Do your genes fit your jeans?

The world has become such a casual place, hasn't it? I spend most of my days in jeans and khakis until the weather turns cold enough to trade the khakis in for cords.

Do you have a favorite brand of jeans? Maybe a specific line within that brand? Has your favorite changed over the years because your body has changed or because the company no longer makes that style? I don't know which is more frustrating, a woman's personal battle with her body shape or finding the perfect cut only to have that style discontinued.

And whatever happened to standardized sizing? Wouldn't it be nice if all size 12 slacks fit the same? Wouldn't it be nice if I were a size 12? Oops! I digressed with that comment, but sizing is all over the board from bras to jeans to shoes.

I recently ordered a pair of shoes online. That isn't my preferred way of shoe shopping, but when I couldn't find what I liked in the stores to try on, I ordered them. For years I successfully ordered Reeboks this way because Kohl's stopped carrying the style that fit and felt great right out of the box. The casual leather shoes that I ordered were a brand that I've worn before and I was pretty confident they would fit well. I was half right. They look cute and feel great from instep forward. The heel is sloppy wide on me.

I bought heel liners that adhere to the inside of the shoe but they aren't enough. I took them to the shoe repair shop that used to work wonders on anything presented to them. They have new owners and he didn't have anything to add that wasn't on the shelf at Walgreens or Target. If I didn't like the shoes so much I would return them. I doubt the heel liners would come out without leaving a telltale mark though, so returning them probably isn't an option. I found something at Amazon to try, something a little thicker. Cross your fingers for me.

Now back to jeans. Amazon doesn't offer a product that will squeeze ample me into cute little medium nice jeans. On a scale of not caring what I look like to expecting a miracle, I think I am in the middle, perhaps a notch towards the miracle side. I would like them to fit without sagging, but also without cutting off circulation or creating a muffin top. A pullover that looks nice with dress slacks can become sausage casing if jeans are too tight and push things up and over the waistband. Not a good look on anyone, and the larger the person, the worse the look! This photo is from People of Walmart.

Besides gross, doesn't that look painful?

I am not ready to go the route of buying jeans and having them altered, but it may come to that. I'm planning to go jean shopping this week and try on brands I haven't tried before. If you hear someone behind you in the store and her shoes are flapping off of her heels, turn around and say hello.