Found! the Best Jeans for Your Body

Jeans: They're in every closet, but finding the right pair — the one that makes us look slim and sexy — is often harder than choosing a bikini. Enter Shape's first-ever fashion workbook. Our goal this issue is to help you uncover the jeans that fit your body type and style. Shape staffers — women of every height and size — tried on almost 300 pairs from 50 different brands. Here, the results of our tugging, pulling and even doing a few deep knee bends.

THE 10 BEST STYLE STRATEGIES WE'VE EVER HEARD

Consider buying one size smaller. Jeans can stretch 10 percent after moderate wear, so when trying them on, be sure they hug your body.
Buy two pairs. If you find a style you love, buy one and have it hemmed to wear with flats and keep the other long to wear with heels.
Choose a zipper over a button fly. It gives a cleaner, smoother look — no bunching.
Bring your favorite belt along when you shop. If you want to wear one, make sure the jean loops fit.
Wash and dry your jeans before any alterations. This will ensure that shrinkage is accounted for.
Keep the original hem. It may cost more, but for a seamless finish, request that the original hem be put hack on.
Always wash in cold water. Warm water can cause shrinkage. (Turn them inside out to prevent fading.)
Skip fabric softener. It can break down the dye, leading to color loss.
Air-dry your jeans. Heat can shrink the fabric.
Dry-clean dressy jeans. This will keep the rinse darker and fresher-looking.

SHAPE tested
TALL, THIN OR CURVY: THE SEARCH IS OVER!

Yes! There's a pair of jeans out there you can feel great in. The ones below are staff favorites. The fit was fabulous — and had us admiring each other's butts the entire day.

Not Your Average Blue Jeans

JEANS NOW COME IN MANY DIFFERENT HUES. SOME POPULAR ONES THIS FALL:

WHITE Goldsign "Envy" straight leg ($196; http://shopoop.com/)

FADED BLACK Sass & Bide "Frayed Misfits" jeans ($231; http://shopbop.com/)

VINTAGE Miss Sixty "J-Lot" trouser ($229; 212-375-0315 for stores)

CLASSIC Citizens of Hamanity "Paye" in Pacific ($154; http://bloomingdales.com/ for stores)

DARK WASH 7 For All Mankind "Flynt" in Manhattan ($187; http://bloomirigdales.com/ for stores)

SUPER DARK Jordache "Falcon Crest" skinny jean ($145; at Lord & Taylor stores)

JET Siwy Denim "Hannah" slim-crop ($194; at Nordstrom, 888-282-6060 for stores)

SHAPE STYLE RULE

Jeans are such a staple that when you find the perfect pair, buy two.

THREE PAIRS, THREE WAYS

Sure, you can throw on any old tee and a pair of worn sneakers, but here's how to really look stylish in your jeans.

At the Office

Always opt for trouser jeans; they have a wider waistband and a fuller-cut leg with a crease, which makes them look more polished.

BCBGirls jacket ($116; http://bcbgirls.com/); Vera Wang Cami ($92; 800-280-1820); CK39 Jeans ($195; http://bloomingdales.com/), Charles Tyrwhitt leather bag ($295; http://ctshirts.com/); daniblack slingbacks ($130; http://srtoes.com/).

On Weekends

The cuffed look works best; we like it preppy with a waist-fitting sweater. Or opt for faded jeans, which are a more casual and relaxed option.

Bebe cashmere sweater ($119; http://bebe.com/); J. Crew Cuffed Jean ($85; http://jcrew.com/); Hayden-Harnett leather hobo ($550; http://haydenharnett.com/. Keds "Champion" sneaker ($40; http://keds.com/).

For an Evening Out

Choose a darker wash and a tapered leg; the skinny jean is more body-hugging — and downright sexy with a pair of heels and a blousy top.

Searle chiffon blouse ($298; http://searlenyc.com/): Earnest Sewn cigarette-leg jean ($198; http://shopbop.com/); Escada lace clutch ($750; http://escada.com/); Stuart Weitzman satin heels ($250; 310-860-9600).

Label Lingo: TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN SHOPPING FOR JEANS.

RISE 1

The distance between the crotch and the waistband.

WHISKERING 2

Fake distressing that creates a broken-in appearance.

INSEAM 3

The length of the inside seam of the pant leg from crotch to hem.

WASH 4

The color of the jeans.

BOOTCUT 5

A cut that's fitted at the top. but widens from the knee down.

J. Brand 818 jeans in Ink ($760; http://neiman.marcus.com/)

By: Kramer, Kathy Miller, Shape, Sep2006