I don’t have to tell you that finding the perfect pair of jeans is a challenge. Between rise, wash, fit, length and style, there are a million things to consider when shopping for denim.
And then of course, there’s price. Sure, that one pair hugs your butt really well in the fitting room, but are they worth $150?
I’m a believer in designer denim. I own three pairs of the same pair of Seven For All Mankind skinnies and I honestly don’t regret buying them at all. I wear them almost everyday; they were worth every dollar. Then again, they sit in my jeans drawer next to a pair of $6 jeans with lime green stripes down the sides from Forever 21.
Knowing when to save and when to splurge takes practice. Here are my most JEAN-ius tips on how to get it right when it comes to denim.
Skinny jeans: Splurge on these. They are the most flattering silhouette on almost anyone (no, you don’t have to be tall and thin to wear skinnies.) You’ll wear skinny jeans a lot and it’s a great idea to invest in a pair that will really last.
Colored jeans: Since colored denim is so trendy, I would not spend much at all on these. Find a cheapie pair, wear them a few times, and don’t cry when they start getting saggy in the butt.
Boyfriend jeans: I’m a bit on the fence about this one, but ultimately I would say that you should splurge on a pair of boyfriend jeans. It’s a tough shape to pull of and the wrong pair can just look really bad. A pair of high-quality boyfriend jeans will be made of a great fabric and the cut will be way more flattering. These are great to have on hand for days when you’re feeling a little bloated, so go ahead and treat yourself to a pricey pair of these.
Distressed jeans: Splurge. Distressed denim can look great but it can also look sort of trashy – and a cheap pair might fall apart along the distressing very easily. Go for a pricier pair with carefully placed holes and rips.
Wide-leg jeans: Go for a cheap pair of wide legs. This is another really trendy look. It isn’t particularly versatile so even if your pair doesn’t last too long it’s okay.
Coated jeans: Splurge! If you get a good pair of coated jeans, they can function as a stand in for leather pants. It’s also easy for this finish to look cheap and tacky and if coated jeans have too much sheen they’ll just make your legs look heavier.
Printed jeans: This, of course, goes in the save category. Printed jeans are so cute but you probably won’t wear them too often.
Black jeans: Splurge on these – they are perfect to wear out at night and are unbelievably flattering. Find the right pair and hold on them forever!
