• Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

The Diva's Guide to Denim

High-waters. Mom jeans. That annoying gap at the waistband. You've had it with jeans that don't fit or flatter, and we've heard you loud and clear. It took seven women, several trips to the fitting room and numerous pairs of jeans to find what we all deserve: the perfect pair for our bodies and budgets—for as little as $30!
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Denim Special

High-waters. Mom jeans. That annoying gap at the waistband. You’ve had it with jeans that don’t fit or flatter, and we’ve heard you loud and clear. It took seven women, several trips to the fitting room, and numerous pairs of jeans to find what we all deserve: the perfect pair for our bodies and budgets—for as little as $30!

By Jessica C. Andrews

Getty
02
Full Hips

Kalyea Moss, 28 Plus-size model

• To balance out your frame, look for jeans that are boot-cut or slightly flared. A pair of sexy high heels add to the slimming effect.

• Show off your shape. Jeans that hug, not hide, your curves are ideal for your frame. Baggy jeans will only exaggerate your size and conceal your beautiful figure.

Just for My Size: Denim 24/7 jeans, $30, onestopplus.com.

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
03
Full Thighs and Butt

Chasity Saunders, 24, Entrepreneur

• For a comfortable, customized fit, try brands that incorporate a bit of stretch like CJ by Cookie Johnson, Miraclebody by miraclesuit and Joe’s Jeans.

• A high rise and a fitted waistline will eliminate gapping at the waist-band. And choose jeans with an outseam close to the front of the thigh. This gives the illusion of thinner thighs.

Just for My Size: Ashley Stewart jeans, $49, Ashley Stewart stores nationwide.

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
04
Jean Therapy Tips

Fold jeans instead of storing them on hangers. Pant hangers cause the waist and hem to wear out faster.

Getty
05
Petite and Boy-Shaped

Jasmine Harvey, 29 Marketing coordinator

• A low rise gives the illusion of a longer torso and adds enviable curves to your frame.

• Avoid cuffing. It actually makes your legs look shorter. Instead, go for ankle-length cuts. A bonus: You get to show off fabulous shoes!

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
06
Tall and Boy-Shaped

Felisha Noel, 22 Boutique owner

• Back pockets that slant inward are your secret weapon. They draw the eye up to lift and enhance your backside. Fading in the thighs and just under the behind also gives the illusion of a curvy shape.

• High-waisted jeans create curves in the waist and hips while emphasizing your naturally long and lean silhouette.

Just for My Size: Old Navy wide-leg jeans, $35, 800-OLDNAVY for stores.

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
07
Small Waist & Big Butt

• To complement a shapely frame, opt for jeans with stretch (4 to 5 percent spandex will do). They contour beautifully to every curve.

• Stay away from jeans with overly embellished back pockets, which draw unwanted attention to your backside. Add a pair without pockets to your wardrobe too. They also help minimize that rear view.

Getty
08
Tall With Long Legs

“No more butt cleavage! These are superlong and high-rise, but still sexy,” says Jan Quammie-Taylor, 26 Merchandise assistant.

• To achieve the best fit, try jeans with at least a 36-inch inseam. Gap even carries a few styles in XL that have a 37-inch inseam.

Just for My Size: Gap long and lean jeans, $60, Gap stores nationwide.

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
09
Short and Pear-Shaped

Tia D. Rudd, 27 Television production worker

• Try brands like Gap, Calvin Klein and Banana Republic that offer petite lengths.

• A trouser-cut style works wonders for a petite, curvy frame. The pleats streamline and elongate your figure.

Just for My Size: Coldwater Creek Classic Waist ShapeMe jeans, $60, coldwatercreek.com.

ESSENCE/CHRISTOPHER KOLK
10
Jean Therapy Tip

As denim tends to shrink slightly in the wash, be sure to launder your jeans before having them hemmed.

Getty

Read More

Videos
BET Awards 2022 | Celebrity Sightings
In Defense of Black Lives
Former Minneapolis Cop Who Killed 911 Caller Released From P...
News
Supreme Court Protects Police From Lawsuits Over Violating M...
Awards & Events
Watch Chlöe's Sultry Performance At The 2022 BET Awards
Shop
7 Detangling Brushes That can Handle Anything
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now