In search of the perfect jeans

(I decided to put this in Maintaining, since I am maintaining now, and this forum needs some more traffic!)

I have decided to make it a goal for Spring to find the PERFECT pair of jeans. Cost is no object, since I'm maintaining now. These aren't going to be "temporary" jeans while I lose more weight. These are going to be jeans to celebrate my successful maintenance since October, and to give me good reason to keep on maintaining ...

My objective is to find a pair that:

1) Is perfectly flattering for my figure.

2) Fits me perfectly (but I won't rule out alterations to make an "almost" pair into a perfect pair)

2) Has a dark wash with no whiskering, fading, etc - a pair I can wear for business casual days and dressing up

4) Mid-rise (just below the belly button - an 8-9 inch rise) to "lock and load" my tummy, which tends to be my trouble spot

5) Boot cut or straight leg.

6) MUST BE COMFORTABLE. Able to bend and stretch, eat out and not feel like I'm going to explode, and comfy enough to wear on a long airplane flight.

This is going to be quite a challenge, as I never have any luck with jeans, no matter what my weight. A big part of that is that I'm petite - only 5'0". I also have narrow hips (32 inches) but a 0.8 waist/hip ratio. And a smallish butt that isn't really all that bad, but perhaps (now that I'm in my 40s) has seen perkier days. I have a ton of "passable" jeans in my closet.... but I crave something better than passable... I crave NIRVANA!!!

I'm going to post here with my updates as I go shopping and trying on jeans. Feel free to join me in this mission, or help me out if you have suggestions!!!

Give Eddie Bauer jeans a try, if there's a store near you. They have both tall and petite sizes in addition to regular. I love the tall - they adjusted the rise, not just the leg length, so they really fit properly; hopefully they did the equivalent to the petite sizes too.

Edit: they have I think four different "cuts" with different proportions. 

My first update. :-)

Beginning my quest for the perfect jeans, I started with this site:

www.truejeans.com

I put in all  my measurements, and its top recommendation was for Chip and Pepper Olivia jeans. A quick search revealed that I could find these at my local Nieman Marcus. Off I went to the brick-and-mortar store to try them on....

Unfortunately, Nieman Marcus didn't have them in stock. A very helpful sales lady listened to my requirements, and pulled a bunch of jeans off the shelf for me to try on.

30 pairs later....

1) I now know my size in premium-brand jeans: I am a 26. Exactly what the True Jeans site predicted.

2) I am relieved to discover that the latest fashions aren't all low-rise like we've seen in past years. There are now mid-rise versions and even high-waisted versions.... and these are considered the latest and most fashion-forward styles!! YIPPEE!!!

3) Paige Premium makes a petite style jean. Unfortunately did not have my size. Worth hunting down at other stores for a try on, as the larger size showed some promise.

4) True Religion: did not care for them at all. Too much fussy details.

5) Citizens of Humanity, Amber: comes in mid-rise and high-waisted. Very classic, straight leg jean in a beautiful dark wash. LIghtweight denim is oh-so-comfy. The mid-rise jean was soooooo close to perfection... I was feeling so happy and excited!!! Until...

Until I turned around to look at my butt in the mirror. YUCK. Saggy, droopy. Like my butt is hanging down by my knees or something. Just did NOTHING for my butt!! The sales lady explained that Citizens Jeans are designed for women with wider butts than mine. She demonstrated how there is more fabric at the back rise, and the pockets are farther spaced and lower. Probaby because these jeans aren't for petites, the back rise is very long (didn't have a tape measurement so I can't tell you how long). I need a shorter back rise - that would definetly perk up the back view.

Next stop: Ann Taylor, petite section

... where I tried on every pair of jeans they are offering. Lindsay styles. Trouser and classic cuts. Petite definetly works better for me. But alas, none of these were better than passable...

Next stop: Ann Taylor Loft, petite section, where I bought a pair of my currently most favorite jeans about two years ago...

... again I tried on every pair they are offering. Ended up buying a trouser-style, mid-rise cut pair that are kinda cute. Wider legs, like dress pants but in denim. I may end up taking them back though...  now that I have tried on premium denim, their denim looks cheap to me! I'm already getting spoiled.

cynthb - adding Eddie Bauer to my list.

I have tried their jeans in the past - admittedly, quite long ago - and their smallest size was too big (yes in petites). Lands End and LL Bean are the same. But I will try EB at the mall again... nothing is off my list... however I think my next stop may be National Jeans Company. Then Bloomies' and then the mall that has an Express.

I am intrigued by Express because I tried on a pair of my daughter's jeans recently (while I was doing the laundry, hee hee) and they weren't too bad, just wayyyy too low-rise for me. However, now that mid-rise is becoming fashionable, who knows.

Keep the suggestions coming!

I'd give Rock & Republic a try. A little on the pricey side, but if you can find one pair you love...they will last you FOREvER!

7 for all mankind!!! they are my one pair of designer jeans and are so flattering.. i think the ones i have are called "doji"

I'm interested to see how this turns up! I've always wanted the perfect pair of jeans.

I'm planning on doing something similar to this over the summer, but instead I will be looking for the perfect swimsuit.

Good luck!

hey jenmmc,

Gloria Vanderbilt "Amanda" Jeans have a stretch to them and in the petite-short size (you are 5'0) fit like a glove and are truely comfortable (bend, eat out) because of the stretch.  It is a straight leg (almost skinny fit).  Just  a thought for you.  Oh, do try each pair on.  Much like Levi's each pair is different (mostly shorter in the length).  Good Luck on your quest!

Cute thread - like this idea.

I am 4'11" and am also still searching for the "perfect jeans". I plan to go to Nordstrom soon.  I hear they have all of the pricey, but well-fitting jeans.

I would suggest bringing along an objective member of the opposite sex when you shop--someone who will give you an honest opinion. 

Today's update:

Yesterday I decided to give www.truejeans.com advice a shot: their top recommendation (really, the only one that was supposed to came close) was Chip & Pepper Olivia jeans. I saw they had that brand on zappos, and since zappos offers free shipping including on returns, I figured it couldn't hurt!!

Not to sound like an advertisement, but wow... zappos is fantastic. I ordered late afternoon yesterday and my jeans arrived on my doorstep at lunchtime. Incredible!

Unfortunately, they don't fit so they will be going back. :-(

Okay to be fair, they do fit, I can zip them up. And they are scaled right for someone petite like me. Make my butt look fabulously perky. They fit perfectly on the legs too. They are way too long, but I expect to have to hem anyway.

The problem is in the waist! They are just tight enough to give me horrible muffin top - even though these hit nearly right at the belly button. Think "sausage casing" and that's the effect!

They are also just a tad too tight at the top of the thighs - tight enough to pull funny and be uncomfortable. And when I say "tight" I mean "too tight to expect a day's worth of wear to loosen them up just right." I had them on for about 15 minutes and I think I was even starting to get some numbness in my legs... that's too tight!

Sheesh, my thighs are 18 inches at the top... I thought 18 inches was pretty darn skinny!!!!

I do not think the next size up would solve these issues. Maybe. Probably not; then they would be too big everywhere else. At any rate, even if they were perfect, the denim isn't as nice as the Citizen's jeans. Heavier denim, like Levi's. I want something a bit lighter than that, for comfort.

Meanwhile, today I had to go into the office for a meeting, so I wore my new Ann Taylor Loft trouser jeans and they are KEEPERS. Quite comfy (like wearing dress pants), no hemming req'd (as long as I wear with heels), held their shape and did not bag out horribly as some jeans do, and looked smart and crisp and professional.

I still want a pair of more classic 5-pocket, bootcut or straight leg jeans.... but these are very nice. Here's a link if you are interested:

http://tinyurl.com/3bks85

biglizzy - Adding Rock & Republic to my list!

Willin - I've tried 7's on before and they fit me funny. But those were the low rise... and also when I weighed more. My take was that these are better for pear-shapes. But who knows.... I will try them on again, especially if they are offering mid-rise now.

Kaptain - swimsuit, eek! Actually, last summer was my "Quest for the perfect swimsuit." We had a big summer vacation planned, etc. I went to Bloomie's and had a field day. I ended up buying not just one but THREE swimsuits!! (All three were tankinis, because you'll never catch me in a bikini, and one-pieces look goofy on me).  So I'm all set there! My advice: swimsuits are like jeans. If you find one that fits and flatters, don't spare any expense!!!

(Incidentally, I don't always shop high-end department stores... but when it's something like a bathing suit or jeans or a suit or coat or other "investment" piece, I do find it's worth it!!)

Playergirl - Gloria Vanderbilt still makes jeans??? WOW! I remember GV's from way back in the 80s, when designer jeans first came out. I will have to hunt these down and try them on! Where do you find them??? And yeah, I love the stretch.... gotta have some stretch...

Sphere - whenever I take my hubby shopping with me, I feel terribly rushed, because I know he's bored to tears! But I was thinking I might take my camera! Then I could post photos here and you all could vote on which makes my butt looks nicer. ;-)

Let us know how the Nordstrom trip goes! My next trip won't be for a few days or maybe even a week... unless I can find some time to slip out for awhile.... I expect this is going to be a long-term mission but I'm DETERMINED!!! All this hard work losing the weight, I deserve it!!

jenmcc, I know that Sears and Kohl's both carry GV. I absolutely LOVE them! I wouldn't even wear jeans for the last few years with all the weight I had gained. Now that I have lost quite a bit (and still losing), I was excited to find them again. Good luck!

Hmmm... just went to Sears' site and they have a few petite brand jeans that might be worth a shot. Both sears and kohl's are kind of a hike from my house, but I will add that to the list!

I did once order a pair of Levi's from sears that looked awesome on my girlfriend... but they ended up looking horrible on me. I shoulda known, seeing as how she is a pear and I'm soooo not a pear.

seven for all man kind, makes the perfect pair of jeans.

citizen for humanity, also makes perfect jeans.

these are pretty pricey, ranging from about 130-280. but they are completely worth it, i own about 13 pairs that i've bought over the years.... some of them i've had for two or three years and are in COMPLETELY perfect condition.

try www.nordstrom.com

I haven't tried the truejeans.com site, but my recommendation would be for Talbot's Petite.  The are very comfortable and they are the only pair my ex EVER said looked great (he was extremely honest ont the 'honey - do these make my butt look big question' (LOL!).  Seriously, though, I always get compliments in those jeans.   Hope it helps.

 

Your "lock and load" is hilarious!  I'm 5'2", 40 years old, and am currently comfy in a pair of Levi's 501.  Granted, these are two inches larger at the waist than my high school days, but I'm not complaining!  I have a dressier pair of jeans, black, by Carhart.  They are wide leg but with a crease down each leg, so for jeans they look pretty snazzy.  This is a question I wanted to pose myself before I bought these Levis.  I think people who pay high prices for jeans are being taken for a ride.

I found my perfect pair of jeans here:  http://www.zafu.com/

Stretch Levi's 550 bootcut (although the tapered work good too).

Another great pair of jeans:  Lee Natural fit - it's a relatively new line.  The stretch denim is surprisingly soft, and oh so comfortable.

 I think people who pay high prices for jeans are being taken for a ride.

It's true that if it fits and flatters, I will pay whatever it costs. So maybe it's more like being taken hostage!!!

Seriously though.... those Citizens I tried on? The denim material was amazing - compared to lower-cost brands and yes even to Levi's! That alone would justify their higher price.

But yeah, these Chip & Peppers I just ordered (which are going back).... they were $200 and the denim was no big deal, no better than Levi's. However, if they had fit perfectly....... I wouldn't have cared about the price! 

I do have a pair of DNKY Soho Jeans which I do like a lot. They have a lot of stretch so they are very comfy. They flatter too. They weren't outrageously expensive. Only problem: once I washed them, they shrunk up terribly and now they are floods. These are petites and I didn't hem them or anything. I have a 27 inch inseam. And they are bootcuts, so they look really silly as floods!! (I still wear them anyway, but with my black ugg boots... flood-ishness isn't quite as noticeable).

santonacci - I did try zafu's but it appears they don't have petites or something .... all I know is, I got only a handful of results, and none of the recommendations were considered even close to ideal. I think www.truejeans.com must have more jeans in their database than zafu.

Lee's - have never been able to wear these. The smallest size is always too big on me. I am on the small end of the petite range at only 5'0", but I'm 42 so I'm no slim junior anymore. I'm an underserved market. :-(

Has anyone tried petite sophisticate jeans? Apparently petite sophisticate is back in business, online only. I am tempted to order their jeans and give them a try.... I used to have luck at petite sophisticate back in my 20s when they were the only petite alternative around... though not necessarily with their pants. Although I am guessing they are now under new management.

I just discovered a website http://www.indicustom.com/ where, for $135, they will custom make your jeans!  You pick the fabric, the fit, the style, etc. They are less expensive than most of the designer jeans out there.  I wonder if you can get a good measurement by doing it yourself?

 Has anyone tried this?

Ooooh... thank you for that link!!!

I have been debating about going the custom route - I may try this if all else fails! My sister recommends Make Your Own Jeans. She sent in a pair of favorite jeans that were falling apart, and had a new pair made.

The trying-on process is good to start with, I am making notes about fit that could be important if it comes to ordering custom-fit jeans. For example, my chip & pepper vs Citizens experience this week has made me conclude that my butt looks far better in jeans with a back rise of only about 11-12 inches!! This is because I don't have much of a butt. Any longer than that and my butt looks saggy and like it's hanging too low. For comparison the Citizens jeans had a back rise more like 14-15 inches.

Also, I do think another big part of my problem with off-the-rack is that I am *between* two sizes. At the lower end of the size scale apparently there's an inch difference everywhere (whereas at the higher end it's two inches different). I seem to always need just a half inch more or less, here and there. So custom may truly be the way to go!