So you know my cool goal jeans that I could finally wear in June? Too big. They're not terrible, but they're starting to feel like I need to hitch them up. So I thought I would go look for new jeans today, nothing spendy, just some plain, straight-legged, Levi-type jeans. Um, no. Here is a handy translation for all you jeans-shoppers:

"Straight leg, eased through hip and thigh"
Translation: They will gape at the waist, hug your thighs, and will be tapered to the ankle. Because we know that's what all size 14-16 girls want; for their thighs to look HUGE.

"Boot cut; fitted through high and thigh"
Translation: They will fit in the waist, but will be skin-tight from your upper thigh to your knee, so much that you will be afraid that your lower leg will fall asleep from lack of circulation.

"Skinny Jean"
Translation: Do not even TRY to fit your curvy butt into these. You will fail.

"Not Your Daughter's Jeans--Hidden Tummy panel!"
Translation: You will need a couple of sizes bigger to even get the damn things zipped, and then you will look like a middle-aged lady trying to stuff herself into her daughter's jeans. Oh, and the legs? Tapered. Because today's Mom knows what is fashionable, and it's 1980's tapered jeans with a tummy panel.

Why can't I find a plain pair of straight-legged jeans that really ARE straight legged and aren't tapered? Why can't I find a pair that fits my waist without a huge gaping space at the back AND doesn't strangle my thighs? I'm about to head to the men's department and just buy a pair there. I'd do it, except that I have been wearing a pair of my son's old jeans and there seems to be a lot of crotch fabric that I don't really need in men's jeans (if ya know what I mean).

So for now, I'm wearing the kinda-too-big Goal jeans. It might just be that I'm between sizes or something. It's weird that I'm between 14 and 16 in jeans, but my work pants are all 14's and today I tried on some 12's that look like they're getting close...I'm guessing I'm about 10 pounds away from 12 in work pants. Maybe by then I can STUFF myself into a pair of 14 jeans. Sigh.

I like DKNY jeans. They fit my curves and look good.

Along the way, I also had better luck finding jeans at second hand stores than at department stores. Some of the "old" non-spandex jeans seemed to be better suited to my body shape. Just make sure you take a tape measure or try them on, because many are old enough that sizes can be deceiving.

NOTHING like finding a well-worn pair of jeans that FIT like a glove

I'm all about the American Eagle brand jeans They're the right price and are made really well - pretty true to size and they can handle a lot (I like to play rough with me jeans....)

Sadly, I live in the boondocks but I will check them out the next time I'm in the Seattle area. They all look pretty low-rise on the website, though--is that true? I don't want them up around my belly button but I also don't want to worry about my butt-crack showing! LOL. I think what I'm looking for is the "boyfriend fit" that they show on their website.

I agree! The problem for me with thrift stores is that I'm so tall. Sometimes normal length pants will fit me, but usually I have to get "long" length. I may just have to be patient till I'm a few pounds lighter; I think I'm in a phase right now where I am between sizes. Once I'm at goal (or close!), I plan to spend a few bucks on a really GOOD pair of jeans. I had a pair of "7 for all mankind" jeans once and wow, did I love those jeans.

How bout the Lee jeans that suck it all in..............luv em, and cheap!

http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_STORE_U...cket-jean.html
I have these.I love them and they come in talls!!

I just went shopping last week at a store we have here called Cato's. I was thrilled that I have went down a size in their tops. But I could have screamed trying on jeans. The cutest and most affordable jeans. However the catch is they were all Wide width. I usually wear a 24. I could fit in a 22 but there was so much extra fabric in the thigh area it was crazy. I felt really good about getting into the smaller size but I guess my thighs aren't as large as they should be for my size or something I gave up and went home with two nice tops. Still gotta go jean shopping.

women's levis 515 fit me pretty well, they have some stretchy fabric but have been holding up well (better than those fashion bug and Layne Bryant jeans )

I usually do buy men's bootcut or straightleg jeans, like you say most women's jeans that are sizes 12-14 are hard to find a good fit. I think it's the mom style jeans.

Definitely when I'm at goal weight I'll splurge on some better jeans, hopefully more of the women's styles will fit better when I'm thin.

I did try on the Levi 515's today but they were skin tight through the thighs. Really, really uncomfortably tight. When I went up a size, they gaped in the waist by a couple of inches. My current jeans are Levi's 550, but it looks like now they only carry those in the men's sizes (although maybe it's just my Penney's store? I'll check online).

I'm just really mystified why all manufacturers seem to be making jeans "fitted" (aka skin tight) through the thighs. Maybe I just have fat thighs.

Hmmmm...I'm a little worried about the Secret Panel. Doesn't that mean I'm going to have to size way up in order to be able to struggle into them?

Yeah, that's what I'm finding. They're either cut for teenagers (no butt or legs) or the waist comes WAY up to my belly button or higher. And if I do find something that fits in the store, then most times they're too short. Grrrrrr. I think I just need to be patient until I lose some more weight. I'm feeling kind of fat right now.

I refuse to wear low rise (i.e., crack showing) or high rise (i.e., instant bloated look) jeans, but Gap has a few styles of mid rise jeans that I really like. In fact, it's the only store I've found whose jeans actually fit me well. The Perfect Boot and Long N' Lean jeans are especially great!

Windchime, you had me CRACKING UP!!! So true, jeans shopping is a joke.... unless you're Heidi Klum or a 13 yr old girl.

I, too have been stuck between sizes where things are a little loose or a wee too tight. If you have a sewing machine or sew by hand, do what I do with those loose-waisted jeans... take them in a few inches. Or ask a friend, or find a cheap seamstress.

The way I look at it... I plan to go down another size or 2, so why spend money on new temporary jeans? When I do start shopping for new jeans, I will check back on this thread for more ideas!

Anyway, good luck on finding "THE pair"