Fall Fashions Are Here! Become A "Jean-ius" Before Shopping!

Before heading out to shop for your new Fall wardrobe, make sure you know the ins and outs of finding the RIGHT pair of jeans for you! No matter what age or what shape you body is, a great pair of jeans is essential to your wardrobe.   Chica Guapa has done all the research for you for this Season's latest cuts and trends.  So consider all of the factors below and become a “jean-ius”!

What is the best cut for your body shape?

There are many different “cuts” of denim available and each will look different on your body shape. The first step to finding your perfect pair of jeans is to determine what shape you are so that you can focus in on your best fit and the cut that is right for you.

Curvy/Hourglass: For your shape, you want to highlight your curves in the right places. Get a jean that is fuller fitting through your hip and bottom. Try for a medium or high rise and a contoured waistband to minimize any gap at the waist. A boot cut jean or fuller straight leg will look great on you and keep you in proportion. Generally, avoid a super low rise cut that might create the dreaded muffin top if you have fullness through the high hip! Also avoid super flare or very skinny jeans that could risk making you look disproportionate. Steer clear of back pockets that are far apart and could make you look wider than you are.  Try: Joe's Jeans Honey Boot Cut, Guess Brittney Bootcut with a medium rise, or Levi’s Modern Rise Supreme Curve Bootcut Skinny Jean- a superb invention!

Tall and Slender: For those of you that are tall, rectangle shapes, you can wear a straight leg, wide leg, boot cut or skinny jean. (Lucky you!) Avoid very baggy jeans that will highlight your slender physique. A wide leg jean paired with the perfect top could accentuate your waistline and create an hourglass shape.  If your derriere is on the flatter side, then try a jean with pockets that are detailed and are placed higher. Try: J Brand Jeans– any style, Guess Jeans, Mek Denim-Darwin Cut or Milano Straight, or Genetic Denim Liam.

Petite: If you are petite and slender, try a straight leg or slimmer boot cut jean, to create length. Being slim, you can also wear a skinny jean, but be sure to keep them looking long.  If you are petite and curvy, stick with a straight or fuller leg, in a dark wash. If you go for a tapered leg, ensure you have the right top to balance out your curves. Avoid jeans that are super flared, super skinny, or have very embellished back pockets. A wash with a vertical grain or whiskering will help to lengthen you. Try: Red Engine Lily Petite Boot Cut, Hudson Baby Boot, or Loft Petite Modern Straight Leg.

Super Curvy or Pear Shaped: Avoid wearing a super skinny jean. Get a pair that has stretch and a fuller fit through the hip and thighs. A fuller leg or boot cut would look great and help balance out your hips and bottom. Try: Joe’s Jeans Honey, Citizen’s of Humanity Hutton Jean, Genetic Denim Riley or Levi’s Supreme or Bold Curve Jeans.

Plus Size: If you are a fuller “round” shape, avoid the skinny or tapered jean that could create an unbalanced look. Go for a stretch jean with tummy control, with more room through the hip and thigh. Try a boot cut in a darker wash to create a more slimming effect. Try: The new line by DKNY featured at Lane Bryant, Liz Claiborne Classic Stretch Jeans or Levi’s 512 Perfectly Shaping Boot Cut Jean.

Maternity: If you are an expectant mother looking for a stylish maternity jean that has the comfort you need at the waist, Try: AG Angel Secret Fit Belly, Laurel Canyon High Panel by Paige Premium Denim, or all styles by Maternal America.

What Is Your Jean Personality?

Your next step is to consider what look you are going for and what styles are missing from your wardrobe that fit your “style personality.”  Do you need a dressy pair of jeans? Casual? Flashy or Rockstar? There are a variety of designer jeans and different washes suited for all your different looks and the image you want to present. Always remember that just because something is trendy or you see it on some Hollywood folks, it does not mean that it is the right look for YOU!

The Dressy Trouser Pant: The Dark denim trouser jean is a classy look and the lack of embellishment presents a crisp and refined image. You can wear to casual day at the office with a blouse and belt, or jazz it up for a night out to dinner by pairing with a great silk top, heels and accessories. Try: Red Engine, Levi's, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Banana Republic, JCrew, or Loft.

The Skinny Jean: This jean is great for daily wear, when paired with a blouse and sandals or flats in the Summer, or a long cardigan and boots in the Winter. For a night out, you can pair with a fun top or a blazer and heels.  The darker the wash, the dressier the look can be. Try: J Brand, CAbi “Bree” Jean, Mek, AG, Paige Premium Denim, Madewell, Guess, Seven7 Jeans. Budget: Forever 21, H&M, Old Navy, JC Penny or Gap.

The Embellished Jean: This jean has glitz written all over it! Make sure the fit is perfect, because people will surely be checking you out with all those studs on your pockets and double-stitched seaming details! Try: Rock Revival, True Religion, Mek Denim, or Miss Sixty.

The Casual Jean: This jean is your everyday pair that can be worn doing your errands, to your child's soccer game, or will carry you right out to dinner! Pick the best wash to compliment your own personal style and the tops in your wardrobe. A darker wash will give a dressier look and lighter will be most casual. Try: Hudson, Joe's Jeans, Madewell, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, Paige Premium Denim or AG. On A Budget: Levi's, Gap, Aeropostale, Urban Outfitters, Simply Vera for Kohls, or H&M.

Assess The Fit

So you finally narrowed down to the best cut for your shape, the right wash, and the best style.  But…it turns out you are in between sizes! Fear not ladies, as this is an easy fix by your local tailor. If you are curvy or need more room in the derriere, it is often the case that the fit is a bit loose in the waist or has a gap in the back.  Or if you are wider through the hips and thighs from all those boot camp sessions you’ve been doing, then you will often need to go up one size. And for petites, sometimes a regular cut will have a better rise but you will need to hem the jeans! All these challenges can be fixed by your local seamstress or tailor. Seams or darts can easily be added along the waistline to create the best fit. If your jeans are too long, they can shorten and reattach your same jean hem. For anyone local to the New Haven area, Valentino Tailors in Hamden offers all of these services.  Be sure to prewash your jeans and bring your shoes with you to ensure the best length and fit.

Who’s Ready To Shop?
Last but not least, do not go it alone!!! Contact Chica Guapa to schedule a personal shopping trip and get the help you need to find the perfect jean and a great top before your next night out!