Shopping for a new pair of jeans can be overwhelming. There are so many options–cuts, rises, lengths, and washes. What does it all mean and where do you even begin? I’ve been on the hunt for a good pair of white denim, so I thought I’d share what I’ve discovered about how to find the perfect pair of jeans.

I recently enjoyed a shopping trip with my daughter to an actual mall and a few retail clothing stores. I’m surprised that I–a baby boomer–have gotten used to online browsing for blouses and sweaters, so it was a treat. (Notice I said “browsing” and not always purchasing.) 

I forgot how good it is to feel the fabric and try something on right away to say, “This fits perfect” or “This is not my color.” 

But what I did NOT remember is the overwhelming number of choices especially for one item of clothing, something most of us wear – jeans. 

A Denim Expert…

Now my relationship with denim goes back a long way. I longed to wear jeans to my freshman year in high school, but mom said no way. Young ladies did not wear denim. We barely wore slacks, for goodness sake. But I was a sneaky and disrespectful adolescent (not proud of this!), and so I pinned my jeans to the inside of my camel-colored maxi coat so I could change when I got to school. 

A couple years later, mom softened and dad gave me his reluctant permission for my first real job at a local store called “Just Jeans.” I was in heaven. Floor to ceiling jeans in every size and length that Levis and Lee made. But the funny thing back then was it was pretty much one-size and shape for women and men. Yeah. Not the best.  Anyway, I tell you all this to identify myself as a denim expert. 

… Or Not

Nowadays, though, there are so many options it feels like a foreign language. Different brands, cuts, rises, lengths, and washes. Seriously.

High rise 90’s straight jeans in a light wash. 

Curvy cut, ankle length mom jeans (can’t believe this is actually a style of jeans now, hah!).  

Mid-rise flare jeans in a dark wash. (That one’s a little easier to understand.)

And then which store do you shop at? Because you know that the jeans from JJill will not fit the same way as jeans from American Eagle (or Kohl’s or Abercrombie or Levi’s…). 

It seems like the choices are endless these days, so how do you shop for denim? 

How to Find the Perfect Pair of Jeans

Things to Consider Before Shopping for Denim

Do I even want to wear jeans? 

Depending on your season of life, you may opt to skip the whole denim thing and wear yoga pants, a long flowy skirt, or good old-fashioned leggings. 

I had this conversation with myself recently and decided that sometimes I want to wear a pair of jeans that fit me well.

Do I care if I’m current? 

It’s completely personal. Some of you really do not care about this at all, and I get it. As the saying goes, “you do you” and skim the rest of this post to the end, where I think you’ll like what I say. 

But I’ve always enjoyed dressing with an eye on what’s current for my contemporaries. But I also like “slow fashion,” having quality clothes that last and last through trends and seasons. 

Do I know what size to try or order? 

I hadn’t done this for years, but it’s a good idea to actually pull out a measuring tape and see what it says.  These serve as a good starting point when purchasing jeans (or anything, really), but don’t feel like you have to be committed to one size. 

Fits will vary widely from store to store and depending on the style of jeans or the fabric, you might want them more loose or more fitted. Knowing your waist and length measurements can make finding the perfect pair that much easier.

What kind of cut do I want? 

I remember when the high-waisted jeans morphed into the super low-waisted ones. Ugh. I managed to find styles that were in between. And nowadays? The mom-jeans are back, and they are super comfortable if you have a little extra you-know-what in the tummy area. Some stores offer a curvy option which can be helpful depending on your build. 

How about the fit? 

Slim, baggy, straight, skinny. I have recently heard that the whole skinny jean thing is over. I have several pairs of those, and I’m actually ready to say bye-bye to them. They weren’t flattering on me anyway.  

What about fabric?

If you haven’t shopped for denim in a long time, be prepared for more choices.  Just because it’s denim, doesn’t mean it’s only denim. Stretch or no stretch? How heavy or thick is the denim? 

All things to consider before pressing BUY (especially when shopping online). You don’t want to be surprised when a stiff pair of denim shows up and you were expecting a soft and stretchy pair of pants. This is where shopping in person is a huge benefit!

Where do I shop? 

I can’t answer that for you, but I would encourage you to be open to more than one place. If you are used to going to Kohls, for example (and they have a great variety), just once try going to JCPenney’s or even Talbots or JJill. Just to try a different style and manufacturer. You might be surprised. 

How much do I have to spend? 

You do not have to spend beaucoup bucks to get a good fit. You just need to find the brand and cut that fits your body well. It may be the least expensive ones out there. I have friends who swear by the jeans at the big-box stores! And you can always wait for a sale! 

Tips for Finding the Right Pair

These are not your daughter’s or your mother’s jeans.

Yeah, that’s actually a brand now (NYDJ), but seriously jeans are different today. Softer, roomier, more forgiving. Gone are the days of women trying to fit into jeans designed for men or for their teenagers.

Take your time as you try them on. 

(It’s easier than bathing-suit shopping!)

Take along a good friend or relative who helps you. 

That last part is important. You know the ones who tell you that you look good in everything? Take her to lunch.  For denim shopping, you want to take along the friend who tells you, “No, you can’t buy those jeans,” and then she gives you a hug and you go out for a cappuccino and laugh about it.

Try them on.

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store make sure you really give the jeans a good test run before you commit to them. Walk around, sit, crouch down, cross your legs. Do they pinch? Bag? Make sure they’re super comfortable from the get-go.  

Remember that the denim will give a little within the first few washes and wears.

Read reviews. 

If you’re shopping online, dig through the reviews to see how other buyers have rated the fit. Many online retailers will list whether an item of clothing fits true-to-size or runs large or small. You can also find other buyers in the reviews who have a similar build to you to discern whether or not they’ll be a good fit for you. 

Be patient.

Take the first pair of jeans you try on as a test pair and be okay if you have to try more to find the perfect pair. 

Take care of your denim.

When you find a pair you love, take care of it well. Denim care looks a little different than some of your other favorite items. I learned a few tips from this article, including to always wash them inside out on cold and never tumble dry. I’ve also heard the recommendation to wash your denim less–once every 10 wears is a good rule of thumb. 

Shopping for a new pair of jeans can be overwhelming, yes. So many choices and too many decisions to make. 

I’m thankful that finding a new pair of jeans is nothing like finding the answers to life’s hardest question: what’s it all about? Because that answer is simple. 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 ESV

Of course, you can do this in a pair of sweatpants. 

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