To the experts on jeans ....

[Ooopsadaisy]

I am size 8. 5 foot 4. Slim/athletic. Age 44.

Because I am an 8 it means my waist and hips are small.

Because I am 5 foot 4 I don't want petite or long.

Because I am athletic my thighs and calves are on the larger side so that's where the fabric needs to be.

Just because I am 44 doesn't mean I want to look my Granny (especially seeing as she would have been 100 this week if she hadn't died 2 years ago). It's ok - she would appreciate the humour.

Why can't I find any bloody jeans that actually fit?

If they fit my thighs and calves then I have about 5 inches too much around my hips and waist.

If I wear children's jeans they fit my waist and hips but my thighs and calves bulge and look awful. That's if I can pull them up over my thighs at all.

I can wear children's leggings and jeggings as they have enough stretch but not the jeans.

Help, Mumsnet, help.

I'm the same (well, I'm 31 and an inch taller, but I know where you're coming from!) I go for really skinny, really stretchy jeans, because they can accommodate my calves and thighs but still fit hips/waist. Just seen Uniqlo have some new Ultra Stretch jeans here. Also, really properly skinny jeans seem to be more flattering for some reason, they make my thighs look smaller instead of bigger...go figure. Paige Jeggings are fantastic too - they are proper jeans but as skinny as leggings.

Thanks - I was just reading your post about Uniqlo!

I agree about skinnies being better. You would think they would make me look a bit sausagey but the opposite applies. Bootcut make me look about 3 inches tall and anything with too much fabric just drowns me.

I have to chose really simple, uncomplicated shapes for all my clothes. Just straight up and down is best.

Love shift dresses (about knee length) and tunics with leggings.

Have you ever tried Next jeans? Are they having a laugh? They are enormous on the waist! Shorts and trousers from Next are the same too.

Next sizing is huge, I'm a 6 there, but an 8 in most places.

I've never found a shift dress that fits me! I think they're gorgeous though. But really what are the chances of finding a dress that fits bust, waist and hips correctly? I've never understood how people find them!

Uniqlo seem to be too long for me.

Paige jeggings look great but outside my price range. I'm more your Primark kind of bird.

The last pair of jeans I bought were New Look because they were cheap and I went for a 10 to accomodate my thighs but they really are too big around my waist and I'm constantly yanking them up and have to wear something long over the top.

It's strange isn't it? I don't have any problem with finding well fitting shift dresses at all.

If only I could wear shorts all year I would be happy .....

7 for all mankind
Expensive though... Calculate cost per wear!!

I am a bit concerned about the Uniqlo jeans being a 33in leg, but I don't mind a bit of bunching round the ankle when the jeans are really skinny. Too much looks a bit silly though.

I know the Paige jeans are vv expensive and I'm usually more of a Topshop girl, but Topshop/H&M/New Look jeans are just stupidly tight on the legs and big on the waist. They make me feel awful about my figure, which is stupid when you're an 8! So the Paige were a great investment and they are very comfy... There's nothing worse than a pair of jeans that don't pull up all the way to your crotch or keep falling down!

have you tried zara?

Have you tried New Look's supersoft skinny jeans. I am 5ft 4, size 10 with really skinny legs, and small hips. They fit me well but are not ultra skinny on the legs, more like slim. I have a pair on now and have just pulled about 3-4 inches of stretch on the thigh. I go for the 32" leg.

These are the ones I am wearing at the minute.

Another fan of Paige jeans here. Best I've ever worn. Worth every single penny.

No - never tried Zara. Possibly been put off by price? Will have a look.

landofsoapandglory - no - I've only tried New Look's cheapy jeans. The problem is that my legs are definitely not skinny. I'm all muscle. I look toned in short dresses, leggings and shorts but look like a freak in jeans.

No-one believes me unless they come shopping with me!

where do you live, and what is your max budget? can you get to a donna ida store, have a massive try on, then wait for the sales and pounce on your chosen style?

I have a feeling the goldsign virtual high rise might work for you but you need to try them on if poss.

Erm, if jeans don't suit you and don't fit why are you (trying) to wear them? Sometimes it's hard to remember that they aren't obligatory

After years of feeling like a freak in changing rooms and tugging up the compromise jeans I always ended up with I gave 'em up some time ago, I've not regretted it for a second. I look better and I feel better.

Uniqlo do alterations so length no problem.

I'm a similar build to you and have had great success with Gap jeans, Uniqlo and also the Roma ones from M&S Per Una (I know....) Uniqlo are the only place atm that seem to do skinnies that don't make my legs look fat and weird and awful (I'm a size 6 on the bottom ffs, my legs are not fat!!!!!!!)

Another vote for 7 For All Mankind. Probably £100-200 a pair but they are beautifully cut. If you get to know your size in a specific style then you can pick them up on eBay - I have done before now for £15.

MrsLettuce - are you my daughter? She says exactly the same. She argues that I look great in leggings/jeggings so I shouldn't even bother with jeans. She says I never look comfortable in jeans because I'm always pulling myself about and apologising for it. She's 14 and clearly more astute than me.

foxysocks - I have just googled Donna Ida and that is about my annual budget!!!!!! I will note the name though, and look out for bargains.

I agree with MrsLettuce. It sounds as if you have a lovely figure but not one suitable for jeans; imo jeans are not always the best for curvy people (I do not use curvy as a euphemism for fat, as you sound lovely and slim, but you need something that acknowledges your small waist)

woozlebear - I have a friend who is dragging me off to Gap next week as she swears by them. She has told me that if I mention price or "I can't spend that much" or anything related to ££££ she will leave me there and make me walk home.

My Dad is tight and so am I. I want everything on the cheap.

Strangely I never compromise on good underwear and am obsessed with a good quality, well fitting bra and matching - it HAS to be matching -knickers.

But please don't make me go to Per Una. I don't want their jeans to fit me because that will make me depressed. There is just something about Per Una that makes me want to break things.

No, fortunately my teen years are long over and done with!

Zara TRF

You need to go out and just try loads on - oasis may work well on you. But I'd try river island, top shop, oasis, miss selfridge, zara, warehouse and gap.

Be prepared to spend a couple of hours trying on until you find the perfect pair.

I'm sure you don't look like a freak in jeans OP! Now I'm wondering whether I do

What 'waist acknowledging' styles do people recommend? I don't look that good in waist-cinching dresses because I don't have the hips or bust to carry them off.

Sorry if that's a bit of a thread hijack oops.

Oasis I think are good for hourglasses.

The other thing is to find a pair that fit well in the legs and then bet a v cut out of the back centre back and taken in - that's what they do at Donna Ida.

Ogooglebar - no problem - it's good to hear that I'm not alone!

Waists on dresses are never in the right place.

There you go - I AM a freak!

And Levis Curve could be worth investigating