The good old relaxed fit straight leg jean! An oldie but a goody! Even more special when a little distressing brings this all-time favorite into modern territory. A lighter wash is great for casual wear but we are seeing more of it sneak its way into dressier circles particularly when teamed with a polo, shirt or sports blazer. The relaxed fit jean can be worn by most body shapes and types as it allows for plenty of leg room whilst still maintaining a stylish and sophisticated silhouette.

Now the same cut as the previous image. Shows a darker black wash with less distressing. This jean still pays homage to current trends with its subtle faded sections but as it does not carry too much distressing and detail, it can be worn quite dressy with a crisp shirt or long sleeve tee.

This relaxed fit denim jean has to be the closest to the ever-popular and once-tagged ‘easy fit’ jean. The easy fit for males has taken a spot in most denim closets over the years and has of late played a major role in the more ‘mature’ wardrobes as the more youthful ‘skinny fit’ continues to overshadow this once non-age-specific cut. It is a fantastic cut for the larger guys giving more leg, waist and bottom room! Look for a relaxed fit jean if wanting a great weekend jean or opt for a darker colour when seeking a dressier look.

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Ladies, ladies, ladies… Where do I start? There are so many cuts, colours, size break ups, fits and fabric combinations available in women’s denim – it’s enough to confuse even the most scrupulous fashionistas. So I have tried to take a little guesswork out of the visual confusion of the denim store experience.

The jean pictured here is one of the most popular fits on the market at the moment. Ladies from far and wide have flocked to denim changerooms everywhere in search of this figure-fixing miracle - the high-rise slim cut jean. A cut that really does help to control our dessert-loving waist lines… well mine anyway! The high–rise jean is terrific for the waistline as it sits at least two inches higher than a regular mid-rise denim cut and up to four inches higher than most low-rise waistlines. It’s a great jean for pairing with a more fitted top as it smooths out the silhouette and keeps bulges at bay. High rise jeans come in a variety of leg widths so if a skinny or slim is not for you then keep an eye out for straight or boot-cut styles. Here the slim is pictured with heels as adding a heel elongates the leg… ahh, lovely!

The same jean again but shown here with flat shoes as this jean hits the jackpot for versatility when it comes to shoe selection. The slim leg does not limit the jean length or the style and heel height. The distressing and faded sections on the thigh help to mimimise leg width as it tricks the eye, drawing focus to the lighter mid-section, giving a much slimmer appearance.

This lighter wash high-rise skinny has been a popular choice for the new spring / summer seasons. I do love a light wash as a nice change from the darker winter shades, but be careful as not all of us can get away with tight, light wash without adding a long top.

This jean features the ever-popular high-rise waist again but has a boot-cut leg. The boot-cut leg is a great body balancer and can slim down a thigh-heavy figure. Be careful not to add a flat shoe if you’re looking for balance as it can actually shorten the leg length.

The same jean again, featuring a longer top. The idea behind the high-rise jean is purposeful rather than aesthetically pleasing so don’t be scared by the amount of denim seen from the crotch to the waist- nothing that a cute shirt or top won’t cover.

Here we see the low-rise boot-cut jean. An old favorite and a cut that has seen many a fashion season. Leave the low-rise jean to the thinner among you unless you’re sporting a perfectly toned mid-section as this is one of the many culprits of the dreadful 'muffin top'.

The relaxed-fit trouser jean is a fab weekend jean or dressier option when teamed with a heel. The trouser jean offers day time comfort whilst still sporting some tailoring to add a more sophisticated look to the jean. This jean can be worn with flats as the leg width starts quite wide from the top of the thigh, making it easy to pair with casual flats or dressier heels. Just make sure the leg is long enough when teaming with heels as another famous fashion faux pas is the 'too short', swing-in-the-breeze jean.

Another one of this season’s most popular styles is the boyfriend jean. The boyfriend jean typically features a wider waistband with a relaxed thigh that tapers slightly at the calf or ankle. The boyfriend jean was made popular by the famous Mrs. Cruise/Holmes when she was snapped wearing the comfy casual style rolled at the cuff with both flats and heels. The boyfriend jean doesn't have to be avoided by any body shape - it's for everyone!

The same boyfriend jean in this pic, this time teamed with a fabulous heel. Not only does this elongate the leg it also dresses up the denim. Don’t be afraid to ‘rough roll’ the cuff of your favorite jean, add a heel, a dressy top, some pearls or layered beads and head out for the evening.

The number one-selling jean cut for me so far this season is the mid-rise, straight leg jean. The straight leg jean is slim enough to tuck into your favorite boots and wide enough to fit over most shoes. The straight leg does not make a thicker thigh top heavy as the balance of power comes from the slight increase in leg width from the knee down. This shape does well right up to a size 18 and still flatters the figure with the mid-rise waist height. The straight leg can be done with heels or flats and the darker washes work particularly well for dressier occasions.

This jean has gained a popular following of late. The jegging or legging+jean is a great addition to any wardrobe and comes jam-packed with comfort. This denim has a four per cent elastine added to the cotton to allow for extra stretch and comfort. This style is a mid-rise fit which is terrific for covering the muffin top. Be sure to still treat the jegging or legging+jean as you would your favorite pair of leggings and cover up your backside. Most of these styles don’t come with pockets on the back and are still tight enough and slim enough to be mistaken for a legging on its own. So unless you are completely satisfied with your rear view, cover up with a long top.

The same jean, but pictured here with a heel. This jean can be treated as a legging and while wearing it casually with flats and a longer top is ideal, a dressy look can be achieved by pairing them with embellished shifts, tops and accessories.

A style I have come across overseas and that's also featured heavily on Australian designer runways is the ankle-grazer jean. This is a skinny jean with a two per cent elastine content allowing for stretch and comfort. The ankle grazer can be worn with flats or heels as they are a shorter length jean and look terrific with canvas sneakers, tees and cardigans as well as blazers, trapeze shapes, and dressier options. Here our ankle grazer is shown with flats to give an idea of the length.

The same ankle-grazer jean, but pictured here with a heel. This shorter length still looks terrific with a heel as it is a fairly new addition to the fashion-forward styles and directions in denim trends.

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Denim is about experimenting with shapes, fits, colours, washes and fabric combinations. Although it can seem grossly overwhelming at first, nothing beats taking the time to try on a variety of different styles before deciding on the perfect pair.

Take the basic denim rules into consideration when shopping for your next pair of jeans and remember - it all comes down to a little dress sense.

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J asmine Cunningham is the manager/buyer for Mix It Up and Mixture Boutique in Warrnambool.