There is only one thing worse than going shopping for a new swimsuit, and that is shopping for a new pair of jeans.
Some would even go so far as to call it traumatic … especially if you have an apple shaped body, like me.
The problem with having an apple shaped body (apart from the higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease etc) is that I carry any excess weight around my stomach. Looking on the bright side, this body type does usually come with shapely legs!
When it comes to buying jeans however it quickly becomes obvious that most women’s jeans cater primarily for the hourglass or pear shape. While admittedly this is more common, it does make life that little bit harder for us apple shaped women. Jeans that fit our tummy nicely are usually bulky and unflattering around the legs and bum, hiding what is often our best feature – our legs! Meanwhile the skinny jeans that would showcase our lovely legs, are usually too tight to zip up.
Jeans that Slide Down When You Wear Them
Lately I’ve come to realise another reason why jeans for an apple shaped body are so hard to find: when your tummy is the widest part of your body, the laws of gravity come into play.
What this means is that jeans that seem comfortable in the fitting room, are not so comfortable when worn for longer than five minutes. Because an apple shape’s hips and butt tend to be narrower than our tummy, there is nothing to hold the jeans up – so it is a case of having to constantly tug them back up in to place. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of drop crotch pants 😉 .
Wearing a belt helps a little, but can be annoying – and besides, they add bulk in an area where an apple shape is already chunky enough!
Jeans I have Known and Loved
In the nineties, I found that Levi’s 501’s, 504’s and 554’s were perfect for my apple shape. But not only would they look dated today, they stopped making them years ago.
About five years ago I stumbled across the Second Skin range by Just Jeans and have pretty much LIVED in them every winter since. However, they only go up to a size 16 and despite my best efforts, I now need to go up a size. So I’m back to square one 🙁 .
So what’s an apple shaped middle aged mama to do?! Jeans are a staple in any wardrobe – including mine!
Does this mean I am doomed to spend the rest of my days without wearing jeans?
Look, there are options. I do love my jeggings from Millers, but it’s not quite the same as jeans. Yes, they are fab in that the elastic waist and stretch fabric keeps me comfortable, while they still flatter my pins. However they really require a longer line top to skim over the tummy and the crotch area. Sometimes I just want to wear a regular pair of jeans, you know?
Wishlist: The Perfect Jeans for an Apple Shape
So here’s what I think would make the perfect jeans for me any apple shape:
- Fit: Figure hugging around the legs and butt, without being tight across the middle. Oh, and please don’t stop at size 16!
- Rise: Low rise are probably the best bet, as they sit under the widest part of the body. Yes, this might result in a muffin top, but this can be easily hidden by the right choice of shirt. High rise will feel too restrictive on the belly. And mid rise, which might seem to fit, will only slide down as you wear them. Oh, and no gape at the back of the waistband please – what is THAT about?! Not an attractive look on anyone. Seriously, does anybody carry their fat on their back and need extra room there?
- Colour: Personally I love dark blue jeans, as they can be dressed up or down easily. But I’m not fussy – in fact I’d love a black pair of jeans, and a lighter pair too!
- Fabric: My ideal jeans would be made of a soft light weight denim, and would need to have a bit of stretch in them.
- Budget: Preferably under $100 – because most of us aren’t made of money!
- Leg: Straight or skinny leg of course, to show off our pins. Bootcut, flare and boyfriend just make us look bigger than we really are.
It’s a tall order I know. But I’m hoping somewhere out there I will find the Holy Grail: the perfect jeans for an apple figure.
If you’re an apple shape and have found some great jeans, please let me know details in the comments, and help out a damsel in distress!
NB This post includes items sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy. It may also contain affiliate links from which I stand to earn a small commission if you buy from them (at no expense to you).
I am still yet to find a pair of jeans I really love…. 🙁
We will have to go to Just Jeans, I bet you’d love their Second Skin range 🙂
I am an apple and I recently bought the Comfort Jeans from W Lane. It is a very specific pair, I will add a link in another comment for you. They do not fit your criteria because they are super high rise and have an elastic waist but they are not like jeggins. Even so if you have a w.lane nearby go and try these on. I’ve got several family members wearing them now and loving them, even my Mother who HATES jeans.
I am not having to pull them up all the time, because the elastic waist is one of the best I have ever seen. I do not find them uncomfortable at all,. in fact they are just like a second skin. Unlike every other pair of jeans or jeggings, I hardly even notice I am wearing them. The one time I find them troublesome is when I have to take them off or go to the bathroom because they do fit that well, it is like peeling off a layer.
My Aunt says it is like she had a butt lift when she wears these. My other Aunt heard such great reviews from that Aunt she is going to try them on this week.
I am a real wearer of mostly athletic leggings generally just due to comfort but I would wear these jeans all day long every day without even blinking. Every other pair of jeans, the minute I arrive home I would take them off. I did try one of the other types of comfort jeans they had because I wanted something black but they do not have that same super high rise and were nowhere near as comfy.
I now have 4 pairs of the comfort and am wondering if I should buy another 4 to put away in the cupboard in case I can’t get them again. Because if I can’t get them again I am going to have a sad tantrum on the floor, these are so great. 🙂
Here is the link. 😉
https://www.wlane.com.au/clothing/jeans/wlane-comfort-jean/mid-wash
Oh that’s AWESOME, thanks Snoskred, I will have to go and check them out!!! Will let you know how I go. I notice they’re on special on the website at the moment which is even better.
I have issues with the length of jeans – I’m 5’8″ and they are all just a little bit too short. They make short length jeans, but trying to find longer length these days is nigh on impossible. I also loathe and despise skinny legged jeans where you peel them on and off like a wetsuit – what happened to a nice slim cut straight leg? The struggle is real for all of us!
I have a big tummy and the only pair of jeans I own that stay up and are comfortable are skinny jeans from City Chic. They also come in different leg lengths.
Thanks for the tip Hermione – I will check them out next time I am near a City Chic store!
Did we really both write about jeans on almost the same day? Great minds think alike! And great people all have apple shape bodies – true as! I’m apple shape and like you, what fits beautifully when I’m standing up often starts to droop when I’ve sat down for a while! Which means tight tight tight jeans which I’m really not okay with now I’m older as I hate feeling trussed up like a chicken 😉 I too love Just Jeans, but I’ve also found a new range called Crazy4Jeans online, and I’m really liking the look and fit of them.