The right jeans for vertically challenged Women

This season, skinny jeans rule, whether they're nipped neatly into boots, cut in ultrafashionable grey or paired with spiky heels. The great thing about skinny jeans is that anyone can wear them. That's right, anyone. According to designer Stella McCarthy, the trick is to wear a longer, fuller top; it will create the illusion of skinny long legs. And those Naples "fashion-in-the-know-girls" swear by the longest jeans. If your jeans bunch around the ankle, they create a more flattering silhouette, a balance.

If the new ultra-skinny look just isn't you, but you still wish to have your jeans flatter your tush, add curves, look taller or help you look slimmed down, there are jeans that can do that. To make the most of your tush, start with a pair of straight leg (not peg-leg) jeans in stiff denim. This accentuates your assets without exaggerating them. Make sure that your jeans have pockets that cover your butt from top to bottom; this will help shape your backside. And the stiff denim helps hold in any bulges, making for a perfectly formed body.

Want to look 10 pounds lighter? A pair of wide trouser leg jeans is the answer. The wide trouser leg cut drapes from the waist to the ankle, hiding hips and thighs. Make sure that the leg opening is about as wide as the thigh; this helps balance out the hips. A model trick is to wear a dark wash jean paired with high heels - the overall look is tall and thin.

Okay, so you're vertically challenged. What's the best weapon in the fight for height? Avoid those wide, cropped pants that cut off your legs mid-calf; they just make you look short. Instead, opt for a pair of great boot-cut jeans.

Make sure your jeans are slim through the thigh to create a long, lean silhouette. Remember, to maximize the height issue, wear your boot-cut jeans long over high heels. Let the hem drape over most of the shoe, creating a longer line from hip to floor.

Would you love to look curvier? Try this season's super-hot skinny jean. For the hourglass effect to work, the leg should be slim enough to hug your shape. Look for denim that has a little stretch, to skim over and emphasize your curves. Pair with a great bold belt (to whittle the waist) and a pair of super-high stilettos, and you will look like a rock star. The key is to stay away from baggy, boyfriend styles that make you look shapeless.

Once you've found your perfect pair of jeans, the next step is figuring out how to make them look cool and modern. Jeans are ideal as a backdrop for a new, hot shiny metallic bag. The denim downplays the glitz, and the casual vibe takes the flash out of oversize totes.

If you need a little height, but want something edgier than your standard stiletto, go for the new booties, the "it" shoe of the season. The to-the-ankle cut allows you to wear narrow jeans and avoid the fit problems that happen with high boots.

The dress-over-denim combo works. Wear tight jeans with tunics or baby dolls, making sure to avoid anything that falls below mid-thigh. Never try this look with wide leg pants.

A classic white shirt looks so right with denim this season. Whether you prefer a traditional crisp, button-up or an ornate blouse, the white shirt is the ever-chic partner for denim.

So, this season, channel your inner jet-setter with denim looks from around the world, and you might just look model ready.

 By Suzi Hosfeld

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