Woman wearing jeans and a tank top

How should jeans fit? A guide to finding jeans that are comfortable and flattering

 

Finding jeans that fit *perfectly* is harder than it should be (to say the least). Here at Revelle, our mission is to help you find jeans that you feel GREAT in. That means no waist gapping, pinching, or squeezing.

We’ve put together this guide to make sure your next pair of jeans is the right one. 

We’ve all bought jeans only to let them sit in our closet forever… right? Maybe the brand’s sizing was inconsistent, maybe they were too uncomfortable to sit in, or maybe they stretched out… Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you make sure it doesn’t happen anymore!

If you want specific jeans recommendations, join the Revelle community. After answering a few short questions about your body shape, you’ll gain access to an online jeans store full of the best jeans curated just for you. Plus, we’ll recommend what size to buy based on your preferences and reviews from other women.

Things to consider when shopping for jeans

Shopping for jeans can be unpleasant… but it doesn’t have to be! Next time you’re looking for a new pair, consider these three things.

Your body shape is an important factor in finding well-fitting jeans. 

If you have an hourglass figure, you may want to look for ‘curvy fit’ jeans that have extra room in the hip and leg areas. You may also want to look for stretch denim that cinches the waistband to avoid any gapping. 

Alternatively, If you’re petite or have a short torso, you may prefer mid-rise over high-rise jeans.

You get the idea! Shop for the types of jeans that make you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. Think about the things you love about certain pairs of jeans (or other pants you own!) and look for those attributes when shopping.

Always look for jeans that are made for someone your height. Let us explain: If you’re under 5’4”, look for ‘petite’ or ‘short’ jeans. They typically have an inseam of 27” or less. If you’re tall, look for ‘tall’ jeans or pairs with a 32” or longer inseam length.

Each jean style is designed to fit differently. Wide-leg jeans and boyfriend jeans have a loose fit throughout, whereas skinny jeans are typically skin-tight. Consider how each style will fit your body shape and how tight you want the jeans to be when you choose a size. For example, if you have strong, athletic thighs and you want a pair of baggy boyfriend jeans – you may want to size up to get a relaxed fit (or look for a ‘curvy fit’ pair).

How should jeans fit?

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. How should jeans fit? How do you know they’ll be comfortable? 

This is what to look for:

Waist

The waistband of your denim jeans should be comfortable. Read that again. No need to suck in your tummy just to button the top. Look for jeans that sit comfortably on your natural waistline while you’re fully relaxed. However, they should be tight enough to stay in place without a belt.

Hip and thigh area

You should be able to put your jeans on and take them off without feeling too restricted. Again, comfort is key! 

The jeans should fit appropriately based on their style. For example, if skinny fit jeans are loose on your hips – they might not be the right pair for you. Similarly, if relaxed boyfriend jeans are tight on your legs – they might not be the right fit. 

Listen, every denim brand has slightly different proportions, styles, and sizing… It’s not you, it’s them. If one brand or style doesn’t work for you, try the next one!

You’ll know they’re the right fit if they’re easy to take on and off, comfortable to move in, and hold their shape after wearing them. Our advice? Put them to the test in the fitting room. Try sitting, standing, walking, and taking them on and off.

Length

The right length is key to perfect-fitting jeans. If jeans are too long or too short, you may not feel as comfortable or confident. 

The first thing to know is that the jean length you prefer is a personal preference (for the most part). Think about how long you want your jeans to be: Ankle length? Full length? Long enough to touch the ground in heels? Cropped? Then work backward using your height.

To do so you need to determine your natural inseam. Inseam length is the length of the seam that runs from the crotch to the end of each leg. Petite jeans typically have a 27” inseam (or shorter). Tall jeans have a 32” inseam (or longer). Normal-length jeans fall somewhere in between. Keep in mind that this varies slightly based on the style of jeans. For example, wide leg and flared jeans have longer inseams since they use more fabric.

Let’s look at an example:

Imagine you’re petite and looking for a pair of bootcut jeans. You plan to wear the bootcut jeans to work with heels or booties. Since bootcut jeans flare slightly at the bottom and you want to wear them with heeled shoes – you may be able to order a “normal” inseam length, which is likely somewhere around 30”. 

It may take a little bit of trial and error, but knowing the right inseam length for you will help you avoid alterations appointments!

Find Your Perfect Fit

At Revelle, we like to think of ourselves as jean experts. We know that a woman’s body isn’t defined by one body shape. That’s why we use our algorithm to find the perfect pair of jeans for your individual proportions. So whether you order wide-leg jeans, tapered jeans, slim-fit jeans, or straight-leg jeans, you know they’ll fit the first time you try them on.

Revelle is on a mission to make women feel beautiful in their bodies every day by helping them find clothes that actually FIT, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you do purchase something by clicking on a link, we may receive a small commission. 

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