Great question! If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good pair of jeans. It’s amazing how versatile denim is, even in its colored and printed forms (very on trend right now), and I reach for one of the three pairs I own at least three times a week.

1. The best deals I’ve found on denim are at TJ Maxx (but you have to go to a good one) and Nordstrom Rack.  I don’t usually buy denim online, probably because fit is so crucial and I just have to try jeans on before buying them.

2. If you want jeans with a bit of stretch that don’t lose their shape, look at the tag. It should say something like this: 

80-98% cotton

0-20% polyester

1-2% spandex (anything more than 2% and you’re in sausage-leg territory)

My Paige cropped jeans are 80% cotton, 19% polyester, and 1% spandex. They hold their shape, are incredibly comfortable, and can be put in the dryer without significant shrinkage. 

Also, be sure you do some stretches, bend over, jump up and down, sit down, cross your legs, etc in the dressing room to ensure that the jeans won’t sag after a few hours of wear.

3. If you like the look of skinny jeans but don’t want them to be skin-tight, go a size (or two) up and then get the waist taken in. This is what I do for pretty much all of my jeans, since I have muscular legs that do not take kindly to spandex.  

4. Whatever you do, do NOT get jeans with feathering on the thighs (*completely* unflattering on all but the skinniest of minnies) or huge decals on the pockets (so 2002).

5. Unless you are petite or slight of frame, it’s best to stay away from super-light wash, white, and/or light colored denim. When in doubt, go with a darker wash or a darker/richer color--these flatter most figures and automatically increase the sophistication factor of any ensemble. 

6. The most universally-flattering cut for jeans is straight-leg. A nice straight-leg jean is a great alternative to skinny jeans AND keeps you out of mom-jean territory.

Since the lovely reader who requested this personal shopper post is in high school, I did my best to search for some affordable options for her, especially since she may continue to grow and doesn’t need jeans that are in it for the long haul. Below are some of my favorite options (although, again, I would recommend checking out your local TJ Maxx/Nordstrom Rack to see what they have in the $50 range): 

The key is to get your expensive jeans at budget prices. For example, my all-time favorites are my Paige Denim cropped skinnies (featured in all three photos above—two years old). They fit like a dream, are incredibly comfortable, and are still going after dozens and dozens of washes.

The two other pairs that I wear frequently include a pair of JBrand straight legs (also two years old—but I’ve never worn them in an outfit post, surprisingly—Blair Eadie is wearing them in this post!) and my Emerson Fry flares (one year old). These brands typically go for $200+ a pop, but there’s no way in Hades I would pay that much for any pair of pants, regardless of their amaze-factor. Enter TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack. If you know where to look and have some patience, you can find incredible deals on high-end denim.

I got all three pairs for around $80 each (a very good price, in my opinion, especially considering how often I wear them and how well they fit). I found the Paige and JBrand jeans at TJ Maxx and the Emerson Fry pair (the only jeans I’ve bought online) was on mega-sale at the end of the season. Smart shopping, ladies. That’s the key.