Finding the perfect pair of jeans can be a surprisingly complicated exercise. There’s the waist that fits but the hips that don’t, the length that looks great in the fitting room but doesn’t quite work with your favourite shoes, and the ongoing question of whether you actually like the jeans or just how they look on someone else.
It’s a familiar dilemma, and one Levi’s put at the centre of an intimate brunch in Sandton on October 9. Bringing together media and tastemakers over bubbles and canapés, the brand used the occasion to explore its different denim silhouettes, with particular attention given to its Curvy fits.
Through a styling showcase led by content creators Paula Bee and Thandiwe Gama, guests were introduced to jeans designed for different proportions, from more fitted silhouettes to relaxed styles. The broader point was that finding your perfect pair isn’t necessarily about following the latest denim trend or squeezing into a particular size. It’s about understanding how different cuts sit on your body and, perhaps more importantly, how you actually want your jeans to fit.
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And while there’s no single pair that works for everyone, there are a few useful things to keep in mind before heading into the fitting room.
How to find your perfect pair of jeans
1. Start with your measurements, not your usual size
Before you automatically reach for the size you’ve been wearing for years, get out the measuring tape. Levi’s recommends measuring your waist at its narrowest point, your hips at their fullest and your thighs at their widest. These measurements are more useful than relying on a single number, particularly when comparing different denim cuts.
The brand’s size guide also includes inseam measurements, which brings us to another consideration: length.
2. Pay attention to the rise and length
A high-rise jean sits higher on the waist, while mid- and low-rise styles sit progressively lower. Where the waistband falls can make a substantial difference to the overall fit, particularly when paired with different tops.
Length matters just as much. An ankle-grazing straight leg, a cropped flare and a baggy jean pooling over your shoes create three very different looks. Levi’s measurement guide recommends measuring from the crotch down the inside leg to determine your inseam, then adjusting the length depending on the style you’re after.
3. If the waist gaps, try a curvy cut
If you’ve ever found jeans that fit perfectly over your hips and thighs but leave a noticeable gap at the back of the waistband, the problem might be the cut rather than the size.
Levi’s 501 Curve jeans, for example, are designed with a smaller waist-to-hip ratio and additional room through the seat and thighs. The idea is to accommodate fuller hips without having to size up and sacrifice the fit at the waist.
Another option is the brand’s Cinch collection, which features adjustable tabs at the back of the waistband, allowing you to bring in the waist without changing the relaxed fit through the hips and legs. It’s a particularly handy feature if you like your denim a little baggier but don’t want a waistband that stands away from your back.
4. Know what your denim is made of
Not all denim behaves the same way. Traditional rigid denim, generally made from 100% cotton, has a firmer feel, while stretch denim contains elastic fibres that allow the fabric to move more easily.
According to Levi’s product guide, stretch denim can be particularly useful in slimmer cuts, where flexibility makes a noticeable difference to comfort.
If you prefer a structured, vintage-inspired look, rigid denim might be more your style. If comfort and ease of movement are priorities, a little stretch could make all the difference.
5. Don’t buy jeans you can’t comfortably sit in
A pair might look fantastic when you’re standing in front of the fitting-room mirror, but that’s only half the test. Sit down, bend your knees and walk around.
Check whether the waistband digs in, whether the fabric pulls uncomfortably across your hips or thighs, and whether you’re constantly adjusting the jeans to keep them in place. A pair that looks good for 30 seconds isn’t necessarily one you’ll enjoy wearing all day.
6. Try the cut you think you can’t wear
Straight-leg, wide-leg, bootcut, slim and relaxed jeans all distribute volume differently. Levi’s fit guide explains the differences between these silhouettes, but there’s no substitute for trying them on.
And perhaps this is the most useful lesson from the brunch: don’t rule out a style simply because you’ve decided it isn’t for your body type. Sometimes the pair you’d never have picked off the rail turns out to be the one you wear most.
After all, the perfect jeans are the ones you actually want to put on again tomorrow.
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