The MVP: Denim, Pt. 2
First, if you didn’t read part 1 of this blog, do so first, here. Denim Stats…this is a prime example of when an accountant becomes a personal stylist. Ladies, numbers don’t lie. If you know what measures your body needs, it makes purchasing denim so much easier. Have you ever ordered 2 pairs of different jeans, both ‘high rise’ and in one pair you can see your belly button and the other is trying to eat your bra? I sure have. Not all retailers have the same interpretation of ‘high rise’ or ‘flare’ so knowing what fits your body best will set you up for success in the future. You will need a tape measure to get these figures like this one here.
Without further due, lets dive into what these ‘Denim Stats’ are:
Rise. In my personal opinion, this is THE most important figure to know for yourself. If your jeans are hitting you at the right spot on your waist, I think half the battle has been won. The perfect rise is right under the smallest part of your waist, usually somewhere a little above your belly button and below your bra. So how do you figure out what the most ideal rise for you is? Try on your favorite fitted jeans, regardless of style. The ones that sit at the most perfect spot on your waist. Take them off and button and zip them up, then measure (along the front) from the top of the jean to the crotch seam. Don’t have jeans that hit at the right spot? You can do this with a pair of shorts or pants too, just make sure they don’t hang in the crotch. Still don’t have that? With a pair of jeans on, measure from your belly button to the crotch of your pants. If you’d like your pants to fall above or below, add/subtract 0.5-2 inches from that figure based on your desired height. Most rises are between 9-12 inches.
Inseam. This stat is super important if you want to add a pair of flares to your wardrobe, or don’t want to have to tailor the length. Knowing what inseam you need will ensure they are not too long or short. This is the length of the pant. When wearing flares or a bootcut pant, you want the pant to hit about an inch above the ground when wearing shoes. Measure from the crotch of your pant along the inner seam to the cuff of the pant. If all you own are skinny jeans (which likely hit about ankle length) you may want to measure (while wearing jeans) from the crotch of your jeans to the ground and add inches to account for shoes (if necessary). If you’re aiming for a straight leg pair that you intend to wear with flats or sneakers, you obviously will not need to add anything to that figure.
Why is it important to know these numbers? When shopping online, often retailers provide the information in the details portion of the garment. Regardless of how much you like a pair, if the rise is too high/low for you, its an automatic rule out. Inseam can always be adjusted with tailoring if a pair is too long, but knowing your inseam can also help determine if you should purchase petite, tall or regular (if it is offered). Knowing these stats can save you a ton of time when shopping online and help to increase your success rate when trying on! Often these stats aren’t advertised if shopping in store, so if you don’t feel like trying on a bunch of pairs, bring your tape measure with you!
Below is an example of the description of a pair of denim from Nordstrom. I would pull these jeans for a client whose ideal rise was 11-12 inches. A client with a short torso who needed a 10 inch rise, these would be in the ‘eating my bra’ category. This particular pair is a straight leg denim, so it could easily be tailored or cut and left raw if the 32 inch inseam was too long. The leg opening is the measurement of the opening at the bottom. When trying on jeans, if you try on a pair with a leg opening larger than you are comfortable with, measure it and use it as a guide for future purchases. Back rise refers to how high they will come up in the back. This figure is helpful for women with a booty.
I hope this helps when shopping for denim! As always, if updating your wardrobe feels like a task you’re not up for, schedule a free consultation with me!
xo, Ashley
