When you find a pair of jeans that fits like a second skin it’s like perfect jean synergy. That feeling when your booty looks perfect, the stretch is just enough and the length compliments your legs is unmatched. But, it can take a fair amount of trial and error to get there. At Dia & Co we’ve got the formula to make it easier to find your best fit when shopping for plus-size jeans. It all comes down to style, wash, stretch and inseam. Understanding this will change your denim wardrobe and it might even change your life.
“Understanding this will change your denim wardrobe and it might even change your life. “
Style
While plus-size skinny jeans will always be classic, don’t be afraid to experiment with other styles of jeans that might be more your style. If you typically have challenges with the calves or ankles of your skinny jeans being too tight, plus-size straight leg jeans might be a more comfortable option. They have a more tapered silhouette than bootcut jeans, but still offer a roomier fit through the leg from knee to ankle. This denim style chart is great for deciding what style to try next.
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Wash
It’s not always obvious that denim wash has anything to do with how your jeans fit, but actually it does. Washing jeans makes them more wearable by softening stiff raw denim. If your jeans are made mostly of cotton denim, this will have a big impact on how they fit. Darker jeans are typically the least washed and will maintain a stiffer feel, while light wash denim has gone through the washing process for a longer time fading the fabric. Light wash denim is usually more flexible and easy to wear. It’s typical to need to buy a size up in a darker wash while buying your usual size or even a size down in lighter washes across brands. Keep this in mind when deciding what size will be most comfortable.
“If you love vintage or modern no-stretch jeans, rumor has it that the trick is to buy them tight, wet them, and then wear them damp to allow them to stretch to your perfect fit.”
Stretch
Elastic, elastane and lycra are slightly different fabrics with different feels but the desired outcome is the same, room and flexibility without sacrificing shape and structure. Jeans can be made of a combination of pure cotton to blends of cotton and tencel or polyester. Traditional denim was made of 100% cotton–think about cowboy days. These jeans were very rigid and had almost no stretch at all. While this is not as common in plus-size jeans today, it still exists especially if you are into vintage. Jeans with no elastane are tricky in plus size, the rigid fabric makes it challenging to get them on at first causing you to size up, but once they are worn the cotton fibers expand making them baggy. If you love vintage or modern no-stretch jeans, rumor has it that the trick is to buy them tight, wet them, and then wear them damp to allow them to stretch to your perfect fit. But I’ve never tried this on my curvy body so I can not recommend it—but do you! Nowadays most jeans have anywhere from 1% to 3% elastane. This not only gives the jeans more flexibility, but it also helps them to snap back after each wear. As a rule of thumb I typically go for jeans that have at least 2% elastane for a comfortable fit, especially skinnies. The most important thing to remember is the more elastane or lycra the more stretchy it will be.
Inseam
Inseam is the length of your pants from the hemline to the crotch. Getting the right inseam is important for a comfortable fit. Measuring yourself is invaluable to get a great fit and breaking down the inseam for your cute, plus-size jeans is simple. Get your favorite pair, the ones that fit you just right and fold them in half so one leg is lying on top of the other with the back side of the jeans facing up. Make sure the crotch is not folded under but pulled out, then measure from the crotch to the hem of the jean. The best bootcut jeans typically come in longer inseams to get that flare that is perfect for wearing with boots. Skinny jeans on the other hand typically come in shorter inseams to hit perfectly at the ankle.
Once you know exactly what works for your style and body, finding your perfect fit becomes a fun adventure.
Find your best-fitting pair of plus-size jeans at dia.com today.
