Let's talk Jeans. Are you a Pear too?

Just as many women, I am constantly looking for a perfect pair of jeans. Since I was in them most of the time, I had to find one that works, without me having to go hunt for another lest I bought the wrong one.
Took me a while before I finally accept my body type. Not that I was in denial, but the body changes. Be it lifestyle or age, the body reacts to how we eat and what we do.
I knew I could never be a size zero.
I am 5'8 for crying out loud, any size smaller than a UK10 would be anorexic. And I love my food too much to be one. Though I was at one point bulimic, but being conscious of what you are doing wrong can help to take you out of that situation, with commendable effort of course (by that I meant almost 7 years struggle). Anything that is psychological cannot be dealt with easily. Just keep in mind acknowledging the truth can be liberating.

Armani Jeans-
highwaist, slim long boot leg
Great for hiding tummies &
find the waist that you never
thought you had.

It does not help that I was involved in martial arts, liked sprinting and went to gym to make sure my legs are kept strong in my younger years. Building muscles was flattering when it was at its best, but as time goes, when I stop going to the gym the muscles just become mass.

Possibly the perfect pair for pears.
Dark indigo blue with minimal details.
Lee Jeans

With my muscles, I was more of an hourglass with strong legs.
And in the 80s, the in thing to own for jeans was the Levi's 501s. When they fit my legs they are loose on the hips, vice versa. And there was no stretch to Levi's then. So I wore my jeans loose and low on the hips, even though the rise (crotch to waistband) was high. So there was lots of fabric and unsightly ruching which makes me look like I have got extra something in front lol Not to mention I felt rather clumsy, much less sexy.


22 years after, I try to keep active to keep the tone but walking the dog or doing chores around the house is not going to bring my old physique back and I have to come to terms that now, I am a proper pear. Through trial and error I have attained denim nirvana and I would like to share that experience with you.

Lightwash at the hip area takes the eyes
to the problem area. AVOID.

Generally, pears have a smaller than average bust size, a well-defined waist, exaggerated hips, and a full rounded bottom. It is often difficult to purchase an outfit straight off the rack to fit this body type. If the bottom piece fits, the top is often way too big. On the flip side, if the top fits properly then the bottoms are generally far too tight. The only difference between me and a generic pear is I am a busty pear, so to take the attention off the hips I wear top in a lighter colour or wear a pair of oversized sunglasses (yes it works!); and get a pair of jeans for my body type in a dark shade.

Stretch denim is indeed a life-changing. With that extra pull, you can cinch in the extra bits and tuck it all in without having to catch your breath every few seconds. I tried jeans from all brands. The first was 7 for All Mankind, bought some 8 years ago.

Lee Rinse Jeans - Indigo dark blue
with washed knees; thins & lengthens
legs visually. Good option for
fashionable ladies

They were bootcut; mid rise, which means they fall between the belly button and crotch; and were in mid wash, darker from under the bum and lighter wash at the hip. The picture is the closest I can find to show you what I bought and how it looks when worn.

EVERYTING a Pear
should avoid. This by
Destroy.

Those in the know will tell you that 7 for All Mankind is designer jeans as they are worn by many well known actors and artistes. I was never one who bought into hype so I did not buy them because the brand was endorsed by celebs but more for the promise that it will make the derriere look perky. Good news for all pears really, I thought. At the time I bought them, they did cost me an arm I must say but it did a lot for my confidence. I did not just walk in those jeans, I literally swagger.

It fitted me in the area that I felt need 'holding in' and it felt so good. Of course there were people who see the red label on my rear pocket and cooed about them, but nothing beat that feeling I felt inside. But truth (came from an acquaintance in a party, who became a dear social friend after. I appreciate how upfront she was with what she saw, our friendship begun) was, people noticed that I have wide hips but never told me. 

Fancy. But a no for  Pear.

Light denim - a Pear no no.
This by South.

Pear Ladies should steer well away from light denim, or denim with details around the hips; be it studs or wash, it brings unwanted attention to the exact problem area. So, much as the 7 for All Mankind jeans did alot for my confidence, at the same time it made me realise my mistake. But because it cost so much I kept it for another 3 years more while I went on hunting for another pair of jeans to take it's place.

I am not partial to buying cheap jeans. But I wanted to invest in something I can use for years to come. I had the impression that cheap jeans may wear out and I would have to hunt for another. So I wanted something that has a label on them. However, as I was experimenting, I decided that the jeans from high street may be the answer to finding out what exactly suits me. So I went on a denim rampage and bought over 20 pairs of jeans in just a month; in different wash and different cuts.

Horizontal details are not for Pears.

Through over more than 30 pairs of jeans after, I came to realise there are 2 cuts that suit me, and remain so in my denim bible till now. I have included some pictures so you know what to look for visually. But always try them on if you are in the shops. Different brands boast different cuts so we will never really know till it is on our bodies. Bear in mind, I am not promoting any particular brand, but using them as reference.

The first is softly flared or boot cut jeans for a long, lean look. Look for the words 'slim' or opt for longer leg lengths. Leg hem that end at ankles can make you appear shorter, especially for bootcut.

If you favour low rise, make sure it fits properly and it can give a longer torso when worn with plain tshirt or white shirt, tucked in.

I tend to look for mid rise, which is especially useful during 'fat' days, when I feel bloated and heavy. Everything is held in from the belly button and I also don't need to keep pull the jeans up every time I get up from a chair or bend over to pick something up on the floor.

Avoid anything that is too tight as they will likely result in an ugly muffin top effect.

Avoid extra pockets or accents on the rear pockets, they will only highlight the negative. 

Avoid pleating of any kind.

Avoid horizontal detailing, particularly in the hip area, front nor back. 

Avoid embellishment on the whole.

Choose dark shades of denim in stretch fabrics that fit well.

Personally I got many of my jeans from NEXT, opting for XL (which means extra long, for tall women) which really flatters when worn with boots or heels.

Straight jeans on a curvy body.

The other cut that is great for Pears is Straight.
I got a fabulous pair from Gap. They skims through high to knee and falls straight to ankle, my chunky thighs is well hidden and because it goes straight, it gives illusion of long slim legs. I like that I can cuff the hems and wear with shoe or ankle boots and flat shoes, or leave the hems down with boots. With bootcuts, you cannot cuff the hems in a neat fashion. I would suggest getting them long leg to achieve the look. Anything that ends at the ankles, limits the kind of shoes you can wear (see Lee Straight Jeans).

Lee Straight Jeans

Gap Straight Jeans, cuffed. Perfect pair for me.

My Gap straight jeans comes mid rise; dark wash with minimal detail. I also bought a pair from Sainsbury's TU (super cheap but what a great find!), in the same wash and detail, but the rise goes high, which is great when my tummy is bloated and need tucking in. As the look is more streamlined, it looks best with slim top, and broad shoulder detailing to balance up. I wear my straight with fitted t-shirts with jackets and waist coats.

True Religion Straight Jeans

 The key words to look for on the tag is again, slim. Loose straight, as in Boyfriend jeans can makes us look shorter and even more bottom heavy. I would avoid at all costs, in fact I do not even own a pair as I know I would not wear them even on fat days.

I have a few favourite sites for jeans; check them out if you are too hunting for the right pair for your Pear. Personally I love GAP and Next, but I found a great pair of Vila Jeans on Asos site (great service and fab variety for all sorts). New Look sometimes has a good collection in her Tall range. But if you have yet to find the right fit, I strongly suggest going to the shops to try them out.

I am happy to say that I have hung on to the same pairs of jeans since I bought them and has not since felt the need to shop for more; till perhaps I wear them out which will be couple of years more.
Once you come to terms about your body type and get your size sorted, you realise the less need to shop. Nothing beats the satisfaction and contentment of knowing that you are spending wisely.