Can we discuss the fit of jeans because I’m STRUGGLING

[Lagirl20]

I’m a size 8/10. Toned. My tummy is soft and the skin a little loose after pregnancy. I’m desperately seeking casual jeans I can wear every day, with the kids to the park, to meet friends, shopping - just casual staple jeans. I like straight leg styles, happy with wider too. I really like Levi’s 501s and 501 90s, and their 502 90s ankle style, too. I also tried the Sezane wide leg jeans and loved them - except my the sizing problem:
I’m struggling so much with fit! I’ve tried so many different sizes in so many different cuts and they’re all wrong to me. How do your jeans fit?! Because to me there’s only two options:
option 1: (usually an 8 or 10) the jeans fit me at the waist, and everywhere else, and look great when I stand up. But as soon as I sit down, my torso shortens and the skin on my stomach turns into a bulging muffin top, the jeans cut into me.
option 2: (when I go one size up - usually a 12) the jeans fit me at the waist when I sit down. No muffin top, no bulging. But when I stand up, they are too loose on my bum and thighs, they look baggy and shapeless and unflattering.

HELP A GAL OUT !!! I’m honestly at my wits end and don’t understand how jeans are meant to fit (first world problems I know 😝)

I've got a pair of Next straight mid rise jeans and think the fit is similar to 501s. I am about your size and they are comfortable to wear.
I've also got a pair from Tesco with a little bit of stretch, they're really thin, so cooler in the summer. It is a bit of a 'mare finding a good fit, I agree. When you do eventually get lucky, buy 2, is my advice!

Isn't it normal for jeans to dig in a bit and cause a bit of overspill when sitting down? I'm the same size as you with a little bit more than ideal around my middle and my jeans have always done this. It's not too uncomfortable unless I want to slouch/lounge when I get home from work, in which case I get changed into joggers.

Thanks! Perhaps it is normal! I’m clueless.

I think the rise is maybe too long on the ones you are trying. I have a long history of IBS style bloating but do not own jeans that I'd need to change out of at home.

If jeans are higher rise, they will dig in when you sit down or you end up with too much (stiffish) material rucked up around your lower abdomen. I look for jeans that sit 1-1.5 inches below my belly button.

Problem is rises hit different on different people and mid rise is not always mid rise and nor can you tell in online pictures but they are out there and more common at the moment as rises drop with the 90s revival. You just have to try a lot. But its worth it because jeans last years, are so versatile and you won't wear jeans you aren't 100% happy with.

I think some would also argue that you buy the smaller size and they give from wear but I won't take that risk.

I wear jeggings. They are very flattering for me, I like the straight leg ones not the really tight leggings style.
No muffin top no saggy bum.

Option 1 is normal, non-stretch jeans have never been comfy until they are pretty old! They do “ stretch “ or maybe relax is a better word after a few wears, at least until the next wash, which is why pre-worn jeans can sell so well

a good friend always changes out of jeans when she gets home, into loungewear. I tend to wear ones with a bit of stretch as I have a big waist/hip difference and the stretch means less waist gapping for me

I've always had this problem as I have a 29 waist size 12 and a 35 hips size 10, I managed when younger, but now I'm older I can't bare the tightness, do think mid rise are better, but harder to find as everything seems to be high rise.

Are you tall or do you have a high waist? I’m 5’7” so not very tall but tall fit jeans and trousers fit better. It took years to work out why I could only get trousers to fit on the waist or at the crotch but never both.

Try jeans with a bit of stretch and a higher waist.

there are a hundred different jeans you could find in your price point. You just need to put the time in to find what works. Higher rise. Lower rise. Stretchier. Less stretchy. There is no one jean everyone can wear

Interesting. The Levi’s 501 90s style are a lower rise if that helps! They seem to be the best on me at the moment

Thanks all, this is very helpful

As a teenager in the 90s I can't fully get on board with jeans that sit anywhere near my waist😆
I ten ld to go for mid rise and let them sit on my hips. I always wear a belt anyway.

what about something that looks like jeans, but is actually stretchy. Have you tried Halara Flex range?

I have given up on jeans totally. I have no waist/hip definition so they just fall down unless I wear a belt and that digs in even more than the jeans. I wear the M&S cuffed joggers in denim and the UniQlo Airism joggers pretty much all the time and they are soo comfy.

I think the cut of most UK clothes is awful

Either swamped in material or awful clingly skinny cuts

Whats wrong with a nice slim fit, cigarette type fit.

I wear belts OP to try to counteract the stupid waist band sometimes.

I also find most things too long.

I also hate stretch denim as all the lumps and bumps stick out.

Stradivarius slim mom jeans. High waist. Hold shape well between washes.

I think people forget that jeans are denim which is a very thick and structured material. It’s not that flexible and if you want it to be super fitted while standing it will pinch a bit while sitting, that’s just the nature of the fabric.

I agree with everyone that says it’s about the rise of the jeans. I hate high rise jeans with a passion - I find them extremely uncomfortable. I have long legs and a short torso, and they all seem to overlap with my rib cage. To be honest, many mid rise jeans seem to be similar. I’ve really struggled to find any that don’t sit at least an inch above my bellybutton.

I’m so looking forward to low rise 1990s coming back into mainstream fashion. My only comfortable jeans are a pair of low rise jeans I got from the kids section (age 15-16). They’re a bit too short in the leg really, but actually for my waist and bun/thighs. If I could get the same pair, but 2” longer then they’d be perfect!

I’m same size as you and toned and wear Levi’s OP. I have to say I don’t really have an issues sitting down. I find jeans the most comfortable clothes to wear day to day. I wonder if it’s possibly because my waist size is comparatively smaller than my hip size. So there’s always a bit of extra room for my waist? Not something I’ve ever considered before though but interesting others have similar experience.

I love and swear by new look Adalea! The wide legs jeans are lush. Soo comfy and look great dressed up or down! And super cheap

Rela jeans on tiktok. Best jeans ever!! They're so stretchy they just stretch to every part of you.

I’m a nineties girl and cannot stand high waist or even mid rise jeans. So I’m clinging onto an old pair of low rise Hollister jeans that I bought five years ago and worn to death. On the black jeans front I can highly recommend the Fat Face five pocket jeggings. They’re not jeggings at all, they’re just thinner fabric jeans, only just above low rise and fit nicely with a belt. But they don’t do them in denim so I just wear them for work.
Someone has recently suggested that 7 For All Mankind do low rise, might be worth a look?

This is a Levi’s thing IMO. Don’t ask me why, something to do with the fabric maybe. I have both of the 501 pairs you mention, and while I like them in theory, and they are great standing up jeans, they are knocked out of the park comfort wise by the New Look Tori jeans (yes really! I prefer how the look too)

I dont wear elasticated waists any more and I find I sit up much straighter!