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Big Girl Pants

by afrobella

Whenever I go anywhere, or even think of going anywhere, they’re the first item of clothing I envision. They go with fancy frilly tops and heels, or teeshirts and sneakers. For many (including myself), they’re practically a daily uniform.

Of course I’m talking about jeans. I’d be lost without them.

“Tummy

I don’t love a jean with pockets or flashy logos that call attention to my butt, or glittery doodads all over the leg to instantly date the style. (Like Ed Hardy, for ideal example. Shudder).
I am a picky bella. I like my jeans wide legged or boot cut, slim in the thigh. I want a jean that makes my butt look good, and that is comfortable enough to wear all day.

Finding the perfect pair of jeans can become a bit challenging if you’re a full figured, curvy gal. I’ll share my favorites with you if you share yours with me. Deal? Deal!

I’ve reviewed them before and I’ll say it again — Rocawear makes a real effort to find a fit that flatters fuller figures. Their sizes go up to 24, and on most pairs the R symbol is subdued enough to be classy. (Or at least, I find them way less distracting than the apple pockets on AppleBottom jeans).

There are jeans brands out there that claim to truly be made for women with curves. But the funny thing about PZI Jeans is that the sizes are limited. I know many bellas who are just below what I’d call plus size, who adore these jeans — they range from size 4 to 18. I fall into the plus size camp, so unfortunately these jeans remain just outside my grasp. Here’s hoping that the brand expands their size range to truly rep for women with fuller figures.

“Cookie

Cookie Johnson (yes, Magic’s wife) has just come out with her own line of denim as well — currently available at Nordstrom for ahem, Nordstrom prices. $198 for the chic dark rinsed flares you see here.

Lucky, lucky me – I found the perfect pair of jeans at one of my favorite stores. You may already know, that’s TJ Maxx (you should go! Ha! But no really, you should!)

I was kinda psyched to see how the discount shopping experience would match up, in my move from Miami to Chicago. I felt kind of adrift, knowing there’s no Ross in this neck of the woods. Thankfully, Marshalls and TJ Maxx abound, and here it’s my one stop plus size shop.

I’ve noticed that I consistently have better luck finding affordable plus size clothing in TJ Maxx, though. Why is that? The Marshalls here in Illinois had a great selection of most everything else, but of late the selections have been skewing a little higher end than one might expect. I found a military style Ralph Lauren jacket that I was DYING for — but it cost $150. A fraction of the original price, sure…but still sadly out of my range.

At TJ Maxx I was able to find a sizeable range of jeans sizes, in brands ranging from the hip hop fab (shake your derrierre in Dereon, anyone?) to tried and true classic (good ol’ Levi’s). I tried on numerous pairs before discovering my new favorite big girl pants.

Not Your Daughters’ Jeans describes themselves as the “original tummy tuck jean,” and they come in sizes 2 to 24. The secret? No front pockets. Instead of front pockets and buttons that add bulk, the front of these jeans are smooth, streamlined, and high waisted. They made my stomach look svelte, my butt look perky, and my legs look long and lean. I LOVE THESE JEANS! Inside there’s a sticker from the founder, which simply says “you can thank us later.”

I’m saying thanks NOW.

NYDJ is also one of those department store brands, but thanks be to the craptastic economy, you can find loads of high end garments at your local discount stores. I got my pair for less than $30.

What’s next on my jeans radar? I managed to get my mitts on a copy of Dickies’ Buyer’s Guide catalog — click here to get yours! Dickies has an insane selection of clothes in larger sizes that for some reason aren’t available on their website. I’m eyeing the flannel lined jeans — I ain’t playing games with Chicago winter!

What are your favorite jeans, bellas? Tell me your brand o’ choice and where you get them!

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Filed Under: Reviews, Style Tagged With: Dickies, jeans, Marshalls, Not Your Daughters Jeans, plus size, TJ Maxx

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DC Neighborhood Style Examiner

    at

    PZI Jeans are amazing… no more jumping , pulling, or tugging. Great Product!

  2. Jwrightfornow

    at

    I love jeans

  3. miko

    at

    my favorite jeans are Earnest Sewn jeans. they are pricey and i definitely pay a lot for them but they are worth it because my legs are long, and MOST jean manufacturers don’t make them long enough. but high end jeans are always longer than 34 inches!

  4. BK

    at

    I have to agree on the NYDJ.. I got a pair from Filene’s for about $30. great fit and they holdup well.. PZI are overpriced for me.. good product BUT even for those that fall in btw the 12 & 14 its still not a perfect fit. My favorite jeans are from the gap.. the Long & Lean or Long & Curvy..

  5. chenna

    at

    oh my goodness, NYDJ are the BEST! my sister found me a pair at the Navy Store in Ft. Worth, Texas. Literally, the most amazing jeans I’ve ever owned.

  6. Jass

    at

    I need to try NYDJ , but right now im wearing the right fit jean from lane bryant …. its almost my perfect jean , but its not there yet

  7. Brandi

    at

    Finding a pair of jeans that fits requires the patience of Job. The only pair I have now that I don’t have to tug and fidgit with are my Lane Bryant Right Fit Jeans. However, I’ve been losing weight, and soon they won’t fit. So the thought of starting the process over again is enough to make me break out in hives.

  8. Dovena

    at

    I like the way lucky brand jeans fit, also joes jeans they have some called the honey curvy fit and these are one of fav pair (no gapping in the back)! I like juicy couture jeans also they fit curvy figures very well. Just brought a pair of Hudsons, fit well but a lil long(only 5’3) havent worn yet so i might have them altered. Oh and True Religion luv these! Sorry but i just luv jeans! I always get mine on sale wherever i shop.

  9. Kat

    at

    Thank you for this post! I’ve never given TJ Maxx a try, but after reading this, I went. I bought a great pair of Nine West jeans, size 16, for under $20. They have a great cut, dark wash (my fav), good room in the back, nice detail on the pockets (not too gaudy) and their stretch boot cut. Great find…thank you sooo much!

  10. cdona

    at

    Michael Kors has been good for me lately. I found them at Burlington Coat Factory for $40. I also have a Body Magic garment(it reduces your dress size up to 3 sizes and gives an hour glass shape…amazing!!!)so I can put that on and look good in all of my clothes. I’ve also had good luck at Old Navy with the “boyfriend and sweet heart” cuts and you can’t beat the price $25 when not on sale.

  11. dee

    at

    I’m doing ok with my Old Navy jeans. Sweetheart Cut.

  12. AzizaW

    at

    I’ve never have good luck finding plus clothing at TJMaxx and Marshall’s so I usually just bypass the stores when I’m shopping. It sounds like the merchandise has gotten better though! Thanks for the tip, Bella!

  13. lenore b.

    at

    Nine West makes great jeans. I bought my first pair in Macy’s for about $55. I found my next pair, same style-in Burlington Coat Factory for about $20..I alos bought a pair in Lot-Less on Chambers St.-lower Manhattan for $12!!!!I also like DKNY Soho. They’re boot cut and come in short, average and tall lengths. They’re extremely comfortable, lots of stretch. I wear them all day long. I wear size 12-14, and have them in both sizes, I don’t know if they come in plus sizes.Also bought in Macy’s for about $50.00. Century 21 also has them occasionally for less$$$$

  14. Rondell Jenkins

    at

    I agree with Dee about Old Navy. Unfortunately they only go up to a size 18–and I barely fit into that–but the Flirt Bootcut fit does Rondell right! They usually sell for $50 but you can find them on sale a lot. Have you seen zafu.com? You just enter in your data and it tells you what kind of jean you should by. It can be a real timesaver.

  15. NiaSoul01

    at

    You know, this post gives some great advice, but the best part about it is the nod to Ross. I LIVE for Ross, and I always catch a deal on something that costs about twice as much at Macy’s.

    My favorite jeans are Jeanstar Jeans. They were a Kaufmann’s staple until Kaufmann’s was bought out by Macy’s. Now, I can only get them from Burlington, TJ Maxx, etc., and at about $20-$29, they are a steal when I can find a pair. They hug my curves nicely and don’t give me that awkward fit at the waist.

  16. kaylastia

    at

    Please try Liz Clairborne Boot Cut Jeans, they are not cut low and I bought a pair in mid washed for $14.99 at a Liz Clairborne outlet in Atlantic City.

    You can go on the website today and buy boot cut plus size jeans for $29.99

    P.S. check out the accessories section where you can purchase earrings to bracelets to necklaces from $2.99 to $6.99

  17. Lynette

    at

    All of my jeans have been purchased at either Ross or TJ Maxx. So far my collection includes, Levi’s, Nine West, Liz Claiborne, Lee (don’t laugh they have a few cute styles) and a pair of Macy’s private label jeans. I’m a size 16 Women’s petite and it’s hard to find my size, but when I do see a pair that work I tend to “buy now and justify purchase later”. And I just saw some Not Your Daughter’s Jeans at Marshalls just this weekend I just couldn’t find any petites.

  18. LT

    at

    I recently found a pair of Calvin Klein denims in a dark wash at marshall’s. I loooove them and they are soooo comfy. I’ve always wanted a pair, but could never convince myself to spend the what Macy’s or Nordies were asking for ’em. I’ll have to try on a pair of NYDJ the next time I go to The Rack.

  19. LT

    at

    I forgot to mention…Old Navy plus size jeans may only be purchased online. i have found that their sizes run a tad big for me. I went as far as measuring myself to ensure I get the right size. After measuring, according to Old Navy charts, I was a 24, which are much too big for me. I should have stuck with a 20 or 22.

  20. Dana G.

    at

    I like JAG jeans and buy them at Nordstrom. I like them because they have stretch that hug my hips and thighs in a way that flatters. The Nordstrom on the Mag Mile in Chicago only carries regular length but for the taller curvy woman (like myself), you can order longer lengths via Zappos.com.

  21. Brendon Vignarath

    at

    This guy is my rolemodel tinyurl.com/37mgcy8 LOL!

  22. Sharon Kirklen

    at

    This summer wear the birkenstock sandals to enjoy the sunshine is the best comfortable things.Welcome to our birkenstock outlet to choose all kinds of shoes you need here.

  23. Madeline

    at

    Thank you, Gracias,Thanks alot, Perfect, I have recently been hunting for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve found right now. And I just added this webpage to my google reader, great post. I Can not get enough!

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