Jeans for a small size women & vanity sizing

[rewok]

I went for my semi-annual shopping trip this weekend and was in for quite a shock. I lost a lot of weight since last year (40 pounds), and I am back to my college tiny self. I haven't bought many clothes since the middle of this weight loss, and my jeans are starting to fall of... Now I wear jeans 99% of the time, including work, so I need to have a few pairs. The problem is, I can't get anything in the women's department, they stop at a size 4! And their size 4 is very large... I went to the juniors, and sizing is better, the size 1 or 3 usually fit, but they only have very LOW rise! I personally don't think low rise looks good on anyone (no "nice butt" in them), and I don't like to show my undies to the guys at work

I just want some mid-rise jeans (up to halfway between my pubis and my belly button, around my hip bone), which are fitting around the tight and boot-cut or flare, in a trendy colour/wash. Not a lot I tough, and quite available in "women" sizes... Why is nobody making this in my size (and at a reasonable price)? In the end, I got a pair of Levis 518 bootcut which is a tad lower than I prefer, and some tattered (not perfect for work...) Diva at Old Navy. Their regular colours had larger pockets (Another problem: those make butts look bigger, not good for anyone...)

This vanity sizing must end, I swear I did not have any problems getting jeans 15 years ago, and I was that size. For a laugh: at Target the smallest juniors was too big...

 

[HeatherH]

Hmmm, maybe it's because you are in Canada, but in California there are plenty of places to get jean sizes lower than size 4. I've even seen as low as 00, and they are not that hard to find.

I don't know if you can order online (or would even want to) but there are definitely lots of options for smaller-sized jeans. I do agree that vanity sizing has had an impact on what are the most commonly-available sizes, though.

 

[JamieW]

I went for my semi-annual shopping trip this weekend and was in for quite a shock. I lost a lot of weight since last year (40 pounds), and I am back to my college tiny self. I haven't bought many clothes since the middle of this weight loss, and my jeans are starting to fall of... Now I wear jeans 99% of the time, including work, so I need to have a few pairs. The problem is, I can't get anything in the women's department, they stop at a size 4! And their size 4 is very large... I went to the juniors, and sizing is better, the size 1 or 3 usually fit, but they only have very LOW rise! I personally don't think low rise looks good on anyone (no "nice butt" in them), and I don't like to show my undies to the guys at work

I just want some mid-rise jeans (up to halfway between my pubis and my belly button, around my hip bone), which are fitting around the tight and boot-cut or flare, in a trendy colour/wash. Not a lot I tough, and quite available in "women" sizes... Why is nobody making this in my size (and at a reasonable price)? In the end, I got a pair of Levis 518 bootcut which is a tad lower than I prefer, and some tattered (not perfect for work...) Diva at Old Navy. Their regular colours had larger pockets (Another problem: those make butts look bigger, not good for anyone...)

This vanity sizing must end, I swear I did not have any problems getting jeans 15 years ago, and I was that size. For a laugh: at Target the smallest juniors was too big...

I hear you. I'm small, too. I usually get my jeans out of the juniors department. My favorite pair of jeans come from Express. I've had them for years. They fit great and are a 1/2 short. Now, if I want Express jeans to fit, I have to get a 00, which is two sizes smaller. I haven't changed, but the sizing sure has.

Did you try The Limited, Ann Taylor Loft or NY & Company? I'm pretty sure they all have higher rises.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I went for my semi-annual shopping trip this weekend and was in for quite a shock. I lost a lot of weight since last year (40 pounds), and I am back to my college tiny self. I haven't bought many clothes since the middle of this weight loss, and my jeans are starting to fall of... Now I wear jeans 99% of the time, including work, so I need to have a few pairs. The problem is, I can't get anything in the women's department, they stop at a size 4! And their size 4 is very large... I went to the juniors, and sizing is better, the size 1 or 3 usually fit, but they only have very LOW rise! I personally don't think low rise looks good on anyone (no "nice butt" in them), and I don't like to show my undies to the guys at work

I just want some mid-rise jeans (up to halfway between my pubis and my belly button, around my hip bone), which are fitting around the tight and boot-cut or flare, in a trendy colour/wash. Not a lot I tough, and quite available in "women" sizes... Why is nobody making this in my size (and at a reasonable price)? In the end, I got a pair of Levis 518 bootcut which is a tad lower than I prefer, and some tattered (not perfect for work...) Diva at Old Navy. Their regular colours had larger pockets (Another problem: those make butts look bigger, not good for anyone...)

This vanity sizing must end, I swear I did not have any problems getting jeans 15 years ago, and I was that size. For a laugh: at Target the smallest juniors was too big...

That sounds like an awful problem to have. I've seen plenty of 0 and 00 in the stores; check the internet.

 

[emer95]

I buy my jeans in the children's department. I'm a 0 in womens, which is extremely hard to find. I am on the shortish side 5' 2" so a girls size 14 works perfectly for me, plus it's usually cheaper.
I try to find Levis because they are more conservative styles/colors. I don't want sparkly butterflies or unicorns on my fanny.

 

[drag n' fly]

There is loads of places depending on how much you want to spend. On the reasonably priced side is Old Navy, Urban Planet, Garage etc! On the expensive side .....well not my forte'. P.S I do not speak from experience as I probably was not even born a size 0.. Congrats on the weight loss and hth

 

[All American]

Good job with the weight loss.

For a perfect fit jean, (I think) I remember Stacy from "What Not to Wear" recommending some jeans you like and having a tailor fit them exactly to your size. This way, you get the pants you love with a fit that flatters.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, tailoring jeans is the worst PITA you can imagine, and most tailors charge quite a bit more for it than they would for regular trousers. All of the seams are double-sewn, so they take forever to remove and re-do.

OP, what about Ann Taylor? They tend to have a lot of very small sizes in cuts that are favored by women over 30. I just looked at their website, and they have a lot of the tiny sizes on clearance just now.

 

[cdepauli]

I agree. I can't shop in department stores at all anymore, even for dresses - at least the mid level ones. It seems that higher end dept stores like Nordstroms, Lord and Taylor, Barney's etc. carry smaller sizes in non-junior jeans.

I usually get my jeans and most of my clothes at clothing stores like Banana Republic, GAP, Anne Taylor, etc. You may also want to try J Crew or another catalog where you can order in different inseam lengths as well. I actually got my two fave pairs of jeans from BR for $20-25 apiece including alterations to the length.

 

[maelstrom]

Delia's is where I get all of my jeans. They go down to a size 00 and have inseams from 26" to 36". I'm not sure if they'll have quite the rise you want, tho, as they cater to a younger clientele. My jeans are by no means ultra low-rise, but they aren't above my belly button either.

 

[SadieDog]

I understand. I could have written this. I find it very difficult to find jeans that fit. I like them bellow my belly button too but not super low rise like my daughter wears. She has given me a few pairs and the one that fit me the best is stretch. They are way too long though and I have to roll them. Good luck in your search.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I love Ann Taylor Loft jeans. The petites work for me as regulars are WAY too long. I think they are made so you can wear 5" heels with them. They have many different cuts and there are 2 I really like.

 

[TLHB70]

Funny that you bring this up. I just saw a segment on a local show yesterday about finding the right fit jeans. I, too, have trouble finding jeans that fit me right (not because I am too small for them, though )and look good on my body shape. So far Tommy Hilfiger jeans have come closest. However, after seeing this yesterday, I might look again.
This was an interesting segment about finding the right jeans. It is about 6 minutes long.

http://www.wcnc.com/charlotte-today/Perfect-fit-85828672.html

BTW, CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[clgwli]

Just FYI, tailoring jeans is the worst PITA you can imagine, and most tailors charge quite a bit more for it than they would for regular trousers. All of the seams are double-sewn, so they take forever to remove and re-do.

OP, what about Ann Taylor? They tend to have a lot of very small sizes in cuts that are favored by women over 30. I just looked at their website, and they have a lot of the tiny sizes on clearance just now.

I respectfully disagree. I have to alter all the jeans I buy and it hasn't been expensive. Many of the alterations are done for free at a couple places I shop.

To the OP, I highly suggest checking out stores like the Loft, NY&Company, Old Navy, Express, Nordstrom, Buckle and Lucky Brand jeans. A lot of those places go to smaller sizes and some aren't near as bad with vanity sizing as others. If you have a good Juniors department it is worth to try them out too.

 

[Kit'smommy]

Many places have smaller jeans.

If you are looking for something relatively inexpensive, I agree with the suggestions of Ann Taylor, Loft and Banana Republic. They have a wide array of sizes and run relatively TTS. These stores all have good sales and discount codes for % off, if you look around for them.

I have also occassionally purchased jeans from the girls departments in both Target and Penneys.

 

[damo]

I went for my semi-annual shopping trip this weekend and was in for quite a shock. I lost a lot of weight since last year (40 pounds), and I am back to my college tiny self. I haven't bought many clothes since the middle of this weight loss, and my jeans are starting to fall of... Now I wear jeans 99% of the time, including work, so I need to have a few pairs. The problem is, I can't get anything in the women's department, they stop at a size 4! And their size 4 is very large... I went to the juniors, and sizing is better, the size 1 or 3 usually fit, but they only have very LOW rise! I personally don't think low rise looks good on anyone (no "nice butt" in them), and I don't like to show my undies to the guys at work

I just want some mid-rise jeans (up to halfway between my pubis and my belly button, around my hip bone), which are fitting around the tight and boot-cut or flare, in a trendy colour/wash. Not a lot I tough, and quite available in "women" sizes... Why is nobody making this in my size (and at a reasonable price)? In the end, I got a pair of Levis 518 bootcut which is a tad lower than I prefer, and some tattered (not perfect for work...) Diva at Old Navy. Their regular colours had larger pockets (Another problem: those make butts look bigger, not good for anyone...)

This vanity sizing must end, I swear I did not have any problems getting jeans 15 years ago, and I was that size. For a laugh: at Target the smallest juniors was too big...

Try Cleo. They've got lots of higher rise jeans. Don't know if the store is in Quebec though.

Also Ralph Lauren makes some nice higher rise in size 2. They sell them at The Bay. Also Nygard that are also sold at The Bay.

 

[cheermom1]

Trust me I hear ya too...I even gained about 30lbs and still the jeans in the woman dept. do not fit me..they are all way too big!! I can wear a juniors 4 but when I go to the woman the size 4 is way too big and I don;t like most of the juniors jeans...It took a week and lots and lots of stores to find a pair that the price was umm a little higher than I really wanted to pay!

it seems as though the womens just stop at a size 4 and is way too big for some people...right now I'm on a diet and I don't know what I'm going to do..

the place I found a pair was at Talbots (sp) try them they might help...

 

[waltskids]

I also have a terrible time finding jeans that fit properly. Junior size 2 or 3 fit me well but I look like a kid with those styles. I can wear girl's size jeans size 14 but it's hard to find nice adult looking jeans in that department too. Regular misses jeans are always big but I am going to take the suggestions from people on this board and try out some new stores. It seems in the last few years the sizes have changed so much that the smaller sizes are much larger than they used to be.

 

[jetprincess]

Have you tried Old Navy? I know they are famous for vanity sizing but they do have several different styles including low, mid and regular rise jeans. Maybe their 1 or a 0 would work for you?

 

[tinkntraining]

My version of "vanity sizing" is to tear off the size tags as soon as I get them home!!

OP -- hope you find some you like!