Happy Monday everyone!
This is the first in my four part look book featuring my least favourite clothing item to purchase – jeans! I don’t know many women who like buying jeans and that is regardless of size or shape, we all seem to have our challenges. Yet, jeans still seem to remain one of the most popular items of clothing that any woman should have in her wardrobe.
I personally don’t wear them very often because I can only wear them on Fridays for work and on the weekend I will likely gravitate towards something else but that is my personal preference.
I will say that in the last few years I have noticed more and more options available in the plus size market for better fitting and stylish jean options. I can remember years back when a store like Penningtons for example, would have like maybe 3 different options to choose from and you were stuck with whatever fit best. I just took a quick peek at their website and their are over 50 options to choose from!
So with all this progress, why is denim still so much of a challenge for us? Unfortunately that is the million dollar question! For now, I continue to look for denim based on my shape and try it on and hope for the best! Like all things, it is very important that you try it on, you never know what will fit otherwise.
Before I talk about this first pair, I’ll give you the low down on what I struggle with when it comes to buying jeans. I am a pear shape which means I carry the majority of my weight in my hips and thighs. My waist is 17 inches smaller than my hips so trying to find a pair that fits my hips but doesn’t gape at the waist is definitely a challenge.
Another challenge I face is being a size 28. That is the largest size for many plus size retailers if I am lucky so if the jeans seem to fit small or don’t have a lot of give, I don’t have the option to size up. But what I probably find to be my biggest challenge is my thighs. I often find that jeans will fit me in the hips and waist if I could get them up past my knee! And that is the part where I feel most self conscious in jeans.
So this first pair is from Melissa McCarthy’s new Seven 7 line at Penningtons. Jeans represent a large part of her collection and I was thrilled to see that they came up to size 28. So I tried several pairs on and I ended up choosing the Superstretch Bootcut Jean in a dark wash. I am wearing the size 28. These are the first pair of bootcut jeans where my thighs around my knees can actually breathe!
These jeans feature some unique features known as Melissa’s “Slimming Silhouette System” that I think truly work. They include a contoured waistband for full “booty” coverage, hip slimming technology with tummy flattening panels, forward side seaming for a slimmer leg and ultra comfortable soft stretch fabric that smoothes and sculpts a slimmer appearance. Overall I feel that my leg does look longer and slimmer in these jeans and I don’t notice my problem area as I normally would.
These jeans retail for $99 so they are definitely more expensive then Penningtons’ house brand but I think when you look at the designer lines that other retailers carry you will find the price point comparable. Lane Bryant is also carrying Melissa’s line but what I was shocked to discover on their website is that they are only carrying the jeans in size 14 to 24. That is a big “two thumbs down” in my books!
I chose to pair these jeans with a gold tank from Lane Bryant. This shirt is super versatile as it is great on it’s own or would be perfect for layering when the weather is colder. I found that it ran big so I am wearing the size 22/24.
To complete the look I chose to keep the look metallic with a bold statement necklace in gold from Pinch Gear, a gold cuff from Avenue and gold flats from Lane Bryant.
And then I added my black and white Kate Spade bag, a perfect neutral compliment. I think this look is perfect for a casual date night or a night out with the girls.
So I’m ready for a night out, ladies are you ready?
Thanks to my boo Thera for the photos.
Jeans by PENNINGTONS | Tank by LANE BRYANT | Flats by LANE BRYANT | Necklace by PINCH GEAR (similar) | Bracelet by AVENUE (similar) | Bag by KATE SPADE (similar) | Bag alternative |
