Investing in the best slimming jeans will help you look and feel great. A wardrobe building block that can easily be utilised for work or play, finding a pair of great jeans is no easy task, but when you do, the outfit possibilities are endless.
Before you start looking for the best slimming jeans for your shape, it’s important to do your research and know what to look for as support and sizing will vary from brand to brand. From labels that simply deliver great cuts, to those that incorporate sculpting technology, finding the best jeans for your body type will help to contour your shape and make sure you look your best in denim.
When it comes to finding the best slimming jeans, you will have to invest time in trying jeans on. Depending on your body type, there are different cuts that will be more naturally flattering to your figure - from the best petite jeans to the best jeans for curvy women, once you find your dream pair, they’ll help you build the perfect denim capsule wardrobe and guide you in how to style jeans too.
How we tested the best slimming jeans
We asked one tester to try on a slew of jeans to find the best slimming jeans out there at a variety of price points. From specifically 'slimming styles' with modern technology and panelling woven in, to those jeans that are cut so well, they simply transform your silhouette in an instant.
At 5’3 and a size 10/12 on her lower body, freelance fashion editor Antonia tried and tested over 60 pairs of jeans - these are the 10 pairs of slimming jeans she would recommend for a svelte finish.
How to find the best slimming jeans for your body
When searching for the best slimming jeans, every body shape is different so it's good to know what to look for to help boost your natural figure. Freelance fashion editor Matilda Stanley has this expert advice: "If you’re looking for denim that works harder for your shape, shop for jeans that have a high elastane content in the fabric. This will add a firm-yet-stretchy feel and will cleverly lift and smooth around the thighs and bum while still being comfortable to move around in. Alternatively, look for design details like vertical panels, well-placed seams and wider waistbands, that will all create the illusion of a slimmer silhouette with minimal effort."
Looking for tummy control? Some of the best jeans for women over 50 include styles with built-in panels across the middle of the jeans as these are specially designed to hold you in and smooth the area. If you want to boost your bum, curved hems and waistbands will help to create a more peachy posterior, along with clever darting to create a rounder posterior shape.
To create the illusion of slimmer thighs it's all in the design of the fabric. Dyeing, sanding and fabric treatments can give the impression of longer and leaner legs, look for pairs that focus their dye work on the upper thighs. 'Whiskering' lines draw the eye up and in, creating a narrowing optical illusion across the point where thighs and hips meet.
In order to achieve a more bottom-balanced shape without the use of control panels, try a pair of bootcut, flared or wide leg jeans. The wider hemline will naturally balance out your bottom to create an hourglass-like shape.
Sizes can vary from store to store and even style to style, making shopping for jeans even more stressful. It may sound obvious, but the best thing to do is to order multiple sizes and be prepared to do the returns. Experiment with different sizes, styles, and washes, not just your usual go-to. You never know what new cuts you might discover, so it’s a good idea to keep an open mind.
When trying on, make sure you put on a whole outfit to see how the jeans work with your favourite tops and shoes. You want your jeans to be versatile, so see how they look with trainers and heels as well as blouses and knitwear.
The 10 best slimming jeans to buy now
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Boden's Wide Leg Crop Jeans
One of our favourite British clothing brands, Boden is best known for their classic with a twist style when it comes to midi dresses, Bretons and blazers, but their denim offers something for everyone too. From classic cuts to trend-led styles, the great quality continues in their true blue section too.
This wide leg crop style is perfect for those who carry more weight on their lower half, as Matilda Stanley explains: "Pear shape frames are smaller on top and carry most of their weight on their bottom and thighs. When it comes to jeans, opt for shapes that are slightly wider below the knee to balance out curvier hips such as bootcut, flared and this season’s barrel leg jeans."
Our tester said:
"When this pair arrived, I wasn’t sure they’d fit but slipping them on, I was proved wrong by the clever cut of these wide-leg cropped jeans. With a high waist, they suck in my tummy before flaring out and coming to a stop above my ankles. As someone with a slight pear shape, this cut is super flattering as it skims over my heaviest point, with the wide cut at the ankles working to balance out my shape without drowning my petite stature. In a dark wash, this unconventional cut feels both flattering and smart – I can wear them to a day of meetings with a sharply tailored blazer or my favourite Breton tee and best white trainers at the weekend."
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Spanx straight leg jeans
If you're an apple and carry your weight around your middle, jeans with slimming panels at the waist will likely be the most flattering style for you.
Matilda Stanley says: "Apple shapes tend to have much slimmer arms and legs, so you can also pull off a skinny jean – just look for nifty shaping fabrics and firming panels in your denim for the most flattering finish."
Step forward, Spanx denim! We already know that Spanx delivers on some of the best shapewear, thanks to its fabric contouring technology and if you haven't tried the brand's slimming jeans, this is a pair of denim jeans you're going to want to buy. With special sculpting panels built into the jeans, these have a totally flat front, making them ideal for wearing with fitted tops that you don't want to tuck in. Of course, this means they do lack some of the traditional jean aspects, as they don't have a front fly zip, buttons or pockets, but they are that perfect in-between place between leggings and jeans that makes them a worthwhile investment.
Our tester said:
"A favourite trick of mine for those days when I feel more bloated
is to reach for a pair of Spanx jeans. With a high-rise cut, they suck in your midriff without feeling suffocating, instantly shaving inches off my middle. The only downside is that as a pull-on style, they have a legging-like waistband with false pockets at the front rather than traditional flies and waist buttons, so I prefer to wear them with slightly longer tees that don’t need to be tucked in."
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Frame's Le Jane Crop Jeans
If you're looking for designer denim, Frame is the fashionista's choice. This cool LA-born brand is known for its impeccable denim style and chic handbags, with a host of celebrity clients loyal to its aesthetic and if you're looking for Quiet Luxury jeans, they're hard to beat. Although they do have consistent classics, they're a great place to head to for the latest jeans and denim trends.
These relaxed straight leg jeans give a nod to the '90s fashion trends, which have a distinctly laidback feel, making them great for a casual look and look best styled with a fitted top.
Our tester said:
"At 5’3” I’m fairly petite, so I’m often told that a relaxed wider leg style of jeans is not the one for me but this straight style from Frame is the perfect in-between fit. With a rigid denim fit and high waist, they hold me in at the tummy before skimming over my thighs for a flattering fit that disguises my fuller thighs. Finishing just above the ankle, they’ll be great for showing off suede ankle boots in the autumn and sandals in the summer."
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on M&S Magic Shaping jeans
We rely on M&S for some of our best bras and underwear, but this British staple is also ideal for other capsule wardrobe pieces and have developed a much-loved collection of slimming jeans that are easily some of the best M&S jeans and will easily become your go-to.
What our tester said:
"Wiggling into these stretchy jeans, I can feel them moulding to my shape immediately. With a high-waisted fit, their patented Sculpt & Lift™ Technology and clever cut featuring extra darts gives me a feeling of being lifted and supported everywhere that I need it. The only thing that I find odd is the length – this pair are meant to be a short fit but I find myself with enough spare fabric to flip them up into cool cuffed style – not that I’m complaining!"
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Mother Denim Dazzler jeans
A celebrity favourite, LA-founded Mother Denim is the brand to invest in if you want the perfect petite fit. Their LIL range of denim is designed specifically for those 5’3” and under, meaning that those on the short side of life won’t get short changed when it comes to finding the denim that fits their petite frame.
Part of the list of best jeans made in the USA, the brand is known for its style and loved by influential fashion folk the world over, but it isn't just the aesthetics, these jeans sculpt your shape too.
Matilda Stanley says: Not matter what your body type, if you’re
shorter than the average its always best to buy your denim from the Petite collections, as they are designed and cut perfectly for your height and will mean you won’t need to roll up the hems or look overwhelmed in fabric.
Our tester said:
"I often find that petite denim ranges can be hit and miss, particularly if you’re not a tiny size UK 6 or 8 or a 13 year old. Alongside shrinking inseams, everything else gets significantly smaller, meaning you need to size up. But Mother Denim’s LIL jeans range has no such issues – I take my usual waist size and after trying three different styles, I can confirm that they all fit perfectly. There’s just enough stretch to hug the bits that need it – I have a hard time picking my favourite style but the new season Dazzler ankle jean is a classic shape that will work well in every petite woman's wardrobe."
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Topshop Hourglass jeans
Topshop was the denim mecca for affordable denim and for trend-leading style, so when the brand was sold to ASOS amidst the early days of the pandemic, there was understandable panic about what would happen to its stellar denim range, as many of the silhouettes had been around for years and were staples in wardrobes across the globe. Lucky for jean fans, ASOS took up the mantle, continuing Topshop and its jeans legacy, with the brand's classic silhouettes remaining at the heart of the jean offering. Launched in 2021, the brand’s Hourglass range offers a supreme fit for curves.
Matilda Stanley says: "Hourglass figures are fairly equal in proportion between their top and bottom half, with a much smaller middle. This can make jean shopping quite tricky, as traditionally, jeans that fit well around the bum can then gape at the waist. Thankfully denim brands have taken note and created ranges specifically to suit curvier frames. Brands like Good American and Topshop have pieces that have an extra 2inches of fabric around the hips to fit more snuggly all over."
What our tester said:
"Topshop jeans have long reigned in my wardrobe for their cool,
fashion-forward fits but I often had a gap at the waist that needed a belt to cinch it. However, that has now been eliminated with Topshop’s Hourglass collection, which takes several of the brands more popular styles and rethinks them for girls with curves. By adding more room around the hips, customers can opt for a smaller waist fit to create the perfect fit on their curves and at the waist.
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on V by Very jeans
Very has a multi-brand product offering, but just because it carries a stack of designer goodies, don't overlook the label's own range, which provides great fabric tech at an even better price. Making some of the best skinny jeans. Very's price-friendly offering really packs a punch in the denim department.
Our tester said:
"With a body button waistband, the first thing I notice about Very’s
Sculpt jeans is just how well they stay in place. Rather than cut straight across the hips, the waistband has a clever curve that works to suck me in and appears gently compress my hips and bum, giving everything a much-needed lift!
While these are labeled as a straight leg, they’re much slimmer in the lower leg than other styles, creating a flattering, leg-lengthening effect to boot. This style also comes in regular and long lengths for a wide-ranging fit."
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Gap jeans
You can't talk about great jeans without including Gap. A straight-to-market staple, the brand's vintage and timeless aesthetic ensures that Gap jeans create a solid foundation in your wardrobe.
When it comes to lengthening your legs, Matilda Stanley advises: "If you’re wanting your legs to look longer and slender, opt for jeans that sit high at the waist as it will instantly make your legs appear longer. Split hems, flared cuts and very dark washes will also help to create the illusion of extra inches too. "
Our tester said:
“One of my favourite denim styles, Gap’s vintage slims have had an update for 2024 with the addition of a split hem at the ankle, which I love as it creates more of a straight-leg silhouette which is incredibly flattering. With both polyester and elastane in the mix, this pair is stretchier than my previous iterations of this style, which offers instant comfort and negates the need for wearing in – in short, they’re an instant hit in my wardrobe!"
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on Good American jeans
One of the most inclusive denim brands on the market, Good American has taken the jean world by storm since its launch in 2016. With great cuts, cool designs and hard-wearing denim, the brand also shoot product on different-sized models to allow shoppers to see a closer representation to themselves, an initiative we can certainly get behind.
What our tester said:
"I can’t lie, I think that Good American’s Good Straight Leg jeans might be my favourite denim EVER. I often end up with a gaping waistband at the back of my jeans but the clever additional elastic at the waist means that this is eliminated. Boasting flat tummy technology that gently holds me in without feeling suffocating, I wear this pair for several days in a row and every morning when I put them back on, they’ve sprung back to their slim fitting shape – good as new!"
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski tries on ASOS jeans
As one of the best online fashion retailers out there, it wasn’t surprising to find a LOT of great styles at ASOS when it came to denim. From mom fits and wide legs to skinnies and slim legs, there’s something for every body shape.
What our tester said:
"With a petite height but slightly bottom heavy, I tend to favour a straight leg style over skinny jeans that can highlight my bum and thighs, which is where I tend to carry excess weight. ASOS have barely been able to keep these cropped straight jeans in stock this summer and for good reason – while there’s a 2% elastane content, they feel reassuringly rigid enough to keep my tummy sucked in before skimming over my problem areas and finishing just above the ankle for the perfect flattering fit.
FAQs
Which style of jeans is the most slimming?
There is no definitive single style that is considered the most slimming - every body shape is flattered by a different cut, so make sure to try plenty of different styles if you're not sure!
If your mid-section is your main concern, look for jeans with slimming panels at the waist. Many brands now feature this technology as well as clever cuts such as darts, curved waistbands and extra elastic content to make sure you look your best in their denim styles.
What colour jeans is the most slimming?
Generally speaking, dark wash denim colours such as indigo and black are the most flattering as they will camouflage any lumps and bumps. In contrast, if you want to highlight your curves, opt for true blue denim in lighter washes which will create highlights that complement your figure.
It's important to note dark denim such as indigo and black is more treated than a mid-wash, which means that the fibres can shrink. When it comes to finding new styles for white jeans outfits, it's good to note that the bleaching process hardens fibres, making them stiffer so you may want to size up.
Matilda Stanley is a freelance style editor covering all things fashion, beauty and interiors. She writes and styles for both print and online and covers everything from the latest catwalk trends to bargain skincare buys. With over fifteen years of experience in the industry, Matilda has worked on TV shows including 'Gok's Fashion Fix' and written and styled for publications including Closer, Heat, Bella, Look, Woman, Good Housekeeping, Now, and The Daily Mail.
