If there’s one thing that’s worse than shopping for swimsuits, it’s shopping for jeans. And the area that seems to cause the most despair? You guessed it: the derriere. To help ease your pain, we’ve rounded up the best jeans for your butt. Flat, wide, small or saggy, it’s all about strategic pocket placement and knowing when to embellish and when to keep things simple.
Now, who’s ready to hit the stores? It’s time to learn to dig your denim.
QUIZ: Do You Know Your Body Type?
If your butt is flat… embellish
“Look for pockets that are placed high on the butt, because they give a more rounded look,” Stafford advises. “Embroidery, contrast stitching and other embellishments also give the illusion of a curvier bottom.”
Miss Me Embellished bootcut jeans, $99, Dillards
If your butt is wide… go for mid-size pockets
“The number one mistake women with wide butts make is thinking pockets will make their butts look bigger, when actually, it’s the opposite,” Stafford says. “The secret to making the butt look smaller is finding jeans with mid-size pockets, placed centrally. It creates an optical illusion because it’s breaking up that expanse of the wide butt.”
Gap 1969 Curvy jeans, $69.95
If your butt is saggy… avoid long pockets
When you want curves, not sags, opt for jeans with pockets placed high on the seat. Make sure the bottom of your pockets never hit lower than the top of your leg, Stafford adds.
7 For All Mankind Roxanne, $115, Zappos