“Contrary to popular belief you can be plus-size and not be curvy. “
Fall is on it’s way y’all, you know what that means, denim on denim on denim! And since it seems like we’ve all come to the collective agreement that we are ready to give “hard” pants another shot, it’s time we make sense of some of these plus-size denim dilemmas that never seem to be solved. Are plus-size jeans and curvy jeans the same? What body shapes do curvy jeans work for? I did some digging and I’ve got some answers.
Let’s start with what we know, ‘plus-size’ is a standard fashion term used by most fashion retailers to make it clear that they carry sizes 12/14 to 22/24, with some brands going up to 32 or 40. Plus-size clothes are typically cut more generously than ‘straight’ or ‘standard’ size clothing. What does “generous” mean? Well, when it comes to jeans specifically, it means more room in the rise, back, and crotch area for the belly, hips, butt, and thighs. But size is only 50% of the picture when it comes to finding jeans that fit, body shape is equally important. Cue the plus-size vs. curvy jeans debate.
“The moral of the story: no, curvy does not equal plus size. “
Contrary to popular belief you can be plus-size and not be curvy. It’s all about body dimensions and how you identify. Bodies that do not have much difference between the bust, waist and hip measurements are not considered curvy whether they fit a size 2 or a size 22. While bodies who have a 10”+ difference between their waist and hip are more typically what we think of as curvy at a size 32 or a size 14. We won’t get into body politics here, that’s another story for another day, but that’s basically how it works.
It’s not uncommon to see brands who carry both straight sizes and plus sizes in ‘regular’ cuts and ‘curvy’ cuts. Many brands have evolved their catalogue to have curvy jeans for standard sizes and plus sizes. Their curvy fit is engineered for an hourglass figure with a narrower contoured waistband to avoid gapping, a longer rise for a rounder booty and extra room in the hips and thighs. For those of us whose waist measurements are equal to or larger than our hip measurement, these jeans will not only fit poorly, they will likely be very uncomfortable. Likewise, someone with a curvy figure who buys regular cut plus-size denim might experience gapping in the waist and a lack of room in the but and the thighs.
The moral of the story: no, curvy does not equal plus size. When it comes to jeans especially, think of it as a waist to hip ratio kind of thing. If your waist to hip difference is large (10”+) with the larger number being for the hips, then consider a curvy cut for a more comfortable fit. If your waist and hip measurements are relatively the same within (1” to 3” of each other) or if the larger measurement is the waist, consider a regular cut plus-size jean for a better fit. If you are not sure, always check the size guide and don’t be afraid of a little trial and error. Thank goodness for Try Before You Buy!
Let us know what you think about this and other denim dilemmas @diaandco on IG.
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FAQs
A: Most women's jeans use a 10” hip vs. waist measurement, but curvy is designed with a 13” difference for more room at the thigh and hips. For example, if your hips measure 41” and your waist measures 28”, you have a 13” hip vs. waist difference.
What is the difference between curvy and regular American Eagle jeans? ›
Curvy Jeggings
Most women's jeans are designed with a 10” hip to waist ratio, but Curvy jeans use a 13” difference for a better fit, no waistband gapping, and more room through the hip and thigh. Not sure if Curvy is right for you? Check out our Curvy Jeans FAQ!
What sizes are considered curvy? ›
The characteristic measurements of a curvy person are:
- bust - circumference between 100-110 cm.
- waist - between 75-90 cm.
- hips - between 100-110 cm.
Anyone can wear curvy fit jeans. I am very slim through the hips and butt and a curvy cut just gives me a little more room, size-wise. You can maybe go down a size in a curvy fit.
Are curvy jeans tighter in the waist? ›
A curvy jean is designed to offer more room at thigh and hip area also keeping the waist same.
Who should wear curvy jeans? ›
While I'm going to use the word “curvy”, it's important to note these jeans are ideal for women who prefer a bit of stretch in their jeans. These jeans are meant to be more comfortable for those who do not fit the traditional standard and size of beauty, providing extra support and wiggle room where needed.
What does curvy fit jeans mean? ›
Many brands have evolved their catalogue to have curvy jeans for standard sizes and plus sizes. Their curvy fit is engineered for an hourglass figure with a narrower contoured waistband to avoid gapping, a longer rise for a rounder booty and extra room in the hips and thighs.
What jeans to wear for flabby belly? ›
Bootcut jeans will balance out your bottom half without being too bulky around the thighs or knees. They are the perfect style for any body type, but they're especially great for those with a belly. The wide leg opening gives your midsection more room to breathe while still giving you the classic look of a jean.
Should I get curvy or regular jeans? ›
If you have a small waist compared to your butt/hips and love showing off that aspect of your figure, you will love the Curve Love jeans. They'll fit in the waist without gapping and leave room for a bigger booty, hips or thighs. If you're straighter, you'll probably want to stick to the regular cut.
What is the most slimming style of jeans? ›
No matter your body shape, “a high rise will always elongate you and your midsection,” he says. In regard to the most slimming styles, for those of you who are wondering, Peters again suggests high-waist as well as pull-on jeans. “They give you a smooth, clean line in the midsection,” he says.
There is so much more than just a nipped in waist, which the curvy fit does have! There is maybe an inch difference in waist circumference, and a longer rise in the crotch/seat area, to make room for larger booties. There is also a bit of extra fabric in the hips.
Should I size down in curvy jeans? ›
Very Stretchy
These jeans are so stretchy, you actually need to go down 1-2 sizes from what you normally wear. For example, if you wear a size 12 in other brands, then you'll fit well in a size 10 or 8 from American Eagle. She said what she said 👏 @badbrownskinn gives the Curvy Mom Jeans the 💖 they deserve.
Is being fat the same as being curvy? ›
In the last few years, it has become the so-called “polite” thing to call a fat person “curvy” so as to appear less harsh/make them feel sexier and more desired/appear to be accepting of anything other than a size 0.
Who should wear curvy pants? ›
Pants for curvy hips help women with these body shapes feel more comfortable in their clothing. Anyone can be curvy, whether they have a pear-shaped or hourglass figure if their waist is much smaller than the width of their hips.
What is curvy fit body shape? ›
Curvy means you have an hourglass-shaped body. A woman's “curves" refer to the swell of her hips and breasts in comparison to her waist. So it really doesn't matter how skinny or fat you are, as long as your breast and hip measurements are a lot bigger than your waist measurement then you qualify as curvy.
How do you know if you're curvy or not? ›
Curvy "pear" shapes have a smaller bust and waist, with fuller hips, booty and thighs. Swimwear styles, such as our flouncy, with details on the top half give the illusion of fullness in the bust, balancing the proportions of the body. Look for frills, built-it breast pads and prints to draw the eye upwards.
What qualifies as curvy? ›
Curvy is a term that is often used to describe women who have an hourglass shape, meaning they have a smaller waist and larger bust and hips. Curvy women may have any body size, from petite to plus size, as long as they have a defined waistline.
