Find the perfect jeans to flatter your shape

Jeans are probably the most versatile item in your wardrobe and long gone are the days when they were restricted to casual day wear for the under 30s.

Here are some simple rules to help your find the perfect pair of jeans.

If you're a pear shape

  • Balance out your figure with a bootleg jean or a skinny flare.
  • Dark or indigo denim will slim down your bottom half and make your legs appear longer.
  • Avoid small back pockets; they can make you look wider than you are.
  • Choose a mid-rise style of jean; anything too low and you're in danger of a muffin top, while a rise that's too high will draw attention to your hips.
  • Look for jeans with a wide curved waistband. Your jeans should be higher at the back to stop gaping.
  • Jeans with a slight stretch will be comfortable and cling in all the right places.
  • Skinny flares are a great option in your twenties and thirties. Team with boots or platforms to make your legs look even longer. Tuck in a floaty blouse and add a skinny belt for a smart daytime look, or throw on a chunky knit when the weather starts to bite. Remember to create width on your top half in order to balance out your hips and give you a gorgeous curvy silhouette.
  • Boot-leg jeans with a seam down the front are great options for ladies in their forties. The seam draws the eye down, so your legs appear longer - especially with a more formal trouser feel. Wear with a classic striped sweater to broaden your top half in the daytime, or team with a classic blazer and heels in the evening.
  • Debenhams and Gap are both great for boot cut styles; if you're looking for a bargain, try the Hula bootcut jean at New Look for £10. If it's a pair of skinny flares you're after, Oasis and warehouse have it all sewn up.


If you're an apple shape

  • You carry your weight around your middle section, so choose a straight or wide leg jean to balance out your bottom half and give the illusion of a smaller waist.
  • Wear your jeans with a heel to elongate your legs.
  • Avoid low cut jeans, as these will draw attention to your tummy area. Instead, choose a midrise cut with a broad waistband that will flatten your tummy.
  • Go for pockets that sit high on the bottom or have flaps to give definition and shape.
  • Why not try the boyfriend jean, a big favourite of Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham. These look super chic turned up with an oversized blazer and platforms for lunch with the girls, or you can try a more relaxed approach by wearing them with plimsolls and a long sleeved tee.
  • The straight leg jean is a stylish alternative to the skinny jean for the over forties. Wear with flats in the daytime or show off your fabulous legs for evening with a pair of stack-heeled boots.
  • Visit Topshop and Gap for on-trend boyfriend jeans; and Hobbs and Wallis for classic wide leg styles.


If you have an athletic figure

  • You have an athletic figure and a smaller chest and you can get away with nearly any style of jeans without worrying about lumps and bumps in the wrong places.
  • Your best styles of jeans are skinny or straight cut - they'll make your legs look like they go on forever.
  • Play around with waistbands: a higher rise will give the illusion of curves around your waist and bottom, have a look at Matalan and George for some budget idea. A low-slung jean will broaden your hips.
  • Skinny jeans are perfect for autumn. Wearing them under riding or biker boots will mean there's no chance of the bottoms dragging around in puddles - plus the boots will keep you extra warm come wintertime! It's also easy to dress your jeans up for an evening out - just add a pair of ankle boots and a sequin jacket.
  • Over forties should stick to straight leg jeans styles; team them with a boxy Chanel style jacket to create curves and wear classic ballet pumps for comfort.
  • Wallis and Autograph at M&S are great resources for straight leg jeans. For skinny jeans, you'll find a great price and fit at Primark.


If you're petite

  • Petite girls come in all different shapes and sizes, so take advice from the tips above depending on your shape.
  • Avoid jeans that are bulky or fussy around the waistband, and remember that embroidery, embellishment and big pockets will only make you look shorter. Opt for simple styles with seams down the front to elongate your leg.
  • Don't be afraid of getting your jeans altered. If you find the perfect pair that are just a little bit too long, a local tailor can take them up to the perfect flattering length.
  • Wearing your jeans with heels will make your legs look longer - just make sure the length is right and your jeans are almost touching the ground. Remember you'll need one length jean for heels, and another for flats - don't try to make the same jean do dual duty.
  • Try M&S and Topshop for great fitting petite jeans in all different styles.