How to Find the Perfect Jeans For Your Butt & Body Type
Do these jeans make my butt look big? Or too flat? The struggle is real when it comes to finding the perfect jeans. Sometimes I feel like Goldilocks when I’m getting dressed, wondering if I’ll ever find the perfect fit.
But don’t worry, if you know what to look for, finding the perfect jeans gets easier. In this style guide, I am sharing my secret jean-hunting tips.
1. Know your body type
Jeans are a major wardrobe staple, but it can be hard to find the right style and fit for your body type.
That’s actually step 1 - know your body type, and don’t forget that height and proportions will play a major role in fit as well.
1. Straight-legged jeans
I would say that straight-legged jeans with a medium rise would be the most universally flattering.
For this cut, I wouldn’t be afraid to splurge on an investment piece like these SLVRLAKE London Jeans because you can wear them a ton of different ways, and they’ll last you a really long time.
Consider the rise
Speaking of the rise of your jeans, that’s something that is super important to understand as well because if they’re too high, they’re going to cut you off in an unflattering way. If they’re too low, you have a potential muffin-top situation.
They can also cut you off in the wrong way and make you look shorter by giving the illusion of shorter legs even if you are tall, so I would reserve an ultra-low-rise jean for someone who is on the taller side.
2. Flared jeans
I personally love flared jeans, especially those from Aritzia. With the flared leg and the higher waist, they give the illusion of a teeny tiny waist and long legs, and who doesn’t want that in their life?
3. Baggy jeans
Mom jeans, dad jeans, boyfriend jeans, grandpa jeans. Basically, any jeans that sound like they belong to another family member are a hard no for me.
I’m on the shorter side, 5”4, and so anything baggy I find makes me look shorter and sometimes even heavier than I am. So for me, that’s the reason that I don’t like those styles.
If I do want something that is closer to a mom jean, I will go for a regular jean with a slightly more relaxed fit. For example, these Wedgie Ripped Straight Leg Jeans from Levi's.
That way, I’m not swimming in a bunch of extra fabric and again giving the illusion that I am larger than I am.
I also don’t really care for the way that some of those jean fits can make it look like you have a poopy diaper. So it’s just an unflattering silhouette for me that I would prefer to stay away from.
4. Cropped jeans
Something else you want to be cautious of if you are on the shorter side are cropped jeans. Those can also add to the illusion of a shorter leg, which is never how I’m trying to look.
5. Skinny jeans
Skinny jeans are another style of jeans that can be universally flattering if you can get the right fit, and quality here is especially key.
So things like fabric that bunches or gaps in the waist, or that weird ill-fitting seam that gives the illusion of going straight up your butt-crack, all of those things are quality issues.
This is another pair of jeans that I wouldn’t shy away from spending a little bit more money on.
Get the zipper right
Now here’s another tip that might sound really weird, but something that I pay attention to in all jeans is the zipper.
So is it really teeny or really long in length? Those are two things that my eye immediately goes to even if I’m looking at them online. For example, these Embrace High Ankle Jeans by H&M have a nice long zipper.
6. Dark jeans
Black jeans or jeans with a darker wash are also a great wardrobe staple because you can dress them up, you can dress them down.
I also think dark jeans a really nice option for evenings. On those nights when it’s too cold to wear a skirt or a dress, you can dress up a pair of dark wash or black jeans and make a cute date-night or evening look.
These Grace Skinny Jeans by AllSaints look great with heels.
7. Torn jeans
Torn jeans can be fun for a more casual look, and they're also a nice way to add some embellishment without actually adding embellishments. These Levi's 501 Jeans can be dressed up or down.
Things like rhinestones or bejeweled pockets are going to be a hard pass for me. They just don’t look chic and they’re very outdated.
Finding the perfect jeans for your body type
I hope that this guide has helped you in your search to find the perfect jeans that are right for your body type.
What are the things that you look out for when choosing a pair of jeans? Let me know in the comments below.
The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
Comments
Join the conversation
This is the number one thing I look for when searching for flattering jeans! Back flaps on my jeans!…. Just so u know how many years I’ve been shopping for jeans for a minute now…… I will be 40 in a few short years. I’m 5’2 and I’m not sure if the correct name for my body type is but I’ve always had boobs but no butt so the one thing I always look for is flaps on my back pockets because it makes me look like I have a butt even if I’m lacking in that department! Just thought I’d share with anyone that can relate to the biggest problem area I have! It really does make a difference if u don’t believe me try it out for urself!
I can never seem to find a pair of good fitting jeans. I’m 5’5 and have a tummy and a butt I can’t ever seem to find jeans or slacks that fit right though. Any suggestions on brands?