Denim Fit Guide

With so many styles to choose from, how do you know what works for you?

Skinny, boyfriend, flare, boot-cut—there are so many cute jean styles! But which ones are right for you? We caught up with Jessica Talley, a Merchandise Specialist at Old Navy, for suggestions on what jeans work best for certain body types.

The most important thing to remember is that the right jeans for you are the ones you like the most. Talley says, "It really does depend on the girl and how comfortable she is with her body."

That being said, we have helpful tips to consider while you shop!

Slim
Skinny jeans look awesome on slim frames with narrow hips and thighs. Super skinny jeans should be avoided, however. (Who wants to look like a stick!) Looking to create the illusion of curves? Try light-washed jeans or jeans with pre-fabricated whiskers (the fading created from creases in the front pocket area of jeans); this can help to fill out thinner frames.

Petite
Shorter girls can wear nearly any jeans style, but the case can be made against styles with cuffs, such as boyfriend jeans, as they can have a shrinking effect. The good news is that skinny jeans work well for most petites, as do straight and wide-leg styles. Bell bottoms? Not so good for the vertically challenged.

Pear Shaped
Low rise jeans should be completely avoided. Jeans that sit just above the hip are best—this can help soften curves. A good thing to keep in mind when it comes to shade and color is that dark washes are slimming. Stay away from jeans with whiskering as this effect can make hips look wide.

Curvy
Girls with curves look good in most types of jeans. Refer to the guidelines for pear shaped in terms of wash and whiskering. And unless the goal is to bring attention to the backside, pockets with lots of embellishments or flaps should not be invited to the wardrobe party.

Tall
Keep in mind that supermodels are tall, and they look amazing in pretty much everything! That said, jeans with long inseams—that's the seam on the pant's inner leg from the crotch to the hem—are best. Ideally, the hem will hit at the ankle bone. Also, boyfriend jeans, cuffed styles, and skinny jeans are super cute on long legs.

Bonus Tips!
1. This may sound silly, but be sure to sit down in the dressing room when you're trying on jeans. You definitely want to know how they look when they have to bend!

2. Don't focus too much on the size on the tag. Buy a pair that fits well. Sizes vary from maker to maker.

3. When you find a pair that fits, consider buying two—one for flats and one for heels!

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