Page 3 | Never found a flattering pair of jeans - apple shape and feeling rubbish!

CosyRoseDreamer · 2025-03-09T17:52:22+00:00

Please please help! I am getting quite down about this, as ridiculous as it sounds. I have a 3 year old and never lost my baby weight - I'm left with an apple shape, so big tummy, slim legs and big bust (36DD/E). My tummy is quite pronounced and I just can't find any jeans to flatter. Any I buy seem to be too tight on the waist and/or just baggy and unflattering on my smaller bum and legs. What sort of style should I be looking for and any brand suggestions? Please help! I really want some decent jeans for spring. Thank you

Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 09/03/2025 22:56

BambooScaffolding · 09/03/2025 22:39

Similar body, I find anything too narrow or slim fitting emphasises the stomach if I tuck something in. I save those for wearing something baggier on top.

Usually I need some width or a flare/bootcut to balance out. Gap use to do Long and Lean which for me were the perfect jean, mine are years old and still going strong, so maybe worth checking Vinted.

In shops now Uniqlo Wide Straight Jeans work best for me
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E464744-000/00?colorDisplayCode=64&sizeDisplayCode=024&pldDisplayCode=033

But I would also suggest you play around with tops, tucking in may not be working for you at the moment, maybe try...
Longer cropped slightly boxy but with a wide neck or v neck tee-shirts.
Vest tucked in but a soft, loose shirt over the top
Tops with more fitted waists that go over the jeans but still give some definition
Also if the wide leg jeans are making you feel huge try cropped pairs or straight ones rolled up

This is great advice, thanks so much. I think I was kidding myself trying to create a waist!

OP posts:

Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 09/03/2025 22:59

Beyondthewindowsill555 · 09/03/2025 22:42

I have a similar shape to Op and I was going to recommend Eva too. I’ll try Sienna now also; thanks for the heads up!

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Next on my list to try! Have never had bootcut before...

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Devianinc · 09/03/2025 23:14

CosyRoseDreamer · 09/03/2025 22:56

Thank you everyone, have ordered the carrot and harper jeans from m&S for now as others were OOS in my size but planning to order loads until I find the perfect pair...I'll report back!

That’s the only way it works. I remember one day trying on 20 pairs of jeans and still wasn’t happy.

Pinkdreams · 09/03/2025 23:24

I really like river island jeans, any style. I fine they are stretchy on the waist so adapt easy

Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 07:59

Devianinc · 09/03/2025 23:14

That’s the only way it works. I remember one day trying on 20 pairs of jeans and still wasn’t happy.

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It's so frustrating, shouldn't be this hard

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Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 08:00

Pinkdreams · 09/03/2025 23:24

I really like river island jeans, any style. I fine they are stretchy on the waist so adapt easy

I think I've tried them before and they were too tight around my middle - the skinny style. This was a few years ago though so may have changed

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drspouse · 10/03/2025 08:04

soupyspoon · 09/03/2025 19:37

I tuck in tops as it then gives me a waist. I look massive if I dont do this.

Same for me.
I like Gap girlfriend, Fat Face and I have a John Lewis pair and I think they were a girlfriend fit as well.
Not everyone can go and use a personal shopper in JL so I just buy and return stuff.

MattSaracenQB1 · 10/03/2025 09:50

"Not everyone can go and use a personal shopper in JL so I just buy and return stuff."

It's free, can also do it in Debenhams. The jeans I bought didn't cost more than I'd normally spend. X

WhoWhereWhatWhy · 10/03/2025 09:55

Do you know anyone who has a similar shape to you, even if they’re smaller or larger? As you could always ask them what jeans they buy. I’ve been known to ask people I barely know where they’ve bought something that I think would look good on me. And it’s happened to me twice (in my whole life! I’m no fashionista), I’ve always been happy to share.

WhoWhereWhatWhy · 10/03/2025 09:56

I’ve been meaning to do a John Lewis personal shopping experience for ages now, and I think I will. If you’re worried about the hard sell, you could always say from the outset what you’re looking to spend or buy. And you can always return things for a refund.

marriednotdead · 10/03/2025 11:15

I am a busty apple and my post C-section belly was bad enough. A full hysterectomy with the no bum, long skinny leg combo has made jeans shopping a nightmare. I recently found a pair of well fitting white jeans in a charity shop and had so many compliments that I went looking for more online.
They're in the post and I have my fingers crossed!
Noisy May Sallie jeans

Shop Sallie jeans from Noisy May online

Jumped on the flare trend yet? The Sallie jeans from Noisy May come with a high waist, skinny fit and flared legs. Check it out now.

https://www.noisymay.com/en-gb/jeans-guide/sallie-jeans/

drspouse · 10/03/2025 12:15

MattSaracenQB1 · 10/03/2025 09:50

"Not everyone can go and use a personal shopper in JL so I just buy and return stuff."

It's free, can also do it in Debenhams. The jeans I bought didn't cost more than I'd normally spend. X

The Debenhams that is now only online? That Debenhams?

drspouse · 10/03/2025 12:16

By the way @MNHQ, it's really annoying having multiple links to JL home page when you weren't intending to link to them.

Beyondthewindowsill555 · 10/03/2025 12:19

marriednotdead · 10/03/2025 11:15

I am a busty apple and my post C-section belly was bad enough. A full hysterectomy with the no bum, long skinny leg combo has made jeans shopping a nightmare. I recently found a pair of well fitting white jeans in a charity shop and had so many compliments that I went looking for more online.
They're in the post and I have my fingers crossed!
Noisy May Sallie jeans

Thank you for this tip! I have exactly the same issues!

madaboutpurple · 10/03/2025 12:29

Some years ago a friend booked me a session at Debenhams with a personal shopper and the lady was fantastic. All I see on MN is that people who booked at John Lewis found it was wonderful. It could be worth considering. I was given lots of ideas and at the time I was not very good at putting clothes together and it was very useful.

LavenderBlue19 · 10/03/2025 12:30

All Debenhams stores are closed, and have been for four years.

MattSaracenQB1 · 10/03/2025 12:41

LavenderBlue19 · 10/03/2025 12:30

All Debenhams stores are closed, and have been for four years.

Oh dear I didn't know that, shows how little I go shopping! That's why I wanted to share about the personal shopping because it was so out of character for me but the lady made me feel so welcome and there wasn't a hard sell at all. Appreciate it sounds like I work there 😜 but been here a while under different names x

Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 13:27

drspouse · 10/03/2025 08:04

Same for me.
I like Gap girlfriend, Fat Face and I have a John Lewis pair and I think they were a girlfriend fit as well.
Not everyone can go and use a personal shopper in JL so I just buy and return stuff.

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Unfortunately I don't have a John Lewis near me (nearest is over an hour away) anyway :(

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Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 13:28

WhoWhereWhatWhy · 10/03/2025 09:55

Do you know anyone who has a similar shape to you, even if they’re smaller or larger? As you could always ask them what jeans they buy. I’ve been known to ask people I barely know where they’ve bought something that I think would look good on me. And it’s happened to me twice (in my whole life! I’m no fashionista), I’ve always been happy to share.

To be honest my sister has a similar shape but the jeans she recommended didn't fit me at all, haha! Her legs are thicker than mine so I think they hugged her better whereas hung off me

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Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 13:28

marriednotdead · 10/03/2025 11:15

I am a busty apple and my post C-section belly was bad enough. A full hysterectomy with the no bum, long skinny leg combo has made jeans shopping a nightmare. I recently found a pair of well fitting white jeans in a charity shop and had so many compliments that I went looking for more online.
They're in the post and I have my fingers crossed!
Noisy May Sallie jeans

They look brilliant...I am going to order some...thank you!

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Doyouthinktheyknow · 10/03/2025 13:33

I’ve just bought some high waisted carrot shaped jeans from M&S, they are surprisingly flattering!

I got a 16, I’m quite chunky around my middle and they fit well. I was an 18 in everything but I’ve lost a few pounds and was overjoyed to get into a 16!!

Original poster

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 14:46

Doyouthinktheyknow · 10/03/2025 13:33

I’ve just bought some high waisted carrot shaped jeans from M&S, they are surprisingly flattering!

I got a 16, I’m quite chunky around my middle and they fit well. I was an 18 in everything but I’ve lost a few pounds and was overjoyed to get into a 16!!

That's amazing, well done! I have ordered these, desperate for them to arrive as I have high hopes

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CoastalCalm · 10/03/2025 14:56

I bought a pair from peacocks last week and they are very flattering - part of Louise Rednapp range , lovely soft denim

marriednotdead · 10/03/2025 16:39

CosyRoseDreamer · 10/03/2025 13:28

They look brilliant...I am going to order some...thank you!

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My first pair have just arrived and I’m so happy I will share pics. Remember they are jeans not magicians and I would never wear a top this short with them 😆

Never found a flattering pair of jeans - apple shape and feeling rubbish!

Almahart · 10/03/2025 16:48

I agree with everyone who has said you need proper thick denim. I also think a straight leg works best. Levis are good for this, but by far and away the most flattering jeans I ever had were NYDJ. They really know what they are doing!