Last week I wrote about how bright green is totally having a moment for spring. And while I am totally embracing bright colors by using my little trick on how I try new trends, something that makes me feel totally comfortable is a great pair of jeans.
I don’t talk too much about what I’ve done outside of this blog but I used to work in the denim industry for about 5 years and so I tend to be a bit of a snob when it comes to jeans. On the other hand, I’d also like to think that I really, really know how to spot a good pair of jeans. Today is all about how to make your butt look good in jeans and what to look for when buying jeans.
This pair by 7 For All Mankind is exactly what I have been looking for this spring. I’ve been wearing my AGOLDE jeans ad nauseum. Although I love them, I wanted something new for the season in a slightly different fabric and silhouette. This straight cut 7 For All Mankind pair has a little bit of stretch to it and it’s a little less “mom jean” than my other pair. It’s just enough to mold to your body without becoming baggy, which I love. They’re also high-rise. Basically every pair of jeans for the rest of my life will be high-rise. I don’t know how or why I didn’t go for this before. God bless my younger self and naivety.
Anyway, all of the above is great but to be honest, I was a sucker for two things here: the wash and pocket placement. The amazing, almost acid-like washed out denim with slight destruction doesn’t need explanation. It’s a great, refreshing light color as it gets warmer.
However, you’re probably wondering what pocket placement has to do with it. I swear this is a thing. If the back pockets are too high or wide-set, you in turn will also look, ahem, wide-set. There, I said it. Small pockets make any fanny look big, and not in a good way. But these pockets here? They are perfect. The proof is in this photo, no? It’s kind of like Goldilocks and the three bears. You don’t want anything too big, too small, but just right. The pocket should go over the center of each cheek. It’s really weird for me to type that and sorry if it’s TMI, but you didn’t come to a fashion blog to not learn about these things, right?
Want to know another secret about denim? Almost all of the premium denim brands use the same denim mills to make their jeans, so when you buy a pair of denim you’re literally buying the same pair as the next brand. The key is finding the right brand for you, since they do tend to use different fit models, which is why fits vary slightly between brands; they’re fitting on a real person, not a mannequin!
While a lot of people do the sit test in their fitting room, I personally don’t think that’s what to look for when buying jeans. At least not the first thing. The first thing I always do is turn around so see how the pockets fit on my rear. If my butt doesn’t look good in them, I move on to the next. While the sit test does kind of work, remember that all denim, even with only 1% stretch, will in fact stretch. (Hello, that’s why they added it!) My best advice is to buy jeans snug to your body. Look, I’m not saying to get them so tight that you’re pouring over them on the sides. But, they should be comfortably snug. The fabric will warm up as you move and the waistband will loosen. If you can slide your hand down the curve of your back, they are actually too big.
If you’re 5’4″ or under, take notice of the hem of the jeans. Sorry, but if they have a zipper, you’re probably SOL until you purchase a crop pair. Tons of brands make crop versions so it’s not totally terrible if the full length ones are too long. I always opt for an original hem when hemming. It keeps the small nuances like fading and pressing to keep the overall general integrity of the intended look of the denim. Raw hems are huge right now, which is actually a shorter person’s dream. Just measure, grab a pair of scissors, and chop! I also love finding denim that can do double duty; meaning, they look cute as is but also cute rolled up for a more casual, laid back vibe.
I’ve seen too many friends buy the wrong pair of jeans only to have them bag out on the waist and the knees a couple of wears later. So let me help you avoid that, okay? (Compliments on bum may arise.)
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