I’m not always thrilled with wearing jeans, but when they fit well and make you feel good, they make your life easier. Of course, I prefer a drop crotch, but one should have some “normie” jeans in one’s arsenal. I went shopping, tried at several stores, ordered several more, most of which had great reviews. There are some surprising hits (and misses) of which there are only a few that I know I would wear again (3 of which I already had but they are going strong). here you go:
Madewell – The Vintage Flare Jean
shirt | mules | Jeans (size 26)
This is a testament to how different profiles work on different shapes. these jeans Really well made (they flatten out at the top instead of creating more of a bulge, as some people do). These are tight, so I wear these mainly if I know I want to feel really good and put together. But if I know I’ll be sitting all day, I don’t choose them. They’re not skinny jeans, but for those of us who succeed at that profile, it’s a close second.
Pilcro – The Wanderer Mid-Rise Relaxed Jeans
Jeans (size 27)
I wear in Lots of – mostly wearing shoes or flats. They’re hard on your foot, but they have a great carpenter jean vibe and seams that create an interesting shape. Higher rise than I usually like, but the waist is extremely comfortable, and I love the large front pockets.
Mom – Kick It High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Jeans (size 27)
I would like to record that I did not choose these. I was at Nordstrom, and the salesperson put them in my room. she said they were Most popular jeans of the year. Good. I will try them and then ok, I see. they are fantastic. Comfortable, flattering, and that perfect wash and hem length. My only caveat is that the mom jeans tend to stretch after a couple wears, but that’s what you get when you have a little stretch. I feel very good in these.
AE – Dreamy Drape Rigid Low-Rise Ultra Wide-Leg Jean
Jeans (Size 25/0 Small)
I spent a lot of time wearing baggy jeans at American Eagle. I think I was most influenced by my 10 year old daughter (she plays these very well). i really liked it in. They’re drapey and flattering and extremely comfortable. I had to go undersized like crazy, and then I went small (maybe too small?), so they read more like “wide leg” than baggy. Ultimately, I didn’t keep these because I have others that I think I would choose more, but these were great and very affordable.
AE – Stretch Mariner Jean
Jeans (size 26/2)
I also tried their other baggy versionWhich was really comfortable too. These are more mid-rise, which I like, and if you wear these with sneakers, they’ll be worn out (which I know is a thing, but it’s not my thing).
Sometimes for me, “ultra wide” can be really ineffective as it has too much bulk which can be overwhelming – but the way the top of these is tailored around your waist and thighs has a nice slimming effect which then opens up into a wide leg instead of a big, wide floppy pant on top of you. And the dark wash is great.
Abercrombie – Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean
Jeans (Size 26 Small)
these abercrombie ones Are low rise (which is preferred for my short torso) and super structured. My team loved them, and I love them too (thick denim, feels Japanese, great wash, etc.). But once I tried wearing the Egold underneath, I discovered that I had found the baggy jeans I felt best in (which are at twice the price, of course). In other words, these are solid, but they felt very heavy on my frame.
J. Crew – Barrel Zoe
Jeans (size 26)
J. The crew is challenging Madewell for their barrel of money! in Are great. The wash is excellent, the hem is perfect in length for both heels and flats. And they are higher than the waist but look attractive from above. I have these and love them.
These are size 27 J. The crew is barrel zoe. These are barrel shaped without darts. They seem extremely tailored and well made as they have a nice, rigid shape with really good proportions. I love the washes, they really smoothed out the fade on the thighs without being too heavy or moving. These are mid-rise, but to me, FYI, they seem quite high-rise, but I’m not mad about it. The pockets have a nice slant detail, and the seams have a nice contrast with a brown thread that feels classic. Solid yes for me in the store, and I have a feeling I’ll be wearing them a lot this spring, both up and down.
Madewell – Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean
Jeans (size 27)
these cropped pants Very popular, but I didn’t feel good in them (or not as good as others anyway). The waist didn’t look great – it stuck me in a spot I didn’t like.
The height is too high for my small torso, so I’m probably not the right person to review these pants. The leg length and shape are perfect, and I really like the structure of the cropped hem. If you’re interested in a tall crop, these are solid – I just need more of a mid-rise. These also have a really nice vintage-y wash.
We The Free – Risk Taker Mid-Rise Jeans
Jeans (size 26)
i really like it in Fit in the butt, but they’re a little tight in the waist (and yet I wear them a lot). A nice cut, good length, I love the raw hem and carpenter detailing, I just find myself grabbing them for most day to day chores. They are great with flats and slides. Just a super casual pant.
Agolde – Low Rise Loose Jean
Jean (size 26)
Aritzia is a dangerous store. Some things are so cheap, some are so expensive, but it all feels Cold. I tried on a lot of jeans and when I found one I was like, “Wow, OK.” in. Many of you may be able to try and perform better, but for me, it has been a struggle, so I was very excited. These are fantastic. Great wash, low rise, flattering and loose, but not so big that it swallows me up. The tags are still on, so I’m giving it until Monday to see if I’ll definitely keep them. Very thick Japanese denim and great tailoring. A little tight in the buttocks, but when I went up a size, they were very loose in the waist.
Ugh. I wish I didn’t like these so much because they are fussy, but as a woman with a frustratingly small torso, getting this low rise wide leg to fit and feeling so good in it became impossible not to splurge. It’s an extremely high quality thick denim, vintage wash ala Levis, zero stretch in a good way, and I like that it’s more fitted in the butt.
Quince – Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans
Jeans (size 26)
these bellas Still alive and well. The wash is very good. The shape and color are excellent. I think they’re too high-waisted for me, so I mostly wear them with long button-ups or sweatshirts, but I don’t wear this. For the price, they are very good.
We The Free – Breezy Denim Pull-On Jeans
Jeans (size small, small)
Ok, in There are leisure pants. Elastic waist, super easy to wear. Comfort is 10/10. If it’s hot out, I wear shorts instead of pants so I don’t need these, but for those of you who want an easy breezy pant to wear in warmer weather, these are super cute. Regular is too long, so I’m wearing a short, which is still long.
They’re absolutely great casual, throw-on-and-go pants that are super stretchy. The waistband at the back is elastic, but looks normal from the front.
Madewell – Darted Barrel Jean
Jeans (size 26)
away from The best barrel on the market (And I don’t like too many Madewell jeans on me, TBH). I have these in 3 different styles/colors and I wear them all the time. The run is larger, so the 26 sits lower on my hips and the 25 fits much higher (I like both for the different looks and comfort levels). They nailed the construction just to make them attractive.
Madewell – The Ultimate Wide-Leg Jean in Airy Denim
Jeans (size 26)
in Very light, very comfortable and washes very well. But be careful, they are very long, so you will either need high heels or have no problems with puddles. Comfort 10/10. Too high a waist for me, and they won’t fit you in if you prefer a more structured top.
I kissed even more frogs, TBH, and I also know I have a specific body type (apple shaped, so I like slimmer pants so I can wear boxier tops). So take it all with a grain of salt. Jeans are rough, but I found some prince 🙂
*by photo Caitlin Green
