Buy Luxury Denim Jeans
There are now well over a hundred luxury denim lines, here is how many of them fit and how you can decipher the brands, sizing and rises. Get in your perfect pair!
Contents
Steps
- Most of the lines below are sized 24 to 32. Occasionally very small and plus sizes are available in high end denim so ask you retailer to search for you if you have a special size request. Many tiny or plus size celebrities have custom-made jeans from labels you and I normally would buy from which may not be available to the everyday buyer.
- When in doubt about fit or a too long inseam, get a tailor, the results are usually wonderful.
- "Stretch Blends" Jeans with stretch will fit more generously, but as higher quality brands use stronger types of stretch the give will not be as great as the lower end 'shopping mall stretch' jeans (which should be avoided by anyone over 12.) Rigid denim (100% cotton) will eventually conform to your body, last much longer and run smaller.
- If you favor jeans with stretch be sure to buy a few high quality pairs, size down and rotate wearing them so they retain their stretch.
- "True to size" What does it mean? The majority of the time a size 30 is equivalent to a size 9/10 dress. Despite a return to some higher-waisted styles, most jeans still hit at the low waist with the average rise (distance from the center crotch to the top of the waist band) being {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, thus the waist on a size 30 is measuring {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} NOT 30. Size your jeans by your dress size or low waist (where the belt loops are), not your natural waist size.
- Jeans that "run small" : This set of jeans are running small mainly through the hips and thighs but may still work well if you are curvy depending on how you are built. A size 30 is equivalent usually to a dress size 9/8. If you are ordering through the mail you may want to size up or order two sizes and return one. Many of these jeans just won't work if you have sizable hips, thighs and booty as the model they were fitted on was probably the lovely Paige Adams Geller, the force behind Paige Premium denim and previously a fit model for half a dozen famous denim brands. Paige has a stunning form but is by no stretch of the imagination a Sophia Loren or Marilyn Monroe type.
- Jeans that run really small: These lines (size 30) equivalent to a dress size 7/8 and will fit most comfortably on the very slim and tall or petite and tiny boned. Think Paris Hilton, Kate Hudson or Teri Hatcher. If you are curvy you will definitely want to try on a pair in person and not buy online unless there is an unconditional return. Stretch blends will create some give but usually not enough if you want to sit down. These jeans create curves in all the right places and look amazing on skinny women.
- Higher Waisted Styles: After rises became dangerously low, many higher end denim lines returned to a high waisted jean. These look best if they are slightly bootcut. higher waisted styles will have a natural corset effect and give you a waistline you may never knew you had.
- Skinny Jeans: Many luxury denim lines now make skinny jeans that taper and fit like leggings. The slimmer fitting denim lines will have also smaller leg openings and tighter tapering so proceed carefully and make sure you have a solid return policy.
- As with all jeans lines you will find exceptions to the rule.
Tips
- Brands that run true to size: True Religion (looks the best on all body types, but do note that 100% cotton styles-also known as rigid-run much smaller),Buffalo David Bitton, Blue Cult, Joe's Jeans, Rock and Republic, Juicy Couture, Genetic Denim, Notify, Abercrombie & Fitch (before 2004), American Eagle, People's Liberation (size down, runs super roomy), Sacred Blue, Serfontaine, Yanuk,YaYa,Joie, James Jeans, Taverniti SO, Lucky, Ranahan, Stitch's, Habitual (boot cut and most stretch straight legs), 7 For All Mankind (Dojo and A-Pocket), Hudson (after 2006) and DKNY.
- Brands that Run Very Small: Most jeans that are rigid (100% cotton can run two sizes smaller than jeans from the same line with stretch), Oligo Tissew, Denim for Immortality, Parasuco, Hudson (before 2006), Fornarina, Reo Starr, Ezra Fitch, Evisu, Ed Hardy, Chip and Pepper (very low rises), Bebe, Acne, Robin's Jeans, Just Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli, Grass, Paige Premium Denim, Nudies, Frankie B (lowest rises), Pringle, most imported Brazilian jeans, Ksubi, Bardot, Sass & Bide, Bettina Liano, D&G by Dolce and Gabbana and most couture jeans.
- Brands that Run Small: Diesel, Antik, AG, L.A.M.B., 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Abercrombie & Fitch (after 2004) Paper Denim & Cloth, Victoria Beckham for Rock and Republic, People For Peace (their sizing varies greatly), Red Engine, Union, Versace, Kasil, Salt Works, Miss Sixty (Dublin Cargos run true to size), Rogan, Edun, Loomstate, Z-Brand, Big Star, 575, Goldsign, Alice and Olivia, Corleone, Union, Kasil, Habitual (skinny styles)
Warnings
- eBay is now rampant with fake designer jeans; some cuts are being knocked off even before they hit stores. Be wary of all sellers (do your research!) and never buy jeans from Asia even if the seller says they are authentic. The most knocked-off brands (True Religion, 7's, Citizens, Juicy Couture, Primp, and Rock and Republic) should be purchased only from trusted ebay stores with excellent feedback and long term sellers that get back to you. My personal feeling is that unless you are looking for a very rare cut or pair you have to have, it's better to bypass ebay and buy retail unless buying pre-owned from people's personal collections. Especially with jeans, it's worth it to know that what you're wearing is new and top quality.
