Denim Shopping

Without a doubt I know for many of you reading this, denim shopping comes with a shudder, a dread and an ultimate fear of failure, as lets face it, its never fun to shop for, and that's for anyone!

Things that go against us when shopping for new jeans:

• The changing room lighting

• The changing rooms full stop!

• Lack of store help (unless you have booked me)

• Size inconsistency across stores

• Size inconsistency within a store

• Overwhelming amount of fits, styles and washes - where to even start?

So, ensure not to immediately blame yourself and your body if the shop isn't going to plan as these are just some of the reasons that make it so frustrating for so many. I know the changing room atmosphere and lack of help means the thought of ordering online and trying on at home is more appealing, however, its the size inconsistency which can make being in store and having access to the other sizes a positive!

If however we are realistic to how challenging shopping for jeans can be and that it's never just a "pop to the shops to quickly get some new jeans" activity then hopefully we can erase some of that worry. Instead we need to embrace the fact its going to involve a lot of frogs before finding the prince and prepare ourselves better...top tips being:

• Set aside time for some valuable shopping and trying on - make a date!

• Take a friend...or me who will be a good stylist friend!

• Wear comfortable underwear - I always suggest big knickers!

• Wear a simple top, like a white tee to avoid anything distracting from the jeans

• Take shoes, your most worn shoes, trainers, flats, heels, to try with the jeans.

• Take water, its gonna be hot and exhausting work (I'm keeping it real)

• Take inspirational images of jean shapes you like on people similar to your build

• Start at a shop with a good denim offering to ensure choices of sizes, M&S have a huge denim destination area in their big stores so its all in one place! No distractions!

Hopefully, this will start you off with the right mindset for denim shopping and the knowledge that disappointment is not down to you, but many other factors! In the meantime I have focused on some key and new denim shapes on the market now and my store faves to begin taking that overwhelm away and perhaps make you try something you haven't before! Let me know how you get on.

Ankle Grazer Jean

An ankle grazer jean is so versatile it is a style of jean everyone should have in their wardrobe. The reason it is so versatile is the fact so many types of footwear can go with this style as it isn't intended to hit the floor with its length. Based on this I would always suggest going for a mid blue wash so it can work both in a casual manner and smart manner. It is a style of jean that will work with boots in the winter as long as they sit just under the hem of the jean and then work well with flat sandals, heeled sandals, trainers, wedges and high courts! All round winner! I have popped some favourites below and have to stress I tried the Per Una Straight Ankle Grazer jeans on and was really impressed and loved that it was mid rise as opposed to high rise! The stock levels are a bit up and down but set it to "notify me" to get in quick when it restocks!

1. Per Una, Ankle Grazer, £39.50

2. H&M, Slim Straight Ankle Grazer, £27.99

3. Whistles, Slim Ankle Grazer, £75.00 (sale)

4. Mango, Sienna Cropped Jean, £29.99

Boyfriend Fit Jeans

These are a more relaxed version of the ankle grazer above. It is another jean that stops at the ankle and isn't intended to hit the floor so once again is really versatile with a number of footwear styles. These jeans are just great for everyday wear as the relaxed styling makes them super comfortable but you are going to feel more put together in these jeans than a pair of trackie bums! Here's some of my faves for you to browse! Just to note the Next options have those amazing in between sizes, so size 9, 11, 13 etc!

1. M&S, Boyfriend Fit Jeans, £39.50

2. Hush, Borfriend Fit Jeans, £85.00

3. Next, Boyfriend Fit Jeans, £32.00

4. Boden, Relaxed Boyfriend Fit, £90.00

Palazzo Jeans

Still proving popular are the palazzo jeans and they really are a move away from those skinnies ladies! If you find a pair that fit well then you can feel very swishy when wearing them and they are great for so many shapes! They have proved popular with clients who have a curvy bottom or bigger hips in proportion to their waist as they fit to your waist and then glide past the hips and widen from that point on allowing a lovely amount of room for hips and thighs! The M&S palazzo are a favourite of mine and they have recently added a fourth colourway in the light grey as well as adding some cotton twill trousers in this palazzo style. There are lots more available on the high street too so here's some options to look at if you fancy giving them a try! I have picked brands with various leg lengths to try as the length is key to get right here! Take your shoes when trying these in shops.

1. M&S, Palazzo Jeans, £45.00

2. River Island, Palazzo Jeans, £48.00

3. Zara, Palazzo Jeans, £29.99

4. Next, Palazzo jeans, £48.00

Flared Jeans

This is a style of jean I am loving now after seeing it all over the Chloe catwalk again for SS25! They are all things boho and 70s and a perfect style that I do think are best worn with heels but flats can work or maybe better a kitten heel as a good compromise! There is a difference between a boot cut and a flare jean and although very slight can make such a difference with the fit as a boot cut is a little more 90s! A boot cut is more of a kick out flare well below the knee but with a flare the style should be fitted on the knee and flare from underneath the knee. Here are some I am enjoying right now!

1. M&S, Flare Jean, £45.00

2. River Island, Flared Jeans, £52.00

3. ME+EM, Flared Jeans, £175.00

4. Hush, Flared jeans, £90.00

Wide Jeans

If the palazzos are a little daunting but you do want to try something a bit wider then a slim or straight fit then these will be a good option. The key here is the fabric being quite lightweight so it isn't heavy and stiff otherwise they tend to stick out really ridged either side of your legs! Length is key again as you want the hem to hit just above the floor at your back heel when your shoes are on so you need to work out whether you want to team them with a kitten heel or flat. I'd recommend a flat, either a trainer or a chunky sandal as we head into Spring. Here are some I love right now. The M&S ones are a bit low on stock but get that notification set!

1. M&S, Wide Fit Jean, £39.50

2. ME+EM, Wide Relaxed Fit, £175.00

3. H&M, Wide Fit Jeans, £27.99

4. Abercrombie & Fitch, Wide Fit, £75.00

Barrel Jeans

They are the marmite jean of the season!!! I had to include them! It has taken a while for myself to decide whether I like them or not and with all jeans it's finding the version you like and are comfortable in. They are so good for a women's body as they work with your shape and not against it. You have to ensure the tops you wear are either short enough to hit the waist, you are happy to tuck or keep the top a bit more fitted, this is simply to balance the width on your bottom half and ensuring to show off the waist. I have some from Primark that I found on Vinted and I like them as they are the barrel shape without being too exaggerated. Here are some options to consider if you fancy dipping your toe into a barrel fit. I started with Whistles as this has been their best seller for seasons before it became quite on trend!

1. Whistles, Barrel Fit, £95.00

2. River Island, Barrel Jeans, £45.00

3. Hush, Barrel Jeans, £90.00

4. Mint Velvet, Barrel Jeans, £99.00

Of course there are still many more fits I could cover but lets start with these for now as there are a couple of commercial easy to wear jeans for your wardrobe but also some new styles and shapes to perhaps consider too! Be brave, try a new brand, try a new fit and let me know how you get on. If you fancy a personal shop purely dedicated to denim I would love to do this with you too! I can always help everyone find their perfect fit!