Shopping for jeans and swimsuits puts terror into the hearts of most women. I don’t think I’m being too bold when I say this. Terror might not be the perfect word – maybe dread is more apropos. In both instances, you know you’re going to have to spend a fair amount of time, with no guarantee of success at the end of the day.

Well I’ve got a few tips to help you navigate through the whole process, the first being:

Bring patience to the dressing room.
It takes time to find the perfect jean. Bring in five pairs of jeans at a time and plan to repeat this exercise five times or more to narrow down your choices to the best ones. You may want a wardrobe of jeans—a dressy pair, a casual pair for running Saturday errands and a pair that would be appropriate for wearing to work on casual Friday. Your old jeans can be used for gardening or cleaning out the garage. Jeans, like underwear, need to be updated regularly so give yourself time and pack some patience to cross this shopping task off your list. It’s worth it.

Next, go to a jeans specialty store.
The best advice you’ll get is from a store that sells only one thing, or at least a lot of: jeans. Salespeople are trained to know their products inside and out. They study the relationship between jeans, bodies and lifestyle needs and take pride in helping you get the best fit. If you don’t live near a jean specialty store try the jeans section of a department store. They’ll be able to give you pointers about each brand, cut, and style.

I’ve found great jeans, at a great price, in Old Navy, where they have a lot of different cuts and styles. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get great jeans, but you do need to get a great fit, no matter what the price point. Whatever the price, if it doesn’t fit properly, it’s just a waste of money.

Speaking of fit, buy them snug.
A salesperson or an image consultant may ask you to try on a pair of jeans, and when you look at yourself in the mirror, you may think they look too tight. Jeans have stretch in them, and some brands are known to stretch out nearly a whole size. That’s why you want to buy them as snug as possible, because after ten minutes, they’ll be baggier. Ask salespeople about the reputation of their jeans. If customers have made complaints, they’ve heard them. Once you’ve found a jean brand that flatters your body, make a point to keep coming back to see what cuts and washes they create next. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll be pleased each time, but it’s worth a try.

Be prepared to wear a different size in different brands of jeans. I find that I need to size up in less expensive brands and I’m okay with that. For sure, when I try on jeans in Junior sizes (which is rare, but I have had some success), I size up at least a couple of sizes.

When you find the jean of your dreams, double the pleasure.
Consider splurging on two pairs of the same jean.Take the two pairs of identical jeans (pre-washed to avoid shrinkage) to your tailor and get them hemmed for two lengths: one suited for heels and one for flats. Bring the exact heels and flats you plan to wear with your jeans so your tailor can get them just right.

The darker the jeans, the dressier the look.
If you want a pair of jeans to wear out at night, go for the darkest wash. The lighter the jean, the more casual the look. Pair a dark jean with an elegant, silky top or blazer; add dressy heels, and you’ve got a sophisticated outfit that’s perfect for date night.

Those are my top tips. Some of my tried and true places are Old Navy, White House Black Market, and Nordstrom for NYDJ. I’ve also had success at Zara and H&M, but definitely size up in those stores.

What are your favorite places and/or tips for shopping for jeans?

Thanks for reading – stay stylish!
Adena