I think the important thing is they not be "mom" jeans. you know, the baggy comfy ones. They should fit your butt well, and have cute pockets. Oh, and the waist shoule not be too high.
I wear dark denim Jones New York jeans(on sale) that are somewhat boot cut. They are DD approved!

Every store I've been to is carrying a lot of boot leg jeans. I just bought a pair of boot leg and skinny jeans at J. Crew.

I love the look of the skinny jean with ballet flats or a heel or boots I've seen women of all shapes and sizes and ages in skinny jeans and as long as they are wearing the appropriate tops, they really do look very good.

I wear mostly boot-cut jeans, both in denim and corduroy. My favorite pair of curdoroy boot-cut are by Ralph Lauren. They fit a curvy figure and look great. Levi's came out with boot-cut jeans for curvy figures that sit just below the waist (style 529) and I have to say that they fit really nicely and are flattering. A boot-cut silhouette flatters a curvier figure and also makes your legs appear longer, which adds visual height to your overall appearance. I'm 5'7" and have added a few pounds over the years and boot-cut jeans make me look pretty svelte, whcih I'm not.

My understanding from watching the BBC and US What Not To Wear shows...

Fuller figures should wear a jean that fits nicely on bottom with nothing busy on pockets. The leg should start out at the top of the thigh loosely then go straight down to the floor to give the appearance of a longer, slimmer leg. I think the idea is to camoflauge what your leg shape is inside the straight jean.

I am petite and my 13yr dd is same shape. She looks fabulous in skinny jeans, actually looks heavy in boot leg. But I could put on same jean and look fat, fat, fat. I just think a woman looks sexy in a boot leg jean whether in heels or flats. My current pair is darker denim with fancy flapped pockets. I don't normally like pockets but these actually have stayed flat after washing. They do make bumps under the longer tshirts but when I put my heels or sandals on I think the whole look just pulls the eye from the lumps.

I'll wear nothing but a boot cut jean. I look awful in skinny jeans since I'm short & not super skinny & leggy. Wouldn't be caught in them!

Like Mrs. Marv, I really like a pair of Levis that I have. They are super comfy & bought on sale this summer at Sears. They're called "Perfectly Slimming" # 512; dark denim. Bought them in the petite 6 & they fit perfectly. Also have a pair of JJill Authentic jeans that I like & wear a lot, also bootcut, dark denim. Have them on now! Those were a ridiculous price AND I still had to hem the petite length! They're nice, but would never purchase again because of that! I really want to get another pair of those Levis!

I am in love with Calvin Klein's bootcut dark flare and the thallium wash skinny jean, which isn't a tight skinny at all.
They fit better than anything I've found in years and are in my price range for denim, about fifty tops.
No Seven or Joes for me.
I like Buckle as a place to find up to date trends, which I'm probably too old for.

In my late 40s when my Levi straight legs no longer fit I swore my jean days were over. Just couldn't bring myself to buy bigger or a different style. I'd rather wear capris or casual style pants.

I have a pair of boot leg jeans that I faithfully wear. Same designer, same finish year after year I keep going back.

This yr. though I added a pair of skinny jeans to mix it up. The whole time though I kept wondering who the genius was to even try to market skinny jeans in the big girl store, yet there I was buying them! And w/ the right shirt they look d@$! hot!

For the past four years I have been wearing Lauren Jeans Co straight leg jeans ("Tanya"). I usually buy them online at Ralph Lauren or Macy's.

Ah, I wouldn't worry too much about not wearing skinny jeans. I personally don't care for the look. There's a difference between fitted and skinny jeans. I just can't deal with that taper at the ankle.

Mine are typically boot cut or slight flair. I've been wearing GAP jeans for a long time but I was just saying recently I need to find jeans that don't strecth out to slop after a few hours of wear.

My sister is pretty curvy and she just loves GAP's curvy jeans.

Well, according to skinny jeans are on the way out, to be replaced by big poofy MC Hammer-type genie-pants (which I also noticed prominently featured in the latest issue of Lucky magazine!)

Yikes! I'm not sure which is worse! Either way, it looks like the 2nd coming of the 80s is upon us. Can acid-washed denim be far behind?

(Here is where I sheepishly admit that I just cleared out a pair of big poofy harem-ish dress pants circa 1990 out of my closet 2 weeks ago, thinking they would never be in style again....doh! Actually, they might still be in the goodwill box in my car.....so maybe it's not too late, LOL!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Looks like it's Hammer time....

I have straight leg, boot cut and skinny jeans. The straight leg ones look cute rolled up with sandals. It skinny jeans I wear tucked into boots and I usually wear the boot leg with a bit of a heel. I just bought a pair of boot cut from Penney's that I really like. I got them on sale for $21.99, but they look like some of the more expensive brands. They are the a.n.a. brand, and fit me very well, plus they have nice stretch. My skinny and straight leg jeans are also a.n.a.

Here is a link that might be useful: My new boot cut jeans from J.C.Penney

No skinny jeans here! I recently bought a pair of dark denim jeans at Ann Taylor in the "Curvy" fit, and I really like them. They are a dressier jean. I also like the Kut from the Kloth jeans. I buy those at Nordstrom, often on sale.

Slight boot cut, 7 for All Mankind, sometimes True Religion or Lucky. Love them.

Bought the skinny and did wear them, but I felt like I was playing a character rather than being comfortable in my own skin. I do like a "straight" leg jean rolled twice at this time of year. Sorta a capri if you will.

However, the skinny that is available right now cannot be rolled, lucky if I can get them over my foot! Once over the foot, all is fine.

A movie critic once described the great operatic tenor Mario Lanza as looking like "a fat ravioli on toothpicks". I always keep this in mind, as I have wide shoulders and an impressive behind. Only wear bootcut jeans outside the house, and always with at least a 1 1/4" heel, even on walking shoes. It's about balance. My jeans are MainStreet and are from a catalog that I am too embarrassed to mention, but they fit beautifully, bend/stretch in whatever way I do, and never lose their shape.

I took a look at the link to the poufy jeans; they will not be making an appearance on this grandmother's 5'3" bod!

Don't believe them, lkplatow, when they say big poofy pants are coming back. I had high hopes a couple years back when Brittany was spotted in a high, paper bag-waist jeans. That trend didn't fly.

Oh boy, poofy pants. They're super flattering. ;)

Actually I do like the look of nice boots over skinny jeans depending on the whole outfit.

I DID see some acid wash jeans recently.

I've been wanting to check out Ann Taylor jeans. I have a AT jean skirt that I love. I'll have to make a trip.

Another vote for A.N.A. jeans from JCPenney -actually I have recently discovered a few items from that line that I love. Wore the jeans twice in the last month, and both times have been stopped by women asking me what kind of jeans I had on. Really comfy, flattering and up-to-date looking, while staying comfortable!

Oh, lkplatow, I remember "Harem pants" from highschool days. Eeek! I couldn't wear them in my youth, & certainly wouldn't be caught in them now. I guess I'll just be decorating myself the way I decorate my house...turning a blind eye toward what's in style!

Folkvictorian, you weren't blessed with the legs of a Barbie? LOL! Yeah, it seems like that's who most of this stuff is made for, doesn't it?

I pretty much only wear straight leg...for work I may have to pull on muck boots at any time, so my boot cut jeans just don't cut it too well. A BIG thing is that all my jeans have a slight stretch to them...LOVE stretch denim. It helps to keep my pants up when hiking thru forests.

My other jeans, I wear on non-field days or weekends tend to be bootcut. I do have a pair of more flared ones that actually fit best on my hindend, but they're just a bit too flared to be fashionable. I might take them in a bit if I can. Otherwise I wear capris. With the lymphedema that I have, I can't wear skinny jeans because they won't fit over my ankles.

Levis bootcut 515

hourglass/pear shape here.

Jan

Having a more boyish figure, I find that some styles of men's Wranglers fit great.
Wrangler still offers 100% cotton jeans, too.
Most women's jeans have some sort of stretch fabric in them, which doesn't work for me.
I had to think outside the box!

NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) is a great brand - made in the USA! Nordstrom and Macy's carries them. They aren't cheap but I have found them at deep discounts. They are yummy!

I love stretchy skinny jeans but I only wear them with longer shirts like tunics or a shorter dress that hits just a few inches above my knees. I always wear skinny jeans with boots. They kind of look like thick tights and they only show above my boots and below my top. Grab a structured military style jacket over the top of it all and I'm ready to go! Sometimes I wear a jean jacket.

I used to love Lucky jeans but I fear I've aged out of them. I also have a pair of Levi 515's that I like in dark wash.

I love flat boots. I still drag my 70s black label Frye campus boots out once in awhile. Get tons of compliments on them and last I checked Ebay, they sell for a pretty penny.

I buy mine at T.J.Maxx, Lauren, Calvin Klein, Lewis (misspelled) or any off brand, whatever looks good, usually boot cut.

sable ca - Thanks for the good laugh! That is exactly how I see myself in skinny jeans. I need new jeans and will keep that image in mind as I shop.

Someone gave me a pair of Tommy Hilfiger low cut bell bottom jeans. It's a poured in look. I wear them to grocery shop....but I mostly wear convertible pants. Or.....a pair of denim blue microsuede jogging pants with a cute jacket.

Another Levis 515 bootcut.

I know some do not like the low rise jeans or pants but I LOVE them. Not the super low, just the lowER, just below the bellybutton so when you sit the snap does not rest under my boobs. My dd hates anything touching her bellybutton, my BFFs dd also, so the lower pants have ended a lot of arguing. I loved how the pants were higher back in the 80's with puffy shirts but I still thought they were uncomfortable so I hope the trend stays buried. Same with harem. I loved them but I was into Devo back then. I had teal blue pants and lived in them. But I was short and 14. I think I would look like an old blueberry in them now.

I must say that skinny jeans PAIRED WITH THE RIGHT TOP can look really nice on a fuller figure. My sis is very heavy but always looks so pretty (even my dh says so) because she wears the right tops and flats with them. It is all the gals who wear the wrong tops that ruin it for the rest.

My dd looks so cute in her skinny jeans, layered tshirts with the cap-type sleeve and Vans. Love them layered Ts, they cover her up so I will buy her as many as she wants.

I love low cut jeans too. They are so much more comfortable than the older styles...however, if they are too low, I find I have trouble keeping them up!

Is that a common problem?
I have an hourglass figure and a fairly flat but.

I have been trying on jeans lately and can't ever seem to get them past my giant thights. I have major saddlebags. But a small waist. So I buy jeans for my hips/thighs (usually a 12) and ALWAYS have to get the waist taken in (because my waist is probably a size 8 or 10). The jeans that have been fitting me best for the last 2 years are Lucky Brand Easy Riders. They come in different lengths so I have some Short length that I can wear with relatively flat shoes (I'm 5'2") as well as some regular length, which I still have to hem if I want to wear with a 2" heel.

Levi's used to be my go-to jeans for years and years, but lately when I try them on, they don't fit. I've never found a pair of NYDJ that fit. I wear jeans pretty much every day, so it's become my mission to find the ones that work for me.

I also have one pair of Christopher Blue dark, more formal jeans that I like, but have tried on plenty of other CB jeans and pants that haven't worked for me.

Always boot cut! I couldn't even imagine trying to stuff myself into skinny jeans.

I love slim-fitting, boot-cut jeans worn with high-heeled boots (or sandals w/heels in the warmer months). I'm not big on the skinny jeans (young boy singers in emo bands kinda ruined them for me), but I do have a pair of denim leggings that I like to wear with tunic tops.

I live in my jeans. My idea of dressing up is to wear a pair of super dark blue jeans or black. I usually buy them at Coldwater Creek because their Classic fits me well although at 5'4 I still have to hem them.

The other store where I can find jeans that fit is at my local LLBean. I also like their twill jeans.

I dislike low cut jeans because it feel to me as if my pants are falling down. The jeans that fit me best are the Ralph Lauren classic style.

Sueb20 -- Levis has a new line out called CurveID where you choose your level of curviness. They have specifically made jeans for women like you with small waists and bigger hips. I haven't tried them (Lately, I've been wearing I usually wear whatever jeans I can find at the goodwill LOL!) but some of my curvier friends have raved about them. Might be worth trying for you - maybe you won't have to tailor the waist!

Here is a link that might be useful: Levi's CurveID

My favorite style for years was Lucky Brand Grand Wonder, which you could only get at the Buckle. I have worn my two pairs into the softest, but thinnest, denim imaginable. I'm scared I'll rip through them. Unfortunately, they've been discontinued! But thanks to this thread, I thought about it and checked on ebay, and there is exactly ONE pair on there, and they are my size!! no way, as I wear an Xlong, and that's what they are. Off to purchase ... :-)

My other faves are Hudson (boot cut) and Joe's Jeans (one boot, two skinnies), horribly expensive, but totally flattering and as much as I wear them, I am pretty sure I get my money's worth out of them. Besides, they are showing up more and more at discounters these days (I think both all my Joe's have been from Nordstrom Rack, less than $100). I did buy the Hudsons full price, bday gift to myself, but I would do it again. Those Lucky Brands were the first "premium" jeans I bought, at about $100/pair, about 6 years ago, and they were totally, completely worth it.

That's interesting because I am considering buying a pair of Lucky Brands. I have not tried them on yet but looking at them online, they have the look I want and price wise, on sale they are ok. Around eighty I think.

My niece introduced me to "better" jeans, and I do think they fit better. Got a pair of sevens at Nordstrom rack, they fit great....bootcut. Got some skinnys at Lucky...there is a store near me.....they were on sale for $29.99...and got a pair of cropped for $49.99....the girls in the store were really helpful and the jeans fit great. I don't know about ordering on line...I like to try them on. Some times I will take more than one pair in my size and try them all on....they will fit different...even the same size.

I think Lucky is my new favorite jean store.