Jeans for a (female) athletic figure ?

floyd

I had the same problem until I went shopping with a girl from work a month ago. She is a big fan of Dorothy Perkins and I had always given it a wide berth because I thought it was frumpy and floral. I bought a pair of their Super Skinny black jeans which come in short, regular and long and they are fantastic. They are £25 a pair and have a decent amount of stretch in so they fit really closely at the ankle and stretch over my thighs. I am tall and have a comparatively small waist but big thighs (I mountainbike) and they fit me perfectly.

Going up a few sizes doesn't solve the problem for me, I end up with a waistband that is 4 inches too big and a big baggy bum-pouch where its not filled Next, River Island and H&M are terrible for me as they are never long enough and they all shrink even in a 40 wash

ailuro2

Have you thought about buying a pair of jeans then getting them taken in at the waist by a seamstress?

It wouldn't cost much, and they'd be able to make it look better than just doing it yourself on a sewing machine - and definitely cheaper than tailor made ones. I'd go so far as to suggest getting two pairs - if you buy Wranglers / Levis then the same size/brand is available for a long time, so you could just get a "repeat prescription" as it were.;)

I always end up in M&S for jeans, because they offer a good range without being over the top for price, but they do change on a regular basis so I never end up with the same pair twice, which isn't always a good thing!

jenniewb

ailuro2 wrote: »

Have you thought about buying a pair of jeans then getting them taken in at the waist by a seamstress?

It wouldn't cost much, and they'd be able to make it look better than just doing it yourself on a sewing machine - and definitely cheaper than tailor made ones. I'd go so far as to suggest getting two pairs - if you buy Wranglers / Levis then the same size/brand is available for a long time, so you could just get a "repeat prescription" as it were.;)

I always end up in M&S for jeans, because they offer a good range without being over the top for price, but they do change on a regular basis so I never end up with the same pair twice, which isn't always a good thing!

Thanks, this is a good suggestion, however it works slightly differently for jeans as they tend to be styled and then dyed (I studied fashion-textiles at uni!) so any adjustments are easy to spot, may be do able on some types such as black lycra based skinnies where they are not indigo dyed (special type of dyeing which gives jeans their denim colour and ability to fade to white) and then also you have to take into account the method jeans are made which means finding a special seamstress which is not so easy and can add up. I have not found one and have asked around a few places: you can find a seamstress in most dry cleaners but if your after one which works with jeans and takes the way they are styled into account its not so easy, when you say you "want the seams to look similar" many refuse as they do not know how, it is possible but just expensive.

I did hear from a magazine that J-Brand jeans are supposed to be easier on the thigh- didn't mention the calf and am wondering if anyone has seen these on any TK Maxx type site or store anywhere? they retail at around £200!!! Which even if they do look great is a bit of a joke IMHO! However maybe another type to try if they ever do become....affordable!

So next week I will be looking at straight legs from Replay, Levis (am not so sure if they do straight leg 'curvy' jeans though!) Dorothy Perkins, Red Herring and Next.

jamsandwhich

JC9297 wrote: »

Surely you just need to go up a couple of sizes if you can't get them past your thighs?

No because then they are flares around the ankles with a baggy waist and not skinny fit - sort of defeats the objective really!!

jamsandwhich

jenniewb wrote: »

The surfer type jeans (what I would call 'boyfriend jeans') are what I had been previously living in, Replay, River Island, and the best of TK Maxx but haven't worn them in years, they just don't work for me style wise anymore, am looking for straight leg or even (if its possible) skinny leg but no longer the baggy fit. But thanks for the suggestion

Yeah know what you mean, I think I am just too lazy to care - I hate the whole going in and out of changing rooms taking jeans off and on only to find none fit.

floyd wrote: »

I had the same problem until I went shopping with a girl from work a month ago. She is a big fan of Dorothy Perkins and I had always given it a wide berth because I thought it was frumpy and floral. I bought a pair of their Super Skinny black jeans which come in short, regular and long and they are fantastic. They are £25 a pair and have a decent amount of stretch in so they fit really closely at the ankle and stretch over my thighs. I am tall and have a comparatively small waist but big thighs (I mountainbike) and they fit me perfectly.

Going up a few sizes doesn't solve the problem for me, I end up with a waistband that is 4 inches too big and a big baggy bum-pouch where its not filled Next, River Island and H&M are terrible for me as they are never long enough and they all shrink even in a 40 wash

Thank for that - think I will give DP a try - tbh I thought the same as you, used to like DP but it went a bit off stylewise for me.

The best pair of skinnies I had were from Primark, small amount of stretch but never went baggy anywhere and the whole shape was perfect. I did geta couple of pairs but then the style changed slightly and they no longer fitted properly.

I also do mountain biking but did Gymnsatics and Trampolining in my younger days which has given me my big legs - I also do swimming too so have broad shoulders - at least I am just solid though and not too wobbly:D

jenniewb

Glad to know I'm not alone! Glad thread is also helping other people too! Not made it as far as a store yet (no free time when I need it!!) but will update when I do.