Words by Danielle Whiteman
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Thanks to the plethora of denim designs on the market currently, there are styles to flatter all shapes and sizes!
Hurrah…I hear you cry!
In previous seasons, we’ve been fairly restricted with just a handful of style trends – which haven’t necessarily flattered ALL body shapes – so let’s take a moment to celebrate how inclusive denim trends have become and set about finding your perfect match! One thing I would ask you to bear in mind at this point is price per wear. The reality is that the denim in your wardrobe is likely to be your most hard-working garment, so it’s worth investing in a great pair of jeans that will do a perfect job for you.
Denim doesn’t necessarily mean the classic mid blue jean. With so many colour options out there, I thought now might be a good time to talk fades or in some cases, complete lack of colour. Light denim washes seem to be making quite the comeback, but that doesn’t mean we should all follow suit. I’m not saying don’t wear it, I’m saying please select what works for your body shape. In my mind, you can’t go wrong with a classic black or washed black jean. For me, this is THE wardrobe staple for all body shapes – that will take you from day to night and probably be the most worn item in your wardrobe. Colour fades are there accentuate, so if you’re looking to add curves, a faded jean will work hard for you. If you already have curves, my advice would be to steer clear. This classic Levi’s, 501 Original Jeans in Medium Indigo Worn-In Blue, £84 is a great style for an athletic body type, because it uses the Levi’s vintage fade technique to add shape and curves.
One of the most flattering denim styles and the style that has dominated the market for some time is the straight leg jean. There are many variations on this style and it can be daunting trying to find the right pair for your body shape – so hopefully this advice will help!
High rise, slim fit, straight leg jeans
Let’s start with a classic, and the style I tend to favour for Holly. This design is a great cut for an hourglass figure as it nips in at the smallest part of the waist, then the slim fit straight leg element means that the fabric skims the body and lengthens the leg. I love the very aptly named & Other Stories, Favourite Cut Jeans in Black, £75 for this. Cut in the same style and in a similar cloth to the traditional classic Levi’s, these are just brilliant and come in a multitude of colours and washes.
You can also get straight leg jeans that aren’t slim leg. If your legs aren’t a feature you want to draw attention to, then these are the jeans for you – Mango, Mid-rise Straight Jeans in Dark Blue, £35.99. With a wider leg than the & Other Stories jeans, these create the illusion of the denim skimming the leg, rather than clinging to it.
Flared jeans
A flare jean is a classic style that comes back time and time again and this year we’ve seen more of a baggier flare. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a slim fit, kick flare and these Topshop at ASOS, Jamie Flare Jean in Black, £46 are the perfect pair. These cult Topshop ‘Jamie’ style jeans (we all had a pair) are the best leg lengthening jeans on the market. I dare you to find better! They are perfect for hourglass and pear body shapes because the flare evens out wider hip proportions. Pair with a heeled boot for an even longer leg look!
Skinny jeans
Skinny jeans are everyone’s best friend. This is a style that suits all body shapes and while it feels like they’ve taken a back seat of late, I feel a resurgence coming on. The key with a good skinny jean is a great stretch denim and I love French Connection, Rebound Response Skinny Jeans 30” in Charcoal, £49 for this. I give these jeans top marks for great proportions, a mid to high rise waist and a strategic pocket placement to give that illusion of a butt lift. You may think stretch denim sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be.
The best piece of advice I can give is that you need to allow the fabric to highlight your best features without pulling or buckling. Jeans should fit like trousers not leggings – think fitted, not clingy.
How to look after your denim
It may or may not surprise that you don’t need to wash denim too often. In fact, from a sustainability point of view, the less you wash them, the longer they last. Every wash prematurely ages the denim, so experts say wash once a month on a cool wash, turned inside out – and in between washes, freshen up by air drying outside. Denim is breathable, it loves a bit of fresh air. Taking care of your clothing to make it last is paramount and there are plenty of products on the market to help. The Attirecare, Denim Care Set, £12 is a great aftercare kit that will increase breathability, strengthen cotton fibres and ensure a maintain a naturally worn-in look for your beloved denim.
Find your favourite denim and cherish it x
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Danielle Whiteman
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@danniiwhiteman
