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Jeans for Body Shape Guide

Best jeans for an Oval/Apple Shaped Body and For the Diamond Shaped Body

I’ve seen different definitions for what is meant by an oval or apple shaped  body or a diamond body shape.  There isn’t a governing organization that provides standard definitions for body shapes but there is some consensus or at least similarities about what is meant. Most sources will explain what they mean  and give you the criteria for their terms.

Apple Shaped Body Type

Diamond Shaped Body Type

Oval/Apple Shaped Body

Apple and Oval are usually used interchangeably. This body type is generally “top heavy” and features:

apple shaped body

  • Wide shoulders
  • A larger bust
  • Sometimes extra weight around your midsection
  • An undefined waistline
  • Slim arms and legs
  • Sometimes this figure can have a bit of a tummy
  • …but some apples have flatter stomachs
  • This figure can have a flat bottom
Style Tips for The Oval/Apple Shaped Body

Styling goals can include slimming and defining the waistline and balancing a top heavy figure.

Stomach and Waistline

Best jeans for minimizing a tummy

If you are an apple shaped body type that has a rounded tummy and full waistline:
A mid-rise/medium rise jean that hits below the belly button can cover and control your stomach.

Especially if you are short-waisted, it is important to choose a jean rise lower than your waistline. Avoid a rise that is on or above your belly button because it will emphasize your stomach.

If you have extra weight in the stomach area, avoid pleats or too much detail  on the front of jeans to avoid adding unwanted bulk to your stomach area. Instead, opt for a flat front.

Shirts that create a waistline

Wrap tops that wrap at your waistline and flare at the hip  will creates a waist on the apple shaped body type.

Top for an apple shaped body, wrap top

Top for an apple shaped body, wrap top

Top for an apple shaped body, wrap top

Top for an apple shaped body, wrap top

 

Best Jeans for Apple Shaped Body: Good Fit

The difficulty in finding good fitting jeans for the apple shaped body is in finding a pair of jeans that are a good fit in the waist but aren’t baggy everywhere else. Pick jeans with enough stretch so that a larger waist is accommodated without an excessive volume of fabric that  leave the thigh and butt areas baggy.

Balance

Bootcut jeans or jeans with flared legs balance the wide shoulder and bust area of the apple shaped body type.

Wide-leg or trouser  jeans that have a wider leg from hip to foot can look amazing on apple shapes and balance wide shoulders or large busts.

If you have  wide shoulders and a large bust, the width of the hem on jeans can balance the proportions of your top half. If you are very top heavy,  flare jeans will balance better than  bootcut jeans and a wide leg jean will make you look more proportional than a trouser jean.

 

bootcut jeans

bootcut jeans

flare jeans

flare jeans

 

 

trouser jeans

trouser jeans

wide leg jeans

wide leg jeans

Skinny jeans and tapered leg jeans can emphasize your top, straight leg jeans are an alternative to skinny jeans.

Because skinny jeans and tapered jeans can emphasize the bust or shoulders in figures that are disproportionately large up top – an option is to wear boots to add bulk at the bottom to help balance your top heavy figure or you can wear chunky or statement shoes for visual balance.

 

statement shoes with jeans

statement shoes with jeans

chunky shoes with jeans

chunky shoes with jeans

 

boots for a balanced figure

boots for a balanced figure

boots for a balanced figure

boots for a balanced figure

Add Curves When Needed

Women with an apple shaped body tend to have flat bottoms. Details such as fading on the seat and jean back pocket design elements such as flap back pockets can make your bottom curvier.

jeans with high contrast fading

jeans with high contrast fading

jeans with subtle fading

jeans with subtle fading

jeans with flap back pockets

jeans with flap back pockets

jeans with flap back pockets and fading

jeans with flap back pockets and fading

 

 

 


 

Diamond Shaped Body

A diamond body shape has these characteristics:

 

diamond shaped body

  • Narrow shoulders
  • A smaller bust
  • Extra weight around your midsection and the waist is widest part
  • Waist is undefined
  • Hips are broader than bust and shoulders
  • Fuller thighs
  • Slim arms and calves
  • Sometimes this figure has a tummy pooch
  • This figure frequently has a fuller bottom
Style Tips For the Diamond Shaped Body

Styling goals for the diamond shaped body can be to draw attention away from the waist and to your bust and shoulders and to slim and elongate your frame.

 

Stomach and Waistline

Jeans

A mid-rise jean that falls below the belly button can cover and help control your stomach.

Avoid a jeans rise that is on or above your belly button. This will just emphasize a tummy pooch.

Avoid too much detail such as pleats on the front of jeans. This will add bulk to the stomach area. Opt for a flat front instead.

Tops that emphasize the bust

Empire tunics or wrap tops that wrap at the bust will enhance your small or medium bust and draw attention away from your waist.

picture

diamond body shape top, empire waist

diamond body shape top, empire waist

diamond shaped body , wrap top

diamond shaped body , wrap top

Slim

Uniform dark wash jeans are more slimming.

Larger, simple back-pockets will make your butt look smaller.

uniform dark rinse jeans

uniform dark rinse jeans

plainer, simple pockets - dark wash jeans

plainer, simple pockets – dark wash jeans

Balance
Bootcut jeans help to balance the wider waist of the diamond shaped body.

Trouser cut jeans that fall straight from the widest part of the hip also help to balance a wider waistline.

Avoid tapered or very wide leg jeans. They emphasize a pearish shape.

dark wash bootcut jeans

dark wash bootcut jeans

trouser jeans

trouser jeans

 

 

Shirts that add Balance

Tops with puffy or princess sleeves add width to narrow shoulders which balances a diamond shaped body type’s proportions.

diamond shaped body , wrap top with puffy sleeves

diamond shaped body , wrap top with puffy sleeves

diamond body shape top, puffy sleeves

diamond body shape top, puffy sleeves

 

 

images: pintrest, flickr, lulus.com

Content:

Petite

Tall

Plus-Size

Vertical Body Types

Balanced

Long Torso and Short Legs

Short Torso and Long Legs

Some of the types of jeans for women suit some body shapes better than others. Terms frequently used to describe the diverse horizontal body shapes that women can have are hourglass, pear, rectangle/ruler, inverted triangle/athletic, apple/oval and diamond. There’s no “one-size fits all” and most of us can’t have our jeans custom made. But you can arm yourself with style tips that flatter your unique and beautiful figure. Just as with horizontal body types, specific jean styles and jean fits  can flatter specific vertical body types or weights best.  Whether you are tall, petite, plus-size,  short-torsoed or long-torsoed you can find the jean styles and fits that flatter your figure.

Petite

all body types

Just like any other height, petite women can have any horizontal body type or vertical body type. Styling tips according to body shape have similarities for petite women and taller women but there are some adjustments for the height difference.

Inseam length

The most obvious requirement for a good jean fit for petites is length. The inseam for most petites are 29-31 inches in length. If jeans bunch up at the bottom, it can break up the line of your legs and make you appear shorter or if flared jeans are too long they drown your small frame.

Shop brands geared toward petite women. But just in case you find a pair of jeans that are a good fit except for the length, skinny jeans and straight leg jeans are easiest to hem. It’s preferable  to find flared jeans in petite sizes because they are more difficult to hem.

 

Best Jeans for Petite Women in General

Baggy or ill-fitting jeans can overwhelm your small frame. Slim fitting boyfriend jeans or girlfriend jeans are a better choice than the baggier boyfriend jeans.

slim fit
slim fit boyfriend jeans

slim fit boyfriend jeans

looser fit jeans designed for petites is an option

looser fit jeans designed for petites is an option

narrow cuffs

If you want to wear cuffed jeans, opt for a small/narrow cuff. Wide, deep cuffs break up the leg-line and shorten the appearance of your legs more so than a narrow cuff. (For more tips – see the section on how to elongate your legs under cuffed, cropped and capri jeans in the Types of Jeans for Women article.)

narrow cuff boyfriend jeans

narrow cuff boyfriend jeans

simple lines

Too many details like very large pockets, buttons or busy embellishments can  be overwhelming for a smaller frame.  Simpler, finer embellishments or a dark wash denim with simple lines can help you look longer and leaner.

 

dark wash, plain jeans

dark wash, plain jeans

jeans with minimal embellishment

jeans with minimal embellishment

silhouettes

Skinny and straight-leg silhouettes look good on all petite body types. They slim the hips and legs and make you appear taller.

super high rise skinny jeans

super high rise skinny jeans

mid rise straight leg jeans

mid rise straight leg jeans

proportional hem width

For those petite women who want the look of a wide-leg jean, choose a slimmed down version with a narrower hem and pair them with a more fitted top. This sleeker silhouette won’t overwhelm a small frame. Wearing heels with wide-leg jeans that are long enough to skim the floor create a leg lengthening effect.

A narrow flare or bootcut jean is best suited for petite frames (the slim fit around the the thigh makes you look taller). Very wide flared jeans can look out of proportion for shorter women.

 

wide leg petite trouser jeans

wide leg petite trouser jeans

flared jeans fitted through the thigh

flared jeans fitted through the thigh

Nude heels

Capri jeans  or cropped jeans that are flared can make your legs appear shorter. Wearing heels, especially nude color heels will help elongate your legs.

 

high waist crop jeans with nude color shoes

high waist crop jeans with nude color shoes

Cropped jeans

A short girl can rock cropped jeans – it’s just a matter of styling and confidence. (SheFinds).

 

petite wide leg cropped jeans

petite wide leg cropped jeans

Petite Rectangle/Ruler Body Shape

(See style advice for a rectangle body shape and tailor this advice for petite women with the following style tips)

Add Curves and Elongate

The ruler body type looks great in low-rise, bootcut, and straight leg jeans. jeans with a narrow flare will lengthen the legs and add the illusions of curves.

Pick a jean with a smaller flare that is narrower than your hips.  Make sure the inseam is long enough that the hem hits the bottom of your shoe to make your legs look longer

Relaxed-fit boyfriend jeans generally aren’t recommended for petite figures because the volume and bagginess of the silhouette can drown a petite frame. But if you want to try the boyfriend jeans style, opt for slim-fitting boyfriend jeans or girlfriend jeans. (Girlfriend jeans are more form-fitting,  less baggy than boyfriend jeans.)

If you have a slim, rectangular “boyish” figure, low-rise jeans with a wide waistband will add curves to narrow hips.

 

 

Petite Inverted Triangle Body Shape

(See style advice for an inverted triangle body shape and tailor this advice for petite women with the following style tips)

Add Curves and Elongate

Low-rise jeans with a wide waistband add width to narrow hips, making you look curvier

Pairing jeans with heels and making sure that the inseam is long enough so that the hem just covers your heels will make your legs look longer.

Avoid close-fitting, tapered leg jeans as this will emphasize your narrow hips.

 

Curvy Petite, Petite Hourglass or Petite Pear

(See style advice for an hourglass body shape or for a pear shaped body type and tailor this advice for petite women with the following style tips)

Flatter Your Curves

The best jeans for curvy women are cut higher in the back,  providing more coverage for curvy, full bottoms.

Contoured waistbands, which are cut to follow the curve of the body, also provide coverage without gapping at the waist for those with full hips and a small waist .

Boot-cut jeans especially flatter pear and hourglass shapes. These jean styles accentuates the tiny waist of an hourglass – for pear shapes, they add extra volume at the hem for a more balanced look.

Elongate

High-waist/high-rise, slim cut jeans can elongate your frame and make your legs look longer

Straight leg jeans will elongate your legs by preserving the leg line.

Pick a flared style jean with a smaller flared leg that is narrower than your hips. Make sure the inseam is long enough so that the hem hits the bottom of your shoe.  This will make your legs look longer.

 

Petite Diamond or Oval/Apple Body Shape

(See style advice for an oval or apple shaped body type or a diamond shaped body type and tailor this advice for petite women with the following style tips)

Good Fit

A frequent problem encountered in finding  good fitting jeans for the apple/oval body shape is  finding jeans that have a good fit in the waist without bagginess everywhere else. Pick jeans made from  stretch denim so that they fit a larger waist but won’t have too much volume in the thigh and butt area.

Elongate

Pair dark wash jeans with heels that are the same tone as the denim to lengthen your frame. Avoid strappy shoes – an uncomplicated line works best.

Stomach and Waistline

If you have a rounded  tummy, these tips will help you create a smooth line and de-emphasize your stomach.

A mid-rise jean that falls below the belly button can cover and help control your stomach.

Avoid a jeans rise that is on or above your belly button. This will just emphasize a tummy pooch.

Avoid too much detail such as pleats on the front of jeans. This will add bulk to the stomach area. Opt for a flat front instead.

Tops to wear

Super tapered or skinny jeans worn with a fitted top can draw attention to your mid-section. But the tops you wear with these jeans can create a waist for the apple/oval shape or add balance for the diamond shape:

Apple/Oval – Pair skinny jeans or slim-fitting jeans with a wrap top that wraps at your waistline and flare at the hip (creates a waist).

Diamond – Pairing skinny or fitted jeans with an empire tunic or a wrap top that wrap at the bust will enhance a small or medium bust. Princess or puffy sleeves can add width to narrow shoulders to balance a diamond body shape’s proportions.

Petite Plus-Size

(See style advice for plus-size figures and tailor this advice for petite women with the following style tips)

Depending on your body shape ( hourglass body shape, pear shaped body, rectangle body shape, inverted triangle body shape, oval/ apple shaped body , diamond shaped body) the same tips above apply. However, there are a few adjustments to this advice:

Uniform, dark wash denim is slimming

Low-rise jeans may make you appear heavier and shorter

A mid or medium rise or high rise waist can elongate your frame and cover any extra weight around the tummy.

Stretch fabric can ensure comfort and a good fit.

If you are short and heavier and have a rectangle, pear or hourglass shape,  boocut or flare leg jean can make your legs appear shorter.

If you have an inverted triangle plus-size figure, skinny jeans or clingy tapered leg jeans will make you appear top heavy. Opt for a straight leg jean for a more balanced look.

 

Wide-leg jeans or trouser jeans that have a straight, loose silhouette which falls straight from the hip to the floor create a lean line. To adapt the wide leg jean style to a plus-size petite frame, choose  a mid-width hem. (Too narrow and the elongating effect will be lost  – too wide and it will be overwhelming for your height). Pair wide-leg jeans with an inseam long enough that they skim the floor with  heels to add to the leg lengthening effect.

 

Tall

Just as it is with petite women, a major consideration for tall women is inseam length. Tall women can have any body shape ( hourglass body shape, pear shaped body, rectangle body shape, inverted triangle body shape, oval/ apple shaped body , diamond shaped body) or have any vertical body type (a torso length that is short, long or balanced).

And just as it is with petite women, there are clothing brands that cater to tall women. Alloy Apparel is one such brand that  “strives to empower all Tall Women across the world to love their height and feel confident in their own skin.” They “offer the latest trends in extended sizes, long inseams, and plus size options”

Body shape and torso length need to be considered but there are some general tips geared towards tall women:

Skinny jeans can look amazing on tall women because they show off your long legs.

if you’re tall, you can pull off the narrowest to widest flare-leg jeans.

Tall and lean women can easily wear cuffed, cropped and capri jeans. You have the height to counter how these jean types can shorten the legs. If you wanted to break up your height, you can even use the disruption of the line of your leg to make you appear a bit shorter.

High-waist/high-rise jeans are also a pleasing look for tall women.

With your long frame you can pair jeans with bright colored and patterned tops.

If you wish to break up your height, try a waist length jacket .

Wear heels. There’s no reason a tall woman can’t wear a fabulous pair of heels. If you feel a bit shy, try kitten heels. As you become more comfortable you may want to try a higher heel.

Most of all stand tall and be confident. Tall women can sometimes slouch if they aren’t fully comfortable with their height. Slouching just makes you appear less confident.Your height is a great plus so show it off with fabulous style!

If you are tall and lean –  wide-flare jeans, capris, cropped and deep-cuffed jeans are styles that your height enables you to wear with ease.

Wide Leg
wide flare, bell bottom jeans

wide flare, bell bottom jeans

extreme wide leg jeans

extreme wide leg jeans

Cropped, cuffed jeans
high rise cropped straight leg jeans

high rise cropped straight leg jeans

cropped deep-cuff skinny jeans

cropped deep-cuff skinny jeans

 

Capri jeans
capri jeans

capri jeans

 

 

Plus-size figures

Humans come in a wonderful array of sizes and shapes. This is especially true of women’s body shapes. More curves or indeed the absence of curves creates more variation in the female figure. You can be full-figured and have any of the body types of slimmer women. Plus-size figures can be an hourglass body shape, have a pear shaped body, a rectangle body shape, an inverted triangle body shape, an oval/ apple shaped body  or a diamond shaped body . In addition, plus-size women can have any vertical body type . Refer to these sections that best fit your body type.

With a few modifications, the styling tips are the same for each body type. A few general tips for plus size figures:

Avoid baggy or poorly fitting jeans

Darker wash jeans are slimming

Jeans with some stretch will accommodate your curves

An option is to shop jeans with special features such as slimming panels which hold you in and shape areas that you want to smooth and slim.

Well-fitting, dark wash jeans create a sleeker line and elongate your figure (The ill-fitting jeans can make you appear frumpy).  For added elongation, pair your jeans with nude color shoes or shoes in the same/similar color as your jeans, whether they are heels or flats,.

dark wash jeans with a good fit enhance plus size figures

dark wash jeans with a good fit enhance plus size figures

 

Proportions – Vertical Body Types

Torso & Leg Length

In addition to horizontal body types ( hourglass body shape, pear shaped body, rectangle body shape, inverted triangle body shape/, oval/ apple shaped body , diamond shaped body), there are vertical body types. I’ve seen some writers equate a short torso and a short waist or a long torso and a long waist. Since there’s no “standard” in body shape descriptors it always helps to describe what one means when using these terms.

Here short-waisted/longwaisted and short torso/long torso have a distinction.  Many get confused by body shape information but take all of it – including what is on this site – as only general guidelines and suggestions.  The best way to find the style you are comfortable with is by adapting styling tips to your unique figure.

 

Waist or mid-body length

Whether you are short, long or balance waisted is dependent on where your waistline falls on your torso. For example, you can have balanced proportions (torso and legs are about equal) and have a short waist. This means you would have a relatively short section from your bust line to hip and longer section from your chin to bust line. This is a consideration for belts and wrapped tops.  Where your waist falls on your torso can also be a factor in the rise and fit of jeans. For example,  a high-rise jean may fit above the natural waistline for a short-waisted person while the same pair of jeans will fit at the waistline for someone who has a longer bust line-to-hip section. In this instance, a short-waisted person may find a mid-rise jean a better fit.

The body-rise

Another variation in body proportions is the “body-rise”. This is the measurement from the waist to where your legs begin. Your body-rise measurement will effect how far up the waist jeans rises will fit on you. If you have a long rise, low-rise jeans may not cover your rear as they would on a person with a shorter rise. If you have a short rise measurement, a low-rise jean will fit further up on your waist.

Torso & Leg Proportions

Torso length and leg length are used to determine the proportion of the top and lower half of the body.

vertical body type

vertical body type

Balanced

A balanced body has proportions that are equal from the  the top of the head  to the hips and from the hips to the floor.

Because the torso and legs are about equal in length, the key styling tip is to avoid making your legs look shorter. (For style tips – see the section on elongating your legs in the How To Look Good in Jeans article)

Medium rise jeans to high rise jeans will elongate your legs

Wear shoes that match the color and shade of your jeans to make your legs look longer. A simple line and uniform wash will also elongate your legs.

Wearing nude or flesh-colored shoes will add length to your legs. This is especially effective if the shoes are heels or wedges

 

Best Jeans for Short Legs, Long Torso

(For more style tips – see the section on elongating your legs in the How To Look Good in Jeans article)

 

Light top/dark jeans
mid rise bootcut jeans with a lighter top

mid rise bootcut jeans with a lighter top

high rise straight leg-jeans with a lighter top

high rise straight leg-jeans with a lighter top

Simple line and heels
  • A simple line created by pairing jeans with shoes the same color or pairing jeans with shoes in a nude color will elongate your legs.
  • Heels worn with jeans will make your legs look longer, especially if the hem mostly covers your shoe.

 

straight leg jeans worn with-nude shoes

straight leg jeans worn with-nude shoes

bootcut jeans with same color shoes, covers much of the heel

bootcut jeans with same color shoes, covers much of the heel

Tucked tops, Print tops
  • Tuck in your top to shorten your torso or do a half-tuck if you want the back hem out. If you wear an untucked top, make sure that it ends no lower than your hip. Print tops can break up the area of a longer torso and de-emphasize length.

 

light top with tucked in hem, mid rise jeans

light top with tucked in hem, mid rise jeans

top with a half tuck

top with a half tuck

Short top, Print top

 

 hem of untucked top ends higher on torso

hem of untucked top ends higher on torso

printed top with tucked in hem

printed top with tucked in hem, mid/high rise jeans

Wide Belts
  • Wide belts can also shorten your torso.
a wide belt worn with jeans shortens a long torso

a wide belt worn with jeans shortens a long torso

Best Jeans for Long Legs, Short Torso

“Legs for days” is a body feature much lauded. Whatever your body shape, embrace your look and just consider clothing as a way to enhance you. Depending on how short your torso is and your own preference, you can play around with the following techniques to style your look.

Low rise
low rise bootcut jeans

low rise bootcut jeans

low waist boyfriend jeans

low waist boyfriend jeans

Cropped, Cuffed Jeans

 

cropped jeans in mid-light wash

cropped jeans in mid-light wash

cropped, cuffed jeans in light wash

cropped, cuffed jeans in light wash

Darker top, Lighter jeans

 

bootcut light wash jeans with darker top

bootcut light wash jeans with darker top

pink tint skinny jeans with darker top

pink tint skinny jeans with darker top

Untucked, Long tops
  • Untuck your top if you want to make your torso appear longer. Tops, jackets and sweaters that end at the hip or lower will elongate your torso.

 

top that ends at the hip

top that ends at the hip

jacket that ends below the hip

jacket that ends below the hip

Vertical print tops
  • Tops, jackets and sweaters with a vertical print motif will elongate your torso.

 

striped top with bell sleeves

striped top with bell sleeves

sleeveless stripe top

sleeveless striped top

Vertical Print tops

 

vertical print sleeveless top

vertical print sleeveless top

 jacket with vertical stripes

jacket with vertical stripes

Taking everything into account: Torso/Legs, Waist Length and Body Rise

The proportionality of your legs and torso (vertical body type), where your waist starts to narrow (waist length) and the distance between your waist and leg break (body rise) can effect how jeans will fit. Any combination of these variations can be found on the human body. For this reason any style advice that isn’t personalized just for you  (that comes from a personal stylist for example), has to be viewed as only very general guidelines. These are guidelines that equip you with information to know how jeans may fit and help you find the right jeans to achieve the look you want. Whether buying jeans online or in a brick-and-mortar store, it often takes trying on a few pair of jeans but with time and experience you can get a good idea how a brand may fit and find your favorite go-to, best fitting jeans.

Best jeans for Inverted Triangle Body Shape/ Athletic Body Shape

An athletic body shape can refer to the inverted triangle body shape which consists of narrow hips and shoulders that are appreciably wider than your hip-line. Athletic body shape can also refer to  women who have muscular legs and thighs.  Athletic figures characterized by muscular legs and thighs may be any shape – for example, an inverted triangle, rectangle, have the  curves and a small waist of an hour-glass or pear shape or have extra weight around the middle like apple body types.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape Athletic Figure

Athletic Body Shape – Muscular Thighs and Calves

Inverted Triangle Body Shape, Athletic Body Shape

  • narrow hips
  • shoulders appreciably wider than your hip-line
best jeans for an inverted triangle body type
Inverted Triangle Body Type

Style tips for the athletic body shape

Create Curves

An inverted triangle body shape can feature a slim build  or a more toned build. Many models are inverted triangle body types with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

This body shape can wear skinny style, straight leg or boot-cut/flared jeans but if you want a curvier appearance a flared jean can give you that look.

Boot-cut jeans or flare jeans can create curves, balance your figure and make your legs look longer and leaner and accentuate the waist.

Inverted triangle figures look great in all jean styles…

 

skinny jeans

skinny jeans

Shop Top Rated Skinny Jeans at Amazon

 

 

straight-leg jeans

straight-leg jeans

Shop Top Rated Straight-Leg Jeans at Amazon

 

bootcut jeans

bootcut jeans

Shop Top Rated Bootcut Jeans at Amazon

flare jeans

flared jeans

Shop Top Rated Flared Jeans at Amazon

Low-rise jeans with a wide waistband that sit at the hips can make your narrow hips appear wider and add curves.

low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband

low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband

low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband

low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband

 

A wide belt worn at the hip also has the effect of making narrow hips appear wider.

wide belt worn at hip level with jeans

wide belt worn at hip level with jeans

 

The inverted triangle body shape can also rock high-waist jeans but these can flatten your backside. If you need help to have a perkier looking backside, back pockets that sit higher can be an instant butt lift. Fading on the seat can also help round out your rear.  Jeans back pocket design can make your bottom look rounder. Flap back pockets, rounded back pockets or back pockets with detail such as stitching or embellishment  will add volume.

high waist flare jeans with fading on the seat

high waist flare jeans with fading on the seat and higher pockets

high waist flare jeans - side view

high waist flare jeans – side view

 
high waist cropped jeans with fading on the seat

high waist cropped jeans with fading on the seat

high waist cropped jeans - side view

high waist cropped jeans – side view

 

Athletic Body Shape – Muscular Thighs and Calves

  • muscular butt and hip area
  • muscular thighs and calves
 

If you have an athletic body shape with very muscular legs, there are brands such as Barbell Apparel that make specialty jeans for your figure. Your best bet if you have such an athletic build is specialty denim brands like Barbell Apparel. But there are some general tips to ensure a good fit.  (These style tips are further on, after the next two photos of jeans from Barbell Apparel.)

Barbell Apparel Slim Athletic Fit Jeans

Barbell Apparel Slim Athletic Fit Jeans



Barbell Apparel Bootcut Jeans

Barbell Apparel Bootcut Jeans

 

 

style tips

Coverage and Fit

A mid rise or a high rise / high waist jean can insure coverage if you have a more muscular butt and hip area and make you appear more curvy.

A boot-cut jean or flare jean can make you appear curvier if you have more of a muscular, thick rectangle shape (brick). A stretch denim jean fit can be tighter around the thighs and butt and a bit looser around the calves. Another good choice for this type of athletic body shape is a flare jean that’s cut looser in the thigh.

Bootcut and Flare Jeans – Relaxed Cut or Stretch Denim

stretch denim bootcut jeans

stretch denim bootcut jeans



flare jeans cut loose in the thigh

Wrangler Retro Mae Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans – flare jeans cut loose in the thigh

Jeans Made for Curvy Figures

Jeans especially cut for a curvy figure can be great for muscular bottoms and thighs because curvy fit jeans usually have extra room in the hip and thigh and are made with stretch denim.

Here are a couple of the many brands of curvy fit jeans that offer jeans cut bigger in the hip and thigh area.

Lee Platinum Avery Curvy Bootcut Jeans

Lee Platinum Avery Curvy Bootcut Jeans



Ralph Lauren Super Stretch Modern Curvy Straight Jeans

Ralph Lauren Super Stretch Modern Curvy Straight Jeans

Jeans With Stretch Denim

Fit and toned legs can look great in a skinny jean or cigarette jean. Just make sure that they are made of stretchy material to accommodate muscular thighs and calves.

Another option is  straight leg jeans for those with muscular thighs. Straight-cut jeans with a bit of stretch can make for a better fit. The fit can be tighter around the thighs and butt and a bit looser around the calves for a “skinny jean” look.

mid-rise skinny jeans made with stretch denim
mid-rise skinny jeans made with stretch denim
straight leg jeans made with stretch denim
straight leg jeans made with stretch denim

Wide-Leg Jeans and Trouser Jeans

Wide leg and Trouser jeans can accommodate a muscular bottom and thighs.

wide leg jeans, wide-legged jeans
high waist wide leg jeans
trouser jeans

Relaxed Fit Boyfriend Jeans

Loose fitting or relaxed-fit boyfriend jeans which have plenty of room in the butt and thigh area can be a go-to jeans for a more laid-back look.

relaxed fit crop boyfriend jeans
relaxed fit cropped boyfriend jeans
slouchy fit distressed boyfriend jeans
slouchy fit distressed boyfriend jeans

Best jeans Curvy Women who Have a pear Shaped Body

A pear shaped body, sometimes referred to as a triangle shape features wide hips and a fuller bottom but the bust and shoulder area is small in proportion to the hips and butt.

Pear Shape

pear shaped body

 

  • Wide hips and a fuller bottom
  • A defined waist
  • Bust and shoulder area is small in proportion to the hips and butt
Style Tips For the Pear Shaped Body

Best jeans for curvy women – pear shape, Balance your curves

Light washes and destroyed denim make pears appear bigger on the bottom. A uniform dark wash denim is slimming.

Avoid super tapered leg jeans  because they will emphasize your hips and thighs.

Moderately flared or bootcut jeans are flattering  for pear shapes and will create a sleek and lean silhouette and help balance your proportions

if you have very wide hips or are short/petite, very wide flared-leg jeans will make your legs look proportionally short.

A mid-rise jean in which the waistband falls slightly above the widest part of your hip will make your hips appear narrower.

pear shaped body, dark rinse mid-rise bootcut jeans

dark rinse mid-rise bootcut jeans

mid-rise moderate flare jeans

mid-rise moderate flare jeans

Wide-leg or trouser jeans which fall from the widest point of your hips down to the hem will create a longer,  leaner looking line, especially when worn with heels. Make sure the inseam is long enough to hit at the bottom of your shoe to enhance the leg lengthening effect.

wide leg trouser jeans

wide leg trouser jeans

trouser jeans for a pear shaped body

trouser jeans

Best jeans for curvy women – pear shape, Keep covered in the rear

Stretch denim hugs your curves and makes a more sleek silhouette

When picking a pair of jeans, opt for a contoured waistband. A contoured waistband is cut with a curvature to follow the curves of the body. A straight cut waistband can cause gapping for figures with full hips/rear and a small waist.

straight and contoured waistbands

straight and contoured waistband pattern pieces

Curvy-fit jeans that are especially designed for a smaller waist and a fuller bottom and hips  are usually made from stretch denim, have a contoured waistband and extra room in the hip/butt area  for a better fit and to prevent gapping at the waist.

Here are two of the many brands of jeans geared towards curvy figures.

best jeans for curvy women, Lexi Basic Slim Boot Cut Skinny Mid-rise Curvy Jeans

Lexi Basic Slim Boot Cut Skinny Mid-rise Curvy Jeans

best jeans for curvy women, LEE Women's Curvy Fit Bootcut Jeans

LEE Women’s Curvy Fit Bootcut Jeans

 

 

Best jeans for curvy women, hourglass figure

An hourglass body shape is balanced in proportions with a well defined, smaller waist. This figure has been one of the many idealized female figures throughout history.

hourglass body shape

Hourglass Body Shape

  • Balanced in proportions
  • A well defined, smaller waist

Style Tips for an Hourglass Body Shape

Any of the types of jeans for women look great on an hourglass body shape but these tips help you find the best jeans for hourglass figures that make the most of your curves. However, If you are extremely curvy and shorter in stature, like Kim Kardashian foe example, it may take a little more styling to looked ‘balanced’ in your figure. For the narrow leg jean look straight leg jeans may be a better option than clingy skinny jeans.

Flatter Your Curves

jeans with a wide boot-cut silhouette flatter an hourglass figure.

Flared jeans can balance the hips and thighs of a curvy figure. However, if you have very wide hips, wide flare-leg jeans will make your legs look proportionally very short. A better choice is a jean that is cut straight down to the knee with a slight flare at the bottom or a wider boot-cut jean.

bootcut jeans
bootcut jeans
flare jeans
flare jeans

Trouser jeans and wide-leg jeans that have a wide leg from hip to foot can enhance a proportionally small, defined waist.

trouser jeans
trouser jeans
wide leg jeans
wide leg jeans

Best fitting jeans for curvy figures, Keep Covered in the Rear

These construction elements factor into finding the best jeans for curvy women:

Stretch denim hugs your curves and makes for a more sleek silhouette

Jeans cut higher in the back can provide more coverage for very curvy, full bottoms. (High-rise and mid-rise jeans offer the best coverage.)

A straight cut waistband can gap at the waist  for figures with full hips/ rear and a small waist. A better fit for the hourglass figured with a characteristically  small waist and fuller hips is a contoured waistband. A contoured waist band is cut on a curve to follow the curves of the body and prevent gaps.

Curvy-fit jeans (such as those pictured below) that are specifically designed for a small waist and fuller bottom usually have a contoured waistband and extra room in the hip/butt area and yet won’t gap at the waist.

straight and contoured waistbands in jeans
straight and contoured waistband pattern pieces

Lee jeans and Ralph Lauren are among many denim brands that offer curvy fit jeans. These jeans can feature a contoured waistband, stretch denim and a curvy fit in the hip and thigh.

Bootcut Jeans, Boot cut Jeans,Lee Platinum Avery Curvy Bootcut Jeans
Lee Platinum Avery Curvy Bootcut Jeans

Get LEE Women’s Modern Series Curvy Fit Bootcut Jeans at Amazon

Ralph Lauren Super Stretch Modern Curvy Straight Jeans
Ralph Lauren Super Stretch Modern Curvy Straight Jeans

Get LAUREN RALPH LAUREN Women’s Stretch Curvy Straight Leg Jeans at Amazon

More Style Tips

The Jeans in the above photos are worn with nude heels  – this adds an illusion of a little more height and elongates your legs

Further style tips including advice to make your  legs look longer are in the article How to Look Good in Jeans.

Best jeans for a rectangle body shape

Those with a slim rectangle body shape (ruler body shape) can wear a wide range of the types of jeans for women with ease. This body type has fewer issues navigating the vagaries of fashion. From high-waist to low-rise jeans, from flare or straight cut to skinny silhouettes, those with a slimmer body type usually do not struggle with jean fit issues. (This body shape is also called a boyish figure or straight body shape)

But there are a few tips that can flatter a slim, straight figure and add curves. If you have a wide rectangle body type (brick body type or square body shape) there are style tips that can add curves and elongate your figure.

rectangle shaped body type
  • The shoulders and  hips are about equal width.
  • A less defined waist, small or average bust size and a flatter bottom
  • Also referred to as a ruler shape or a straight body shape, can be “boyish” in that this figure is slim and isn’t curvy.
  • This body type can  also be more “brick”-like in proportions –  broader than the ruler and with heavier legs.

Style tips for the rectangle body shape

Good Fit

Slim fit jeans with a  straight waistband work well for rectangle/ruler figures. A curved or contoured waistband allows gapping  at the waist and jeans designed for curvier figures can be baggy in the seat.

straight and contoured waistbands in jeans
straight and contoured waistband pattern pieces

The Levi’s 525 Perfect Waist Straight Jeans pictured below is mid rise and sits just below the natural waist. The Levi’s 525 Perfect Waist Straight Jeans have a straight waistband to prevents gapping. They have a fit that hugs your figure just enough to help shape your waist and hips.

Levis 525 Perfect Waistband Jeans,  back view. Best jeans for straight figure
Levis 525 Perfect Waist Jeans – back view

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Round things out for a rectangle body shape

For those with a flatter tush, fading on the seat of jeans and curved yokes will make you seem curvier. Jeans back pocket design can also make you bottom appear rounder. Jeans with flap back pockets, back pockets that are embellished and back pockets with added details such as stitching will add volume to your backside and make you seem curvier.

best jeans for a rectangle body shape, best jeans for a straight body type
Hudson Jeans Beth Mid-Rise Baby Bootcut Jeans with flap pockets and light fading

Miss Me Jeans have a great selection of jeans with fading, flap back pockets and embroidered and embellished back pockets and with fading on the seat of the jeans.

jeans for boyish figures, jeans with extreme fading on the seat and flap back pockets
Miss Me skinny jeans with extreme fading on the seat and flap back pockets
best jeans for a rectangle body type, best jeans for a boyish figure, Miss Me Jeans
Miss Me Embroidered Peacock Straight Leg Jeans in Dark Blue with embellished back pockets

These Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Skinny Jeans in Dark Ivy wash have whiskering fading on the front. They also have fading on the seat and curved stitching for a lifting and rounding effect. These details add curves to a boyish, rectangle body shape.

Get your pair of Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Skinny Jeans at Amazon

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Skinny Jeans also come in other colors/washes that have fading and they are: Bae, Rhapsody, Immaculate, Marigold, Rachel, Blue Ice, Janice, Flawless

Best jeans for straight figure, Levi Strauss Signature Skinny Jeans back view
Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Skinny Jeans, color: Dark Ivy, back view

Create curves with fading for straight figures

For those with slender legs, whiskering or fading on the front thigh of jeans (and fading on the seat of jeans) can add the illusion of curves.

jeans for a skinny rectangle shape, jeans with fading and whiskers on thighs - side view
7 For All Mankind Dojo ‘Tailorless’ Trouser Jeans in Lake Blue with fading and whiskers on thighs – side view

Create Curves with flare on a slim, boyish figure

If you have a rectangular, slim-boyish figure, a jean that flares below the knee can make you seem curvier.

jeans for rectangle figures, jeans with flared leg below the knee
Hudson Mia Jeans (available at Amazon) with flared leg below the knee

Curvier hips on a rectangle body shape

Low-rise jeans that sit on the hip and have a wide waistband can make your narrow hips appear wider and therefore curvier. A wide belt worn at  hip level will also emphasize your hips and make you look curvier.

rectangle body type jeans, low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband, jeans for straight body shape
low rise flare jeans with a wide waistband
ruler body type jeans, low rise trouser jeans with a wide waistband
low rise trouser jeans with a wide waistband
best jeans for straight body type, low rise slim leg jeans with a wide waistband
low rise slim leg jeans with a wide waistband
rectangle body shape style tips, wide belt worn at the hip with jeans
wide belt worn at the hip with jeans

A belt similar to the one pictured above is available at Amazon –

Fairy Rose 2 Pieces Women’s Leather Belts for Jeans, Dresses, with Double O-Ring Buckle at Amazon

For a Brick Shape – Create Curves

If you have a rectangular but heavier, brick shape, tapered or tight fitting jeans can make you appear top-heavy. If you want to appear curvier, steer clear of jeans that fall too high on your waist because this will  emphasize a boxier shape.

Straight leg jeans or jeans with a slight flare (such as bootcut jeans)  are better choices

jeans for a brick shaped body, dark wash straight leg jeans
dark wash straight leg jeans

For a Brick Shape – Elongate your frame

To make you appear longer and leaner, pair dark wash jeans with heels or wedge shoes or heel or wedge boots. If the shoes are flesh toned or if the heels are the same color as the jeans and the hem of the jeans covers most of the shoes, the elongation is especially effective.

dark wash bootcut jeans
dark wash bootcut jeans

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