The Best Denim for Your Body Type
With so many denim styles out there—skinny, straight, wide-leg, girlfriend, boyfriend, and everything in between—it can be difficult pinpointing the exact silhouette that works best for you. While chances are that few styles could work, uncovering the one find that fits you like a glove is a sartorial victory as far as we're concerned. Knowing what looks great on your figure will ultimately make shopping that much easier. Think how much time and effort you'll save once you can be totally sure which style denim fits you best.
To help you uncover the most flattering jeans, we tapped Chloe Lonsdale, founder and creative director of M.i.h Jeans, to dish on the most slimming jeans for every body type. Whether you are tall and long or petite and curvy, there is sure to be a denim style in here that will flatter your figure and keep you feeling 100% confident in your own skin. But let's face it, when it comes to shopping for the most flattering fit, it's just as important that you feel comfortable (and yourself) in whatever you're wearing.
Keep scrolling to find your true-blue style and shop our picks for every body type, too.
The Perfect Style: High-Rise Slim Jeans
"Hourglass shapes should draw attention to the smallest part of their bodies, their waist, with a high-rise jean with minimal stretch. Opt for a wash with subtle highlights that will slim and flatter your shape," Lonsdale says.
A high-rise style is so flattering and elongates the leg.Available in sizes 24 to 34.
The Perfect Style: Vintage-Cut High-Rises With Tapered Legs
"Boyish figures can create more shape in a vintage-cut denim with a high rise and tapered leg in non-stretch denim. This style looks great in pale, washed-out blues that feel really authentic," Lonsdale told us.
A pair that you'll go everywhere in.Available in sizes 24 to 30.
The darker wash looks especially cool with bright white sneakers.Available in sizes 23 to 32.
The Perfect Style: '70s-Inspired Kick Flares
"A kick flare looks great on all body types, but they are particularly flattering for curvy shapes," says Lonsdale. "The flare should begin from above the knee to balance out larger hips and bottoms. Look for a high rise that will slim and flatten the tummy. Worn with heels, the flare is leg-elongating and almost completely transformative. Everyone should own a pair."
The flare on these is subtler than most.Available in sizes 12 to 20.
We'd pair these with a pretty blouse and ankle boots.Available in sizes 24 to 30.
The Perfect Style: Flared Jeans With Fit Technology
"A flared leg balances out curvy hips, evening out proportions," Lonsdale advises. "Look for denim with fit technology—they'll work harder for your shape, holding in lumps and bumps and smoothing you out in all the right places. They will also keep their shape wear after wear. Dark washes like a deep indigo or black are always the most flattering."
A dark-wash pair of high-rise flares is always flattering.Available in sizes 23 to 32.
The front pocket detail gives these an extra-special feel.Available in sizes 23 to 32.
The Perfect Style: Cropped Straight-Leg Jeans
"For petite shapes, I would recommend cropped, straight-fit jeans with a slightly fluted hem opening, the perfect amount of kick to flatter all body shapes," says Lonsdale.
Try pairing these with a sleek pair of heels for casual Friday.Available in sizes 24 to 29.
The Perfect Style: Cropped Kick Flares
"Long, tall shapes have the ability to pull off pretty much anything, which is why I would suggest cropped kick flares with a ripped scallop edge, one of the key denim shapes for S/S 16. They are the denim girl's dream jean," Lonsdale said.
We're loving the step-hem denim trend right now.Available in sizes 23 to 32.
The distressed hem makes these jeans perfect for any and all weekend activities.Available in sizes 23 to 32.
Which denim style works best for your body type?
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
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