What Is Shape Sense™ Denim? NYDJ's New Shaping Jeans, Explained
Posted by Kayla S. on
Shape Sense™ Denim is NYDJ's newest fabric technology: shaping jeans with the support woven right into the denim, developed with Lycra®.
Instead of relying on a separate panel or a layer of shapewear underneath, the fabric itself is treated to lift and support through the midsection and back waist, and to contour the upper thighs, hips and waist.
The result is a jean that looks smooth from every angle, holds you in comfortably, and keeps its shape from morning to night. It's available now in our three bestselling fits, the Marilyn Straight, Sheri Slim and Teresa Wide Leg, in sizes 00–18.
Here's how it works, which fit to choose, and where to wear it.
What Is Shape Sense™ Denim?
Shape Sense™ is shaping you can't see, built into the fabric rather than added on top of it. NYDJ developed it with Lycra®, the fiber brand behind decades of stretch and recovery innovation, and the denim is treated so it supports in some areas and simply moves with you in others.
Most jeans with "tummy control" work one of two ways. Either they're cut from a uniformly tight fabric that squeezes everywhere, or they rely on a single front panel that does all the holding while the back waist is left to fend for itself. That's why so many shaping jeans feel restrictive when you sit, or gap at the back the moment you bend.
Shape Sense™ takes a different approach. The support is placed in targeted zones, so you get firm hold exactly where you want it and comfortable stretch everywhere else.
How Shape Sense™ Shaping Jeans Work
Shape Sense™ shapes in four ways, each tied to a specific part of the jean.
- All-around shaping. The fabric molds to the upper thighs, hips and waist, so the line is smooth from the front, the side and the back.
- A targeted tummy zone. Extra support through the midsection holds you in comfortably, without the pinch of a rigid waistband.
- Lift through the back waist. The back is treated with the same supportive technology as the front, so it lifts and smooths curves instead of gapping when you sit.
- All-day recovery. The fabric snaps back to its shape after hours of wear, so there's no bagging at the knee or sagging in the seat by afternoon.
When we fit it, I care most about what the jean looks like from behind at four in the afternoon, not just what it looks like in the mirror at eight in the morning.
Lana C., Head of Design
"Most shaping jeans put all the work into the front, so the back waist gaps the second you sit down," says Lana. "With Shape Sense, the support is in the fabric all the way around."
Which Shape Sense™ Fit Is Right for You?
Shape Sense™ launches in our three bestselling silhouettes. The technology works the same way in each; the difference is the leg line and how you'll wear it.
Marilyn Straight
The everyday workhorse
The Marilyn is our bestseller for a reason. It sits comfortably at the waist and falls in a clean, straight line from hip to hem, with enough room through the thigh to sit, drive and move. Paired with Shape Sense™, it's the jean to reach for five days a week.
Wear it with loafers and a fine knit to the office, or sneakers and a tee on the weekend.
Shop Marilyn Straight JeansSheri Slim
The sleek, layer-friendly option
The Sheri is slim through the leg without being skin-tight, which makes it the easiest Shape Sense™ fit to layer under longer sweaters, tunics and coats. It tucks neatly into tall boots, so it's a natural fall and winter pick.
It's also our top choice for travel: a slim leg packs small, and the all-day recovery means it looks as smooth getting off the plane as it did at check-in.
Shop Sheri Slim JeansTeresa Wide Leg
The dressiest of the three
The Teresa has a long, fluid leg that reads almost like a trouser. Wide legs depend on a smooth fit at the waist and hip to look intentional, and that's exactly where Shape Sense™ does its work.
Wear it with a tucked-in blouse and pointed flats for meetings, or heels and a blazer for dinner.
Shop Teresa Wide Leg Jeans
Where to Wear Shape Sense™ Jeans
Shaping jeans earn their keep on long days, when an ordinary pair would start to slide, gap or bag. Here's where each fit works hardest.
| Occasion | Best fit | How to wear it |
|---|---|---|
| Office and business casual | Marilyn Straight or Teresa Wide Leg, dark wash | Tucked blouse or fine knit, belt, loafers or pointed flats |
| Travel days | Sheri Slim | Long cardigan, slip-on sneakers, a scarf that doubles as a layer |
| Everyday errands and weekends | Marilyn Straight | Tee or sweatshirt, sneakers or ankle boots |
| Dinner and evenings out | Teresa Wide Leg or Sheri Slim | Silk camisole, blazer, heels or a sleek boot |
| Fall events and holidays | Sheri Slim | Tunic or chunky sweater, knee-high boots |
The common thread: anywhere you'll be sitting, standing and moving for hours, the targeted support keeps the fit looking the way it did when you got dressed.
How to Care for Shape Sense™ Jeans
Heat is the enemy of any shaping fabric, because it breaks down the stretch fibers that give the denim its hold. A little care keeps the support working wash after wash.
- Turn jeans inside out and wash in cold water.
- Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibers and weakens recovery.
- Tumble dry on low or hang to dry.
- If they feel snug straight out of the wash, give them a few minutes of wear. The stretch relaxes back to your fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Shape Sense™ jeans tummy control jeans?
- Yes. A targeted zone through the midsection holds you in comfortably, and unlike most tummy control jeans, the support continues around to the back waist.
- Do Shape Sense™ jeans feel tight?
- No. The support sits in targeted zones, so the rest of the jean stretches with you when you sit, bend and walk.
- Will they sag or bag out during the day?
- Shape Sense™ is designed to keep its form all day, with no bagging at the knee or sagging in the seat.
- How is Shape Sense™ different from Sure Stretch® Denim?
- Sure Stretch® is about flexibility and softness. Shape Sense™ adds Lycra® shaping technology for lift and hold. Read more in What Is Sure Stretch® Denim.
- What sizes are available?
- Shape Sense™ comes in sizes 00–18 in the Marilyn Straight, Sheri Slim and Teresa Wide Leg.
The Bottom Line on Shape Sense™
Good shaping shouldn't be something you feel all day. It should be something you notice at the end of the day, when your jeans still look exactly the way they did when you put them on. That's what Shape Sense™ was built to do: support where you want it, stretch where you need it, and a smooth line from every angle.
Pick the leg line that fits your week, and let the fabric handle the rest.