THE DENIM GUIDE

Find YourBest Jeans

Nothing feels better than slipping into a favorite pair of
EANS JEANS JEANS JEAN
jeans! Finding a favorite pair of jeans? Not so easy.

I want to teach you how to shop for jeans you can fall in love
with because they flatter your unique body type AND work
with your Color Code. So, I'm sharing all my secrets for
wearing denim that makes you feel amazing!

Your best jeans are out there!

Shari
 TYPES OF JEANS
00 01 02

Styles Skinny Straight

The cut of your jeans Slim thigh, tapered at Same width at thigh, knee
refers to how they are the ankle. This jean is and leg opening. These
shaped: specifically, tight throughout the jeans have a uniform fit
the style of the legs. body of the jean, from from the top of the pant
Learn a little bit about the top all the way to leg, at your thigh, to the
these denim the ankle. very bottom of your leg.
descriptions before The bottom does not
you head out to shop. flare out.

03 04 05

Bootcut Boyfriend Wide-leg

Slightly flared to fit over Loose, comfortable, Designed to fit loosely in the
boots. Bootcut jeans are slim straight, boxy. This cut legs. Wide-leg jeans differ
in the thigh area and begin to refers to the style that from bell-bottoms in that the
angle out just below the knee looks like you borrowed entire length of the leg is
and then moderately flare your man's jeans. It has a large in circumference
out at the bottom hem. straight shape that's thin whereas flare or bell-bottom
through the hip, yet jeans become wider below
comfortably sits below the knee.
the waist.
Skinny Straight Bootcut

Boyfriend Wide Leg

 THE RISE
There's some important information I want to share about a specific detail of your ideal
jeans. You'll need to know this in order to get the best fit for you! The “rise” relates to
00of the material between the seam
the length 01 at the bottom of the crotch and the top
of the waistband. The best way to find the rise that works for you is to measure your
favorite pair of jeans.
Pull a few of your jeans or pants from your closet - the ones that sit exactly where
you want them to on your waistline!
Not too tight/not too loose
Measure the distance between the bottom of the crotch and the top of the
waistband on the front of your jeans. Find the average number.

When you’re shopping for jeans, you’ll want

to look for specific information about the
rise in the DETAILS section on most
websites. Shopping in person? Be sure to
carry a measuring tape in your purse so you
can measure them in the store!

My pro tip: Some designers might include

the words “low rise, mid rise or high rise" in
the name of a style of jeans. Don’t count on
their “mid rise” to be YOUR mid rise! Know
your number and you'll be ahead of the game
when it comes to shopping!
I've done a LOT of research on jeans. I've talked with experts and
read as many style books as I could find on this topic, which was
actually overwhelming. I certainly don't want to do that to you!
So, I'm breaking it all down for you, step by step.

Not only are you going to learn how to choose stylish, modern
jeans, I'm going to teach you how to find jeans that fit your
unique body shape.

Understanding your body shape can help you to dress it

better. Every woman has flaws she might want to hide.
I want to help you bring out your assets and
hide your challenge areas!

The ultimate goal is to make your body appear balanced. Inside

this guide, I'll offer tips to help you attain that visual.
You might have a combination of two body shape. Either way,
this guide will provide you with a variety of tips for dressing your
body.
 This is how you know YOUR body shape...

When a woman gains weight,

she tends to gain in one of these areas:
BELLY
BUST
BEHIND

The area in which you gain weight determines your

body type assignment:

Belly(b)
Overly Endowed Bust(O)
Derriere(d)
X-balanced(X)
YOUR BODY SHAPE:
b

If you are a "b", then

your challenge area is
your belly. You may
wish that you had a
little more junk in your
trunk, but hey, it's not
the end of the world.
There are many women
out there who would
trade their shape for
yours!
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Let's cover your fluff

The most important thing to
understand when shopping for your
body is to cover your fluff. Low-rise
will not work for you. Find jeans that
cover your midsection so your muffin
top is not falling over the edges of
the waistband. I'm sure you'll agree
when I say it's not a pretty sight, nor
is it comfortable. Look for jeans that
have pockets or decorations on the
backside. Those with flaps and
buttons are even better as this will
make your bottom appear less flat.
Mid-rise is best for you. Try brands
with a little bit of Lycra as this helps
hold down some tummy movement -
you know, the stuff that jiggles.
Straight legs, relaxed fit, and bootcut
styles are good types to look for.
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Pockets for a "b"

Flap pockets with buttons
Pockets that are not too far apart
Pockets with decorations in a vertical or curvy design
Bottoms of pockets must hit right where your bottom
starts to curve under
SHOPPING
GUIDE FOR A "b"
Free Assembly Cuffed High Rise
01 Straight leg, 12" rise
28” regular, 31” tall inseam
Wal-Mart, $34

Chico’s Boot-Cut Jeggings

02 Bootcut
31" inseam
Chico's, $65

Judy Blue Flare

03 Flare, 10.5” rise
32” inseam
Multiple retailers (including boutiques), $82

NYDJ Marilyn
04 Straight, 9.75” rise
32” inseam
Multiple retailers, $99

Lysse Denim Trouser

05 Trouser, 11” rise
33” inseam
Multiple retailers, $108
 YOUR BODY SHAPE:
O

If you are an "o", then your challenge

area is your bustline. You may wish
you weren't so "upwardly blessed"
some days but it could always be
worse. In fact, the push-up bra is sold
by the millions each year to women
who wish they had what you have!
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Minimize your
lower and upper
midsection

As an "O" body type, look for jeans that will minimize your
lower and upper midsection. Because of your fuller upper
body, balance is key for you. Finding jeans that form a straight
line is important in achieving that balance. No skinny or wide-
leg jeans for you! Stay in between these two styles and stick
with a relaxed fit and bootcut. Mid-rise should be your rise of
choice. Stay away from high-rise as the waist will hit too high
on your "O" body shape. Jeans that have at least 4% Lycra will
help flatten your midsection. Consider wearing a tummy
shaper or camisole shaper when wearing most of your
clothes; this will help you to achieve a slimmer line.
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Pockets for an "O"

Flap pockets with buttons
Pockets that are not too far apart
Pockets with decorations in a vertical or curvy design
Bottoms of pockets must hit right where your bottom
starts to curve under
SHOPPING
GUIDE FOR AN "O"
Free Assembly Cuffed High Rise
01 Straight leg, 12" rise
28” regular, 31” tall inseam
Wal-Mart, $34

Charter Club Lexington Tummy Control

02 Straight leg, 10.5" rise
29” short, 31” regular, 33” tall inseam
Macy’s, $40

JAG Paley Bootcut

03 Bootcut, 9.75” rise
33” inseam
Multiple retailers, $69

Express High Waisted Straight Ankle

04 Straight
24” short, 27” regular, 29” long
Express, $88

NYDJ Barbara
05 Bootcut, 9.75” rise
33”
Multiple retailers, $99
 YOUR BODY SHAPE:
d

If you are a "d", then your challenge

areas are your hips and thighs. It might
be hard to find pieces that fit both
your legs and your waist but there are
lots of women who would love to have
a little junk in their trunk!
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Find a pair of jeans

that fit your hips,
thighs and waist

Stay away from jeans that hug your hips and thighs, as
this will bring attention to the area you are trying to
minimize. Look for jeans that have a relaxed fit so they
don't cling to your bottom half, but will instead balance
this part of your body. Stay away from decorative
pockets and pockets with flaps; these will make your
rear look bigger. The plainer the pocket, the better. If
your pocket does have a decoration, make sure it isn't a
horizontal line or embellishment, but one that is more
curvy or vertical in shape. Low-rise works wonders for
you because you don't have to worry about it fitting.
your waist. High-rise shows off your small waist. Jeans
with a slight flare at the bottom will balance your body
nicely. A pro styling tip: Wear shoulder pads in your tops
to help create a more balanced figure.
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Pockets for a "d"

Large pockets will make your booty look smaller
No flaps or buttons
Small designs on mid-sized pockets
Choose pockets that are proportionally sized and
spaced on your bottom; simple designs on pockets are
best
SHOPPING
GUIDE FOR A "d"
Cato High Rise Bootcut
01 Bootcut
32.75” inseam
Cato Fashions, $28

Body Bleu Chelsea High Rise Stretch

02 Straight, 10.5”front rise, 15.75 ” back rise
28” short, 32” regular inseam
Multiple Retailers, $59

Democracy Blue Denim "Ab"solution

03 Itty Bitty Boot Jeans
Bootcut, 9” rise
32” inseam
Multiple retailers (inc. boutiques), $66

04
Judy Blue Relaxed Bootcut
Relaxed Bootcut, 10.5” rise
32.5” inseam
Multiple retailers (including boutiques), $80

NYDJ Teresa Wide Leg

05 Wide Leg, 9.75” rise
33” inseam
Multiple retailers, $119
 YOUR BODY SHAPE:
X

If you are an "X", then you are

considered to have the perfect
body shape. If you gain weight,
you probably tend to gain it over
your body equally. You're the girl
who can wear loose & flowy tops
over skinny bottoms like leggings!
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE

Buy jeans that

flatter your
balanced body.

You have a balanced body. But, since you may gain

a little extra in the tummy every now and then, keep
in mind you might want to wear a shaper to
camouflage this area. Flare legs look great on most
body types, but then again, you can get away with
wearing most any leg style, from skinny to wide leg.
All rises work for you, so you might want to try on a
few of each to see what works best. To make life
easier, stick with the choices listed in your shopping
guide.
 TIPS FOR
CREATING BALANCE
Pockets for a "X"
Pockets should be proportionate to your shape and size
Mid-sized designs on mid-size pockets work well
Keep in mind the line of the design on the pocket and
where it leads your eye...in, out, up or down. If your
bottom tends to be a little wider, keep the design
traveling inward, not outward. Vertical designs work
nicely.
Bottoms of pockets should hit right where your bottom
starts to curve under
SHOPPING
GUIDE FOR AN "X"
Old Navy Mid-Rise Kicker
01 Bootcut, 8”-8.5” rise
30” petite, 32” regular, 36” tall
Old Navy, $40

Levi 726 Highrise Bootcut

02 Bootcut, 10” rise
31” inseam
Multiple retailers, $69

JAG Stella High Rise Straight

03 Straight, 11.25” rise
30” inseam
Multiple retailers (including boutiques), $78

Judy Blue Slim Bootcut

04 Slim Bootcut, 10.5” rise
32.5” inseam
Multiple retailers (including boutiques), $80

Kut from the Kloth Ana

05 Flare, 11” rise
33” inseam
Multiple retailers (including boutiques), $98
 Empowering you to understand your body
shape and dress it to look spectacular is just
part of what we do at Style by Color

If you've never discovered the colors that look

best on you, you'll want to take this FREE quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ!

Shari Braendel
CEO & Founder, Style by Color
Author, style editor, speaker, educator, and
professional image consultant, Shari's now turned
her passion for fashion into an easy-to-follow
system that anyone can use to unlock their style
potential and start enjoying how they look and
feel, like never before.