What’s one of the most challenging things to shop for? Jeans! I think it’s because jeans have become such a workhorse in so many people’s wardrobes. And they’re a closet staple, so you don’t need just one good pair – you may need multiple washes and fits (especially if you wear jeans almost every day). And the hardest part is that jean trends seem to come and go. So, there’s always something new that feels like the most important thing to have (it’s not, by the way).

When I’m shopping with clients and we’re focusing on jeans, I may bring up to 20 pairs into the fitting room. And that’s just to land on a 3-5 great ones. And I know that sounds like a lot – but when I have a client who hasn’t bought new jeans for a long time. Or hasn’t tried a new fit in years. Or who only has blue jeans in her closet (and never thought about other colors). We have some research to do.

The good thing is that when you invest time in shopping for jeans, that investment pays off. You can discover new styles that you didn’t realize you liked. You can find brands that fit you so well that they become your new favorite. You can discover a style that you love, and then explore other colors and washes and details – so that you’re not always stuck in the same dark blue pair every day.

But, in order to shop for jeans successfully, there are a few things you should know. Here are 3 things to know before you shop for your next pair of jeans.

SIZES & FITS ARE NOT CONSISTENT

Wouldn’t it be great if a size 10 in one brand fit exactly like a size 10 in another brand? But sizes are not consistent from brand to brand – and sometimes they’re not even consistent within the same brand. A size 30 in one pair of jeans may fit differently from a size 30 in another pair from the exact same designer or store. So, here are a few things to remember:

You may take a different size in different fits – within the same brand, you may take one size in skinny and another size in boyfriend. So, bring multiple sizes into the fitting room and order a couple sizes when shopping online. (Read this for my best online shopping advice.)

You may take a different size in different washes – different colors within the exact same fit and brand can fit you differently. It depends on fabric content, the percentage of stretch, how the fabric reacts to the dye, etc. Which explains why you’re one size in white jeans and another size in blue.

Fit names vary across brands – one brand’s skinny is another brand’s slim straight. Straight leg jeans can fit like skinnies down to the knee or feel fuller starting at the hip. Bootcut in one designer might be flare in another. So, take the fit names with a grain of salt. And here’s a bonus tip – fold the bottom hem of the jean up to the knee. If the bottom is narrower than the knee, it’s probably skinny. If it’s the same, it’s probably straight. If it’s wider, it’s probably a version of flare or boot.

KEEP THE LABELING

This is a simple tip, but it’s important – and it may even have happened to you. You find a pair of jeans. It fits well and is easy to outfit. And you wear it so much that you decide it’s time to get another pair (or try a different color). But you check the inside of the waistband and there’s no description of the fit. You check the interior labels, and there’s nothing there either (besides washing instructions).

So, here’s what to do. Keep (or photograph) the fit descriptions that are on the printed labels that come with the jeans. They typically have the fit name, the size and other useful descriptors that aren’t anywhere on the actual jeans. So, when you want to buy another pair, you have what you need. (I don’t always recommend buying multiples, but with jeans it often makes sense. Click for more of my tips on buying multiples.)

And here’s one more point on labels, specifically with online shopping. Online, your favorite pair of jeans may be called the ‘Shelby Mid Rise Raw Hem Crop Flare Jeans, Bliss Destructed’ (yes, that’s an actual name I grabbed from a website). But on the label, it may be something else (or vice versa). So, just be aware that the same jeans may have slightly different descriptions online.

NOT ALL JEANS ARE FOR YOU

I know that title may seem obvious, but here’s what I’m talking about. I have some clients that tell me they prefer ‘designer’ denim. You know that I mean – the jeans in the department store that range from $150-250. But the client is petite. Or tall. Or plus size. And the designer brands don’t carry fits that work for their body type.

So, even if you want a specific brand of jeans, they may not have the fits you need. And fit is the most important thing to consider when buying your clothes. Everything else is secondary.

It’s always better to find jeans that come in the size category that works for you. So you’re not wearing jeans that are too long (or short or small). And here’s something you may not know – petite and tall bottoms aren’t just about the length. They’re also about the waist to hip ratio, which gets compressed or expanded accordingly. And brands that do plus size jeans well don’t just scale up from ‘standard’ sizing – they fit the jeans specifically on plus size models to reflect related body proportions.

Here are a few bonus tips to remember when you’re shopping and caring for your jeans:

Try on different brands and styles to find what works (I know I said this before, but it bears repeating). And be loyal to the brands that work.

You can have your jeans shortened and reattach the original hem. This is important if there is a specific detail or something unique to the original hem that you want to keep. (Read this for other things you should know about tailoring.)

Wash your jeans only when you need to. Wash inside out with cold water and hang to dry. This will slow down the fading process and keep them looking newer, longer. (Blue and black jeans are the most susceptible to fading, but it doesn’t hurt to do this with other non-white jeans, too.)

Did you know all these jeans tips or was something new to you? Let me know in the comments.

If you found this information helpful, you’ll love Style Mail – the advice I’ve been sharing with clients for 9+ years to help them create intentional wardrobes and simply enjoy style more. Click here to get style inspiration delivered right to your inbox twice a month.