Irene Feeney Steele
As the saying goes; ‘in the right denim, a girl can conquer the world.’ But how do you go about finding the ‘right’ denim? What is the secret to finding THE perfect pair of jeans? In an ever-changing world of fast-moving trends (I’m looking at you TikTok), body-shapes, style and sustainability – what even is the perfect pair of jeans?
Whether you believe it or not, everyone has their perfect pair of jeans, it might just take some searching. There is nothing like finding a pair of jeans that fit so perfectly, you never want to take them off. If your jeans do not feel like this, there is a good chance you need to continue your search for ‘the perfect pair.’ If I’m having a ‘blah’ day, the last thing I want to do is also look ‘blah’ – so I’ll put on my favourite, most trust-worthy pair of jeans instead of my comfy joggers, in the hope they will make me feel better. As I always say…’if you look good, then you feel good and if you feel good, then you look good.’
I have a couple of pairs of jeans that are my go-to, in different washes and styles that give me that extra boost of confidence when I wear them. I almost feel content when I have them on. They fit well, they’re flattering, I like the wash and colour and they just go with everything. In saying that, I also have jeans in my wardrobe which I now feel are dated, I would never choose to wear them (I should probably sell them or hand them into a thrift store), they either don’t fit well and don’t make me feel good when they’re on.
My current favourite jeans right now are a high-waist, relaxed wide-leg pair. They’re comfortable (I feel I could even wear them travelling!), they go with my style right now and they hug my waist and hips. I’m a firm believer that a good pair of jeans (in any wash) is a capsule wardrobe item and will bring you from day to night with your outfit, go with everything you own and be a piece of clothing you can rely on always.
Here is a step-by-step guide to finding your own perfect pair:
1. Find your style: You know you’ve found the denim style you love when you smile the instant you put the jeans on. It all comes down to personal preference but the main goal here is to find the style of jeans that you feel comfortable in and confident in. Experiment with different types of jeans to see which ones compliment you the best. Figure out if you’re a fan of the ripped jeans look or do you prefer a classic clean style. A good rule of thumb in my opinion is to have at least one pair of light-wash jeans, medium-wash jeans, dark-wash jeans and black or grey jeans. Different styles include mom jeans, boyfriend jeans, straight-leg jeans, wide-leg jeans, flare jeans, skinny jeans and baggy jeans.
2. The fit: Now that you have found the type of jeans you like, it’s time to make sure they fit. Jeans should feel comfortable, if they aren't – you will rarely want to wear them. Remember, fit is more than just a number and sizes vary from brand to brand. My top tip is to ignore the numerical size and focus on which jeans are comfortable. A size UK12 in one brand might be a size UK10 in another, and vice versa. Your jeans should not gap too much around the waist or when you sit down. The right pair should even out your proportions and complement your figure. This is what leads to finding ‘the perfect pair.’ Whilst many people despise trying on jeans as it can be an exhausting and frustrating process, a good tip also in finding the perfect pair – is to figure out which rise of denim fits and suits you best. High-rise, mid-rise and low-rise are the three rises that jeans come in. Depending on the length of your torse, the best rise may vary. A trick that I’ve learned from the Dubai Flea Market (where there isn’t anywhere ideal for people to try clothes on) if you are shopping for your ideal fit – is that if the waist of the jeans can fit around your neck and not overlap – then the jeans should fit your waist. It’s not a fool-proof method, but it is certainly something you can utilize if you are in a hurry.
3. The price: We’ve all been there in the dressing room when a squeal of delight is unleashed when you realise you may have found your perfect pair of jeans. Then you look at the price tag and realise – they are way out of your budget! What you choose to pay for clothes and jeans is up to you but if they’re the ideal pair and if you know you will get your 30 wears plus out of them – they it may be worth the splurge. Think of cost-per-wear, are they comfortable and did you smile when you put them on?
If you’re walking out of the store with so much excitement over your purchase and you cannot wait to style your new jeans up – then you know you made the right decision.
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