For reasons that escape this writer, young women still wear low-rise jeans. Rather than flatter and show off their figure, they choose to hide themselves in baggy, ill-fitting denim. This just in: muffin-tops and saggy butts look sloppy and thoughtless, no matter whose designer-label adorns the jeans.

Fortunately, older women have avoided the low-rise style, for the most part. Many 40-something women know that the right clothing presents them in the best light, and they like the feeling of looking good. They also know the value of sticking to the basics when it comes time to fit the wardrobe into the budget.

For women in their forties, a good strategy combines the latest popular designs with the classics that fit their bodies the best. That is where jeans can really come to the rescue. A great pair of jeans can work in many social situations, and can brighten the day regardless of the mood in the morning. When choosing your new designer jeans, look for the ones with some stretchy material incorporated into the blend. Designers know that a bit of stretch helps their jeans fit perfectly each and every time.

Designers also know that shoppers have different body types, so they provide different styles. Many women look fabulous in jeans with a waist band that lies at or slightly beneath the navel. This waist line elongates the legs for a pleasing balance with the torso. Straight or slightly flared pant legs complete the silhouette. Be very careful when considering tapered legs.

Let's look two other designer styles and the things to keep in mind when trying on these styles of jeans.

Capri pants, also called pedal pushers or clam diggers, usually end somewhere between the knee and the ankle. First of all, they make the wearer look shorter and the hips look larger. They also make the legs look shorter and the ankles look thicker. If Capri pants still seem like the way to go, choose ones that are dark in color, plain rather than printed, end just below the knee, and have tapered legs (more fitted at the bottom). Wear them with sandals and without cuffs.

The second style some women consider is high-rise, tapered fit designer jeans. These jeans fit snuggly around the waist with a leg that tapers in close to the ankle. Unfortunately for most shoppers, they make the hips look wider and larger and the tummy look bigger.

Plus size women have some other considerations to keep in mind. First of all do not assume that the only option is baggy jeans. Flattering styles that actually fit rather than hide this body type do exist, and trying to hide hips and legs behind baggy jeans only adds frumpiness and bigness. Talk to a professional, or perhaps consider having your jeans professionally tailored. It really is worth it. Avoid wearing black just because rumor has it that black is slimming. Black works fine for those already slim readers, not so much for the plus size figure. Skin tone and hair and eye color should influence the color clothing in the wardrobe. To look slimmer, concentrate on tailoring, cut, and style instead.

Have fun shopping for designer jeans, because why do it if it is not fun? And then have fun wearing the new purchases because of the care taken in chosing.