Tan France’s 4 Tips for Buying Denim Jeans
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 3 min read
Buying a good pair of jeans shouldn’t be difficult. Whether you’re looking for tight, high-waisted jeans, or soft jeans with a spandex waistband, the perfect pair of jeans is somewhere out there waiting for you. Once you know what to look for while jeans-shopping, you can have an easier time finding and buying the most comfortable fit.
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Tan France’s 4 Tips for Buying Denim
Denim jeans come in many different forms. There are low-rise jeans, mid-rise, and high-rise jeans. There are boot-cut jeans, wide-leg jeans, and relaxed fit boyfriend jeans. There are so many different sizes and denim styles for every body type, it might seem overwhelming trying to find the perfect fit for you. If you want to know how to buy the best jeans for your body type, check out some tips from fashion expert Tan France:
- 1. Do it in person. If you've already bought a certain pair of jeans before, you know what they fit like, you know that brand, you know that size, and you haven't fluctuated in your weight, you can order those jeans online. However, if you are going for a brand for the first time, you are trying out a new style, a new fit, or a new color, go check it out in real life. How a pair of denim jeans fits affects how you feel about your look. Everything else can be slightly oversized or can be intentional, like if the sleeves are slightly too big on a dress or the waist is slightly too big on a blazer, you can pass it off as the look—but if a pair of jeans just isn't fitting you right, you're going to feel uncomfortable all day. There are so many things that will affect how you feel in your jeans, you’re better off checking them out in person.
- 2. Keep it simple. Denim is a significant component of your capsule wardrobe. Decide on the shades and fits of denim you like, and try on multiple options for your body shape. A short and curvy person will fit differently into a particular brand than someone taller with longer legs. Whittle your options down to a pair of jeans that you know you will appreciate for many years to come, like something with a more straight-leg or tapered leg. As a general rule, stick with something that isn’t too wild—nothing with rips, nothing bedazzled—keep it relatively simple. Loud, trendy jeans with rips or embellishments won’t work as a long-term styling option. Select a couple of simple types, whether it's black, blue, or white. Whatever color you choose, buy a couple of pairs.
- 3. Treat denim as a neutral. When buying jeans, remember that black jeans or dark-blue jeans will never go out of style. Whether you choose a dark-wash stretch denim or a dark-wash slim-fit denim, jeans will always be in. You can wear whatever color t-shirt or top you want with that denim.
- 4. Be reasonable. Denim habits can change often, so spending a crazy amount of money on jeans is usually unnecessary. Sometimes, you might prefer slightly looser fitting jeans or baggy jeans, or you’ll want to switch to a tapered jean or a skinny jean. If you feel like you need to drop $500 on a pair of denim jeans, you can, but it’s not necessary.
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