BY NELLY KIHENJO
All women want or, as many may say, need nice things and this still applies to plus size women. It may not be as flamboyant but I speak in terms of good quality fabrics, great cuts and wears. This is no exception to denim.
Denim jeans form a basic need in every woman’s closet and yet they are the hardest to shop despite the fact that they are in every clothing store. Ironic isn’t it? You will realize that out of ten pairs of jeans that you try on, only one has a close to the perfect fit.
It is important for plus size women to be aware of their body shapes and the type of jeans that would suit them best. This goes a long way in boosting confidence and increasing ease while shopping.
The rise
This refers to the distance between the middle seam of the crotch to the tip of the waistband. Choosing the right rise makes the wearer look balanced and proportional. It also helps deter plumbers crack or muffin top, can elongate the legs, and enhance the rear.
Low rise Jeans: Also known as low cut jeans and are most suitable for short women. However, they do not look as flattering on African women with endowed derrières.
Mid-rise Jeans: These types of jeans are meant to fall on your natural waistline. They are most suitable for the average sized woman.
High Rise Jeans: are over 11inches long. They are designed to cover your belly buttoned and ideal for a majority of plus sized women. This is because it conceals most of the lower belly fat.
Cut
Denim can be shaped in different styles depending on what is trending at the moment:
Straight Cut: An all-time classic cut that never goes out of style. It has a regular fit from the waist to the thighs and goes all the way to the bottom.
Boot cut Jeans: They have a regular fit around the waist and thighs and become wider around the calf all through to the bottom. This balances off the curves around the hips giving the wearer a more balanced look.
Slim Fit: This type of denim is cut extra-thin in the thighs and calves to ensure a more form-fitted pair of jeans.
Skinny Jeans: Basically, the skinny cut is just an exaggerated slim fit. They are extra thin around both the thighs and calves to show off the lower figure of the wearer.
The ability of denim to hug the curves depends on the blend between lycra and spandex. Soft denim ensures more comfort.
Also consider purchasing darker shades of denim. If you want to brighten up your look, pair it up with a brightly colored top and simplistic accessories for that classic casual look.
Writer is Fashion Manager, Jumia Market
