Forget the trauma of trying on bathing suits. Women know that nothing surpasses the misery of searching for a pair of skinny jeans. 

Skinny jeans have a snug fit through the legs and end in a small leg opening that sometimes needs a zip. They are usually made of stretch denim, which allows a super slim fit. Skinny jeans can be worn by men and women.

The right pair of skinny jeans will slim the thighs, making you look thin while lifting and shaping the backside. Some pairs come with a reinforced front to flatten the stomach.

If you're having trouble finding skinny jeans that look good, you're not alone, according to a blog post by Ann Brenoff on consumer finance site walletpop.com. 

A recent survey found that many women forgo wearing jeans altogether because they can't find a pair that fit. The survey by the independent California research firm eSearch found that while 77 percent of the women surveyed said they wore jeans regularly, the percentage decreased as the size they wear went up. And not everyone has the flat stomach needed to pull off the low-rise look.

Here are some suggestions from top jean designers for those on a quest to find skinny jeans:

Joie Rucker, designer of CJ by Cookie Johnson (the jeans that Oprah wears and recommends):

Keep your shape in mind. Pear-shaped figures should look for a traditional skinny jean without too many details or pockets. They should stay away from skinny cargos. Boy-shaped figures can get away with more detail, colors and pockets. Skinny cargos may give them the appearance of a more shapely silhouette.

Boot cuts balance out a wide hip area.

Avoid large back pockets. If you have wide hips or a bit more booty, large back pockets will appear to increase the size of your backside. Ideally, back pockets should be strategically placed and fall no lower than the crease where your thigh and booty meet.

Make sure the waist of your denim isn't too tight. Not only will this be uncomfortable, it will draw attention to the wrong place. But if it's too loose, you'll be tugging up on your jeans all the time.

You'll find more suggestions after the jump.

Darker washes are more flattering and slimming. The old rule of thumb about you can never go wrong with black still applies.

Make sure the inseam isn't too long. Skinny jeans shouldn't be baggy at the ankle. The jeans should break at your ankle.

And from Jerome Dahan, founder and creative director of Citizens of Humanity jeans line:

Consider buying denim leggings (jeggings). Citizens of Humanity has a a line with 35 percent stretchability, which means the jeans will hug your body, never lose their shape and always feel comfortable.

Try on different washes. Dark washes flatter some body types while lighter, more distressed washes look good on others.

The perfect pair of skinny jeans should hit just below the ankle so they can work with heels, flats, sandals or tucked into boots without the fabric bunching around the ankle. A smooth silhouette will contribute to an overall lean look.

Sofi Hernandez, 21, a communications studies major at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with an eye for fashion, adds the perspective of a young'un -- especially for those who don't want to wind up on Dr. Phil with their daughters on a show called Moms Who Dress Too Young.

She suggests looking at the height of the rise. A slightly dipped rise just below your belly button makes you look more long-waisted (a good thing). And if you're under 5 feet 4 inches, try the petites department.

She also suggests not shopping alone; after all, someone's got to be there to remind you that you're not as young or thin as you once were. This may be a job for the teenager in the family.