Yet Another Attempt At Finding Jeans That Fit

I hate trying on jeans--worse, much worse, than trying on bathing suits.  Because at least with bathing suits, I know which ones not to even attempt.  And I've finally figured out that even though I'm a size 4 (or 2 or 0 with size deflation), I need to buy a size 8 suit or it will be way too short (we're talking one-pieces, since I've never looked good in two-pieces).

But with jeans, I can't figure out the sizing (24?26?28?30?) and if the jeans are big enough to fit over my butt they will be about 5 inches too big at the waist and be hip jeans whether they're supposed to be or not.

The only pair of jeans I've ever owned that really fit well were a pair of Cambio jeans I bought several years ago at Nordstrom.  They were not cheap--around $200, which was (and is) quite a splurge.  I remember another woman was trying on a pair and also thought they were great.  They're stretchy and soft and ACTUALLY FIT AT THE WAIST AND THE BUTT!!!!!!!!!  They're made in Italy and are a size 6 (0r 36, 10, 38 depending on the country), so one size larger than I normally wear, but they're great.  I only bought one pair because they were so pricey, and I don't wear them much because I don't want them to wear out.  Because they can't be replaced.  Nordstrom no longer sells Cambio; some company called Naturals sells them on line, but I've never heard of them and wouldn't know which style to buy.  Amazon also has some, but same issue--I wouldn't know which style is comparable to the one I bought.

I made the mistake of buying two pairs of Levis a couple of years ago.  My son and husband were buying jeans, so I decided to buy some, but was so confused by the array I didn't try that many on before deciding on a certain style.  Called Demi Curve Straight Leg size 27.  Smaller sizes wouldn't go past my hips; these would.  But the waist doesn't stay up without a belt; they become hip-huggers, and have a gap in back so either have to wear a really long top or wear a belt and ruin the silhouette.  (I never tuck in my shirts; I'm too thin on top and my waist is too narrow relative to my hips.)  So I hardly ever wear them.  And they weren't cheap; not $200, but not $20 either.

I have a couple of old pairs of LLBean jeans that I wear--the waist fits and stays in place without a belt.  But they're kind of baggy in the legs and don't feel stylish.  And I've used them so much for gardening that the knees are wearing out--also not a stylish look.  Fine for home, but not out.

So I decided to try a new style of LLBean jeans, called "TruShape Denim Slim Leg Ankle Pant".  Size 4, the smallest size they have.  The waist is actually an inch smaller than on their other jeans, so I thought I'd give them a shot.  I know it's a gamble buying without trying on, but I tried on the Levis and still made a mistake.

The LLBean jeans fit fairly well, although not as snugly as I had hoped.  And the waist does slide down slightly, which is why I bought ankle pants--I figured they'd end up falling longer on me.  I'm washing them now in the hopes that they'll shrink.  But I won't have to wear a belt to keep the waist up.

A word about NYDJ jeans--they're pretty good, although I figured the name meant New York something something, not "Not Your Daughter's Jeans".  Didn't seem quite as stylish once I found out what the name stood for.  I bought a size 2 (O would not have fit through the hips) and the waist is too big.  So my ankle pants are regular-length, and the waist sits on my hips--and I wear a belt.  But I like them better than the Levis and I do wear them.  Love the colors (bright green and bright red).