Jeans nightmare - help!

[ultimatekat]

Does anyone have any suggestions for decent jeans?

I'm 5'4" and 11 stone - I gained a stone over the lockdown period and now all my jeans are way too tight/won't do up. I have a bit of a tummy so prefer something a bit higher waisted.

I must have tried on about 50 pairs of jeans from all sorts of places now and I am at my wits end!

what sort of cut do you like?
what budget do you have?
what are your proportions?

I like the Arket straight cropped jeans, I have a small waist in proportion to my bum and hips and find they fit me really nicely, the denim feels good quality and doesn't loose its shape after half a day.

I have been on a long jeans journey also. I’ve even kept a few that look crap.

I also have a tummy and have gained weight.

What didn’t work for me are:
Any jeans from hush (sorry hush)
Whistles barrel leg. Had to order a size to accommodate my tummy which meant very baggy everywhere else.
Levi’s 720 high waisted - not high waisted enough for me and cut at wider part of my tummy.
Primark jeans - but are cheap enough and comfy enough I don’t regret these.

The ones I am currently liking are the Levi’s mile high skinny jeans which I buy a size bigger so even I can tuck in and not just feel squeezed. They actually have the waistband where I am thinnest so flattering overall.
Topshop premium mom jeans though these are the most flattering from the front (nip me in nicely!) but from the side there is a lot of tummy going on. Swings and roundabouts.

Some jeans that really did work for me are salsa mid waist Collette jeans which I wear with a loose blouse and French tuck. I wore these to death though and they developed serious wear and tear and I haven’t found my size for ages :-(

marks and sparks Lily jeans- high waisted, good shape but you need to size down !

M&S Sophia for me

Another vote for M&S. i love the magic shaping jeans!

M&S here too! I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by their jeans lately.

Yeah I'm an M&S jeans fan. There's a couple of styles that are really soft too - I just bought a pair of the Sophia straight leg and turn them up with boots. I'm the same height and go for short length.

Thanks for your replies!

I like straight cut usually - cropped with trainers or tall boots and a bit longer if I'm wearing heeled boots / a heel. I have a smaller waist to bum and hips.

I'll definitely try the Arket ones they sound like they might fit well @SummaLuvin

Sounds like I need a trip to M&S too, I didn't even think to look there really!

Appreciate all the tips

My latest pair are m and s Lily. I have Sophia straight ones too.
I don’t agree about sizing down. My normal size fit fine.

Another vote for M&S jeans, tons of styles and three lengths, which is always a plus.
I've also bought a couple of pairs of their £15 jeggings lately and I like them very much.

I had the same issue with putting on a stone in lockdown and jeans not fitting. I bought these which are super comfortable, stretchy, and flattering for my 'fat' days (currently trying to shift the weight!).

www.johnlewis.com/and-or-venice-beach-boyfriend-jeans-azurite-dark/p4285475

Honestly don’t bother going to M&S - just order a selection online. My local store doesn’t have a good variety

Oh I need jeans help too! It seems every style is in and I’m a bit perplexed. I like a rolled up relaxed slim in warmer months but not so keen on bare ankles now it’s chilly. Gone off skinny. Not too long in the leg at 5ft 5 so cropped cuts me off a bit. Size 10 waist and 10-12 hips so will look at Arket. Not heard of them.

Really not wanting to shop at M&S though.