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Woman legs with jeans and fuchsia high heels pointing up
Woman legs with jeans and fuchsia high heels pointing up isolated on a white background
I’m up for some new jeans, but with my straight, boyish figure, how do I avoid the dreaded “mom jeans” look? —Marina R., Fort Myers
With so many different choices of cut, fit and style, the unflattering high-waisted ’80s look is definitely a thing of the past. Ironically, the sheer range of designs and brands available might be the most daunting aspect of your search, so here are some guidelines to help narrow things down. With your boyish figure comes a flattish rear, so look for jeans with prominent back pockets (try flapped versions) to pad out what nature didn’t provide. Although back pockets are your new best friend, do pay attention to their placement—too low and they’ll visually flatten you. Another element to look for is a shaped lining sewn into the back of the jeans that lifts and rounds your rear. Also try different colors and washes; a new option is a gray denim, which is a great neutral and perfect for a Floridian winter.
Cheryl Lampard, founder of Style Matters International, answers your questions each month. If you have a question for Cheryl, send it to cchilds@gulfshorelife.com.