Feb 17

Feb 17 Styling Mrs Oliver Loves Jeans

Finding the perfect pair of jeans that fit and flatter your body type is key when putting together your wardrobe's core basics. Styling Mrs Oliver suggests some ideas to help you find the best jeans this season.

Does my bum look big in these?

Trying on jeans that are a size too small will not help you feel good at all. I always refer to my jeans as my scales; they remind me all the time that I have gained weight. Feeling uncomfortable chips away at your self-esteem. Don't fall into a trap of trying to lose weight and start a crazy juice diet for a week. Just wear larger jeans. When my weight fluctuates, I wear the pair of jeans that gives me an instant feel-good factor in a bigger size or looser fit. Nobody is checking your size label, so why care? If they feel good, you will look good which gives confidence.

1. Skinny

Everyone can wear skinny jeans or jeggings, it is more about how you wear them that is key. First of all try and get the softest denim you can with some stretch, so you can sit down and still be comfortable. Skinny jeans look amazing with tops with more volume in them like a trapeze or boxy shape, this is a great trick to create a lean leg shape. If you are conscious about your tummy area or hips, wear them with longer length shirts and tunic shapes. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: a half tucked in disheveled shirt looks good with skinny jeans, loosley tuck it in at the front and let shirt tails hang behind for a laid back look.

2. Flares

A huge trend over the last few seasons. They come in low-rise and work upwards to super high waisted 70's style flares. I think this look is amazing on all age ranges and again it is about getting the right cut that works for you. The super high waisted flared jean is probably the edgiest option that is more trend driven and perhaps more suited to a lean column or neat hourglass body type. This look can also be easily achieved with a less exaggerated flared leg - the bootleg style with a slim leg, lower rise and slight flare from below the knee. This jean shape flatters most body types (my Mum can pull them off) and is a great way to create a longer leg. Again longer length shirts and tops can be worn if tucking in is not your thing. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: wear them with a heel and get them altered so they almost completely cover the shoe. You can add inches to your leg length this way!

3. Boyfriend

Slouchy cuffed boyfriend jeans are still on trend and are the go-to option that can be dressed up or left super casual. There are more varieties available now and the shapes seem to have become slightly neater. Slim leg boyfriends look great as they have a relaxed feel but are still flattering around the hips and bum. The super slouch ones that have a dropped crotch and not much shape and definition probably look better on slimmer physiques, if you have curves or are wider at the hip, go for the neater fit with a more subtle slouch. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: always try these jeans on in your size and also the next size up as sometimes wearing them bigger and sitting lower on the hip looks way cooler and adds an extra slouch factor.

5. Mom

These are not my favourites, although some people pull them off really well. The oversized high waisted 80's looking jeans are worn either beltless (as below) or synched in at the waist. They are a trend driven jean and a bit of a look so probably not going to be a staple or an investment jean. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: it is easy to create this look by buying second hand original Levis from the markets or vintage stores that won't cost so much.

6. Cropped

There are lots of variations on this jean, a crop flared jean for the fashionistas, a straight leg crop that has a subtle kick out at the ankle (as photo below) There are a couple of versions that look new this season, frayed and uneven hems give these jeans an edge, rolled up and cuffed hems are still a great option too. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: for those of you that would prefer something more classic, you could just go for a slim leg jean and roll them up slightly into a cuff.

7. Wide leg with deep cuff

This feels like a new trend coming through and I quite like it! Wide leg trousers are a popular look on the runways, they seem to be filtering through into jean shapes. These are wide, slouchy, super long and cuffed. Probably best on longer legs and definitely with a heel to help balance the proportions and add extra height. Styling Mrs Oliver tip: try on some mens jeans to see if you can create this look, I am going to be rummaging in my husbands wardrobe I think!