Please help, I need new jeans and don't understand all the styles.

[DebbieFiderer]

I need to buy some new jeans on Monday and don't know where to start. I've lost 6 stone in the last year or so and have shrunk out of all my jeans. I think I am probably a size 18, possibly 16, 5'5, carry most of my weight on my hips/bum/thighs, have very large calves. For financial reasons I am limited to buying jeans in New Look :( as I got a load of vouchers and can't really afford to spend money on clothes that hopefully won't fit me in 6 months.

My biggest issue is that I have no idea what shape of jeans will suit me. I am taking a friend with me for a second opinion, but it is such a minefield. Super skinny/skinny/straight/bootcut/whatever else? What does it all mean??????

congrats on weight loss

why cant you see the difference? skinny is drainpipe and boot cut is flaredy - look at the site then try some on

It's not that I can't see the difference, just don't know what looks good on someone my size.

I hate boot cut jeans so wouldn't wear them even if they suited me. I wear skinny jeans in a size 20 (from next)

Nothing better than having a try on Debbie. But IMVHO boot cut are of the Mumsy devil. Fashion mags will tell you that flares are back in but only look good if you are about 6 foot and a size 8.... If you are self conscious about your rear end and calves skinny might not be for you unless you wear a lot if tunic type tops? Straight cut good but more difficult to tuck into boots than skinnies. Boyfriend more relaxed and often distressed look. Bear in mind the "rise" - I personally prefer a high waist as it dies suck the muffin top in but high waist is not available in all shapes. Finally New Look jeans come up small so bear this in mind when trying on. They do free click & collect so why not order many many pairs online in all sorts of sizes and try on at home so you can see them with a variety of tops /shoes to see what looks best?

I think boot cut is usually recommended for 'pear shapes', but, as above, I don't like them, so I don't wear them.
I'm not pear shaped, btw, and have been the same size/shape all my life, but still find buying jeans a right pita.
I would probably look online and see what New Look have, then go in and try on until you find some that you feel good in.
Good luck!

Jeans are tricky aren't they?! I think it's a great idea to do click and collect many styles/sizes, trying jeans on with your own clothes helps enormously with your decision. I'm a similar shape and wear wide leg jeans but I am aware they look a bit frumpy in winter with boots, they look better with trainers or sandals.

First of all I would ignore the fashion police who insist that only a certain style is "in".

Some useful websites:

www.denimblog.com/c/a/the-12-womens-body-types-and-jeans-that-will-flatter-each
jeans.about.com/od/JeanStyleGuide/tp/The-Best-Jeans-For-Larger-Thighs.htm

I would take some jeans in different styles into the fitting room and just try them on. I am pear shaped with larger thighs than I would like and skinny jeans just don't suit me, so I wear slim straight jeans.

well try them on and see!
rolls eyes

I'd go for a high waisted style. On bottom heavy types like myself they help to hold everything in! If you can possibly treat yourself at all primark high waisted skinny jeans are the best I've found for £11 but the new look ones are also pretty good.

Boot cut or straight leg are more flattering for anyone over a size 14 - or so everyone would have you believe. But personally I prefer skinny jeans with a longer baggier top and biker type boots or converse to balance it out (I'm not ready to give up trying to look trendy yet - I'm 35 this year).

New Look stock 183 different types of jeans. It would take op 2 whole days to try them all on, allowing 5 minutes a pair.
It makes a lot of sense to try to narrow it down some.
rolls eyes

I think the opposite, flaires fit most people and look better than skinnies. Bootcut are a great inbetweener. Flaires even you out where the skinnies can give people 'parsnip leg'.

flares are gross and make people look bigger, not smaller. I would never wear flares or bootcut - can't be doing with excess fabric flapping round my calves

Thanks (almost!) all for the help. I think I will try some bootcut and some straight and see what I think. Part of the problem is I don't really have a clear mental image of how I look now, so I find it difficult to know what will look good.

I would get your friend to take photos on your phone so you can look at the photo rather than looking at yourself in the mirror as it can be easier to be objective IMO.
Also agree with pp who said new look jeans come up small so don't be disheartened if you are not the size you expect to be- I am a 14 in most places but have a pair of new look 14s from when I was thinner and there is no way I could even get them fastened.

I think you can balance out bum and thighs by wearing boots with skinnies, it has a similar effect to a bootcut. They are harder to pull off with ballet flats.

Well done on your weight loss!!