facing the horror of jeans shopping...help!

[FauxFox]

Once school goes back and I can shop unencumbered I am going to have to face the hell of jeans shopping

I haven't bought jeans for years and currently have some Primark superskinnies with faded knees and busted belt loops (from hoiking them up - never been a wonderful fit) a pair of topshop Marthas (faded and the buttons on the back pockets have gone), and I did have a pair of high waisted biba flares but I cropped them for the summer.

So...I need

1. some kind of straight/boyfriend/bootcut casual style jeans to wear with flats in classic indigo or distressed
2. indigo skinnies
3. black or grey skinnies
4. something else a bit fun - print? colour? not sure.

I am size 12 with big bum and thighs bit muffin toppy but slim waist and I am 5'8 so need a longish leg (34 maybe?)

Has anyone got any advice on good places to start with this? what shop shall i go to where i can grab armfuls of possibilities and try things on until i hit the jackpot of something that fits or die of exhaustion in the process?!

Any favourite jeans you have and think might suit me?

I am not keen on online shopping for jeans as in the past this has been an utterly depressing experience and I really think you need to try them on. Happy to pay £££ for an amazing classic pair of blue skinnies or straights that will last but want cheap and cheerful for black that will fade and patterned that will date.

I am such a keen shopper on any other item but jeans leave me stumped so TIA for your help

I quite like the warehouse ultra skinnies. The rise is a bit higher than the primark skinnies so gives a smoother line.

I've heard good things about the high waisted dorothy Perkins skinnies so I'm going to give them a try at some point.

I'm a similar size/shape to you and I swear by H&M. (Previous to discovering their trousers/jeans/chinos, I also had the jeans-purchase-fear )

I have also discovered DP jeggings which are so comfortable, flattering and come in loads of colours.

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=5979623&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=jeggings&pageSize=20

Oooh I like the look of those DP ones number black and 'deep port' look promising...is the quality OK on H&M? I've got some black cigarette trousers from there which are a good fit but the quality is pants - they were only £14.99 so I can't complain but I wish they were a bit better made/thicker fabric thanks trixy warehouse sounds good too, I like a higher rise so i'll try there as well...
any more ideas?

I've found Uniqlo quite good for jeans in the past, though I haven't bought any for a couple of years. Think they are all 34" and they do in between sizes too.

I've bought skinnies from there before which lasted well and I know they used to do lots of different colour jeans too but haven't looked recently.

Faux Yes the DP jeggings are fab aren't they!

As for H&M it depends on which trousers you buy, the coloured jeans (£14.99) I have found to be crap quality - wash them once and they look old and faded.

But the quality of these two pairs is good:

www.hm.com/gb/product/03905?article=03905-A

www.hm.com/gb/product/02682?article=02682-A

They are both £24.99, as you say a bit dearer than the £14.99 cheapo ones.

I just got some Levi Curve straight leg ones. I've had Dorothy Perkins jeans for years, which fit me best from the high street and have been replaced like for like for the past 10 years or so. For me (small waist + saddlebags) the fit of the Bold Curve is a revelation.

££ rather than £££, but John Lewis had a wee rail with a few pairs on sale last weekend.

I've not had levis since I was 14 but I like the idea i'll put them on the list too. Are uniqlo just online or do they have them in department stores anywhere?

I got some quite muted leopard print skinnies from primark, really good for 13 quid and not super tight either. I'm refusing to spend anything more on jeans until the baby weight has gone. Pre baby I used to buy DP skinny jeans all the time.

Oooh number those black cropped ones might be the upgrade i'm looking for if the cut is the same

Yes sugar the temptation of cheapness will def have me checking out primark for a printed option I think...though my current bag is zebra so leopard might be a print too far!

I like my Next high waisted indigo skinnies (sounds like you are a similar shape to me). Cant link as next site links seem to just go to main page . They have washed well and dont seem to go baggy on knees on wearing.

Oooh number those black cropped ones might be the upgrade i'm looking for if the cut is the same

Faux, they wash really well and you can almost wipe them clean too (minor spills etc.

Mumelie I'm with you on high-waisted Next jeans, I never thought high-waisted would like good on me at all, I thought they were the super-skinnies (I'm size12/14) but they cover all the problem areas. Job done!

I tried on the Next high waisted and was amazed - I realized I must have a long bottom as they don't look high waisted on me just err normal iykwim. I was impressed with the comfiness of the fabric aswell.

I love my next jeans :)

Next is on the list (against all my principals - I hate it! But if they have good jeans then needs must!)

Gap? And topshop do lots of jeans and I think they are super comfy:)

GAP I tried loads of different styles on last weekend.
Bought a pair 30% off too
Good quality denim and lot of styles
American sizing too... always makes you feel better by 'short 10' is a 4a

Success! Straight leg blue jeans from H&M and black super skinnies from DPs

Good work, Faux!

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you to all who recommended DP skinnies - I popped in at lunchtime and got two pairs. My first ever skinnies purchase as I can actually get these over my ample arse!