Slimming Jeans

Slimming Cuts for Jeans

Although they had their moment in the sun, high-waisted tapered ankle jeans (also known as pegged jeans or 'Mom' jeans) are one of the worst fashion decisions women can make. This style immediately draws the eye to a woman's waist and hips and emphasizes any fullness in that area – when most of us would rather have the eye drawn away from the belly and hips.

Although they might sound slimming, another style to be careful with is skinny jeans. Curvier gals can sometimes look disproportionate in skinny jeans, and overall this type of jean is more fashion-forward than figure flattering. (An exception is the specially designed Hello! SkinnyJeans which feature scooped out styles and beefed up stretch for a slimmer skinny jean look).

So what are the most slimming cuts for fabulously flattering denim jeans?

• The Boot Cut: Fashion and style experts agree that the boot cut jean is a slimming choice for most body types. This style made its debut in 1990's fashions, and for women's jeans is characterized by subtle tapering at the knee and barely-there flair below the knee. The jeans skim the thigh for a subtle slimming look and balance out most figures.

• Slight Flair Leg: A slight flare leg jean skims the leg and creates a slimming silhouette by the contrast between the waist and the flare at the ankles. This contrast creates the illusion of a smaller waist.

• Trouser Style and Wide Leg jeans: Denim trousers and wide leg jeans also give the appearance of a narrower waist with a flat front waist and fuller or straight cut leg. This style also slims the thigh area.

Material, Washes, and Waists

Stretch denim can help a pair of jeans slim you down. Cotton Lycra blends are great for a bit of give that also provides a clean, slimmer look that is still comfortable. Many jeans today are made from cotton Lycra blends, but the Lycra percentages vary. For the optimum in looking lean, choose jeans with four percent Lycra to create an instant slim down.

Opt for dark washes in indigo, blue, or black. A slight vertical lightening in the thigh area can create exaggerate the appearance of thinness, but ladies who are heavy in the thighs should avoid drawing more attention to that area.

The best waist options for most women who want to look thinner in their jeans are mid-rise or natural waists. A natural waist sits just below the belly button. A slight low rise can work, but avoid super low and ultra low rises. The high waists women rocked in eighties fashions are back in style, but if you choose this cut, opt for high waisted jeans in wide leg styles for a modern look and to help streamline the rear and thighs.

Brands of Slimming Jeans

More and more companies are coming up with denim lines that are specially designed to be slimming.

Totally Slimming from Levi Strauss

It's been a growing trend for well-known brands to create special lines for department super stores, and the Levi Strauss Company has created a new collection for its Levi Signature line for Wal-Mart called Totally Slimming. The jeans feature great details such as a hidden tummy panel, comfortable stretch denim, a contoured waist band – and for twenty dollars a pair, you can't go wrong with Totally Slimming jeans.

Levi Perfectly Slimming 512

For another innovation from Levi Strauss, head to your closest Macy's or JC Penney's for Levi's Perfectly Slimming 512 Jeans. This slight boot cut design boasts an inside tummy control panel, slim fit through waist and thighs, and a comfy cotton spandex blend to keep you looking and feeling great.

NYDJ: Not Your Daughter's Jeans

Not Your Daughter's Jeans, a brand started by Lisa Rudes-Sandel in 2003, have a high Lycra content and patented denim weaving. The result? These slimming jeans give women the look of an instant tummy tuck. The special criss-cross front holds in and flattens the tummy area, and the rear lifts to create a flattering backside. Available in straight, flair, and skinny leg and several washes, NYD Jeans have been an incredible success and received rave reviews from celebrities. Get your own pair from department stores like Nordstrom and Dillard's.

Slimming French Dressing Jeans

FDJ or French Dressing Jeans have interior angles front pocket to streamline the tummy and specially placed back pockets for a smaller looking tush. The jeans are available in a variety of cuts, colors, rises, and washes for every woman's fashion taste.

More Retailers of Slimming Jeans

For more specialty slimming denim jeans, check out these designs as well:

• Instantly Slimming Aura Jeans from Wrangler
• Sculptz Five Pocket Slimming and Shaping Jeans
• Slimfitters Hold-Me-Tighter Jeans
• Units Tummy Toner Jean

Have a specific problem area you want your jeans to slim? Use the interactive jean selection tool at ilovejeans.com to find select jeans that slim thighs, tummy, legs, or tush..