We all know the struggle of finding jeans that fit comfortably and for curvy bodies, that struggle is exacerbated by lack of options in the plus size area. In this blog, I try to find a pair of jeans to replace my aging favourites and have a go making jeans.
Too tight and too uncomfortable
I hadn’t bought a proper pair of jeans in years. For a while, I lived in cheap jeggings from The Warehouse (a bargain department shop in New Zealand). They were size 24 which felt like a big number at the time but they fit. Well, they used to. Recently they’ve been getting too tight and far too uncomfortable. I’d been resisting doing anything about it.
Time for a visit to City Chic
Then one day I found myself in Christchurch for a free seminar on AI tools (I’d even taken the day off work for it). By lunchtime, I realised I wasn’t getting quite enough value to justify staying the whole day. Then I remembered City Chic is in Christchurch.
Where I live, an hour and a half south of Christchurch, we don’t have a City Chic store so this felt like a golden opportunity. On a whim, I ducked out of the seminar and headed straight to the mall with jeans on my mind.
Rediscovering a City Chic classic
Years ago, I bought some bootleg jeans from City Chic that I wore to death. They had big, indecent holes in the thighs by the time I let them go. I wasn’t sure if City Chic still stocked anything like them but I figured it was worth a try.
Browsing the racks, I found some jeans labelled Harley. Ages ago, I’d complimented a plus-size woman in the supermarket on her jeans and she told me they were Harleys from City Chic. I didn’t think I’d find them again but there they were.
I picked up a pair to try and asked the shop assistant if they had any bootleg styles like I used to wear. She brought me a size 20 in a style called Asha which happened to be the same size as the Harley jeans I’d already grabbed.
So far, so good. Maybe I’d found something that might actually work.
In the fitting room
The size 20s were close but a bit tight in both styles. I could get them on, but they weren’t comfy. The assistant brought me size 22s, which felt much better. Asha was bootleg (like my old favourites), and Harley had a wide straight leg. The Asha jeans felt familiar. I liked the Harleys too but I could only afford one pair. The Ashas won.
They were a bit long but I remembered that years ago when I bought bootleg jeans from City Chic, I used to walk straight from buying them to the alterations shop in the mall to get them taken up. This time I took them to my friend Jenna instead, who kindly shortened them for me. She took off 10cm!
Big thighs and big tummy
Before I left the shop, and as I was contemplating whether to buy Harley or Asha, things got a bit … awkward.
The shop assistant explained that Harley jeans are made for people with “big thighs”, while Asha jeans are for those with “big tummies”. I didn’t particularly think my tummy or thighs were all that big, they’re just me. Honestly, both styles felt pretty similar in the midsection.
She even showed me her own legs to explain why she was a Harley girl and pointed to her colleague (who was standing right next to us) as an “Asha girl.” The colleague agreed and showed off her own (much thinner) legs. It was a bit strange. I guess, working in a plus-size shop, they’re used to being open about bodies and body shapes and maybe they assumed all their customers are too.
Still, it’s worth saying: not everyone is okay with their body being categorised out loud by strangers. I felt seen — but maybe a bit labelled, too. I’d just like to gently suggest that a little sensitivity might go a long way even in a shop that caters to bigger bodies.
Wearing them in
I’ve worn my new Asha jeans almost daily since. I wash them with care and avoid the dryer (learned that lesson the hard way years ago). After a few wears and one wash, they’ve started to feel loose. I find myself hauling them up more than I’d like.
Then I remembered, the assistant who sold me my old pair of City Chic jeans years ago had told me to size down because they loosen with wear. I wish I’d remembered that before I bought the Ashas.
Never mind. They’re mind now and the more I wear them, the more they mould to my shape.
Sewing and sizing woes
The new jeans got me thinking about a pair of jeans I’d been sewing myself. I was nearly done. The waistband was on and topstitching done when I realised they were going to be too big. Yes, too big. I tried adjusting them but I think I’ve messed them up.
It’s the age-old problem with plus-size sewing, the hips fit fine, but the waist is huge. If I’d sized down for the waist to fit, the hips would have been too tight. It’s better to have something too big than too small. You can’t create fabric out of thin air!
My advice for buying jeans
If you’re struggling with finding jeans that fit and feel good, here’s what I’d say. Get out there and try things on.
I know, I hate changing room marathons too. You get hot and bothered with taking things off and putting things on and trying to remember which pair felt best. However, trying them on is the only way to find the right style and size. Spread it out if you need to. Go to one store and try a few, then a few weeks later, try somewhere else. Take mirror selfies or voice notes to remind yourself of styles, sizes and prices. Just don’t leave it too long to make a decision. We all know how quickly plus-size styles sell out.
If nothing’s working for you off the rack, you can sew your own. It might not be such a good idea to start with jeans if you’re a beginner. Denim, fly fronts and fitting curves take a bit of experience.
Whether you’re shopping or sewing, don’t give up. Your body deserves clothes that fit and feel good — tummy, thighs, labels and all.
Talk with me
Have you ever gone on a hunt for the perfect pair of jeans or maybe tackled sewing your own? What was your experience like? Share your stories, tips, or frustrations in the comments below. Let’s support each other on this journey to finding clothes that make us feel confident and comfortable, no matter our shape or size.