This loose-cut, straight style is great for those who don’t like the idea of skinnies but who like a lean cut that fits around the bum and waist. These jeans have a casual look, which makes them great for just pulling on at the weekend.
Top, ASOS.
A peasant-style floral top adds feminity to boyfriend jean styles.
A good fit for: those who want to show off their bums. They can really flatter slim-hipped figures, too.
Wear with: a loose white cotton shirt or a vest and a great tan belt; or add prettiness with a loose chiffon, floral blouse. Wear plimsolls or Converse trainers, sandals or wedges.
Brands to try: ASOS, Gap, French Connection, UNIQLO, Diesel, Miss Sixty. Mango do nice ones as well.
HIGH-WAISTED
I’ve got a few pairs of high-waisted, wide-leg jeans. Admittedly, getting the right fit was tricky: I had to make sure that the balance between the shape at the waist and the wideness of the leg was just right. I finally found a pair of 18th Amendment ones. They were such a nice fit that I’ve worn them loads and I’ve even bought them in another colour.
A good fit for: pear-shaped or curvier figures. If you have a straight up-and-down figure and smaller hips, you’re better off trying the flared style. I think high-waisters are one of the hardest fashions to pull off, though, so you’ll have to decide whether to persevere with them.
Wear with: a blouse or vest tucked in at the waist; this is my favourite look. Wedges look great with high-waisters, too.
Brands to try: Sass & Bide, UNIQLO and Topshop for skinny high-risers; Cavalli, Chloé, Superfine, Gap, Topshop, French Connection, Hudson, J Brand, Radcliffe, Oasis, Mango and 18th Amendment.
Wedge shoe, Faith.
BOOTCUT
I’d say most people have a favourite pair of bootcut jeans in their wardrobes. Darker washes are, I think, the most flattering, and I would steer clear of a bleach-front detail as these can make your thighs look big.
A good fit for: most shapes, but keep the hem long and wear them with heels. If your bum is not your favourite bit, though, I’d suggest you give bootcuts a miss and instead go for straight or trouser-shaped jeans. Or, give your figure good balance by choosing a more subtle flare.
Wear with: blouses, or plain vests and nipped-in jackets. Some sort of heel is a good idea, as the flared hem shape of bootcuts can make you look shorter if you are wearing flats. Converse and round-toe boots will look great with these, though.
Brands to try: Topshop, 7 For All Mankind, Gap, Diesel, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity, Next, DVB.
CROPPED
Cropped styles are brilliant for summer, or for taking on holiday, especially in white or black.
Vest top, Republic.
Cropped jeans look great with a stripy vest top and pumps in summer.
A good fit for: anyone – I’m sure there’s a style out there to suit your shape. Just remember rule number 2 in my jeans rule book: try on different styles and find a fit that’s right for you.
Wear with: just about anything – blouses, T-shirts, vests. Flats and elegant heels will look great with these jeans: I’d maybe wear a classic pump, or my Lanvin flats.
Brands to try: True Religion, Topshop, Gap, Oasis, Mango, Dorothy Perkins, Next, UNIQLO, Juicy Couture, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Rock & Republic.
COLOURED
I think coloured jeans sit on the fine line between good taste and bad, but if you like a different look, you can make this work. Fearne Cotton does the coloured-jeans look really well: she’s got that funky take on it.
A good fit for: anyone who wants to highlight their legs and hips. Skinny coloured jeans are easier to carry off than straight or bootleg, which can look mumsy in coloured cotton. Those in a finer material, like the Balenciaga ones with ankle-zip that I wear (they come in blue, red and white) are a bit more dressy.
Wear with: pumps with a metallic finish. Accessorize the look with stacked thin bangles, or wear a blazer and a loosely wrapped scarf for a rock-chick look.
Brands to try: Topshop, UNIQLO, True Religion, See by Chloé, Balenciaga, Chloé.
Blouse, Marlene Birger.
A seriously pretty top can create a great look in an instant.
Whether it’s a fresh, cotton blouse, a sparkly vest or a stripy sweater, a well-chosen top can completely change your look. There’s such a brilliant selection of tops out there right now that none of us has to rely on just our favourite T-shirts any more. I admit, nothing looks fresher than a white vest and jeans in summer, but I think there are so many good reasons not to just reach for your favourite tee or sweater every day.
One of the handiest styling tips that I’ve learned lately is that creating a great look on your top half is all down to detail. But, again, I would say that the best tops for you are the ones that suit your shape, and that you feel most comfortable in. So, plain or patterned, simple or smart, in this chapter I’ll suggest many ways to dress your tops up or down to suit your style, and explain how to create a practical but pretty collection of classic tops – including some great jackets – to wear with your jeans, skirts and trousers.
Top, Dorothy Perkins.
Everyday favourites
T-shirts, vests and racer-backs
SIMPLY GORGEOUS
When choosing T-shirts, I go for finer, looser styles that you can shape with a belt, or close-fitting designs like a simple vest. I love vests with shorts and skirts. If my skin’s nicely tanned, I might wear a brightly coloured vest, or if I’m wearing a simple white one I’ll drape some fine gold chains around my neck.
