4 quick tips to keep in mind when buying your next pair of jeans.

• Slide your hands into the pockets to check the depth. Front pockets should be shallow; extra fabric here can add bulk.
• If you always use a belt, be sure to wear your favorite one when you're shopping for jeans. Not all belt loops are the same size.
• If the waistband gapes at the back when you sit or it presses torturously into your lower belly, this is a pair you should skip.
• If you find great-in-the-butt jeans with other fit issues, remember that a tailor can make adjustments to both the length of the hem and the fit through the leg.