COLOUR/RINSE

A dark wash will always look smarter and more sophisticated than a light wash. A very stylish pair of dark wash jeans may even be suitable for wearing to work, either on ‘Dress-down Fridays’ or if you work in a more casual environment. Light wash jeans really are for weekends and very casual dressing. Darker washes (or rinses as they are sometimes called) will also visually slim your figure, as a lighter colour worn on the bottom half will draw attention to that area. Jeans with pre-lightened patches on the thigh or ‘whiskering’ around the crotch will always make you look larger than you are so steer clear.

Acid wash jeans were not flattering the first time around. If you wore them in the 80s, then you know better than to consider revising the look and if you are young enough that you are seeing this look for the first time, wear if you dare but be aware that when looking back on photos you may wish you hadn’t.

RISE
The waistband of your jeans should ‘smile’ in front and ‘frown’ in back. In the front, this ‘smile’ visually cuts your tummy in half, minimising any unwanted bulge and allowing your clothing to sit closer to your frame for a sleeker line. While the ‘frown’ in back ensures underwear does not show.” No-one wants to see your G-string and we all know plumbers crack” is not a good look!

The larger the yoke – the v-shaped panel below the back waistband – the smaller your bum will appear. The yoke is designed to help your jeans shape to the curve of your body and to help lift and shape your behind.

POCKETS

You can also minimise the appearance of a ‘wide load’ by looking for jeans with larger back pockets – via the magic of optical illusion, the large the pockets the smaller your bum looks. If they are slanted out slightly – ie the inside top corner of the pocket is slightly higher than the outside top corner – this will also help visually shape and lift your bottom. For the same reasons, look for pockets that are slightly tapered, meaning wider at the top than at the bottom.

[TIP: Jeans with lots of detail or ‘bling’ on the back pockets will just draw attention to this area. Don’t say you weren’t warned!]

Slanted front pockets will help give the impression of an hourglass shape whereas straight across pockets can make your figure appear more square or ‘boxy’.