Shopping for women's jeans these days can be an exceptionally complicated and unwieldy process. After all, you can choose high-quality selections from major retailers, like The Gap and Express. Alternatively, you can price out designer jeans from brands like Seven and Diesel. In addition, you can shop for vintage or pre-owned jeans through online auction sites.

There are also any number of different cuts and washes. From boot leg cuts in a midnight blue wash, to straight leg jeans with a low rise waist, shopping for jeans can be confusing to say the least. Your best bet, whether shopping vintage or designer, is to try on a large number of jeans in all kinds of cuts, sizes, and lengths. Once you find a cut and a brand that you like, then you can experiment with different washes and styles.

With more and more women professionals relying on jeans to supplement their working wardrobes, you may want to keep the following buying guidelines in mind. First and foremost, 'on the rack' high-quality women's jeans are more expensive than they used to be. Unless you find an extraordinary sale, you will likely have to pay well over $100 for a new pair of women's jeans through traditional outlets. Pricing out secondhand alternatives may be the way to go, particularly if you don't have much disposable income to spend on your wardrobe.

Second, it is a good idea to buy jeans that you fit into, not jeans that you wish you could fit into. Make sure to refer to current measurements when pricing out jean opportunities online. You may need to alter your online purchases, so budget accordingly. You can turn straight, stiff jeans into vintage classics by running them through the washer and dryer several times and adding a few sheets of fabric softener.

Watch out for wear and tear along the upper hips and knees, especially when you are looking at vintage, broken-in jeans. Some women have taken to buying used men's jeans. This can save you money and add some variety to your wardrobe, but be aware that large zipper flies may create an exaggerated midline appearance, particularly if you don't wear belts with your outfits.