STYLE
How to be a Jean Genius!
Style Counsel Style Guru Chrissi Rix answers your questions, to help you dress with confidence I love wearing jeans, but always struggle to find ones that are right for my shape. Can you help? Judy, Bungay
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i Judy, many people have at least one pair of jeans they never wear, and I bet you’re the same! Why, because they just don’t fit right? But with autumn upon us, jeans are core staples that can take you anywhere during the cooler months. They are timeless, adaptable, sustainable and cost effective! There are so many brands out there, and each has its own signature. The key is finding the perfect fit for your personal body shape. Balancing proportions is the secret to jeans becoming your best friend and finding that feel good factor!
Know your Rise Jeans come in short, mid, or high rise. Your Rise is the length from crotch to tummy button. Tall, curvy, or pear ladies tend to need a high rise jean. This has a curved rise at the back and will fit over the bottom and up to the waist, holding everything in, in a figure flattering way. Generally, top heavy, apple and rectangular ladies can opt for a mid rise, which will sit well on their lower rise body. Discover your Curve Your Curve is the relationship from waist to hip. Hourglass or pear shapes tend to have smaller waists and fuller hips and require brands that have fabric in the hip area and a tighter waistband. V-shape, apples and rectangles tend to have less waist and narrower hips. Look for jeans with a wider waistband and less fabric in the cut of the jean around the hip. Decide on your Denim It should go without saying that you pay for what you get with jeans. Good quality denim will stretch less, fade more gradually and above all, fit much better. Choose some with around 2% Lycra for best fit and comfort. Pick your Pockets Aim for fuss free pockets. Back pockets that are small will make your bum look bigger. Choose larger pockets, set closer together rather than far apart, to reduce butt size!
Choose your Cut Opt for skinny, bootcut, or slim straight if you have narrower hips than torso. Alternatively, if you are bottom heavy, or have a curved hourglass shape, go for straight, flared, or a ‘curved’ skinny, worn with a balancing jacket or long top. Curvy girls can wear skinnies – it’s just all about balancing those proportions! If you have a style question for Chrissi Rix, email editor@village-people.info Chrissi Rix has been a Style Consultant for over 30 years. She owns Style Show, a personalised shopping experience in her boutique on Unthank Road, Norwich. styleshow.co.uk
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