The founder of the denim label Meghan Markle just wore on how to pick the perfect pair of jeans

James Bartle, founder of Australian denim label, Outland Denim, shares his expert denim advice.

One of the key universal wardrobe staples is a killer pair of denim jeans that fit like they were custom made for you. But the search for that perfect pair can be frustratingly elusive. And hey, we’ve all been there, standing in the change room of a so-chic-it-hurts denim emporium trying to work out whether you’re a high-waist, low-rider or mid-waist kind of person. Or, how about the even more challenging purchasing situation of scrolling through endless pairs of jeans online? It’s a little like playing Russian roulette with your wardrobe—who knows how they’ll fit in real life?

However, this jean quest doesn’t need to be so darn difficult. Armed with a few tips from a denim expert you’ll be picking up a pair that fits you perfectly in no time.

For our expert jean advisor, Vogue turned to James Bartle, the founder of Australian ethical denim label, Outland Denim, which Meghan Markle stepped out wearing on October 17, 2018, for a day of official royal engagements in Dubbo, one of the stops on the Duke and Duchess’s 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

Markle’s jean of choice was Outland Denim’s Harriet jean in black, which Bartle reveals he sent two sizes over to accommodate the Duchess’s growing baby bump and is a best-selling style of the brand. The fit of the jean, Bartle says, is “A high-rise, but extremely comfortable with organic stretch denim,” an ideal choice for Markle to stay comfortable yet look polished at the same time.

Here, Bartle shares his advice for picking the perfect pair of jeans for you.

Skinny jeans:

“In looking for a women’s skinny jean, you want a fit that doesn’t start to bag around your knees or buttocks after a few wears, and that recovers well without having to wash; that ultimately comes down to the quality of the denim and jean construction. Our European denim hugs the body without feeling restrictive, so you feel comfortable yet supported. A high-rise works on women with shorter or longer torsos equally. Our Harriet jean in black is a crowd favourite; it’s flattering for nearly everyone and also has a sense of formality for work or evenings. As a general guide, your skinny jean should fall to just above or on your ankle without bunching.”

Relaxed jeans:

“For a more relaxed, straight-leg jean, like our Lucy, you want that natural, lived-in-them-for-years give with an authentic vintage look, but with a more rigid denim that won’t waste away with wear. In looking for a vintage-style jean, you don’t want to go cheap; you want a pair that harks back to the hardier denim days before the market became awash with cheap denim options.”

High-rise jeans:

“Our Abigail, is a high-rise girlfriend jean; relaxed but not slouchy. It comes with a cropped, raw hem option. If you’ve been wearing skinny jeans for years and didn’t live through the ‘70s in jeans, it will feel like a real transition, but the right styling with a heel or boot will lengthen the style on a shorter figure, or elongate on a taller woman while looking on trend for the season. You can [also] roll your straight leg jean for adjusted leg length or to show off a cropped boot or heel.”

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