Here’s the deal: as I’ve mentioned in several threads, I’m losing weight, and I’m beginning to look forward to buying clothes. I’ve always had an issue with jeans, though, and I need some doper help finding a brand (and style, if possible) that’s likely to fit me.
I am pear-shaped, a spoon, bottom-heavy—whatever you want to call it. (I’m slowly becoming more proportionate, but for now, it is what it is.) That’s the least of my problems, though. The main thing is that I have a short torso and waist (as in, the distance from my crotch to my natural waist is not very long, as well as the distance from my waist to my shoulders. My legs, however, are a different story. I’m not sure of my inseam, but I would guess about 32” (that’s what my husband’s jeans are, and they’re about the right length—and he’s 6’ tall), or maybe longer for certain types of jeans. (I’m about 5’ 4” or 5’ 5”.)
So what happens when I try to buy jeans is that often I end up with legs that are too short or a waist that is too long—sometimes both. And I’m just not into the Erkel look. Help, please!
Have you tried buying men’s jeans? The benefit being you can buy a specific waist+inseam. For example, if you have a 32 waist, you can buy 32x28 if you’re short, or 32x36 if you’re tall (and 2" increments in between, usually). I’m actually rather fond of Wranglers, which you can get at Target for about $17. I buy them two inches bigger than my natural waist so that they sit on my hips just across my belly button.
Well, the only problem with men’s jeans is that my waist is significantly smaller than my hips, more than the usual ten inches. Damn estrogen.
I too am a bit bottom heavy, and have a short torso. I mainly get hip huggers in stretch from Gap. (I think it’s called 'modern boot cut). And since I have short legs, I get “ankle length” which isn’t really ankle legth for me, but quite long so I have to cuff them up. They fit perfectly, though the only thing about the stretch jeans is that you have to get one size smaller because they eventually stretch out after wear.
You can’t go wrong with Gap since they have various styles and somewhat inexpensive. A good cheaper alternative is Route 66 jeans ‘low rise fit’ that the K-marts sell.
I’m hippy too (15 inch difference between waist and hips). I scored some pretty good jeans this year at Lane Bryant. You didn’t mention what size you are now so I’m not sure if you’re too small to shop there or not.
Sadly, SnoopyFan, I don’t think so. 
I was wearing 18’s–and they were getting a bit snug–when I started. I’m not sure what size I am now. I do know that I started at a 38-inch waist and am now at a 33. (I haven’t checked my other sizes in a few weeks–been too busy–but I imagine they’ve shrunk as well.)
Honestly, I can live with jeans that are a little big around the waist. I don’t like it, but I can live with it. What really drives me nuts are the short legs, jeans that don’t even come to the tops of my shoes. I can’t begin to describe how completely dorky pants like that look with boots or shoes with a higher heel. And like I said, I’ve got a short torso, so talls tend to come up right under my bra. Aaarrrggghhh!
Girl who sold jeans for a year checking in!
Tommy Hilfiger Hipsters are amazing - lightweight, comfy on hippy girlies, and a very flattering fit. As long as you don’t mind a button fly and an $80 price tag (they really do look good, though). The Hipster Carpenters are lovely as well (and they have a zip fly).
Also, parasuco sells gorgeous stretch jeans. I have a pair that I just adore. Again, they’re $60-$80, but a good pair of jeans is worth it weight in gold for durability, comfort and versatility.
I don’t recommend women’s Levi’s unless you want a relaxed fit in the leg, since their straight-leg jeans tend to be cut a little small. Their slimmer cuts are no good for fitting curvy girls.
Good luck on your hunt!
Oh yes, forgot to say - When you shop for jeans, buy the smallest size that you can zip up (and still breathe in). Because of the nature of denim, it will stretch with your body as you move. One of the reasons well-fitted jeans look so good on people is because they will actually mold to your body by stretching only where your body puts pressure on them, and shrink up a little when you wash them, to be re-molded every time you put them on. Good-quality denim will stretch about one size as you wear it. Stretch-denim may even stretch a little bit more than that. And don’t forget that all jeans shrink up a quarter-inch in the inseam when you wash them. If you can’t afford that quarter-inch, then wash in cold water and HANG TO DRY.
As a “baby” with “back”, I can say I’ve had excellent luck with Lee jeans. They might be pricey new, but they’re a common enough brand that you can pick them up sometimes at thrift stores.
Lands Ends will hem jeans to whatever inseam you want. I’m 5’5" and get a 31 inseam.