Plus Size Jeans - written by Andrea Morris

Tips for Buying the Perfect Pair of Plus Size Jeans

A little over a century ago, Levi Strauss started a wholesale business supplying blue jeans to gold miners who wanted clothes that were strong and did not easily tear. Today, blue jeans are the world's most popular and versatile garment, embraced for their unmatched comfort and appeal.

Plus size women often have a difficult time finding jeans that are both comfortable and fashionable. The majority of jeans fit too tight somewhere, either in the leg or waist area. A great pair of jeans can make your legs appear longer while also making your hips appear smaller. The trick is finding the perfect pair of jeans for your body type.

Plus size jeans are increasingly being made with a stretch material that allows the jean fabric to give slightly. Be on the lookout for the word "stretch" when perusing plus size jean labels. Stretch fabric is made of a cotton/poly/spandex blend. As such, it virtually glides on the body and stretches only when and where needed. Stretch fabric jeans provide maximum comfort and enhance your shape. Stretch jeans will continue to stretch out with wear, helping to keep you feeling comfortable throughout your day.

You need to also look for "mid-rise" qualities in plus size jeans. Most jeans sold today are "low-rise" jeans, which are fine if you have no curves; however, if you do have them, low-rise jeans don't compensate for larger waists or hips and thus can look very bad. They emphasize the midriff, pushing excess fat over the waist band, and are also very painful to wear for long periods of time.

Classic cut jeans (called mid-rise cut jeans) are much more appealing and attractive and will help you stay stylish while allowing you to stay covered and comfortable. Classic cut jeans sit just below the waist and have a straight leg from the hip all the way down to the floor. This will give a plus size woman's body a long, lean look.

Avoid plus size jeans that are over-styled and include embroidery, extra pockets, extreme fading and fancy stitching. Instead, choose solid, dark wash jeans that are perfect with tee shirts, dress shirts and sweaters.

People who are larger than average need wider pant legs, and should select a dark-colored pair of jeans with five pockets.

Jeans can be dressed up, dressed down, worn with boots, high-heels or sneakers. With the variety of colors and fabrics, plus size jeans can provide plus size people with plenty of wardrobe options.

When shopping for any plus-sized clothing, including jeans, be sure to check the fabric's quality of stretch and rise. Once you find a pair of plus-sized jeans that fit and look the best on you, it's worth your while to buy more than one pair, because they will not only make you look better, but they will make you feel great, too.