They're the wardrobe staple we can't live without.  But shopping for jeans can be an absolute nightmare - so many styles, so little time - particularly with babies and small children in tow.

From vintage wash to acid wash, boot-cut to boyfriend - it's all rather confusing.  Most of us want jeans which don't expose a builders bum or cut into our tummies - we want to know the best styles to go for without spending all day doing it.

It really comes down to knowing your body shape and understanding what flatters, lifts, enhances and disguises. It also helps to buy in multiples. When you find a pair of jeans you love, buy a couple of pairs, in case the cut is discontinued.

Jeans jargon-buster

Here’s the low-down on denim:

Which style?

• Bootleg: The most popular style of jean. It balances out the figure and is cut wider at the bottom to accommodate a pair of boots.
• Boyfriend: Designed to look like you’ve borrowed your boyfriend’s jeans. Good for those who are self-conscious about larger legs and thighs.
• Classic: A five pocket boot-cut jean, which never dates. Not too tight and not too loose!
• Cropped: Cut just above the ankle or below the knee. Cropped jeans are great for showing off a nice pair of shoes or ankle boots.
• Carpenter: Loose on the leg, these jeans have lots of pockets and loop detailing.
• Flared: Cut narrow on the hips and thighs, with a wider leg, this is a universally flattering jean, suiting all shapes and sizes.
• Hipster: Jeans with a low rise. Good for very slim ladies. Not so good if you can pinch a few inches around the hip and tummy area.
• Skinny: Slim, tight-fitting jeans with a ‘rock chick’ edge. Usually made with stretch denim for comfort.
• Straight leg: A good alternative to the skinny. Flattering on the hips and bottom, this leg shape goes straight down to the ankle.
• Wide leg: Cut wide all the way down from the hip, this classic style gives the appearance of a slimmer silhouette.

Which body shape are you?

The next step is to assess your body shape and shop for the most flattering style.

Apple

Apples have thicker waists, with slim thighs and legs and flattish bottoms. Look for jeans with more room in the middle than the hips. Go for a style with a curved waistband, which is higher at the back. This will give the illusion of a nipped in waist.

We recommend:  Blue stud straight leg jeans, £35, New Look.

Pear

Pears carry more weight around their hips and bottom and tend to have a smaller upper body. Look for styles, which emphasize your small waist, flared and bootleg styles are good for this. Indigo denim will slim down your bottom half, making your legs seem longer.

We recommend: Slim Flare denim jeans, £20, Matalan

Hourglass

You’re well proportioned with curves in all the right places! Stretchy, tight fitting flares or classic fit jeans will hug your bottom and thighs. Look for jeans, which are roomier on the bottom and thigh area. Remember to team your denims with fitted tops that stop above the hips or you will look shapeless.

We recommend: Lady Jeans, £29 by Ober at La Redoute

Boyish

Generally long, leggy and androgynous with a small chest, boyish figures were born to wear jeans. Skinny jeans look great on tall, slim girls but any style will suit you – remember to keep the length long enough. To help create curves, look for a thicker waistband, which will define your hips.

We recommend: 571 Slim jeans, £79.95, Levis

Fuller figure

Rubenesque ladies shouldn’t try to hide in jeans that are too big. Baggy jeans will only make you look bigger! Fuller figures can look great in bootleg, boyfriend, wide-legged or flared styles. Go for black or indigo denim to give a slimmer look. Opt for a high Lycra content to hold and stretch the shape.

We recommend: Black Wide Leg Jean, £35, Wallis

Petite

You are essentially pint sized! Make sure everything fits properly. Avoid baggy jeans and flared styles, which will make you look wider and thus shorter. Tapered and skinny leg styles are good for giving the illusion of length. Next have a good petite range designed for women 4’11” to 5’3’’, cut with an inside leg measurement of 27.5 inches.

We recommend: Skinny jean, £22, from Next.