shape are really fortunate when it comes to choosing jeans. In fact, most styles will suit them, as long as they are well-fitted! The secret to achieving a stunning look is to pick a simple yet stylish top that flatters your neckline without overly emphasising the width of your shoulders.
✅ Prioritise:
- Most jeans: slim, bootleg, flared, skinny…
- Light denim, paired with a white or pastel top, to look radiant,
🛑 Avoid:
- Loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t add bulk to your figure,
- Avoid wearing too many accessories on your upper body: the goal is to draw attention to your legs, which are a stunning feature!
How to Choose the Right Jeans: What to Check and What to Look Out For?
When you finally find the perfect pair of jeans that fit just right, it’s hard to let go! To help you out, I’m sharing some valuable tips on how to choose a pair of trousers that will keep you comfortable while making you feel fabulous:
🔸 Don’t forget that jeans stretch a bit after every wash, especially if you prefer a fitted style.
🔸 Every brand has its own sizing: you could wear a size 42 in one shop and a size 38 in another! If you're shopping in-store, try on multiple sizes each time to find the one that fits you best. If you're shopping online, make use of the size guide and use a pair of jeans that you know fits you well as a reference.
🔸 The length of the legs varies depending on the jeans: if they are too long, you can always get them hemmed. However, if they are too short, it could be quite uncomfortable. To avoid this kind of disappointment when shopping online, make sure to check the size of the model wearing the clothing. If the model is smaller than you, be cautious! If you're on the shorter side, look for ⅞ models, which should fit you like a classic pair of pants!
🔸 Wash your jeans on their own for the first time, as they may bleed colour. If they are dark, you can soak them in cold water for half an hour beforehand to make the process easier.
I hope this article has helped you to find a pair of jeans that flatter you and that you feel truly comfortable in! A perfectly fitted pair of denim is a real asset in your wardrobe. It can be worn every day, with most of your outfits!
If you're on the lookout for original tops to wear, I invite you to check out our online shop dedicated to bohemian fashion. Throughout the year, we source unique and original clothing to help you find the style that suits you best!