https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 12:34:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2537459 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:40:28 +0000 autumn865 2537459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally understand having trouble with jeans. I've always had what I call an "athletic" body type where my waist is smaller but my legs are muscular and more "athletic." I hate the skinny jeans trend because nothing fits my body right (if it fits my waist it is skin tight in the legs or if it fits my legs its baggy in my waist.) I have a favorite pair of jeans that is straight leg and that gives the illusion of the skinny leg jeans without being real skinny leg. I would say the best advice is wear what looks good on you despite the trends. Trends come and go but you have to feel good in what you're wearing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2537440 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:01:10 +0000 Ms maths 2537440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to give a quick update on my jean search: The Gap Real Straight that I bought developed a random hole after 1 wash and wear, so I returned and tried some other straight-cut. I ended up getting Levi's 314 slimming straight jeans. I LOVE them! They have a slim-enough profile that I don't feel completely out of style but they aren't so tight on my calves that I feel out of proportion. (They apparently look good enough for DH to notice, and he is generally oblivious :) )</p> <p>Still haven't settled on a second pair/style, but I'm happy when I wear these. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506950 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 17:31:51 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2506950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: I love the levi curvy too. I had both skinny &amp; boot cut, I believe, and really liked them both. </p> <p>I personally feel I'd look frumpy in anything wider than boot cut. I feel like in my TOTALLY uneducated opinion, past that, in general, the wider jeans need to be worn by pretty thin people. Or at least not pear shaped. But it really is a case by case thing, I'm sure there are people who prove me wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506859 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 14:25:55 +0000 JenGirl 2506859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I, personally, find that skinny jeans are not flattering on most people. Certainly not on me. I wear boot cut and don't really care if it's not currently trendy. I found the Levi Curvy boot to be very comfortable and flattering. And they're pretty cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506788 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:42:43 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2506788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't imagine buying jeans only online. That's daunting! I usually try on 6-8 pairs to get one. I wear almost only skinny, but it's definitely what looks best on me. I usually look for designer brands on sale, I really like AG which aren't at top of the price spectrum.</p> <p>If skinny Jeans scare you I'd like for ones that aren't super stretchy and also ones that say Slim or cigarette rather than skinny. They have a little more room at the ankles which is closer to boot cut. And I think the most impt thing is a medium height waist... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506698 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 12:05:06 +0000 Portboston 2506698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: I recently got these <a href="http://www.buckle.com/flying-monkey-high-rise-stretch-trouser/prd-73910L8024" rel="nofollow">http://www.buckle.com/flying-monkey-high-rise-stretch-trouser/prd-73910L8024</a><br /> They fit really well. It took me. Really long time to find ones I liked. I've heard old navy actually has some pretty good trouser jeans. If you're willing to spend more 7 and citizens of humanity have good options but I'm too cheap for those brands ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506680 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 11:32:22 +0000 mrswin 2506680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Portboston: can you recommend a couple of brands, this is what I have been looking for but can't seem to find them. They would be perfect for work with a blazer </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506669 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 11:12:26 +0000 jetsa 2506669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am having the same issue right now and I just changed jobs and only wear jeans to work it's become quite an issue. I have to wear workboots to work so skinny jeans don't work and finding a decent pair or non skinnies that can be worn without a heel is killing me. I love the look of trouser jeans and have a pair but I think they look odd without a dressy shoe. =\ so no suggestions just commiseration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506646 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:52:46 +0000 travellingbee 2506646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: Old Navy sweetheart jeans are my favorites </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506623 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:19:27 +0000 Portboston 2506623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: agree!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506621 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:17:25 +0000 Portboston 2506621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: wide leg, look nice enough to wear to work.... </p> [attach=6258/16/o4lp51.300x300.image.jpeg] [attach=6258/16/o4lp52.300x300.image.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506614 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:06:36 +0000 Ms maths 2506614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7, yeah, I think I need to be willing to order more at once so that I have more to compare. I do tend to order a couple styles at once, but it's so frustrating to then just send everything back. (And then I start to feel bad about my carbon footprint. Which I should probably just get over because returning some jeans is the least of the issues with my carbon footprint!)</p> <p>@Mamaof2, those looked promising to me, but then the reviews indicated that Gap has changed the fit and the new long and lean are crap :shocked: But I should probably just try them anyway.</p> <p>This thread reminded me of the following TED talk, where the speaker talks about why jeans, in particular, are so frustrating to shop for:</p> <p><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice?language=en" rel="nofollow">https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice?language=en</a></p> <p>(It's about the psychology of choice, rather than anything particular to do with jeans.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506605 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 09:58:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2506605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Portboston: what are trouser jeans?</p> <p>@Ms maths: I really like the Gap long and lean </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506602 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 09:56:43 +0000 Littlebit7 2506602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Denim shopping ranks right up there with bathing suit shopping. SO frustrating. I still have trouble getting over what size I think I *should* be vs what size I am in a particular brand. Vanity and what not. But the struggle is real.<br /> Gap denim has been pretty good lately, they make a higher rise that tucks everything in nicely and doesn't strangle your internal organs. The real straight style you mentioned I've been happy with. The high rise true skinny has also been great.<br /> My issue with skinny denim is the top half doesn't match the bottom fit-wise. I have average-ish hips but really thing calves and ankles. So to get something that fits up top bags around the calf and i just too large.</p> <p>Dont forget about tailoring. Not just in length. If you find a style or cut that looks great everywhere, but say, gaps at the waist, a tailor can take waistband in pretty easily.</p> <p>And don't feel bad about ordering a ton of stuff and returning it. Amazon and gap have easy returns, if you can swing it I'd order a TON and just return what doesn't work! If you only order one or two pairs and neither work; the frustration will only continue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506562 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 09:23:00 +0000 Ms maths 2506562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Looch, I totally agree with that in principle, and I definitely don't buy clothes if I don't think they look good on me (unless they are fulfilling some other functional role.)</p> <p>And I used to try to live by that principle more fanatically, but I think it misses the mark for me. I _am_ influenced by the clothing styles I see around me, whether I want to be or not. And my ideas of what looks good are highly influenced by cultural norms, too. So I try to let myself have fun with fashion now, rather than feeling like I need to ignore it to be a well-balanced, self-assured person. (Not saying that you feel that way, but that's how I used to feel when I was younger.) But jeans are tough for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506546 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 09:02:47 +0000 looch 2506546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stylish women wear what looks good on them, not just what is currently in style! The goal is for me is to have the whole package look decent, not for someone to particularly comment on the cut of my jeans.</p> <p>I donated my skinnies, they do not flatter my body type. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506499 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 08:20:55 +0000 Ms maths 2506499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shortcake, The trouser cut is basically what I've been looking for but I've had trouble finding. I haven't been searching explicitly for trouser jeans, though, so thanks for the tip!</p> <p>@PortBoston, I hadn't heard of Asos before. I will be looking there!</p> <p>@PurplePeony, yes about the thighs! I generally think my thighs are perfectly within the range of normal. But then jeans are either too tight to wear, or I just feel plastered in an unflattering way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506298 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:29:25 +0000 PurplePeony 2506298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh...I live in a large city and I still have trouble finding good jeans. I had a pair from Banana Republic that I LOVED but blew one knee out when playing on the floor with DD one day, and of course they changed their denim supplier and I hate the new one. Old Navy Rockstars are okay when I'm in the right mood, but I don't find them comfy. I feel like I've tried every pair out there right now and my big problem is that the ones that are otherwise flattering are so tight on my thighs (and I don't think my thighs are that big, I never have issues with other pants!). Anyway, no advice, but I definitely can commiserate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506286 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:08:48 +0000 shortcake 2506286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ultimately it's about what looks good on you. Boot cut jeans definitely work well on curvy shapes because they balance out the hips. Just opt for a pair that is more trouser cut or straighter boot cut than s very wide leg opening. Trouser cuts are universally flattering. Wide leg jeans are totally back in again too and are super cute for summer. Darker is generally more flattering but grey jeans are classic and lots of fun colors out there for spring now. I would order every style from old navy and return what you don't like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506266 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 21:44:43 +0000 Portboston 2506266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually wear skinny but I also have a few pairs of trouser jeans I love. I had a great pair of BF maternity jeans from H&amp;M that I so wish were not maternity!!! So I need to hunt for non maternity ones.<br /> If you are solely online shopping, Id recommend Asos. They do free shipping (over $50 I believe) and free return shipping. So you can order a few different pairs/sizes and return the ones you don't like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506231 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 21:15:33 +0000 Dahlia 2506231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally in the same boat. I just bought a pair of real skinnies and a pair of bootcut from Gap. Both look okay on me, but I feel sort of unfashionable in the bootcut even though they're totally more my style. It's amazing how skinny jeans have taken over! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506211 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 20:57:33 +0000 Ms maths 2506211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamacate: I have looked at those but haven't tried a pair on yet! I have a pair of Old Navy sweetheart white capri jeans that I like, and I think rockstar is supposed to be a similar cut... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506164 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 20:32:46 +0000 MamaCate 2506164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: I didn't think I could do skinny jeans until I bought a pair of old navy rockstar jeans. They are definitely skinny but they are stretchy enough that I feel like they are more flattering than lots of other skinny jeans I have seen. They run true to size as far as I can tell, I wear the same size there that I doing gap jeans. Good luck! jeans are hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506144 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 20:17:26 +0000 Ms maths 2506144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's good to know that people who are stylish enough to wear skinny jeans still wear bootcut! I feel like bootcut is a generally flattering style on me but I was feeling unfashionable wearing them. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Maternity jeans were the only skinny jeans I have owned :) I continued to wear them for awhile afterward because I thought they were actually flattering. </p> <p>@NCSUCHICK27: The boyfriend jeans always look cute to me, but then I'm nervous that the model is just styled well and I would mostly look frumpy. (And really, I already have some baggy, holey jeans; so I don't know why I am buying more!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506109 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:47:27 +0000 catlady 2506109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only wear skinny jeans these days. BUT, I can't just wear any pair. Most brands make me look and feel awful. I had to try on many types to find ones that I liked. Trying on jeans sucks but it's worth it once you find a style that works for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506097 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:40:27 +0000 NCSUchick27 2506097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wear skinny or bootcut. I like Old Navy's curvy skinny jeans and curvy bootcut jeans.</p> <p>I tried on pair of boyfriend jeans the other day that were cute, but I didn't buy them because they were too distressed for me. They had holes in both knees. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506091 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:36:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 2506091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the same way in that I don't even know what's in style. I think boot cut are the most flattering but maybe are out of style. I also always see skinny styles but I really don't think they are flattering on everyone. Ordering jeans online is tough though! </p> <p>Currently the only ones I have that are borderline flattering are maternity. LO is 14 weeks old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506078 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:30:35 +0000 travellingbee 2506078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how stylish I am but I wear skinny and boot cuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-understand-jean-styles#post-2506062 Thu, 24 Mar 2016 19:15:50 +0000 Ms maths 2506062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am down to one pair of jeans that do not have holes or house paint on them. Which I am finding is not enough for my lifestyle. But I live in a small city, so I can really only buy clothes online; and even the order-return process sometimes seems like too much! And I am totally overwhelmed by the style options: boot-cut, straight, skinny, boyfriend, girlfriend, flare....</p> <p>In the past, I have generally worn boot-cut jeans. My current wearable jeans are straight-cut (real straight from the Gap); I've only had them a week and I _think_ I like them. But I can't figure out what I should look for in another pair of jeans.</p> <p>I generally think I have a fine shape, but my thighs are definitely full and I am short-waisted. I've tried on skinny and I feel terrible-looking in them in a way I don't feel normally. But it seems like the only kind of jeans I see, so they are what now look "normal" to me. I don't need to be at the forefront of fashion, but I also don't like feeling completely out of date!</p> <p>So, what kind of jeans do you wear and why? Any styles that you think hit a good balance between currently stylish but not too trendy? </p>