M.W. asks from Littleton, CO on February 26, 2008
Looking for the Best Jeans for the 'Average' Sized Woman!
HELP!!! I can't find a pair of jeans that fit right. After having a baby, nothing is quite right. I am in between a size 12 & 14 right now and still have a little pooch. The lower rise jeans eventually fall down my hips and show crack, give me the muffin top look or are just so tight around the thighs. Everything else seems to fall into the "mom jeans" category. I am a bit on the short side, but petite or short lengths are too short, I like straight leg styles without any super trendy washes or beady stuff. I would gladly invest in a nicer pair of jeans if I could just find them. Any suggestions? What's your favorite?
So What Happened?™
Hi Kristen & others,
I have been really happy with a pair of jeans I recently found at Kohls (I've seen them at JCP too). They are the Slender Secret Bootcut jeans by Lee. I swear they are not mom jeans, which is usually what I think of when I hear the brand Lee. They have just enough stretch to hug your curves without looking 'painted on' or sagging by the end of the day. They are mid rise & also come in lengths which is great and they are around $27. I have an older pair of Gap jeans that are nice but they changed the cut and don't make them anymore. The Dockers Metro pant (not a jean) fit really well too, also at Kohl's for around $35. I am happy to report that I am moving toward the size 10's now and hopefully will be able pull a pair on by mid-spring and am looking forward to splurging for a new pair soon :)
Featured Answers
J.O. answers from Boise on February 27, 2008
I am a little bigger then you are, but I am very odd shaped and have a really hard time finding jeans to fit me. I was out with my oldest DD looking for school clothes and noticed that one of her favorite stores was having a huge jean sale and a lot of them where on clearance, I found a pair I thought were nice and had the flair at the bottom (they make straight leg also) so I tried them one.....OMG, I love them they are called tummy tuck jeans and they help firm up the mommy pouch I have and they help the bottom to, they are a little spendy, not outrageous, but definantly well worth it, my first pair were 16.00 on clearance but they run around 100.00 and i am going to buy me next pair this week. give them a look I think Nordstroms carries the brand, here is a sight for them also..
C.W. answers from Denver on February 27, 2008
Kohls has Lee jeans which have been changed from the old lee jeans.. They are a lower cut around the waist and fit great..
They also carry glory vanderbilt which is a good fit.
I love levis too - but they change their styles to often and that frustrated me.
More Answers
A.M. answers from Denver on February 26, 2008
It is really hard to dress yourself after having a baby because you no longer know what looks good on you. I tried on many different kinds of jeans after I had my first (and got the pooch and extra weight). Nothing really worked until I discovered Lucky Brand jeans (about $100 a pair). I also really like the Gap jeans "Boyfriend" style (about $50 a pair). I like the boot cut style though but I am sure both brands offer great straight legged jeans as well. I hope this helps!!
D.K. answers from Denver on February 26, 2008
Try Lee Riders, they are awesome, I too am between 12 and 14 now and they stretch a bit, look nice on and hide my mommy flaws, hee hee. Target carries them I believe, or Walmart. I am not sure how many moms can spend a ton of money on jeans, the woman that suggested the $100 a pair !!
The Lee Riders are like $19 a pair, different colors too!
H.G. answers from Provo on February 26, 2008
Hi M.,
I've had great luck at Kohl's. H. G.
L.J. answers from Denver on November 21, 2008
Hi M.,
I may have your answer!! There is a website called www.zafu.com
It's a jeans fitting website! It asks you questions about your body and how you like your jeans to fit. Then it gives you a list of jeans that will fit your body best. And where to find them. It also fits pants and bras. I haven't had a chance to try my list of jeans yet but when I first heard about the website I went there to check it out and the jeans I had just recently bought were on the list!! Hope this helps!!
L.G. answers from Salt Lake City on February 27, 2008
M.-- I am actually an image consultant, here is my advice. Even though you are so excited to get in to a smaller size as rightly so after having a baby, the weight will come in time. For now unless you have money laying around that you don't know what to do with, go to your local second hand store (salvation army/ DI) and buy some jeans couple of sizes to big, buying the jeans the other moms in time didn't fit either. Several jean companies make jeans that will work great, the secreat is buying pants a little big, regardless of the size you are if your clothing is too tight it will produce the dreaded muffin top. After my pregnancies I went and bought a new pair every 4 months always having that pair that fit me perfectly(meaning a little big) and was out less than 10 dollars. I would invest my money in a good belt. Wear your belt high in the back and in the middle of your baby love. A nice interesting buckle draws the eye to it and away from the extra. If you have more questions about belts (love belts) let me know. If you are dieing to buy some jeans yesterday-- go to a "Lucky" brand carriers they have a good forgiving cut in several of their styles has does Levi. Also be kind to yourself, your amazing body made a baby and just because it is common to have a baby it doens't make it any less of a miracle.. it takes time to make the baby and it takes time to feel you again. Celebrate what you have done, and kiss the little one!
S.W. answers from Denver on February 26, 2008
lol...M., I've been in the same boat! I just have to try on a million pair of jeans to find ones that fit well. My favorites have been Levi 519 found in the junior dept, usually. Kohl's, Dillard's...even Sears carry them. Often they are on sale for about $30. They are between low and high so I don't feel like a nerd and I don't show crack (lol!)...Saturday Night Live refers to that as a "coin slot" lol! Anyway, they are stretchy so they conform to my fit better. As the day goes on, they get stretched out like any jeans I've ever worn and start to fall a bit. I can live with that one minor irritation especially since they are high enough to not show the coin slot! All I can suggest is you get away and try on tons of jeans for find the ones for you...they are out there!
K.D. answers from Salt Lake City on February 26, 2008
I'm a size 6 but the problem I have is larger hips and thighs and a small waist. Anyway, I found the "Sonoma Life + Style" brand jeans at Kohls are great. They are roomy enough in the thighs with a slight boot cut. I have to wear a belt to keep them up in the waist (they are mid-rise cut) but they might be good for you if you still have a bit of a belly (and who doesn't after having a baby!) The mid-rise is high enough to hold you in without creating the dreaded muffin-top but not high enough to be considered "mom jeans." I think they typically run about $36 but I've always bought them on sale for under $20. They have a similar cut in dress pants and cords, too.
I forgot to add that the "petites" have a pretty long inseam. I would guess it's at least a 30" or 31" inseam which is long for petite. They are also available in a regular and long inseam.
Trying to find jeans is like trying to find a swimming suit. You gotta try a lot on to find just one good one.
J.O. answers from Boise on February 27, 2008
I am a little bigger then you are, but I am very odd shaped and have a really hard time finding jeans to fit me. I was out with my oldest DD looking for school clothes and noticed that one of her favorite stores was having a huge jean sale and a lot of them where on clearance, I found a pair I thought were nice and had the flair at the bottom (they make straight leg also) so I tried them one.....OMG, I love them they are called tummy tuck jeans and they help firm up the mommy pouch I have and they help the bottom to, they are a little spendy, not outrageous, but definantly well worth it, my first pair were 16.00 on clearance but they run around 100.00 and i am going to buy me next pair this week. give them a look I think Nordstroms carries the brand, here is a sight for them also..
Email