“I’m a woman with love handles. I’m 5’11” and a size 10 but even when I was a size 6, my (definitely smaller) love handles were still be a problem. Could you recommend good jeans for someone with this issue? I have two styles of jeans from The Gap and it has to be a really super fabulous body image day for me to wear them out of the house. Basically I’m left with my H&M skinny jeans with normal rise. They’re a size bigger than I normally wear but, unlike The Gap, they still cling well to my thighs despite being a little looser in the waist where I need the help. Going up to a 12 at The Gap is too big, too baggy and completely unflattering.
Any help would be amazing! I’m willing to pay $100 or even a bit more for something that is flattering and fits well.” — Jil
I think the mistake a lot of women make when it comes to love handles is picking “curvy” jeans. Just because jeans are curvy, doesn’t mean they actually do much when it comes to the waist/love handle area. The reality is, that regardless of whether you’re curvy, or stick straight, love handles can happen, so concentrate on jeans that respect all aspects of your figure. For example, perhaps you’re getting muffin top because you’re wearing straight-bodied jeans when you’re actually curvy. Or vice versa!
For my money, the best solution to this problem is to find a good pair of high-waisted jeans that will help to reign in the extra bits and smooth out your shape. You want jeans that come up to or just above your belly button. I like Levi’s High Rise Skinny Jeans personally, but a survey of the office muffin tops offers up a variety of other options. Check ‘em out below!
Levi’s High Rise Skinny Jeans, $78
Citizens of Humanity Avedon Skinny Jeans, $190.90
Gap Long & Lean, $59.99
Blank NYC Women’s High Rise Jeans, $52.50
Original by Julie Gerstein
