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Jeans have become a staple of the American wardrobe, especially for the younger set. Just any pair of jeans will not do, however. You must learn to match your jeans with the person you are on the inside and out. Here are some ways to make your jeans work with you, not against you.

You must choose between the classic cuts, such as boot cut or tapered leg and the trendier types of jeans out there. I personally opt for the boot cut jeans for a couple of reasons. First, the tapered leg jeans just look bad - period. There is no discussion. They draw people's attention to your feet, and they tend to bunch up. They also expose any flaws in your buttocks and legs because they tend to fit tighter. Boot cut allows you to wear any shoes you would like and still look great. The trend in jeans right now is still the low-cut back. The problem with these is that they only work on women with wide hips. Otherwise, your undies will show when you sit down, and that is just tacky.

It is very difficult to have the body shape that looks right for these jeans. You would need wide hips and a very small waist, so unless you were blessed with wonderful jeans or work out often, avoid this cut and go with a classic.

Another option you now have with jeans is to get stretch denim. These jeans have a couple of benefits. They move with you, unlike many of the more starched versions of denim. They also tend to be very flexible, which makes them good if you move around often. On the downside, they will stretch until they are too big to fit. Some are great, but I have had others that I cannot even wear for a full day. If you are getting stretch, be sure that they fit very snugly in the store and use a belt when you wear them.

It is important when you are shopping for denim that you get the jeans that fit your body. Most stores, like the Gap or Old Navy, will have charts on the wall. Be honest about yourself. They will let you know which cuts work for which body types. Pay attention to these charts. If you are in a store without the charts, then your best bet may be to try to focus on your best features. If you have a nice bottom, get jeans that are snug with pockets that are placed appropriately.

Similarly you can go against what you would like to have. For example, if you have long legs, go for a straight-leg or slightly flared jean. It is slimming to your legs and will make them look longer. If you are high-waisted, then you want to consider a jean that sits lower.

Your final choice in jeans will be in what color of denim you want. No, all denim is not made equal. Instead you will want to pick out the denim and see what works. Stone-washes are not very popular anymore, but you may find that you can get other unique types of jean washes. As a general note, dark jeans work best with brighter colored tops while light-colored jeans are a bit more versatile. The biggest mistake you can make, however, is to mix dark jeans with a dark top. It will be too much for others when they are looking at you.

Do not be afraid to splurge on a nice pair of jeans. You will find that you will want to get jeans that are comfortable. Few people make it with only one or two pair, but I have been trying out this trick for a while. Since I work from home, I only have two pair of jeans. I have really pared down my wardrobe, but I find that it is much easier to spend more money on jeans when they are going to last a good long while. I will be wearing them often, and I know that I am getting a good deal.

You should work to get nice jeans and make them work for you. This piece of clothing can really make a drab outfit look great.

By Julia Mercer