My theory on the principle behind “mom jeans”:
high and/or small pockets make whatever is below or around them look bigger
(Christopher Hopkins recommends pocketless, but they kinda make me feel naked.)
I know lower pockets are supposedly a no-no for me, with my shorter legs, but I’d rather look like I have my legs look shorter than make my butt look bigger. Or wear high heels.
When buying jeans, what do you look for in back pockets? Besides money. 😉
Hi, all–
I recently received this pair of jeans as a gift:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/StretchBootcutJeans-68020_147153_59.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_68019
(They’d be too rich for my blood if they hadn’t come my way providentially! I buy almost all of my jeans at Salvation Army or T.J. Maxx.)
I have these in one of the darker washes, and the fit is very flattering–except for the somehow too-small pockets. I noticed the pockets’ size right away; I’ve been sort of hiking my tops down over them.
The jeans are definitely not “mom jeans” on me–I’m 5’9″ and a size 8/10–and the pockets are not placed high, but even so, I think the small size of the pockets makes the rear view less flattering. What do you all think?
No way!! Those are not mom jeans, Sheri. They look fab on the site… a good bootcut, not too baggy at top, mid-rise, not too tight on the bottom.. the pockets look fine too.
But it only looks great if you feel comfortable in them. If you don’t… it’ll show.
…. I think they look great.
More from me! So be honest… I had heard such good things about these jeans, that I broke down and bought a pair after I had the baby. I wear my shirts longer than that (uh huh!), and I don’t wear the jeans as tight (!). But…are they “mom jeans”?
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=158859&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results
I concur!
I’ve found some excellent jeans — “Essential” by GAP. They’re a little bit expensive (about $60) but are SO worth it. They fit me and they are cute! (not mom jeans)
Jody
I have always thought that was the problem w/ my MIL’s jeans. She has a fabulous figure – tall and skinny – but her jeans do her no favors! Actually my husband was the one that pointed it out to me – “Carrie, it’s the pockets!” Anyway, I’ve went shopping with her a few times and I’ve gently steered her towards different styles that don’t have the pockets but still would be comfortable for someone her age to wear. She fell in love with a stype from Gap that she looks so good in!
Oprah did a show a year or so back about finding your perfect pair of jeans and she had an expert that said pockets with details like buttons on them and what not made people who’s bums were a little bigger to start with look much bigger and were doing them no favors. So pockets do make a lot of difference!
Has anybuddy besides me noticed the seam on the rear of these jeans goes up and in? It is an uncomfortable look for people in the jeans or out of them in my opinion.
Looks like I’m going to the GAP for some essential jeans. I desperately need to replace my only pair…
lol thanks for this post. Jeans are really the most difficult to shop for. Why in the world do they sell jeans like this?
I love pockets with flaps because they make me look like I have more going on back there. 😉
Ughh! Point very well made!
It’s all about finding a pocket that’s not too high or small, but big enough to cover enough expanse of your butt, but not low which makes your butt look droopy and legs look short, and not too wide which makes your butt look wider.
Please! Watch out for rivets on pockets. They REALLY wreck the back of wood chairs.
I’m wearing trouser jeans with no back pockets. RIvets: also scratch painted chairs or benches, as do studded belts.
I have recently noticed that there are a lot of “custom” denim websites out there where you get to create your perfect jeans. They are super expensive, but if it were really as good as it sounds, I feel like it might be worth it. I don’t know – has anyone ever ordered custom jeans or known anyone who has? I am skeptical of anything I can’t try on, but I am very intrigued. I wonder if you can return them if you are dissatisfied?
Here are some sites that offer “custom” jeans…
http://www.makeyourownjeans.com
http://www.indidenim.com
http://mejeans.com
Hi Kate! It seems like I have had a couple of people leave comments saying they have tried those custom jeans – I’ll see if I can find their input. How well they end up fitting may depend on the individual figure challenge(s). 😉
Here’s what I found:
I’m extremely anal about how my clothing fit – it must fit perfectly.
I’m petite and heavy with big hips. I tried http://www.makeyourownjeans.com
I was skeptical about the chance that buying jeans online would be worth it. I pretty much expected that the quality would be bad.
However i was pleasantly surprised – They fit like a glove.
The denim is very soft and they are well stitched. The wash is unique and craftsmanship is impressive.
These jeans made me look slim and sexy!
Finally,I am rid of the dreaded “muffin top”! My husband thinks I lost 10 lbs!
I can’t count how much money I’ve spent on other jeans that didn’t fit right they would fit me in the waist but no where else or fit me everywhere but not in the waist.
Comment by Sarah Jones
Sarah, if you think you look fat in stretch jeans and you are size 2, just imagine how size 12 looks… stretch jeans are absolutely hideous. And worse, you can look at yourself in the mirror at home and think you are ok, but get in the sunlight and catch a glimpse! Every tiny bulge, ripple, roll shows as clearly as if you are naked. If the stretch jeans are tight enough you can even see your cellulite bumps on peoples butts and thighs. I am still on the constant lookout for the perfect jeans- the closest I have found are US Polo Association boot cuts in the rigid denim and now can’t find anymore of them. The custom jeans also left me disappointed – if anyone finds the old kind of great rigid denim jeans please help
Comment by Lenora
both in a post concerning rigid or stretch jeans