Tall women

For once, can a tall woman wear heels without looking like she's waiting for a flood? Stacy London, Oprah's jean expert, says that more and more companies are making jeans with a 36'' inseam. But, if you find a jean that you love, and they're a little too short…go ahead and take the hem out. Just be sure that the hem falls to the bottom of your heel in the back to avoid high-waters.

Best brands to try:
  • Rock & Republic
  • Notify
  • Habitual

Petite women

If you're vertically challenged, finding jeans that don't drag the floor can be an even bigger challenge! Stacy suggests some brands with shorter inseams, but she says you shouldn't be afraid to hem. As long as the jeans are straight leg, and not boot cut, they can be shortened and rehemmed with the same gold stitching—without destroying the shape of the jean. But, stay away from cuffed jeans, she stresses, they will only make you look shorter!

Best brands to try:
  • Banana Republic
  • Kasil
  • Jag
  • Caslon

Women with tummy troubles

Battling a belly bulge? Stacy says a boot-cut jean can help to balance out a heavier mid-section. Women with a tummy typically have thinner limbs; the thicker your limbs, the worse a boot cut will look on you, she says. Look for a mid-rise, and make sure the jean hits across the belly, not above or below it. The width of trouser leg jeans can also help create a more balanced bodyline.

Best brands to try:
  • Seven
  • Citizens of Humanity
  • Gold Sign
  • Gap
  • Paige Premium
  • Levi's
  • ck
  • Marc

Women with large hips

Stacy says women with wide hips should stick with a mid-rise jean that is slightly on the lower side in order to fit around the widest part without creating love handles. Also, look for a straight leg or a trouser leg, which falls down from the hips to create a longer-looking leg line. Ladies with hips typically have thicker limbs, and straight-leg jeans help give the leg a uniform width. Boot-cut jeans only serve to highlight the thickness of the thigh in relation to the knee.

Best brands to try:
  • Cambio
  • Lucky
  • Banana Republic
  • Gap
  • Womyn
  • Tahari
  • Levi's

Women with a booty

The tricky part about buying jeans to fit a bootylicious backside is finding a rise that fits properly in the crotch. Stacy says there are jeans now that are made with a lower rise in the front and a higher rise in the back, which can help fit a larger tush. Stay away from any kind of flap pocket or pockets with heavy embellishment or embroidery—they only call attention to the rear. Instead, look for smaller or angled pockets to help camouflage and flatter the fanny. 

Best brands to try:
  • James
  • Earnest Sewn
  • Seven
  • Citizens of Humanity

Women with flat butts

Looking to add some curves to your flat tush? Look for jeans with flap pockets or heavy embellishment or embroidery, Stacy says. Jeans with slightly higher back pockets can also help make the butt look lifted. 

Best brands to try:
  • True Religion
  • Joe's Jeans
  • Hudson

Top-heavy women

For top-heavy women, almost any brand will do, Stacy says. Just be sure to choose a jean that has a lighter wash, some bleaching on the leg or whiskering. Distressed denim helps add volume to the lower half without adding actual bulk and helps balance the body line. 

Try any brand!

Women whose jeans are too big in the rise

Stacy says if your jeans fit everywhere except the rise—that is, the crotch—it may be because you have a longer torso and shorter legs. If so, even if you are taller, try on a petite pair of the same jeans. You may find they fit infinitely better in the rise and the leg.