Dear Stylehog, My son always comments on how I wear "mom" jeans. I need to know where and what to buy for a short woman on a budget!!! Thanks, Jenny St. Catharines, ON Canada By now, everyone is aware of "mom" jeans symptom. For those of you less familiar, we will break it down for you. "Mom" jeans are unflattering, tapered, high-waisted, pleated creations whose sole purpose is to add comfort to a woman's wardrobe, while simultaneously destroying her appearance. Absolutely nobody looks good in "mom" jeans, and with so many figure-flattering, equally-as-comfortable and budget-friendly options available, "mom" jeans are a thing of the past. To ensure Jenny finds the right fit for her body, we have created a cheat-sheet of 6 tips every woman should follow when shopping for a pair of jeans suitable to both figure and lifestyle. While here at Stylehog we normally advocate the use of e-commerce, when it comes to finding the perfect pair of jeans, we are strong believers in the old brick and mortar shops (ie: your local mall) because of the try-on factor. That is why the 5 jeans recommended below (4 of which are available in petite) can be found either at your local major department store or mall, for Jenny's case, the Bay or Sears at the Pen Centre or in the city of Toronto, just a short drive away. In addition, all selections are under $100, perfect for the busy mom on a budget. Oh, and for those moms south of the border, try a pair of Not Your Daughter's Jeans, available at Nordstrom. Made to fit a women's body, these jeans help to camouflage your flaws (ie: built in tummy tuck and butt lift), while still remaining stylish. Before we continue, we want to mention one important detail. While it seems the denim industry is churning out new jean trends on a monthly basis (the skinny, the wide leg, the low-rise, the high-rise...), this doesn't mean you have to follow them. When it comes to jeans, classic is best. Remember, you want to look your best, not your best 20 years ago. And on that note, read on to discover all the tricks of the trade involved in finding the perfect pair. Good luck ladies! 1) eXamine Your Zipper: The most important thing to look for when buying jeans, whether you are petite, tall or average is the rise. We advise you to leave the ever-changing low-rise and high-rise trends to your daughters and stick to a mid-rise. A mid-rise jean should come just below your natural waist. They should sit 2/3's of the way between your hip and the smallest circumference of your waist. Too low and you run the risk of flashing your underwear. Too high and the dreaded "muffin top" arises. 2) to flare or not to flare: After rise, the 2nd most important factor when choosing jeans is the cut. While some (Stacy London from What Not to Wear) would recommend that women under 5'4" avoid bootcut, here at stylehog we disagree. We feel that regardless of height, a bootcut or classic straight leg are the best options for women wanting a timeless, yet comfortable pair. Having said this, don't confuse bootcut with flare! A true bootcut has an 18-19" leg opening. Anything wider than that, and you have yourself a flare. If you are petite, the flare will draw negative attention to your thighs as it hugs them, only to drastically flare out, also shortening the appearance of your legs. A true bootcut or even a straight leg (14-15" leg opening) that is slim through the seat and thigh, without being tight , will help to elongate your legs, adding height you didn't know you had! 3) leave the "whiskers" to the men: Next comes the wash. Keep it simple and stick to one-shade! Denim is moving away from over-processing and hyper-fading to a more grounded hue. Avoid fading or "whiskering" (those faded lines at the thigh and crotch area). These will only draw attention to your thighs. Go for a darker wash (our favorite) if you want a dressier, more sophisticated look or classic stone wash for an everyday pair of jeans. 4) the long and the short of it: When it comes to the length of your jeans, it all depends on the shoes. If you usually wear heels, you want the inseam to be a little longer to ensure the jeans cover the height of the heel (the back of the heel should be covered by the jeans, but the jeans should not be touching the floor). If you stick to flats, the jean should fall just at your feet. It's best to go shopping in the shoes you wear most to get a better idea. As mentioned earlier, most of the jeans above are available in petite and tall so women of all sizes can find the perfect length. 5) the perfect "fit": Jeans should fit like a glove, a little snug but not skin-tight. You want them to hug your body, not cut off your circulation. There should be no pulling, no dimpling and no creasing in the front or in the behind. Keep in mind that jeans stretch, so if they feel a little tight (and we mean little, don't try to fit into a size too small) at the store don't fret. After one wearing, they will stretch into the perfect fit. 6) bring a friend (and lots of time): Your best ally when shopping for jeans is your best friend. She knows you best and will still like you after you drag her in and out of a dozen fitting rooms. Ask for her brutal honesty. It may sting at first, but your self-esteem will recover once you find that perfect pair. Be prepared to spend an entire afternoon (or two) when shopping for jeans. Finding that perfect fit takes time and patience, so don't get discouraged when the first few pairs aren't the ones you are looking for. The effort will be worth it in the end.

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