Shopping for Jeans on Monday

[MrsKoala]

I have had 2 babies in 3 years and recently lost 16lb of baby weight. I now fit into my pre baby jeans, but they are bootcut and look a bit dated.

I think i need to invest in some new jeans but i am quite unsure what to go for. I look awful in skinnies and find them really uncomfortable.

My shape is; Tall, broad shoulder, flat chested, small waist, big bum and thighs, 5ft 10, long legs, large calves. I am technically an hourglass, but that's due to my broad back rather than having nice rack unfortunately. I am between a size 12-16 depending on the shop.

I have some John Lewis vouchers to use up and i know they do NYDJ so i thought these looked quite nice, if a bit posh spice. I think JL also do the Levis curve ones which i thought i would try too.

I like the idea of boyfriend/mom jeans, but not sure how i would wear them and what shoes would go. Also with my thighs they may look ridiculous.

Any suggestions gratefully received. Ta. :)

[Judydreamsofhorses]

My suggestion would be to go to John Lewis with TIME and wearing easy to remove trousers or a skirt with no tights, plus a top that you could see how it looks tucked in, over, etc, and just try on absolutely everything you vaguely like the look of - the sales people there are really helpful, and on a Monday they shouldn't be too busy.

Shopping for jeans is a real bind, and so personal it's difficult to make recommendations, but SO rewarding when you find The Ones. Good luck!

[MrsKoala]

Thanks Judy. That's what i did with the last proper jean shopping i did before the babies. I went and ended up liking a pair by NYDJ and 7 for all mankind. I bought both then realised i was pregnant so returned the NYDJ and kept the 7s. I do still like them but they are lower rise than i need now - i need something quite high i think to keep the flesh from spilling out.

[SavoyCabbage]

I just did my jeans shopping yesterday. I reckon I tried on 20 pairs.. I ended up with Levis in the end.

Just try on loads. And ignore the length as you can have them taken up if necessary.

[MrsKoala]

Very disappointing experience Jean shopping. JL Kingston only have NYDJ and Levis Curve, Salsa and Warehouse Jeans. All in Slim/Skinny/Straight.

The Levis i couldn't even get over my calves. The others just looked shit. The only ones which looked 'okaaaay' were the straight NUDJ. But they certainly didn't look great or £149 worth.

I ended up with some 'Mom' Jeans from Topshop and some cropped cigarette pants from Gap as a stop gap till i get to JL oXford ST. I just think Jeans aren't for me tbh. i think i should look at other types of trouser.

[LilyRose88]

That is so disappointing. Maybe have a look in Gap and Uniglo when you go to Oxford Street as they both have a good selection of jeans which are easy to wear and flattering.

[MrsKoala]

I did have a look in the Gap there, but every Jean was skinny or bootcut. I used to have the gap long and lean but they are too low rise for me and they used to stretch so much they were hanging off me within a couple of hours.

[ElizabethHoover]

uniqlo super stretch are your friend

[ElizabethHoover]

Post natally I used to go to Gap - throw myself on a kind looking assistant and say 'I have had thirty babies and need some jeans, please help me'

always got great advice!

[LilyRose88]

I bought a pair of Gap skinny jeans last week and they really aren't that skinny, plus they have a decent rise on them. It might be worth trying some on in case you find that they suit you. I usually wear straight jeans or generous skinnies - i.s. ones that don't look like leggings!

[MrsKoala]

Cheers. But you probably both have normal bodies

I am quite tall and even find high rise on most jeans too low. My calves are so humungous that straight cuts loot like skinny/slim anyway.

The super stretch on the uniqlo website look like skinny jeans. I have 2 pairs of gap skinny khakis and they are so tight round my calves and are very low rise.

i honestly think boot cut or flares will be the only cut which suits/fits me.

[ElizabethHoover]

ah now you sound like a mate of mine. SHe hates skinnies but has reached her own Nirvana with next relaxed skinnies - look VERY nice indeed on her

are a straight leg tbh - size down

[ElizabethHoover]

ooh i LOVE a jeans challenge.

Marks are quite high waisted too, not the Limited ones which are nice and low ( i have a short body)

[MrsKoala]

Oh thanks for the tip. I forgot someone else mentioned next to me too. I will check them out. Actually i have a short body in proportion to my legs. I just have freakishly long everything!

the other issue i had was they only had 32 leg and i need 34.

will have a look on the next website now.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

I absolutely love the mom jeans - I got lightish blue ones about this time last year and wore them loads over summer (I mainly wore them with Breton tops/stripy t-shirts tucked in and brogues/sandals), and have actually got the black ones winging their way to me right now. (They've been out of stock in my size for AGES!) They are super flattering. I think the trick with them is to have something either tucked in or just sitting on the waist, and rolled up to the ankle bone - I've worn mine over winter sitting just above Chelsea boots.

[ivykaty44]

I ended up in next and got a pair of jeans for 45 quid (normal hate next stuff) but the jeans are a good fit for me and very comfy

[nottheOP]

These look good but only a 16 left m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/New-Look/New-Look-Girlfriend-Jean/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4387523&cid=3630&Rf989=5081,5075,4895&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=50&sort=1&clr=Blue&totalstyles=57&gridsize=3&un_jtt_v_frompage=1

[nottheOP]

The Waven ones look quite good too m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Waven/WAVEN-High-Waist-Mom-Jeans/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4984002&cid=3630&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=1&clr=Mid+blue&totalstyles=802&gridsize=3&un_jtt_v_frompage=0

[MrsKoala]

i quite like the look of these but then again i often think jeans look nice till i get them on. i seem constantly surprised at the vastness of my arse and thighs

[almahart]

They're on my list of jeans to try MrsK. I have just ordered some j by jasper conran jeans as recommended on another thread which look very like my salsa fit ones (which are great, high waisted and not too skinny)

[Floellabenjamin]

A friend of mine highly recommended trilogy to me recently. She went to the one in wimbledon and tried on loads and said the assistant was honest- but very helpful. Ive been meaning to go myself. She did say she found the ones but at a cost!

[MrsKoala]

Oooooh what's Trilogy? Is it a brand of jeans or a shop with a variety?

[SorrelForbes]

If you're heading to a Oxford Street, I'd recommend a visit to the Denim Studio in Selfridges. They have a huge range of brands and styles. Donna Ida (near Ski and Square tube) is a great little jeans boutique too.

Gap Really Straight and Gap High Rise Skinny are also both very flattering.

[Floellabenjamin]

It's a chain of shops and there are some in town. They have a selection of denim brands- mainly high end. Have a look at the website- they have some styles which I think would suit your body typ

[bonzo77]

I was going to suggest Selfridges too if you are up West.