The Best Jeans For Plus-Size Women

Buying Guide

A good pair of jeans can be hard to find — and it’s especially challenging to track down denim that fits comfortably (and looks good) if you wear a size outside of the range (sizes 2-14) that is most frequently found in stores.

Here’s the good news: It’s easier than it used to be to find fashionable clothing in the plus-size section of shops and online retailers. Although there’s still a long way to go when it comes to offering a variety of options for people of all shapes and sizes, you can find a wider range of apparel than you could a few years ago.

Even denim has come a long way in recent years, with fabrics that soften the material and make it stretchier. But when it comes to jeans, the right fit can often be an individual thing.

The material is a good place to start when you’re looking for comfortable plus-size jeans. A little spandex can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable throughout the day. With any pair of jeans, though, the trademark is the thickness of the material. While lightweight jeans can be more comfortable, especially during the warmer months, you give up some durability with that option. If you wear your jeans for strenuous activities like yard work, you might find that you don’t get the longevity you expect out of a pair of jeans.

Snug-fitting denim has the added benefit of contouring your body, though this can make jeans uncomfortable or unflattering if the design isn’t compatible with your body. That’s why it’s important to try on multiple styles of jeans and, when you find some you like, buy multiple pairs.

• Jeans can take a while to loosen up. Over time, as you wear, wash and dry them, you’ll likely find the fibers separating a little, giving you that “broken in” feeling that’s so desired in a pair of jeans. But you can speed up that process by soaking them in a bath of hot water and vinegar. This has the added benefit of setting the color, which can keep your darker jeans from fading.
• Pockets are more important than you might realize. Typically, jeans come with two back pockets, as well as two in the front (along with that small “watch pocket” inside one of the front pockets). Consider whether you’ll need to shove your wallet or phone into your back pocket when choosing between types of jeans.
• The cuff of a pair of jeans can vary dramatically. You’ll find straight-leg and boot-cut jeans, as well as those that are more tapered. You can narrow down your choices by searching for the taper style you like best.
• Jeans can vary in length, too. To determine your own length, measure the inseam of a pair of jeans or pants that fit you well and compare it to the measurements of the jeans you’re considering. Standard women’s inseams range from 27 to 32 inches, with those falling below that range typically needing petite sizes and taller individuals needing tall sizes.