How to Shop for Denim
Does shopping for jeans give you the blues? Before you hit the dressing room, read these expert tips from Sam Remer and finding work-appropriate jeans will be a snap.
Do your homework.
Save time by learning what will fit you in advance. Read up online about the best types of cuts for your shape. Check out the Shopping for Your Shape Guide on ilovejeans.com for more info on what styles will flatter your figure.
Bring the right shoes.
When trying on jeans, take a pair of flats and a pair of heels with you so you can check that the length will work with both. For the ideal fit, it’s best to invest in one pair to wear with flats and one you can wear with heels.
Enlist a friend.
Buying jeans takes time and patience. You may have to try on a lot of pairs to find the perfect one. Bring a trusted friend along with you to help run and get sizes while you’re in the dressing room and to give her honest opinion.
Move around.
Leave the dressing room and walk briskly, squat, and move around to check for comfort. Sit down in each pair to check for the dreaded muffin top (if your tummy rolls over, switch to the next size up) and to see how low the rise is in back. Find a fit with a medium to high rise to avoid showing too much skin.
Get the length right.
If your jeans fit perfectly except for the length, have them altered. Jeans always look better when worn with a bit of a heel, so choose the heel height you will be wearing when being pinned. Ask the tailor to show you the thread color used for hemming and make sure it matches the stitching on the rest of the jean. Also see if he can keep the original hemline. This preserves the look of the jean.
Take Your Denim to Work
Jeans are your go-to item for a weekend brunch or a night out with the girls, but figuring out how to wear them to the office can sometimes feel like, well, work! Finding the right balance between corporate and casual may seem daunting—until now. We asked our fashion experts for advice on pulling off denim on the job, so whether you’re dressing for casual Friday or headed to a staff retreat, these guidelines will take the guesswork out of dressing for work.
Choose a clean, dark wash.
For office-friendly jeans, keep the color and wash understated and classic. Sam Remer, founder of ILoveJeans.com suggests a dark blue or black stretch jean for a great way to make denim look smart. Steer clear of faded or distressed washes since clean denim is also key in creating a sharp, polished look.
Select an “elegant leg.”
Corinne Phipps, founder of Urban Darling, a fashion consulting firm in California, advises that office-appropriate jeans should create a more elegant leg, like a suit pant. Try a wide leg trouser, or opt for a classic boot cut jean in place of skinnier cuts which are best left for the weekend. Remer also notes that jeans with a wider leg not only look polished, they also elongate the leg, giving you the illusion that you’re taller and slimmer. Balance out your frame and pair a wider leg with a more fitted top.
Dress up your tops.
In order to contrast the more informal denim, Phipps advises pairing jeans with a structured top or pretty blouse layered under a tailored jacket. If you are not a fan of the jacket, she suggests swapping in a structured cardigan. Remer also loves the chic look of a tucked-in blouse styled with a cropped blazer or jacket. Opt for sophisticated fabrics such as crisp cotton, silk, jersey, or cashmere and avoid t-shirts, sweatshirts, bulky sweaters or anything else you wouldn’t pair with your regular dress pants.
Accessorize smartly.
Nothing pulls a look together better than a few carefully selected accessories. Phipps recommends adding an interesting belt and a long necklace to polish off your look, while Remer likes to have fun with bold cufflinks on a double cuff blouse. Although accessories should remain professional, you can have a little fun if you keep it minimal—try a splash of color with a bright scarf or a chunky bracelet or bring in a hint of pattern with a pair of print ballet flats or low-to-mid heel pumps.
Add flair with small embellishments.
For a corporate event outside the workplace, Remer suggests incorporating some of your personal style with your jeans. Small, unique pocket details give an individual touch and can take your jeans into more of an evening look which is great for a staff retreat or an after-work event with colleagues. Just avoid anything too trendy or flashy that will read young and unprofessional.
Dress for your shape.
Wearing the wrong fit for your body is another denim don’t. If you’re tripping over frayed hemlines or crammed into too-tight jeans, people will notice—and not in a good way! Hem your jeans to an appropriate length and select a style that flatters your assets and camouflages problem areas. Follow Remer’s rules of thumb: for hourglass or pear-shaped figures, try a boot cut jean in slimming black. For petite and apple-shaped women, a slim leg or straight leg style is best. For women with a tummy, high-waist jeans with a little give are flattering and comfortable.