How to find the perfect pair of jeans

Most of us live in jeans. They go with everything and never go out of fashion. But, much as we love jeans, we hate shopping for them. Alyson Walsh explains how to make it easy.

Finding the perfect pair can seem like a high street triathlon, trekking from shop to shop, hunting down the right size, working up a sweat in the changing room. But it's worth the painstaking effort - work, weekend or evening, a figure-flattering pair of jeans will take you anywhere.

Your buying guide to jeans

Follow the All About You guide to the best jeans around, and find the perfect fit, whatever your shape.

If you have an hourglass figure:

A curvy figure looks great in jeans. So, it's worth spending time to find a style that overcomes the bum/waist discrepancy and shows off your figure.
Check out: 7 For All Mankind at Fenwick 020 7629 9161, Next 0845 600 7000 and Gap boot-cut stretch 0800 427 7895
  Jeans, from Next

Do

Look for stretch jeans that hug the bum and waist

Choose boot-cut styles or slightly flared jeans to balance out your shape

Don't

Buy jeans with big back pockets or pocket flaps. They'll add inches to your backside

Wear low-rise styles - the waistband will cut across the widest part of your bum, and make it look even bigger

If you are petite:

We know this is obvious, but if finding the right leg length is a problem it's worth paying that little bit extra to get jeans turned up professionally. Otherwise, go shopping at the start of the season when high street stores have fully stocked petite ranges.
Check out: Topshop petite (0845 121 4519), Principles and Radcliffe - jeans with adjustable legs, genius! (available at Selfridges 0870 837 7377)

Do

Keep it in proportion - narrow-leg shapes will flatter your neat figure

Wear shoes that are the same colour as your jeans to give the illusion of longer legs

Don't

Opt for slouchy styles. Boy-cut jeans swamp a small frame

Wear turn-ups - they'll make you're legs look shorter

If you are tall:

This may not sound like much of a dilemma to most women but having long legs can cause problems in the trouser department. It's important to find the right length - wearing jeans at half-mast is never a good look.
Check out: Paige at House of Fraser 020 7963 2000, www.tallgirls.co.uk and Earnest Sewn at Selfridges 0870 837 7377

Simply avoid skin-tight styles and distressed upper legs and you'll never say 'Do my thighs look big in this?' againDo

Choose skinny jeans and straight leg styles to make the most of your assets

Try wider leg shapes - you've got the height to carry these off

Don't

Wear cropped jeans, you'll look like you can't find a pair to fit

Think high heels are out of bounds - make the most of your legs

If you have big thighs:

Jeans can flatter big thighs. Simply avoid skin-tight styles and distressed upper legs and you'll never say 'Do my thighs look big in this?' again.
Check out: James Jeans available at Fenwick 020 7629 9161 and Selfridges 0870 837 7377, Lee 0845 600 8383 and Boden 0845 677 5000

Do

Remember, dark denim skims inches off big thighs

A straight leg shape and pair of sexy heels = longer slimmer legs

Don't

Wear baggy styles, you'll look even bigger. Much better to find a well-fitting pair

Steer clear of skinny jeans, your legs will look like sausages