Most people own at least a pair or two of jeans. However, for something that's basic and commonly found in a person's closet, shopping for jeans can be an unnerving experience. It's not always easy to score the jeans that fit and look perfect. So, how should one go about it and avoid the mistakes? Here are a list of common mistakes and how to avoid them.
MISTAKE: Rushing to shop for jeans.
SOLUTION: Allot enough time when you're out shopping for denim. You will have to try these on, and under no circumstances must you skip this part. It's not fun to be dressing and undressing at each store, but you need to prepare yourself for this task if you want to find the right pair.
MISTAKE: Failing to do the "tests."
SOLUTION: As long as you're inside the dressing room trying on jeans, you might as well do the following: bend over, squat and stretch your legs. Move in front of the mirror and see where the gaps and awkward fits are. Discard jeans that don't pass your test.
MISTAKE: Ignoring the hemline.
SOLUTION: If you're into wearing jeans with heeled shoes, then you must be sure to buy a pair that has longer hemlines. If you prefer to wear jeans with flats or sneakers, then ask the sales clerk if there's an option for altering the hemline. Some stores usually offer these for free, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"If you really love the look of something, it's always worth altering," said costume designer Alison Freer, via Huffington Post. "A simple hem on a pair of pants should run you about $12, but the difference it makes in your look is priceless. Just a few inches off the bottom allows the pants to fall straight from your hips as the designer intended - resulting in a clean, sleek, fresh line from waist to floor."
Freer also advised that jeans must be washed once or twice before alteration "so they can get all the shrinkage out of their system."
MISTAKE: Buying one size smaller.
SOLUTION: Jeans do stretch out, but it's not always the best idea to buy them one size smaller. Chances are, you will never get to wear them, and this is especially true for skinny jeans. "Sizing down doesn't just mean sizing down the waist, the thighs, calves, and leg opening all will be a bit smaller," read one suggestion on Reddit. If you have taken the time to do the fitting tests in the dressing room, you won't have to buy one size smaller.
"Unfortunately, there is no universal sizing chart for designers to abide by," said fashion consultant Clinton Kelly, via Divine Caroline. Going by this thought, make it a habit to grab at least two sizes of the same jeans when you go to the fitting room.
MISTAKE: Never checking out the jeans' material.
SOLUTION: Some jeans are made of lycra or spandex that retain its form. Some have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk. Some are made of raw denim which have never been treated. These factors affect the way the jeans wash after use, so some could change their shape or texture. Ask the sales clerk for this information and consider it when choosing the best pair for you.
