Root Canals, taking out the trash, paying bills, finding a well-fitting pair of jeans. These are all things that most people hate. Take it from an expert though, it's what you don't know that's making the entire process so hard for you. In this edition of "Leah-isms" I am going to help you navigate the somewhat treacherous seas of finding the right fit of jeans.

Notice I said first off "find the right fit," not the perfect pair. There is a distinction...the distinction is that the average denim wearer needs more than one pair of jeans to navigate daily life in our society, especially as more and more offices and work spaces are pitching the suits and slacks in favor of a more casual look. The other reality is, there's really no such thing as a perfect pair of jeans because denim wears with time. So even if a pair starts out perfect, the chances of the fit or wash remaining the same for any extended pair of time is slim to none.

Here a few pro-tips to make jean shopping less painful:

First off, your size means nothing, so forget it. Just because you are a size 32 waist in one brand or even just one fit from the brand literally means absolutely nothing. It's not an exact measurement, it's a guideline, so be open to your denim consultant's advice.

Next, ideally buy your jeans at a location where you have a fit variety and they have a more consultative sales process. Understand this means you may pay a little more than the denim racks at TJ Maxx, but I assure you it will be well worth the extra money to have a professional make the process easier for you. This doesn't mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars per pair, I have found the sweet spot to be between $60-$120 to ensure you are getting quality service, denim fabrication, and a good variety of fits to choose from.

Denim can sound like a foreign language to someone who is not familiar with the industry, so know what your asking for when you go in (to be honest, if someone asks you how you want your jeans to fit and you reply with "well," then you are just making a fool of yourself with your snarky attitude). Be specific! If you prefer ripping your jeans yourself, say so! If you don't want anything with a boot cut leg opening or a low rise, then speak up! These distinctions will only help your cause!

Remember these few buzz words that will help you effectively communicate with any denim expert consultant:

Rise: How far your jean is going to go vertically up your waist (low rise typically sits at or below your hips, high rise is generally at your navel).

Hand: The softness of the denim fabric.

Wash: The "color" of denim (light or dark generally will give you a good starting point).

Leg Opening: Refers to exactly that...just the bottom opening of your jean. Leg opening has nothing to do whatsoever with fit anywhere else in the jean except below the knee.

Things that will make your denim expert clap-back:

I have never ever in my lifetime heard more nonsense in my work-life than the things on the following list. These are the things that make every would be denim-lover cringe while assisting you.

1. Men - Stop attempting to shop by how your jeans drape over your shoes...they are not supposed to.

2. Fit refers to your hips and thighs - nothing else. Leg Opening, rise, and wash are all things that are not fit. Also "dark" is a wash, not a fit.

3. If you are standing in front of a 50 foot long wall of jeans that is 12 feet high with a completely befuddled look on your face and someone asks you about your fit...you are indeed NOT just looking.

4. Your skinny jeans should land ABOVE your ankles and NOT at your shoes.

5. 100% cotton denim is incredibly stiff, raw denim refers to the selvedge fabric and how it is manufactured (again not the wash).

6. For the love of all that is holy...STOP DRYING YOUR JEANS. It drastically decreases the lifespan of your denim, compromises the fit over time, and breaks down the fibers leading to quicker wear-through in key structural integrity areas (inner thigh for women, and back pocket for men).

7. "I really need a new pair of jeans but I don't have time to try them on..." Come back when you have more time unless you know exactly what you are replacing.

All though this definitely seems like a lot to remember... it definitely isn't! This is just a sprinkling of insider knowledge on your perfect jean quest. The biggest thing to remember is give your self time, listen to your sales consultants, and don't be afraid to try a few! It's a big denim world out there...make sure you try it all!