The sisterhood of trying on pants

Laughter spilled into Hanover Street in the North End as three stylish 30-somethings sampled armloads of the season's newest jeans on a recent Monday night.

"We're all friends here - we can be honest with each other," Boston handbag designer Tamara Freedman-Lord said to one of her fellow shoppers, PR gal Heather Walker. She eyed Walker's derriere in a pair of Paige boot-cut blues. "And those look great on you."

"This is actually fun," said event planner AJ Williams, twirling in a pair of Victoria Beckham jeans. "Usually I don't go jeans shopping with other people unless we have cocktails beforehand."

For most women, wriggling into a pair of jeans in front of a full-length mirror and laughter are rarely associated. Sobs, maybe. But giggles? Not so much. But this wasn't just any shopping expedition. The Globe Style section enlisted the women to help sort through the myriad denim looks touted this season as the next hot thing: High-waisted, wide legs, straight legs, a variety of colors and washes. They gathered at clothing boutique In-jean-ius in pursuit of denim perfection.

Some simply didn't fit: "These are way too tight." Others just missed the mark: "The high waist on this pair makes me feel so 1970s." And then, every so often, a winner: "Oooh, I love these!"

At first, this fall's selection can seem daunting. But more styles also mean a better chance of finding a fit that's both comfortable and fashion forward. The golden rule of denim right now is almost anything goes. Skinny and straight legs are still very chic, tucked into boots or nestled under a chunky knit. But wide legs and trousers are sophisticated alternatives to the super-slim look.

After several seasons of low-rise, belly- (and behind-) baring styles, waists are creeping higher. And indigo, while still a denim staple, has taken a back seat to black, gray, and deep sable washes.

Even Hollywood - as much a tastemaker as the fashion runways - can't make up its mind. In recent weeks, Lindsay Lohan was spotted in ashy, stretchy cigarette jeans, Kate Bosworth sported a high-waisted pair, and Kate Moss traded in her usual skinny jeans - gasp! - for roomier boot-cut blues.

"It's great that there are more options in jeans this fall for all different body types," said In-jean-ius owner Alison Barnard. "You can wear several styles and still be very now. It can be a little confusing for the consumer, but choice is good."

Leah Eckelberger, owner of Jean Therapy in Kenmore Square, agrees. "Denim has come so far. You can wear skinny jeans or baggy and loose trousers and look polished and cool either way."

But she cautions women to stay true to their body types when trying on this season's newest looks. If you're short, for example, a higher waist can actually make your leg look shorter, she said. And if you're curvy and try to hide it with loose, wide-leg jeans, you might end up looking boxy.

"Often high-waist and wide-leg styles can be just as difficult to wear as skinny styles," Eckelberger said. "But the point is: You have options."