Just when I was hoping the skinny jean trend had run its course, it led to even more revealing jeggings and leggings. But no matter, we already know to skip trends that don’t work in favor of fit and style. Fortunately, at the same time there has been a rise in brands catering to us ladies with curves. These shapes not only accommodate but flatter sexy booties, generous hips and thighs, and a tummy.
Of course, the best jeans don’t always come cheap. High quality tailoring, fabrics, and the confidence that comes with a great fit are worth it. Just think about how often you wear jeans, 2-3 times a week per minimum. If you calculate price per wear over the 2-4 year lifespan of jeans, its a lot cheaper than most items in your closet. So invest in some jeans that make you feel fabulous and bootylicious! That being said, many of the curvy jeans recommended here are well under $100.
There are a few things that make jeans work. Pants must fit in the waist, crotch, bum, and leg. These are non-negotiable, especially the crotch! If there is an bunching, bulging, or creasing, put them down (this holds true for leggings too). The tight across the calves skinny legs are great for wearing with tall boots or flats but can also feel a bit revealing. Boot cuts can be popular depending on where you live but the fit and flare from the knee down has a dated silhouette. A straight leg is the most flattering, modern, and can be formal or professional in a dark wash or black worn with heels.
We can’t talk about figure flattering jeans without talking about the muffin tops. The skinny trend has gone hand in hand with lower waistbands, giving innocent girls plumber crack and the rest of us mega spill over. Or in the other direction, many jeans in larger sizes tend to gap at the waist, showing designers ignorance basic body shapes. Curvy jeans for hourglass figures will have a mid-rise waist that covers the hips without going too high into that flattering-for-no-one territory. The waist should sit just below the belly button or lower, never higher! For apple shapes, low rise jeans may be a good fit with the right top.
Here are the companies that make the best curvy jeans:
Levis Curve ID
For me, Levis has been the one store I can walk into knowing I will come out with a pair of jeans with a fit I love that doesn’t break the bank. They literally invented jeans and were the first to create custom fits for different body shapes. Degrees of curve are Demi, Slight, Bold, and Supreme.
All these come in super skinny, but again I prefer a straight leg to balance out my thighs. I have been living in my Modern Rise Bold Curve Straight Jeans in Extra Shade and should really go get them in black too.
They do that stretch/shrink thing so they should be too tight in the dressing room and will be too loose after a week. They shrink with just a cold wash and air dry and I wouldn’t risk putting them in the dryer.
Eddie Bauer Jeans by Fit
With four shapes, Truly Straight, Slightly Curvy, Curvy, and Boyfriend, there’s one for every body. The curvy fits are made for hourglass figures while the straight and boyfriend suit apples with great legs.
For a goes-with-everything pant, try the Curvy Natural Boot Cut Jeans. Contrary to the name, the cut is quite straight from the hip down to visually balance out the natural curve of hips, resulting in a perfectly proportioned silhouette.
A whopping 807 reviewers rate this jean an almost 4 out of 5 stars. It’s also available in petite and tall to get that leg just right. Why is it that hemmed jeans never look as good as the original cuff? Get them fast because some sizes are already out of stock. At $59.95, these are a need not a want!
Ann Taylor Loft Curvy Fit
For a classic or preppy fit, Ann Taylor Loft is a great brand for work and play. The Curvy Beyond The 5 Pocket Jeans in Dark Rinse Wash are just $79.50. They have the What Not to Wear-approved trouser leg in a versatile dark blue wash.
Ann Taylor also has some great ankle-length and capri cuts that are perfect for spring and summer with a cute pair of shoes.
Old Navy Flirt, Sweetheart and Dreamer Jeans
As always, Old Navy is an excellent resource for budget-friendly clothes for the full-figured woman. Their Sweetheart fit is for curvy figures, the Flirt line for “semi-curves,” and the Dreamer “trims all”.
The classic choice is the bootcut in dark wash, which received 2105 reviews for 4 out of 5 stars. Or express yourself with white or bright skinnies,
Lucky Jeans
This iconic jeans brand is still going strong with 3 curvy fits, from slight to plus size. Their Ginger Skinny is one even I would wear, with ultra flattering proportions that look so much hotter than stick legs. They’re on sale now for 30% off!
Or check out their Curvy fit for skinny, straight, boot cut, boyfriend, and capris.