“I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sexy appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes” – Yves Saint Laurent
Once regulated to heavy-duty work and casual dressing, jeans now belong in every walk of life. Thanks to a myriad of styles now available, they are appropriate for a whole range of occasions, and provide the perfect blank canvas to build an outfit around. My mantra: “when in doubt, wear jeans.”
And yet… finding the perfect pair of jeans can feel like searching for the holy grail. From fit to cut to wash, the variety of options out there can be overwhelming to say the least; the ultimate test of resilience and inner strength, you’d be forgiven if the words “jean shopping” triggers a case of PTSD: post-traumatic shopping disorder.
But have no fear! Because we’re here to break it down for you so the shopping experience is just as smooth as the feeling of finally pulling on that perfect pair:
1. Rise
All jeans are either high waisted/rise, medium waisted/rise or low waisted/rise, and which are best for you will depend on your shape.
High Rise / Waist: This highly flattering jean sits at or just above the navel and is ideal if you’re looking to accentuate your waist whilst tucking in your tummy and hips. It offers shape, structure and support, and doesn’t result in any rolls. There was a scramble over our High Waisted Milo Jean at our photoshoot – true story.
Medium Rise/ Waist This rise is considered the most universally flattering. It sits just around the navel and, if you carry a little more weight around you middle, this is a great jean for you. It will give you shape and a smooth line around your waist without accentuating your tummy. Try our Nelly Skinny Jean for this cut.
£30.00
The Story ↓ Finding the perfect pair of skinny jeans can feel like searching for the Holy grail - near impossible. And whilst every woman needs a pair of skinny blue jeans in her wardrobe, they can be particularly daunting. So… Shop The LookReiko Nelly Mid Blue Skinny Jeans
£120.00
Low Rise / Waist: The low rise is probably the trickiest jean to wear. It sits a few inches below the navel and are ideal if you’re on the slender side, looking to create more feminine curves around hour hips.
2. Cut
Bootcut vs Flared – The bootcut jean flares out slightly at the ankle, whereas the flared jean widens out just below the knee. The flare definitely makes more of a statement, and looks particularly good on those who carry more weight around their hips as they balance out your proportions. Conversely the bootcut is more subtle, but it’s more universally flattering and lengthening.
Skinny – according to Gen Z, skinny jeans are out. We beg to differ. The skinny jean has a permanent place in my wardrobe – they show off your legs, go with everything, and can be particularly slimming when in a medium to dark blue or black wash.
£32.25
The Story ↓ We all need a trusty pair of black skinny jeans in our wardrobe - the ultimate staple piece. This ankle skimming pair from Reiko are a truly fail safe option, with a super flattering high waist, perfect to… Shop The LookReiko Nate Black High Waist Skinny Jeans
£129.00
Straight – straight cut jeans are becoming increasingly popular at the moment, and it’s easy to see why. They’re super flattering as they skim straight over the waist and hips, and also ooze a more relaxed, effortless vibe compared to the skinny.
Boyfriend, girlfriend & mom: The boyfriend jean is the most loose and baggy jean– essentially it’s supposed to look like you’ve put on your partner’s own jeans. If you prefer a slightly more feminine take, opt for the girlfriend jean which is a slightly slimmer version; its tighter and higher on the hip with a tapered straight leg. And finally the mom jean - a high waisted jean with a baggy fit around the bottom and thighs. A staple of the 80s and early 90s, they’re a bit of a love or hate style. But if you fancy channelling a more retro look, give them a go!
£54.00
The Story ↓ French Brand Reiko introduces the Nina Boyfriend Jean, which is a relaxed fit, straight leg jeans perfect for more casual looks and emulating an androgynous style. Designed for both comfort and style these jeans have a low rise… Shop The LookReiko Nina Dark Blue Boyfriend Jeans
£135.00
3. Colour & Wash
Different coloured jeans serve different purposes. Whilst there are always exceptions to the rule, generally speaking darker jeans are best for colder weather or more formal occasions (rocking a pair of slimming black jeans with heels is a timeless evening-out look), whilst a lighter jean is more causal and perfect for sunshine (hello summer white jeans).
£40.50
Milo Black High Waisted Jeans | RRP £135.00 The Story ↓ We can’t get enough of the Milo Black Jeans from Reiko, from the comfortable, flattering high waist to the straight leg and button fly fastening. The Milo Jean is finished with… Shop The LookReiko Milo Black High Waisted Jeans
£135.00
Once the cotton yarn has been dyed a specific colour (most commonly blue), it is placed into a shuttle loom where it’s processed into ready-to-sell denim. The next step comes down to the preferred effect.
The majority of denim is washed to make it softer and look a certain way. There are several processes that can be employed -
Stone Wash: The most common and basic process for producing a softer and more worn look, it involves using pumice stones to accelerate the ageing process of indigo dyed denim garments.
Acid Wash (Moon Wash): Just like stone washing, but the pumice stones have been soaked in chlorine first. This results in a dramatic, high-contrasting fading effect.
Rise wash (mill wash): This is the simplest of washing applications whereby the fabric is rinsed in water for a short period of time to keep the appearance as dark as possible.
Enzyme Wash: Intended to create a similar faded effect as stone wash, this process involves breaking down the cellulose molecules in the fabric. A more environmentally friendly wash due to the natural origins of enzymes, it has opened up new possibilities in denim finishing by increasing the variety of finishes available.
Alternatively, the denim can be left as it is i.e. not washed or ‘raw’, which offers a darker colour. It has stiffer fit that takes longer to wear in but as it softens it moulds to your body. It also has a lower carbon footprint than washed denim.
4. Fabric
As denim is made of cotton, expect the composition to be a high % of cotton. But don’t be put off if you see a small % of elastane or similar in there too. This simply means they offer more stretch, making them comfier (particularly important for skinnier styles).
Whatever the composition you go for, remember: jeans should always be tight when you first try them on as they will stretch. So if they’re too comfortable when you first put them on, go down a size.
5. Sustainability
Unfortunately jeans are one of the least eco-friendly clothing items to make due to the pesticides and insecticides used to grow cotton to the huge volume of water, energy, and chemicals used to process the materials and turn them into denim.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. By choosing a denim brand committed to sustainability, you can love jeans with a clear conscience.
Our denim label Reiko is one of those brands. Unable to ignore the social and environmental challenges accompanying its development, REIKO is committed to a policy oriented towards corporate-social and environmental responsibility, through a program called Nouveau Regard.
As well as taking actions such as working with Project Rescue Ocean that collects waste on the beaches of Marseille, and restricting packaging to the essentials and using recycled and recyclable fabrics, Reiko has made the following commitments:
FROM 2021…
- Production will 100% come from the Mediterranean basin, which will have a major impact on CO2 emissions
- 100% of ‘casual’ line will be sustainable, including our iconic product, the Sandy chino
- 100% of denim line will be produced from environmentally responsible fabrics
- Relocation of head office to new eco-friendly facilities
- 1st 100% sustainable Fall-Winter 21/22 pre-collection
- Ending the use of plane as a means of freight transport
BY 2022…
- 90% of the production will be made from sustainable and ecological fabrics
6. Care
To get the most out of your jeans, all you need to remember is: wash less (approximately every 10 wears), wash cold inside out, line dry. That way your jeans will retain their shape and colour as much as possible – and you’ll save energy too.
