Okay ladies, I’m sure you can agree: one of the hardest items of clothing for us to find is a good pair of jeans. Notice the emphasis on good?

Not too long ago, I spent hours (and yes, I do mean hours) trying to find a decent pair of jeans that didn’t involve the words ultra low rise or skinny-stretch fit. I mean hello! I’m a 35-year-old WOMAN who prefers not to have her extremities visible to outside parties. Is making a jean that covers and flatters at the same time too much to ask?

Well, it turns out, the jeans are out there. I just had to learn a few things along the way…

• Know your shape: I’d go into stores and look at the jean on the mannequin and think ooo, I like those. Only they didn’t look so great on me.  I’d think to myself but they looked good on the plastic lady in the window. {I’m sad, yes I know}  Knowing your body’s shape upfront will save you from headaches and let downs in the long run.
• Know your size: I’m not a size 4. There, I said it. I was once upon a time, now I’m not. See? The world didn’t end. If you want to look jean-sational, start by being honest about your size.
• Know your taste: we all have a tendency to want the latest that fashion has to offer. But at some point, we have to stop and ask ourselves if the style really suits us. I mean, no offense, but I stop wearing the skinny leg jean back in the ’80′s and I’d prefer to keep it that way. 
• Know your trade off: I’m a bargain shopper. I love finding the best deals around town. But my search for a jean-sational look taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes, I’m just going to have to pay a little extra for a better fit. The best pair of jeans I own cost me about $10-$15 more than I’d ordinarily pay for jeans (and that was the sale price). Now, that may not seem like a great deal, but when you’re on a budget it can add up.
• Know where to go: the funkiest pair of jeans I ever bought, I found in a thrift store. The jeans had silver gems, rhinestones and white lace on all the pockets and the waist line. It was a steal at $7. But my all time favorite-fit jean is the Levi Curvy jean. Like some of you, I have a bit of “junk in my trunk” and the Curvy jean works to accentuate this asset and not detract from it.

Now, it only takes me about an hour, sometimes less, to find a great pair of jeans. And that ladies, is well worth it.

Other great places to buy jeans:

Old Navy

Gap

Victoria Secret Catalog