I’ve been wearing jeans since I was a little girl, and after all these years, they’re still one of the most important pieces in my wardrobe.
I’m simply most comfortable in jeans. Whether I’m running errands, meeting friends for lunch, or getting dressed for dinner, a great pair of jeans is usually where I start putting together my outfit.
And because I wear them so often, I’ve always enjoyed keeping up with denim trends. I love seeing new silhouettes, different washes, and updated styles. But I’ve also learned that just because a particular style is trending doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for me.
Now that I’m 60, I have a much better understanding of my body and what makes me feel comfortable and confident. I have a curvier figure and a long torso, and I’ve discovered that high-waisted jeans with a wider leg tend to be my favorites. Straight-leg jeans, on the other hand, just don’t give me the look I personally prefer. And that’s perfectly fine.
When I’m shopping for jeans, I ask myself a few questions. Are they comfortable? Do they fit my lifestyle? Do they reflect my personal style? And most importantly, do I feel like myself wearing them?
Because a great pair of jeans should do more than fit. They should make you feel good when you put them on. I believe there’s a great pair out there for every woman who wants to wear them. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of understanding different styles, knowing your proportions, and learning how to put an outfit together.
So let’s talk denim.
Affiliate disclosure: Some shopping links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Finding Your Fit: Understanding Different Jean Styles
Have you ever seen fabulous jeans on another woman, tried on the same style, and wondered why they looked completely different on you? I’ve certainly been there!
We’re all built differently. Some of us have fuller hips, others carry more weight around the middle, and some have straighter figures. Understanding your proportions can help narrow down which jeans are worth trying. These are suggestions, not rules about what any body type should wear.
Skinny Jeans: A Streamlined Classic
Skinny jeans fit closely through the hips, thighs, and ankles. They may appeal to women who enjoy a fitted leg. Women with straighter figures may like the clean line, while women who carry more fullness in the midsection and have slimmer legs might enjoy the contrast of a relaxed top. Curvier women can wear them beautifully too; the waistband and hip fit matter more than a body-shape label.
How to style them: Try a soft sweater, relaxed button-down, or longer blouse. Ballet flats, loafers, ankle boots, and knee-high boots all work, and the narrow leg makes taller boots especially easy.
Styling tip: Check the ankle. Excess fabric bunching there can interrupt the streamlined look.
Straight-Leg Jeans: Simple and Versatile
Shop straight-leg jeans on Amazon
Straight-leg jeans follow a relatively straight line from the knee to the hem. They’re worth trying if you enjoy a classic, uncomplicated look, particularly on athletic or straighter figures. If you’re fuller through the hips or thighs, look for enough room in those areas without leaving the waistband too loose.
Personally, straight-leg jeans aren’t my favorite on my curvier figure. That’s a preference, not a verdict on the style.
How to style them: Try a crisp button-down, simple T-shirt, or soft blouse with loafers, pointed-toe flats, or clean sneakers.
Styling tip: Experiment with ankle and full lengths. Sometimes the hem placement makes more difference than you’d expect.
Bootcut Jeans: A Beautifully Balanced Shape
Bootcut jeans fit through the hips and thighs before widening slightly below the knee. That subtle flare can visually balance fuller hips, making this silhouette worth trying for pear-shaped or hourglass figures. It can also add a little width below the waist for women whose shoulders are broader than their hips.
How to style them: A fitted knit, tucked-in blouse, or structured button-down highlights the silhouette. Pointed-toe ankle boots or a low block heel work especially well beneath the hem.
Styling tip: Try them on with your shoes. The fabric should fall neatly rather than dragging on the ground.
Flare Jeans: A Little More Drama
Flare jeans widen more noticeably below the knee. Like bootcut jeans, they can create balance for curvier or pear-shaped figures; on straighter figures, they introduce movement and shape.
How to style them: Let the flare be the statement. A simple blouse, fitted T-shirt, or shorter knit works beautifully with pointed-toe boots, a modest heel, or flats when the length is right.
Styling tip: A top that finishes near the waist lets the transition from fitted thigh to fuller hem remain visible.
Wide-Leg Jeans: Comfortable, Modern, and One of My Favorites
Wide-leg jeans have become one of my favorite silhouettes. I love that a pair can feel relaxed with a T-shirt and sneakers, then look polished with a blouse and dressier shoes.
Women with curvier or pear-shaped figures may appreciate room through the hips and thighs, while women with straighter figures might enjoy the relaxed proportions. What’s most important is that the waistband and hips fit properly.
How to style them: I like a fitted tank, a simple T-shirt, or a beautiful blouse. A lightweight linen button-down worn open over a sleeveless top is another favorite. Pointed flats, slim sneakers, sandals, and loafers all offer different looks.
Styling tip: Pay attention to both rise and inseam. Two pairs of wide-leg jeans can sit and fall very differently.
Barrel Jeans: Don’t Dismiss Them Before You Try Them!
I recently had a conversation with a friend who told me she didn’t think she could wear barrel jeans. The funny part? She hadn’t actually tried them on!
Barrel jeans curve outward through the leg and taper toward the ankle. Some make a dramatic curve, while others are much more subtle. I personally prefer a slimmer, more structured barrel shape.
Women with straighter or athletic figures may enjoy how the cut introduces shape; women with broader shoulders may like the fullness through the lower half. Curvier women shouldn’t automatically rule them out either.
How to style them: I tend to choose a ribbed tank, fitted T-shirt, or tailored blouse to contrast with the fuller leg. Sleek loafers, pointed-toe flats, and slim ankle boots are my favorite shoe options. An oversized shirt creates a different, relaxed look if that’s more your style.
Styling tip: Start with a subtle barrel leg if the silhouette feels unfamiliar. One exaggerated pair doesn’t represent every version of the style.
Baggy and Relaxed Jeans: Easygoing Style
Shop boyfriend jeans on Amazon
Baggy jeans are intentionally loose through much of the leg, often with extra ease at the hips and thighs. They can work across body shapes when the waist fits comfortably, and they offer a different silhouette from the more structured wide-leg styles.
How to style them: I like a tucked-in button-down, simple T-shirt, or neat knit with a belt. Sleek sneakers, loafers, or pointed-toe flats can change the entire feel of the outfit.
Styling tip: Look for jeans designed with a relaxed cut rather than automatically sizing up. Baggy doesn’t have to mean poorly fitted.
The Little Details That Can Change Everything
Sometimes two pairs of jeans look almost identical on the hanger, but one fits beautifully and the other doesn’t. The details make a difference.
Rise: Low-rise jeans sit lower on the hips; mid-rise jeans sit below the natural waist; and high-rise jeans sit at or near it. I prefer a higher rise because of my longer torso, but the most comfortable choice depends on your proportions.
Back pockets: Their size, spacing, and placement can change the appearance of a pair. Check the back view in the mirror before deciding.
Inseam: Cropped, ankle-length, and full-length denim create different effects. Try jeans with the shoes you actually plan to wear.
Fabric and stretch: Rigid denim offers more structure, while stretch can provide extra flexibility. Look for the combination that feels comfortable and holds its shape the way you like.
Sizing: Don’t get attached to the number on the tag. Sizes vary between brands and styles. Buy the pair that fits your body, not the number you think you should wear.
Beyond Blue: Denim Washes and Colors
The wash of your jeans can change the whole feeling of an outfit. Dark indigo often looks more polished, medium-blue is wonderfully versatile, and lighter washes feel more relaxed.
I’ve also been enjoying colored denim, especially earthy olive, chocolate brown, rust, and burgundy. These shades work with pieces many of us already own. Chocolate brown looks beautiful with cream, camel, ivory, or soft blue. Olive pairs easily with white, navy, taupe, and beige. Rust and burgundy can look striking with a simple neutral top.
Shop the denim: Olive-green jeans on Amazon | Chocolate-brown jeans on Amazon
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I own olive bootcut jeans and high-waisted, relaxed-fit brown jeans. They’re completely different silhouettes, but both give me an alternative to classic blue denim. Sometimes refreshing an outfit is as simple as changing the color of your jeans.
My Favorite Denim Brands: From Affordable to Premium
I’ve worn jeans at different price points, and expensive doesn’t automatically mean better. What matters most to me is comfort, fit, quality, and how often I’ll actually wear them.
Over the years, I’ve owned jeans from several premium brands, and three that have particularly impressed me are Joe’s Jeans, PAIGE, and Good American. I’ve had great experiences with their fit and quality. I no longer have all the pairs I’ve worn in the past, and I don’t remember every specific style, but these are brands I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
If you’d like to explore their current collections, here are the brand selections at Nordstrom. These are general collection links, not claims that I’ve tested each pair:
Explore Joe’s Jeans at Nordstrom Explore PAIGE at Nordstrom Explore Good American at Nordstrom
I’ll also share affordable denim I have personally tried and found to be a good value. I don’t think you need to spend hundreds of dollars to have jeans you love.
Final Thoughts: Wear What Makes You Feel Like You
After all these years, jeans are still one of my favorite things to wear. My body, preferences, and favorite silhouettes have evolved, but my love of denim hasn’t.
I don’t believe there’s an expiration date on any particular style. Sometimes finding the right jeans means trying a different rise, experimenting with a silhouette you’d dismissed, or changing the top and shoes you wear with them.
Understanding what works for your body doesn’t mean following fashion rules. It means knowing your options and choosing what makes you feel your best.
Because the best jeans aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the trendiest. They’re the ones you love wearing.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What jeans do you find yourself reaching for again and again? Are you loyal to one style, or have you tried something new lately? And how are you styling them? Share your favorites in the comments below. I always enjoy hearing what works for other women, and I might pick up a new idea or two!
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