By Nancy
I’m short – 5’3″. I’m curvy – smaller waist and a lot of junk in the trunk, so to speak. I’m the queen of skirts and dresses. Why? Because I can never find pants, much less blue jeans, to fit me. This has been a problem my entire life. Whether I’m a size 6 or a size 12, I have never been able to find slacks or jeans to fit my body type. It’s so frustrating! When I did actually find something that fit me well, I’d have to pay for alterations because of my height. I just gave up several years ago.
The problem is, I love blue jeans. I like old ones with holes in the knees and new dark blue tailored ones. Neil Diamond’s song title “Forever in Blue Jeans” is me! Over the years I have found a few brands and styles that fit me nicely – Lee was one of those labels. But, even I can fit another small person in the huge gap in the waist.
I’ve learned that when I do find a “winning” pair to buy 2 or 3 because sure as ever, the brand will discontinue them or the store will quit carrying them. Even with several pairs of winners, styles (and my size, ahem) change, too. I’ve even looked up labels on eBay in hopes of finding some of my oldies but goodies to no avail.
Well, guess what? I have found jeans to fit me! Right Fit Jeans (available at Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant and Catherine’s) offer 3 styles to fit every hard-to-fit body type. Best yet – they have petites! And, not just jeans, but pants, too! I’m in heaven. People have even made comments about my clothes! “You look really good” and “Cute jeans” are words a short, curvy girl like me could get used to hearing!
How about you? Do you have a favorite brand of jeans that you would like to share?
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Comments
11 Responses to The Blue Jeans Blues
Blue jeans forever! I’m only slightly taller and what used to be an hourglass figure in my younger years is now… let’s say matronly. I kind of like the lower rise jeans that are probably designed with younger folks in mind, but the waist band hits at a really good place. You just have to find that happy place between just right and exposing too much when you have to bend down (my strategy when I wear them is the layered look, with a thin t-shirt long enough to tuck in as the bottom layer). I found a pair I love at Penney’s – a.n.a is the label. My 23 year-old niece complimented them a while back, but by now she’s probably wondering why I never wear anything else. I’ll have to find a Fashion Bug and try the Right Fit brand. Thanks for the info.
Jeans havent fit me correctly since I was 12! I have a long torso- short legs. Apparently jean companies find my legs disproportionate to my waist bc they are almost always baggy in the legs. And way too long. I’m 5’6” but pants in general are always too long- I can’t wear a petite bc the sit wayyyyy too low on my waist. One brand works but I fear they will be phased out soon because the last time I purchased a pair they were marked down from $60 to $7! They are made by Kim Rogers and its the “Silhouette” style (found at Belk). Oy vey. I hate trying on jeans! You aren’t alone Nancy.
I found a brand I love, but they are so expensive, I only buy them on sale and I only buy one or two pairs a year. NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans), they fit me like they were tailor made for me!
I’ve always had trouble with jeans because I am very pear-shaped, very hippy, much smaller waist, I always, always had a big gap at the waist until I found NYDJ!
I’m going to try the Right Fit Jeans, thanks!
Eileen,
Where are NYDJ available?
Great article, Nancy.
I am going to try these suggestions. I generally can find “something” to fit at most stores, but I like the idea of something that fits me better. I think I may have been settling for too long for something adequate, but not as flattering or comfortable as it could be.
Any line that carries petites is right up my alley, I am barely 5’3.
I just bought some great jeans at the Avenue last fall but I have no idea what brand they are. What I love about them is that they are lightweight and have some stretch. I like to be able to move around in jeans without feeling they are weighing me down.
I really never have problems with jeans because I am 5′ 7″ ( I have lost an inch since osteoporosis set in) and always seem to be able to find something to fit.
Whether I’m a size 6 or a size 12, I have never been able to find slacks or jeans to fit my body type
That’s so true. I have always hated shopping for blue jeans. Such a hassle. I rarely wear jeans anymore. They bug me. I like to be comfy all the time and jeans are a little heavy for that. Those NYDJ sound pretty interesting too. I need some now as the last of my favorites that I did wear bit the dust. It’s so sad when the fav pair gives out. I’ll be looking at only these brands. Thanks for saving me the frustration of trying on a million pair.
I love the tips from IW. I still need to order my crocs that Pam wrote about it.
I love the Buckle for jeans. I have a very small waist but I have wide hips & a butt on me- picture J-Lo
So anyway, the Buckle has jeans sized like mens- waist & length measurements.
I’ve been wearing more jeans in the last ten years than ever. I prefer the tailored, dark blue jeans. When I find a pair I like, I buy two or three of the same because I can never find any if I wait.
I grew up on Jordache (who didn’t in the 80′s?) and in my twenties wore a lot of Bill Blass and Chic jeans. I still like Chic, but my favorite pair of all places are a $9 pair that I bought at Kmart. They’re a tailored Route 66! Go figure. Unfortunately, they were the only pair in my size and I couldn’t buy them in 3′s or even a second pair.
I bought a pair of Lands End from Sears recently. They’re not bad. Price was only $20. I can’t see buying expensive jeans.
Lane Bryant has some really stylish jeans, too. I like their slacks and trousers.
So anyway, the Buckle has jeans sized like mens- waist & length measurements.
I’drather, I always wondered why women’s clothes aren’t sensibly sized like men’s…with actual measurements. I don’t know what The Buckle is?
Nancy, I’ll have to look for this brand at a Fashion Bug when I get the money for new jeans. I always buy too large in the waist to get enough room in the hips. I’m doomed to have a belt on all the time, or my jeans fall down!
Thank you so much for in information Nancy. I want a pair of nice fitting blue jeans!!