Finding that “perfect pair” of jeans is an essential for everyone. Jeans are an American classic. They have evolved from the standard blue jeans to several different styles that can be worn for any and all occasions. This is the Dragon Press’s guide to finding the perfect pair of pants, because life is better when you have those go-to jeans.

Everywhere you look, you see denim: dark washed denim, light washed denim, destroyed denim, colored denim, patterned denim, and now even fake denim. These different washes can be worn for several occasions and can be paired with almost any shirt.

For girls, black jeans have become very popular because they’re easy to dress up or dress down. They can be worn in place of slacks for a fancier event, or they can be worn to school with a t-shirt.

Usually most popular with girls, jeggings, have become a new and rising trend because they have the comfort of leggings with the appearance of jeans. Jeggings can be found at Hollister, but they can be on the expensive side. 

Light washed denim is most appropriate for daytime events, while dark washed denim is more appropriate for night time events. However, the wash of a jean doesn’t really affect how it matches a shirt, so the intensity of the indigo doesn’t affect the versatility of the pant. 

Flare and bootcut jeans are especially flattering on shorter girls, because the line continues from the knee down to the floor, instead of tapering closer to the bottom. This effect elongates legs and makes them look skinnier. Flare and bootcut jeans can be worn with most shirts, but tend to look frumpy with long ones. One of the best places to buy flare and bootcut jeans is American Eagle. They’re reasonably priced and are very durable.

Skinny jeans can be worn a variety of different ways; they can be worn tucked into boots or Converse, worn with flip flops, or they can be cuffed. Wearing jeans with flip flops or cuffing them creates a more casual look. Some of the most popular skinny jeans are found at Hollister and PacSun, PacSun tends to have sales on their jeans more often which makes them cheaper.

Straight jeans are the most professional style of jeans, a more relaxed fit that isn’t tight or flared at the calves. While they are the easiest to dress up, they can also be dressed down just as easily by pairing them with a casual t-shirt. The Levi’s store has the best variety of straight jeans.

Guys don’t have as large of a variety of jeans to choose from as girls do. They have several of the same washes, but there aren’t many trendy styles or fits such as patterned denim and jeggings marketed toward guys. There are three different popular styles of jeans for guys: slim, straight and skinny. The most popular place for guys to buy jeans is the Levi’s store because it’s an old, well-known and reliable place.

Get #equipped to look your best in our Barstow Western, whatever your style>http://t.co/TQaPUS3LoG pic.twitter.com/FwycBIcogG

— Levi’s® (@LEVIS) February 11, 2014

Skinny jeans tend to be more “punk” than the others, but can be dressed up a little bit when paired with a button shirt and a tie. Skinny jeans are more flattering on taller people because they don’t bunch up as much. Tillys or Vans is a good place for guys to find skinny jeans.

Straight jeans are the most professional of the three, which makes them the common work attire for many people. They can be worn with almost all kinds of shirts. Straight jeans are the most flattering choice for guys with larger thighs. Old Navy is a good place to find professional straight fit jeans.

Slim jeans are in between the skinny and straight jean. They can be both casual, but professional if worn with a nice shirt. These are the most trendy of the three styles because they’re the most versatile for body types. Slim jeans can be found in almost all stores at a variety of different prices.

Jeans are an irreplaceable and reliable aspect of every wardrobe because of their versatility.