I would try jeans with some stretch to the denim. They tend to be a little snugger in the legs and give you more leeway in the waist. There are so many styles and fits of jeans out there that I'm sure they make a pair for you but you'll exhaust yourself trying to find them. I find one good pair and wear them to death.

I am in the same boat Joann! Flubby belly, but small legs. I get so frustrated. I don't want to spend a fortune either; some people have suggested having them tailored; but that really adds to the cost of a pair of jeans. Doesn't help that I'm short too. :(

I'm in the same boat, and about to sink!

I prefer the elastic waistband because I tend to fluctuate around the belly. They are just more comfortable.

I've been looking and trying to find a pair of jeans, and also a pair of every-day type pants. I have tried on different sizes and if the waist is okay, the legs are very wide and always too long. So many have the New Fit tag on them. What in the world is that supposed to mean?

I am an inch or so over 5 feet, and weigh about 155. The jeans I'm wearing now are White Stag, size 18-20 petite.. I've had them for 3-4 years. I can't find any now that are like that. I don't care what size the tag says, I just want something that I can wear!

Ordering is useless any more because the sizes aren't reliable.

What's a poor girl to do?

Sue

Me, too - can't find a pair that really fits - if I buy to fit my tummy, the waist gapes and the seat hangs - the crotch looks like I'm armed!!!! I have given up!

I have the same problem but i find that the Penman petite stretchy is the best fit for me. Penman is sold at Walmart .

I love NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) but they are pricey. Got a pair as a gift a few years ago. Wish I could afford five more pair.

I am fluffy too, to say the least LOL!! I have always spent a good amount of money on my Jeans. Not unusual to spend upwards of $70.00 for a pair. But...... They really do fit a whole lot better than cheap ones. They also last me longer. I wear a pair of jeans for 4-6+ years. I buy a new pair every 2-3 years. So for me to get a great fit and have them last, it is far better price wise. Either way best of luck!

joann..let me start by saying that I have nothing to do with this site, but I visit it quite regularly when I need a new pair of jeans. I put all my info in and they came up with a bunch of different type jeans that would fit best. Sure enough, when I went to the store and tried them on, they all fit well. Let me know if it works for you and good luck.
http://www.zafu.com/zafu/jeansGuideDownload.do?method=JGD_PAGE_SINGLE&fmethod=GOTO_RESULT_PAGE&targetPage=1

Check Penneys. They look like jeans, stretch waste bands, come in reg and petite and are by Alfred Dunner. Also check KMart, I do pretty good there--can't remember the brand. Did you check Lands End or LLBean--a little more pricey, but better fit and wear.

I second Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ)!!! I have three pairs and love, love, love the way they fit and feel.

I got them at Nordstom's.

Jodi-

well this isnt good or bad, i can wear a size 7 to a 1, i can also wear my neices size 12 jeans....i have no clue what these people are thinking, i used to be able to walk in a store look at size and go..not so anymore, its so darned frustrating, they may fit in the butt but not thw waist, or any number of combinations...they just dont fit like they used to!

Hate buying jeans except the ones from QVC! Denim and Co. have some really great fitting ones... and with 1% lycra! Makes a difference. Try it. Their return policy is like no other.

Not sure your size range, but if 4-16, I would recommend the following knit jeans from Coldwater Creek. They look like denim, but feel like you are wearing sweat pants. The hip area fits well and the legs are not overly wide, just a nice, comfortable fit.

I bought a few pairs about two years ago, they still look great, do not bag or sag and fit me great. They also do not fade like real jeans, but I actually prefer the darker blue look.

I have seen them at other stores, like J. Jill, but these are the ones I purchased.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link

I bought a pair today at Beals, (on sale) but they have no name. They are 99% cotton & 1% spandex. On the snap it says venezia. So far they seem to be a good fit. I guess all of us fluffy girls just have to keep trying on jeans, or pay those high prices.
Thanks for all the suggestions, at least I don't feel like the only Odd ball.

I've struggled with jeans as well. They all seem so odd, cut too low, too baggy in the thighs. Finally settled on these from LLBean. I wear a 12.

Here is a link that might be useful: jeans

Venezia is a brand carried by Lane Bryant.

Joann, it's not just you, I have always had trouble finding jeans that fit. Then when I find one, I wear it to death. Had one friend who actually told me it was time to "retire" my jeans. I have a Lands end pair that I love, but they don't make the same style any more. It is at the point where I hate to go shopping for jeans or pants.

Lands End jeans (online, also at Sears) are great. They ave different fits (low, slightly below natural waist and at waist). Check them out, they also have different leg styles. And the return policy is great, any time for any reason (and they mean it).

Two things, watch buy petite sizes. They seem to be a bit shorter ok, but not as ""wide"", sorry, that is the only thing I can think of. I tried a petite size on, and they were so uncomfortable--too much tummy!!!
Also, I think this was in Good Housekeeping, that any spandex in clothing now is not the same as the old spandex. It seems to stretches everytime the garment gets washed!

I had the same problem last year. I am another fluffy. I finally found whatever the brands at Target are fit. Unfortunately, I think $30/pair is high, but they fit, and I bought them! After the frustration of trying on brands that have fit in the past, and not being able to wear one size because it's huge, and the next smaller size being way too small, I was just glad to find some that fit! They have/had two different brands that start with M, can't remember what they are, tho. They also have a no-gap waistband.

Tami

Riders relaxed fit works for me.

Well I have no problem using the word fat. I'm not fluffy, I'm fat. It's not a dirty word. I love NYDJ. I take a 16 average. My waist is my biggest problem, and they fit me fine.

I tried on the Relativity brand from Elder Beerman, a style that is suppose to make you look thinner - and they did and I loved them. Bought two pairs, finally the knees nearly wore thin on one pair; so I go back five months later and they were on sale for $14.99! I bought a pair, not bothering to try them on, got home and the suckers are so baggy on me I'm constantly pulling them up. Same size, same style number (I made sure before I went shopping for another pair). I don't know if they were defective or just not the same "slimming" jean I bought before.

For you folks who plan to, "... wear them to death ".

Is that their death ... or yours?

I got some denim a while ago and figured I'd try to make my own ...

... then found that I have to decide which style of pattern that I need!

Maybe you guys who've, shall we say, changed your profile ...

... should build some of your own?

Maybe I should limit myself to fitting remarks??

ole joyful

I like Chico's for good jeans...for around the house Koret with the elastic just on the sides with a waist band, usually have narrower legs than an all elastic waist.

I like Gloria Vanderbilt stretch jeans...I too have the tummy problem...lol

I don't think it much matters how fluffy you are, finding jeans that fit is a task to say the least. I quit smoking and gained enough weight that I um, outgrew, my jeans (which were about worn to death anyway) but I'm still not what you'd call fluffy. Somehow (depending on the brand) I'm still in the same size (barely) but the next size up is huge. Go figure.

I bought a pair of Lucky jeans at Ross that fit pretty well but I've gone to the Lucky outlet store twice and can't find a pair that fits, even the same style name.

New Fit tag on them. What in the world is that supposed to mean?

I think it refers to the new kind of sizing that
I've seen recently.
I just bought a pair of jeans. and they had this sizing

yellow tag... if you are straight from your waist to your hips
......... this is me. No hips.. OR no waist guess it depends
......... on how you look at it! LOL

another color tag.... slightly curved from waist to hips.

3rd color tag... fullest at your hips?

.
. I tried all three on just for fun. the last two had waist sizes that were a good 2 inches bigger than the yellow tagged one! LOl and the legs were WAY "HUGE! lol