June 13, 2009

Hey BigSis, there has never been a case of “noassatall” in our family, so we definitely have more of a challenge when buying jeans (plus, as you so nicely reminded me, we're not 20-something any more).

Before I start rambling, one really good thing to keep in mind, unless you have a teeny tiny hiney, don't buy a pair with pockets and all the crazy stitching and bling, bling on the back.  I don't even know what brand most of them are, but they are all the rage out here these days. I see some of the cutest, young girls at my hair salon wearing jeans with cute pockets and stitching and buttons, but, seriously, don't do it unless you're trying to make your rear end look twice it's actual size.

Okay, now that I got that off my chest, my absolute favorites are still the Citizens of Humanity Ingrid #2 Low Rise Flare Style. I discovered them about seven years ago when we first moved to CA. I have three pairs of the exact same size and style, yet in different washes.

I had no idea that they sold Citizens of Humanity jeans on Amazon! Here's another view of the Ingrid #2 Low Rise Flares.

Citizens of Humanity Ingrid #2 Low Rise Flare

My first pair was a really light blue, and overly stone washed pair. I loved those jeans! But, I discovered that it's not the best idea to get the stone washed ones because they do wear out quicker. The fabric is definitely thinner and mine got some natural holes, (not the kind people actually pay extra for) in the back under the bum. They were since ruined at the cleaners when I asked them to repair the holes, (long story and I'm still pissed about it so no sense rehashing it now).

So, technically I only have two pair that I can wear, but I still can't throw away the ruined pair. I keep dreaming that one day I'll wake up and my butt will have reverted back to what it looked like in my twenties and I'll cut the jeans off into a cute, little pair of Daisy Dukes! (I should pull my head out of my arse out of the clouds).

The other two are darker blues; one more casual and a little faded and the other has a much wider flare and longer length to wear with heels.

BigSis, when we met in Vegas for your birthday, I was so glad to see that you had finally bitten the bullet and bought yourself a couple of pair of awesome jeans!  It's funny that our body shapes are so different, yet you ended up buying the exact same style and same size as my Citizens.

What's not so funny is that us ‘forty-somethings' can work out for months or even years to finally to get to where we feel okay about our bodies. But, heaven forbid, if for some reason, we have to stop our normal routine for a few weeks, it doesn't take long for the buttocks to head south and the thighs to head east and west!  I bet if I put on my jeans today, I'd have a nice little muffin top! 🙁

I have one pair of 7 for all mankind that I also love. They fit great and are really comfortable. Again, I keep the stitching on the back simple. The style I have is this Bootcut in New York Dark.

7 for all mankind Boot Cut in New York Dark

I haven't ever tried on a pair of Joe's Jeans but I've heard that they are also fabulous jeans. I love that Rocker style. I just might have to try on a pair of these next time I'm at Macy's or Nordstrom's.

Anybody got a favorite brand of jean that you'd care to share with us? How about any great tips on making our forty-something butts look like they're in their twenty-somethings? Okay, I'd be happy with a thirty-something looking fanny! 🙂

~LilSis

June 12, 2009

When I say “40-Something Butt”, I'm talking about a butt that's 40+ years old, but I could also be talking about a butt that's 40+ inches around.  Either way, shopping for jeans can be as stressful as shopping for a swimsuit, and you know why?  For me, it's because I'm too stingy!  And cheap jeans usually means poor fit + crummy fabric = yukky looking bum.

I've realized that spending a little bit more for jeans is SO worth it.  Scrimp and save money on other things, but don't be cheap like the old me when it comes to jeans.  A well-made and perfectly-fitting pair of jeans will do MIRACLES for your rear view.  Trust me.  Go to a store that has a wide selection of quality jeans, and just try them on, even if you think you will absolutely not ever buy one single pair.  I promise that you will see an enormous difference, and will be sold as I was when I spent a couple of hours at Nordstrom's last year.  Did I think I would ever ever ever spend over $100 on a pair of ding dang blue jeans?  Oh, HELL no!  I'm way too cheap for that.  But I only had to look in the 360 degree mirror to see what that price tag brought to my bod.

An excellent pair of jeans will enhance your heinie, lengthen your legs, smooth out the line of your thighs, and flatter your hips.  No, I'm not smoking crack…these things can be achieved via a wise choice in jeans worn with a great pair of heels.  I think that when you're 20 years old and have never experienced pregnancy, decades of gravity, hormones and/or metabolism issues, you can get away with cheaper clothes.   Am I right?  Am I right? But when you're 40-something, you owe it to your wonderful body to clothe it strategically.  That means good jeans!  Wearing crappy old I-don't-care-what-my-butt-looks-like-cuz-I've-given-up jeans will age you as fast as the sun on your face!!  Don't do it!

I have a butt and a small waist, so most jeans will gape at the waist if they fit in the hips.  These are the jeans that I'm thrilled about wearing now.  Note that I had them hemmed a bit, even though I'm 5'7″ with pretty long legs (good jeans give you a very generous length), but no other alterations whatsoever were necessary.  They even fit in the waist!

• Joe's Jeans:  Rocker lean flare fit…my absolute favorites!  They're dark dark dark wash, and fit like they were made for me.  These are my dressiest jeans.  And mine don't have the bleachy light spots on them that you see in the photo below.  Oh, and that's not me in the photo, just in case you thought it was.  😉

Joe's Rocker Jeans

• Citizens of Humanity:  Ingrid #2 low waist flare style.  These are slightly more casual than my Joe's and are a tad lower in the rise.

Citizens of Humanity Ingrid Jeans

Keep in mind that the key is that you try on a BUNCH of brands and styles and colors til you find the perfect fit for you!  I promise it's out there.  And once you find it, your butt will do a little happy dance!

LilSis, you were my motivation to get my butt into a fabulous pair of jeans, so I have to ask you. What are your favorite jeans right now?  Do you have any tips for choosing the right pair, other than trying on everything and then examining the rear view?

~BigSis