Jeans are a wardrobe staple in our culture; you can dress them up or down and wear them almost anywhere. For moms-on-the-go, jeans are a perfect solution to the what do I wear today? dilemma. But you want to be sure you're choosing the right jeans, and that you are caring for them properly, to get the longest possible life from them.

Start with a dark-rinse, mid-rise jean with a boot-cut leg, one that falls straight from the widest part of your hips. The slightly higher rise (no more than two inches below your belly button) and wider leg make you look long and lean, no matter what your actual height or weight. A dark wash is always more versatile than a distressed or faded wash; you can wear dark rinse jeans with a tee and sandals, or with a beautiful blouse and dressy pumps.

Take good care of your jeans and they will last and last, no matter how often you wear them. Wash inside out, with all zippers and buttons fastened, in cold water and mild detergent; hang to dry. If you REALLY want to preserve your jeans, hand wash them (but that's a lot to ask of a busy mom).

Ready to shop for jeans? Here are five options, for real mom bodies -- everything from the ultimate bargain jeans to an extravagant splurge -- as well as some basic tips for getting the right fit.