Curvaceous- (of a woman) having a well-shaped figure with voluptuous curves. I feel the word curvaceous has always gotten a bad wrap. Too many the word is synonymous with something unappealing or dare I say misshapen or fat. For me the word has always been a word of empowerment, a word that depicts the women in my family, a word that describes my friends, and a word that represents me. My measurements are not necessarily ordinary, but not that extraordinary either. I have a 25-inch waist and a 40-inch hip, which runs in my the family. To say that I have a pear shape is a bit of an understatement. Truthfully, I am proud of my shape, but finding attractive ways to clothe it can seem impossible. Finding figure flattering clothing that isn't matronly is not only challenging but also at times costly. The fashion industry does not make clothing for women with curves.
I have spent all of my adolescence and adult life trying to find clothing that fits my proportions. Which has not been an easy feat. I would say the most challenging aspect of shopping is finding jeans that fit properly. When Gap debuted their first pair of curvy jeans I jumped for joy. Before Gap's curvy line, there were not many other designers that made jeans for girls with more substantial proportions. At least none that had a classic wash and detailing. As a woman in my late twenties, I cannot walk around with apple shaped pockets on my behind. It's just plain silly. I am proud of my shape, but there is no reason to have fruit shaped bedazzlement on my derriere. This left me with very few options.
It has been suggested to me on many occasions that I should tailor my jeans to fit my proportions. As someone on a budget, it does not make financial sense for me to buy a nice pair of jeans then spend more money tailoring them. I have always wanted to be able to go into a store and purchase a pair of jeans that I knew would fit over my hips and not gap in the waist. I had some reservations about Gap's line of curvy jeans. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but as I grabbed my first pair and walked toward the fitting room I dreamed of a world where I could go into a store and buy a pair of jeans that I knew would fit me. As I slid the not too stretchy denim up my legs and to my hips, my hopes and dreams shattered. These jeans were like every other pair of jeans with a little more room in the thighs. They had the dreaded waist gap and posterior smushing attributes of 98% of jeans I put my hopes, dreams, and butt into. This was beyond disheartening.
I have spent majority of my life in ill-fitting denim, but everywhere I looked different retailers were advertising jeans for curvy girls and every time I tried them on I walked away dissatisfied. I have tried Anne Taylor Loft's Curvy Jeans (mom jeans), Express's Eva Jeans (waist gap), and I've learned my lesson with Applebottom. I still did not give up hope on the Gap. Every season Gap would come out with a different style of curvy jeans and every time I would leave the fitting room disappointed. Finally, after 5 years I hit pay dirt! I was strolling by the Gap on my way to the subway after work and figured I would give their curvy jeans another try. I needed a cute pair of jeans to go with the amazing pair of red leather boots I purchased at Anthropologie. I walked tentatively to the display of jeans grabbed my size and went into the fitting room.
This time I had learned my lesson. I expected the worst but secretly hoped for the best. I slid the jeans up my legs, past my hips, and holy mother of cows they fit like a glove. I looked into the mirror and my tush looked amazing and there was no waist gap. Hallelujah, I finally found the holy grail of curvy jeans. I purchased these jeans immediately and I ran home and tried them on with everything I owned and they looked great. Now I officially own one pair of jeans that look great. Hopefully, Gap won't disappoint me and change the style of jean for the upcoming season, but knowing them they won't know when to leave well enough alone. I have been searching my whole life for that one amazing pair of jeans, and now that I have finally found them I hope that I can find more. This one pair of jeans made me feel like the fashion industry finally understood that women come in many shapes and sizes. I know that it is ridiculous to think that one pair of jeans is evidence that the world is changing and finally embracing us curvy girls, but one can dare to hope that this is a sign of change for the better.
Some of these curvy jeans didn't work for me but they might work for you:
Gap
Ann Taylor Loft
PZI Jeans (haven't tried them but I have high hopes)
Express
The Limited
No comments:
Post a Comment