10 ways to look better than ever in jeans

4. PLAY WITH WASHES TO VARY YOUR LOOK Dark-wash jeans with an all-over even tone do have a more “serious” look. It’s why they have been our favored dress-casual look for work and

dress-up look for evening. And the dark wash has a “slimming” bonus, too! This is why as our “good jeans,” they didn’t disappoint. But even if you stick with the same general jeans

style, adding new washes can update your look. Skip intensely distressed jeans with rips and tears, though. You can look cool and edgy, without showing a glimpse of knee or thigh, just by

selecting a light wash, a vintage-look “weathered” wash or a black jean instead of the usual dark blue. (Left to right) NYDJ Marilyn Straight Leg Jeans in Rinse; Liverpool Los Angeles Plus

Sadie Straight-Leg Jeans in Black Rinse; Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Button-Fly Curvy Sky-Hi Straight Jeans for Women in Jay Bloomingdale's (2); Old Navy 5. COUNT ON A STRAIGHT-LEG

JEAN Some things, like a V-neck sweater, a white shirt and straight-leg jeans are classic, classy and chic. They never let you down and never look dated. While it’s easy to get seduced by

trendier styles, straights have the right combo of fit through the hip and thighs, with a flattering slim line. However, the interpretation of “straight” varies from brand to brand. Some

have a snugger fit than others, and that’s impacted by your individual weight and thigh-calf proportions. Look for a straight-fit  jean — like the NYDJ Marilyn Straight Leg Jeans in

Rinse ($109, bloomingdales.com), Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Button-Fly Curvy Sky-Hi Straight Jeans for Women in Jay ($40, oldnavy.gap.com) and Liverpool Los Angeles Plus Sadie

Straight-Leg Jeans in Black Rinse ($89, bloomingdales.com) — that stands away from the body, especially in the legs, from the knees down. You’ll be able to judge this immediately by

checking the fit at the ankles. No extra room? Skip ’em! (Left to right) Gap Popover Tunic Shirt in Olive Green ($60, gap.com); Ava & Viv Women’s Plus Size Long Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt

in Black ($14, target.com); Eloquii Button Down Top With Ruffle in Chocolate ($65, eloquii.com); Everlane The Cozy-Stretch Pullover in Heathered Charcoal ($98, everlane.com) Gap; Target;

Eloquii; Everlane 6. PAIR TOPS AND JEANS STRATEGICALLY  There are no rules, but keep the opposites-attract theme in mind when adding extra fizz to a basic jeans look. Fitted or semifitted

jeans, like skinnies and straights, pair well with more voluminous tops, puffy sleeves and tunic-length sweaters. Looser jeans, like boyfriends, girlfriends and wide-leg styles, benefit

from the contrast of fitted tops that tuck in or more relaxed tops and sweaters that semi-tuck in front to keep waist definition. Too much slouch, or volume on top and bottom, doesn’t

work — neither does too tight or fitted a jean and top. It’s all about balance. (Left to right) Lysee Plus Pull-On Boyfriend Jeans in Mid Wash; Women’s Croft & Barrow Girlfriend Pull-On

Jeans in Medium Wash; Women’s Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Pull-On Jeans in Vermont Bloomingdale's; Kohl's (2) 7. TRY AN ELASTIC WAIST JEAN FOR EASY LAYERING Let’s be honest: Some

of us no longer have any interest in a tight and structured anything that emphasizes a belly bulge — and that includes fly-front jeans. We still love, though, the way our legs look

strutting around in jeans under layers of tees and sweaters and jackets. The solution is pull-on jeans (not jeggings) — like the Women’s Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Pull-On Jeans in Vermont

($31, kohls.com), Lysee Plus Pull-On Boyfriend Jeans in Mid Wash ($108, bloomingdales.com) and Women’s Croft & Barrow Girlfriend Pull-On Jeans in Medium Wash ($25, kohls.com) — that

mimic real jeans styles so well that you’d swear they were the real deal. It’ll be our secret.