Help with jeans sizing and flattering styles for a short curvy mum

[Loorz893]

Hi, I am a 40 year old mum of 2 and since having my second (3 years ago) my weight has been creeping up. I now wear size 14 jeans.

I wanted to try some Levis and and measured myself and my waist is 37" (I have a short torso, so basically no waist) and size 44" in the hips. I'm 5'2".

According to these measurements it would appear I'm a size 20 or something?! Levis don't go that high.

I may be being very stupid (perimenopausal) but can anyone help advise 1) if I've gone wrong measuring somewhere and 2) where I might find super comfy but flattering jeans for a short, curvy mum who desperately needs to improve her self esteem as the weather gets better!!!

I’ve just measured 36” round my waist with clothes on and if it’s any help I have 2 pairs of Levi mid rise jeans - one is waist 30 and the other is waist 31. As you have measured slightly bigger I’d try a 32” waist to start with and work up or down the sizes depending on how you find the 32”
I also have jeans from M&S (all high rise) that range in size from a 10 to 14, a pair from Hush which are a size 8 and another from Mango which says EUR 40 on the label. They all fit me fine so make of this what you will!
Despite being the most expensive Levi’s are my least favourite, I think because they are a simple straight leg and I now prefer a wider or barrel leg shape. When I bought the first pair it was from an actual Levi shop and the assistant’s advice was that jeans should feel tight when you buy them as they will stretch. The 30 waist does fit but they have never stretched enough to make them really comfortable. The 31” is better and hasn’t really stretched at all.

I’ve just got these from Tu, I’m really pleased with them, they come in blue too but size up. 15% off at the moment - my Levi’s are not my favourite jeans, I’ve got the 314 tummy control ones.
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147000646

I’m a 12 with a proper pouch and in Levi’s I have 28 waist, if I were you I’d try a 30 or 31 but it depends on the style as some are more rigid than others. If you can get to a Levi’s store the assistants are really knowledgeable and helpful.

Thank you all so much! It's a relief to be told I'm not a complete whale!! I'll be off to the Levi's store to try some on maybe?

I want to jump on the cool girl wide trouser thing (that look like pyjamas but I'm here for it!) but I'm so short and round I just don't feel cool in them 😫 My legs are the slimmest part of me so I tend to stick to skinny jeans - such a millennial!

I bought some Levi's a while back via Amazon. They are 314 Shaping Straight 14 W. At that time I was 14/16. They do these in various leg styles.

.... my other go to are M&S Eva mid-rise bootleg jeans. Size 14, short. These are great for everyday wear.

I’ve worn slim leg for about a decade and really struggled with the idea of wide leg. I went to a Levi’s store and literally said to the assistant that I didn’t know what I wanted apart from I needed to feel more current but not go too much out of my comfort zone.
She was really good, knew straight away what styles to suggest, and happily changed sizes for me because I thought they fitted ok but she could see I was hitching them up at the waist.
They do advise you to wear/ take with you the footwear that you’re most likely to wear the jeans with so you can get the length right.

I'm 5 foot 1 and a 12/14 - I've just bought some relaxed straight jeans in petite from Fat Face, and they're hands down the best, comfiest jeans ever. They fit perfectly- I love them.

Mango (online outlet) have great ‘New Mom Jeans’ which are really great for the apple shaped among us.