Four jeans styles, reviewed
I am obsessed with many things (skincare products, Eclipse gum, zombies . . .) but I like to think my interest in finding good denim is more of a philanthropic activity than a selfish pursuit. Women need comfortable, flattering jeans, and we need them NOW. Ill-fitting jeans can only hinder our individual and collective progress! For example, I firmly believe ultra low rise was designed to keep us distracted from the important issues of our time, because we’re too goddamn busy hiking up our pants.
Here is a short list of Non-Sucky Jeans I’ve encountered in the last couple years. Your mileage may vary, of course.
GAP BOOT CUT CURVY
Brand: GAP
Style: Boot Cut Curvy
Size: 10
I bought these several months ago. I didn’t fall in love with them but they were the only pair that fit out of the giant pile of denim I’d dragged into the dressing room and so they seemed pretty good by comparison (note: this is not a good shopping strategy). They stretched with wear and started to feel sort of chunky over time—boxy and not slimming at all. The comfort factor was okay but I never felt that good wearing them.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Link: Gap.com
Ballpark price: $68
LEVI’S 515
Brand: Levi’s
Style: Misses 515
Size: 12, 10, and 8
Yes, I have these jeans in three sizes. I bought the 12s right after my son was born, then moved down to a 10. A couple months ago, I bought the 8s. The 515 fits nicely on me in the leg, lean but still loose enough for everyday wear—but the pelvic region is a bit odd. The waist is loose for its size, and sits at what feels like an awkward location (just low enough to slide down, because there’s a fair amount of stretch to the fabric and they’re not really fitted at the waist, but not low enough to rest at the hips).
This style seemed to fit better when I was a larger size (oddly, the 8s are much longer than the 10s I own, despite the fact that they’re the exact same “Regular” length). They need a belt to keep them in place, and they’re more of a ‘working’ jean than something you’d pair with heels, but overall a pretty good (and affordable) choice.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Link: Levis 515 at Kohl’s
Ballpark price: $35
JOE’S PROVOCATEURS
Brand: Joe’s
Style: Provocateur
Size: 29
Price: $158
I recently bought my first pair of premium (ie, expensive) jeans at Nordstrom’s, which was quite an experience. I tried on a lot of brands, from Citizens Of Humanity to Sevens to Paige, and the Joe’s were my favorite by far. They are lower than I’m used to, but they feel completely differently than any other low-rise jeans I’ve worn—which is to say, they stay put. They don’t slide halfway off my butt when I sit down, and they don’t require constant Muffintop Monitoring. The fit is slim but not sausage-casing-tight, and the length is perfect (I’m 5′5″). The Provocateurs are fitted and look great with anything, and they’ve got good stretch and a decent comfort factor. Also? They give Great Ass.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Link: Joe’s Jeans
Ballpark price: $158
CRUEL GIRL MADISONS
Brand: Cruel Girl
Style: Madison
Size: 11, and 9
The Cruel Girls can be hard to find, because they’re sold primarily through western wear stores, but I cannot recommend them enough. They were flattering and comfortable when I wore their size 11, and now that I’ve lost weight the smaller size 9 is just as great. The Madisons sit just below the waist, with a tapered knee and flared leg. They are the ultimate ‘broken-in’ jeans, meaning they feel like you’ve been wearing them for months from the first time you put them on. Compared to my Joe’s, they don’t feel as fitted or as dressy, but they still look pretty spiffy when paired with heels. The Madisons have some stretch, but not so much that they get pulled out of shape, even after heavy wear. Love!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Link: Madisons at Discount Western Wear (I can endorse this website, having successfully purchased from them a couple times now)
Ballpark price: $48.95
I’m still looking for the elusive 5-Star Jeans, the One Jeans to Rule Them All, the pair that’s so incredibly awesome you keep them in a safety deposit box at night and you have to register your butt as a deadly weapon in order to legally wear them. If I find them, I’ll let you know.
Okay, now it’s your turn. Hit the comments section and dish out your own jeans success stories. Let us share our preferred-denim secrets . . . in the interest of advancing womankind, by god.
Posted: May 15th, 2007 under Fashion, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 31
Comments
Comment from Patty
Time: May 15, 2007, 3:41 pm
I am 45 years old, so finding jeans that don’t make me look ridiculous or like I am trying to re-live high school can be difficult. I love the advice that Stacey and Clinton give on “What Not to Wear” regarding jeans and tried to follow it when I looked for jeans. Now I have two pair of jeans that I wear regularly.
My semi-dress jeans that I wear with heels are DKNY Soho jeans in a dark wash, boot cut. I bought the 6 long. Length is always my problem with jeans (I am 5′8″) but even with multiple washings, the length did not change. Nothing makes me madder than finally finding jeans long enough, only to have the shrink in length with the first washing. I bought these jeans several years ago and they still look great. I think they were around $50.
My other favorites are Gap original boot cut. I also bought a 6 long but they are not as long as the DKNY’s so I wear them with lower heels. They are a lighter wash, but don’t have any of the crazy acid markings that I hate.
I also have a pair of Gap original straight leg jeans in black that I found on sale this spring for $30. I hesitated in the dressing room when I tried them on because they were lower rise than I am used to. But, oh man, did they look awesome, especially with high heels. They are a 6 long and have kept their length after washing. I wasn’t sure about the straight leg, but I love these. With a longer top no one will ever know I’m wearing jeans not fit for my age!
All of these jeans have a bit of stretch to them which makes them feel a little saggy after a couple of wearings but they come right back after washing.
If I have to replace either of my first two pairs, I will definitely look for the exact same jeans!
Comment from mo
Time: May 15, 2007, 5:14 pm
a couple of years ago i bought a pair of jeans that turned out to be the best and most comfortable pair of jeans that i have ever worn.they’re wide leg, so they hide my huge elephant thighs. they give me great ass but its not over the top. they can be dressed up, which i love, but they also go great for every day wear. my only complaint is that being wide leg,i’m unable to wear heels with them because it just looks silly. but i have a pair of horribly uncomfortable, badly cut, ass too big and thigh too tight bootlegs, in case i feel the need to wear heels.
anwyay, earlier this year i found out that the shop i bought them from had bought them back (thank you fashion predicters who said wide leg pants were ‘in’ for winter, I LOVE YOU) and i bought two pairs. and then they went on sale so i bought two more pairs. and every time i walk past the shop i check for more, and if i see any, i’ll be buying them. i am literally, hoarding jeans in my closet so that i never ever run out of them because, goddamn, these are the best jeans that i have ever worn in my life.
its ironic because i mock my gramma, who makes her own clothes but only uses one skirt pattern and one top pattern and makes them all in different shades and prints, and i say, would it really hurt to change it up a little bit? and here i am making sure that i’ll have enough jeans to last me until i’m ninety. but i think you’ve perfectly illustrated the point here: good jeans are hard to find. good jeans warrant this kind of behaviour.
right?
Comment from Lawyerish
Time: May 15, 2007, 5:58 pm
I’m tall (5′11″) with — how shall I put this? — a mannish shape (narrow hips, honkin’ athletic thighs, and a decidedly non-Scarlett O’Hara-waist). Finding jeans is hell. HELL.
The best I’ve done:
(1) Salt Works, which I happened upon at a deep discount at Find Outlet in Nolita — $39 for $150-250 jeans, baby!). Like your Joe’s, they are low rise but don’t constantly slide down (which is a challenge with my shape) and they’re snug in the hips and thighs without looking obscene. My only beef is that the ones I have (which I’m sure are discontinued, hence the bargain price) the boot legs are a leeetle overly wide, so they might look slightly dated in the skinny jeans atmosphere of 2007. But I don’t care, as I’m not fashionable anyway, and my ass looks great in them;
(2) Red Engine, which I found at Anthropologie. NOT cheap, and a little wide at the waist after a couple of wearings, but again snug in the hips and thigh without being gross, and mine are a nice deep indigo wash. I consider them my “dressiest” jeans; and
(3) Citizens of Humanity. These fit a little better than the Sevens I used to have, and they’re trimmer in the legs than the other two described above. I love the whiskering and fading, too. My only beef is that I usually need a belt to keep them on, and they’re on the short side for me, so I can only wear them with flats/flip-flops.
Comment from Jamie
Time: May 15, 2007, 8:49 pm
Three words: Paper, Denim & Cloth.
The first night I wore mine out to a bar, I got compliments on my ass from men and women alike…so many that my friends and I started playing a drinking game based on people looking at my ass (or in the case of women, asking where I got my jeans). I kid you not. And I have a completely normal, non-perfect ass.
Invest in a pair - you won’t regret it.
Comment from Dawn
Time: May 15, 2007, 11:53 pm
I swear by the Gloria Vanderbilt “Amanda” Jeans!!! You can get them at Kohl’s, they are always on sale for $19.99. (regular $30) I love how my ass looks in them!! The leg is tapered, not wide– (which I hate), and they’re not low-rise, which I’m also not fond of. They have some stretch in them, and they come in several shades. I’ve been losing weight for some time now, and I have them in every size that I’ve come down since discovering them. (and I think I’m ready for the next size down thanks to the Turbo Jam!!) They come in 3 lengths, which is great, because I’m 5′4″, and the “average” is a bit long for me, so I get the “petite”. Try ‘em yourself, you’ll love them, and won’t go broke buying them!!
Comment from ambient
Time: May 16, 2007, 5:49 am
I’m not purchasing expensive clothing right now, until I hit a stable size, but I can recommend what I’m wearing in the meantime — Levi Strauss Signature. I thought these would be a step down in quality from regular Levi’s, but they’re really not. Maybe the fabric is a bit cheaper, but the boot cut is great — these are awfully flattering jeans for $20 rack rate.
And they come in mid-rise! Specified on the label! Manufacturers got used to only specifying low rise, which is a problem now that low rise jeans are more common than mid rise. Anyways, these jeans are sold at discount stores. I think Target and Walmart have the largest selections, though some regional stores stock them too, per the website.
Comment from Dee
Time: May 16, 2007, 6:33 am
I dont have anything to share, cause I’ve just been flitting from jean to jeans, however I muct say those Cruel Girl Madisons look great! I find the odd numbered sizes a bit weird though 
Comment from Jenny
Time: May 16, 2007, 6:51 am
Am I the only one irritated that on Joe’s website it says, “IT’S NO WONDER THEN. A TRIM FIGURE GIRL, IN A GREAT FITTING PAIR OF JEANS, HAS THE ABILITY TO CAPTIVATE THE WORLD.” Guess us not “trim figure” girls are SOL.
Comment from LN
Time: May 16, 2007, 7:15 am
Levi’s 512s…I tried them on, turned around to look at the rear view and thought, “My butt looks great!” They have some sort of “tummy flattening” technology, too. I bought two pairs right away and I will be buying more. These are, I believe, available only in the Women’s section at J.C. Penney’s.
Comment from gabby
Time: May 16, 2007, 7:57 am
My favorite jeans are Tommy Hilfiger boyfriend bootcut. Love them. Of course, they haven’t been on my body since the baby, but we’re getting there. Right now I’m in several different sizes of Old Navys to get me by until my beloved Tommy’s fit again…
Oh! And I had a pair of DKNY jeans once. They love I had for them was great. I cried the day they died. I have never found another DKNYs that fit the same.
Comment from jonna
Time: May 16, 2007, 10:10 am
I’m floored by Jamie’s Paper Denim and Cloth suggestion. Something about that cut does not even remotely fit over my thighs, no matter what size it is, and I swear to you, they aren’t that huge.
I’m a Sevens girl all the way. LOVE Sevens. For cheaper jeans, Banana Republic has some truly fabulous cuts that are very flattering and relatively inexpensive.
Comment from shoppingsmart
Time: May 16, 2007, 12:10 pm
Ahhh, the perfect pair of jeans… I’ve written up a story on premium jeans on my web site www.smallshoppingworld.com. You’re welcome to take a look!
Comment from serror
Time: May 16, 2007, 3:16 pm
Also, have had same experience with Paper Denim and Cloth that Jonna has. Strange.
Seriously, I kept going back to the Gap and trying the Curvy fit jeans on my somewhat hippy-thighed-butt-having frame, until my friend clued me into the fact that the Gap is telling you what you WILL look like in the jeans, not WHAT body type should wear them. Oh. silly me…
Then I tried the Gap’s Long and Lean fit. So Very Awesome. A bit of a boot cut, but works to balance out the hips and lower rise (not past my belly button) but never at all scared that I will loose my pants from behind and expose anything I don’t want to.
Also, like Banana Republic (same company as Gap I suppose…) And have loved DKNY in past but not recently.
Comment from Kimberly
Time: May 16, 2007, 4:50 pm
I have tried on and loved the Joe’s Provocateurs too. So since we agree on that I have to recommend the Paige Denim Laurel Canyon Stretch in the Dark Rinse with Crease. I got them at Nordstrom and I swear that every single time I have worn them someone has asked me if I have lost weight. It never fails. They are a good dark rinse that hides flaws, slim in the leg and sit right. I don’t really have a waist so its hard to find the pair that fit my legs and aren’t too tight in the waist. They run small so try on a size larger then you would usually wear. I love them so much I went to buy a pair of jeans last week and tried on a few pairs, bought one, and got it home and it was the exact same pair I already had. And I plan on keeping them both! They keep their shape between washes as well. Check out their site- the lady who designs them was a jean model for years so she started her own line.
Comment from Melissa
Time: May 17, 2007, 12:48 am
Totally seconding Serror on the Gap Long & Leans. I love that some washes come with more stretch in them than others (nice for bloaty PMS days), but that I always look slightly more put together in them regardless of the wash. Someday when I’m not a poor student I’ll try the costs-more-than-$60 variety of jeans, but until then, these’ll do.
Comment from Jenny
Time: May 17, 2007, 10:03 am
Seconding Kimberly: Paige Laurel Canyons in Dark Rinse with Crease!
I have definitely crossed over to the Dark Side of Expensive Denim, but it’s worth it if I don’t feel constantly uncomfortable. I have a pair of Paper Denim & Cloth wide leg trousers that I love, but I agree with everyone else — their regular jeans are kinda weird.
And maybe everyone else in the world knows this and I’m just slow, but I have had great luck with avoiding shrinkage (length or otherwise) (tee hee) by not putting my fancy jeans in the dryer, EVER. Hang dry, baby, every time. Sure, they’re kind of stiff, but they soften up really quickly once I’ve got ‘em on. The other thing I just learned about was washing them inside out to keep dark rinses from fading — don’t know how true that is, but I’m trying it and we’ll see what happens.
Comment from teri
Time: May 17, 2007, 11:35 am
ugh….i know all about jean shopping frustration. i am 43 yrs old and still wear a size 12 in girls. most of the jeans in the girls’ dept have pink and purple sparklies all over them. dark wash boot cut?!!? doesn’t exist. jeans in the girls dept are cut for, well, girls…who don’t have curves yet. when i find a pair of jeans that fit and aren’t too juvenile, i hoard them. people always say, “oh you are lucky you are so tiny.” yeah, it’s real lucky until i want to dress like a woman instead of a 6th grader.
Comment from nakedsushi
Time: May 17, 2007, 2:34 pm
My “One Jean to Rule them All” is a pair of raw (unwashed, unabused) jeans made out of Japanese denim. They were A LOT more expensive than the jeans I usually get. I never bought GAP or Joe’s jeans because I couldn’t really see the difference in quality between those jeans and regular Levis, so I never felt justified with buying them.
But then, these jeans, Skull Lindas, came along and I *had* to have them. Even at $260 I think they’re worth it. I wear them everyday now.
Comment from natalie
Time: May 17, 2007, 2:38 pm
The Gap Boot Cut Curvy to me personally is not worth buying. The material is extremely thin and rips easily. Even if the jeans you are wearing are a little (or even a lot) loose due to stretch it will still rip.
Comment from Joy
Time: May 18, 2007, 1:51 am
You must head on over to www.truejeans.com! Yes, there are a lot of premium/expensive jeans over there, but there are a few not-so-expensive jeans too. I just ordered a few pairs…got free shipping, and they seem to have a good return policy….. It beats having to drag myself out to the mall to try on jeans that only ‘kinda’ fit. I have high hopes, but we’ll see. Also, if you have my problem with leg length (I have super short legs), www.figandplum.com has a quick and easy technique to hem jeans. Good luck!!!
Comment from rachel
Time: May 18, 2007, 5:01 pm
Being one of those whom has the in order to have the hips fit the waist is way too large type, I have never found a fit as good as now that there is ones with stretch. That being said, the creme de la creme for me is Lucky’s Sweet and Low- aka jeans for women with booty. At their prices I only have two pairs but they are my favorites!
Comment from deanna
Time: May 20, 2007, 2:34 pm
jeans are such a personal item of clothing. i dont think there is one set pair for every person. all brands are cut differently and everyones body is different. its not about how much you pay for a pair of jeans or the brand name that makes them, but its about how they make you look and feel about yourself.
that said…ive found MY personal favorite. i have a somewhat different problem from a lot of women [believe me…the number of jeans i have tried on in the quest to find the perfect pair would prove the fact that i am in a minority…] as i have NO hips, NO ass, muscular thighs and a VERY poorly defined waist. in other words–no curves from the bottom down, aside from some pretty solid thighs. you try and find a pair of pants that make your ass look good, when you have nothing to make look good! due to my lackage of waistage, i have to buy low-rise to ultra low-rise jeans…lest i end up looking like a member of the gestapo with gobs of extra fabric around the hips and super tight thighs. NOT the look i was going for.
after trying on…oh i dunno about eleventy bajillion pairs, i finally found the pair that i wear EVERY day…. hudson boyfriend jeans. ive had these jeans almost a year and a half and they fit just as well today as they did the day i bought them. of course i had to have them hemmed, but at under $10 it was WELL worth the inexpensive cost and minimal effort of tailoring. they sit perfectly on my hips without falling down and the wide waist band draws some visual attention to my lower half, evening out my wide shoulders. theyre just a little bit slouchy and a great antiquey-sorta color. perfect for casual wear…..
as i am 25, i do go with the trends a bit an wear skinny jeans. ive found the jcrew ones actually fit me the best….
Comment from Anna
Time: May 20, 2007, 3:48 pm
Thought you might be interested in posting this video - tips and tricks for finding the perfect jeans!
http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/313696/Life+and+Leisure?c_id=jlt
Comment from Heather B.
Time: May 20, 2007, 6:27 pm
I have to second the Cruel Girls nod, I love mine, which I bought at your behest in the first place. Though they are hard to find, they come in such different syles that there has to be something for everyone. And they come in like Junior’s sizes which always makes me feel better about myself and my ass.
Comment from Keri
Time: May 21, 2007, 5:07 am
I’m small (5′4″ with stumpy legs) and finding jeans that aren’t too long or cut too gigantically can be hard. I’ve never tried fancy expensive jeans (heck, I never even buy mall brands if they aren’t on sale), but I’ll look into it after the raves on this site.
My good experiences of late: in the past few months I bought the best jeans I’ve ever owned: JCrew Hipslung jeans (size 28 Short). Then, a few weeks later, I discovered Banana Republic’s Modern Bootcut (size 6 [and usually I wear a size 2 or 4] petite). I love these jeans — both pairs!!! It’s hard to say which I prefer.
And even at full-price they are less than $100.
Comment from whoorl
Time: May 21, 2007, 9:00 am
I’ve pretty much worn them all: Seven, Citizens of Humanity, Paper Denim and Cloth, etc. And I have to say, I just bought the Joe’s Provocateur (thanks to your recommendation) and I love them!
The best part (besides good ass) is that I don’t have get them hemmed like all the others. Let me point out that even though they are made for “shorter” gals, I’m 5′7″ and they still are the perfect length (I have short legs and wear flats). Plus, they must dabble in ego-sizing, because the last time I wore a size 27 was a loooong time ago. Hey, I’ll take it.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Comment from April
Time: May 21, 2007, 8:18 pm
Word, Jonna, I am a Sevens girl all the way too. I lurve my Dojo’s and would seriously go insane without them - my Citizens just do not stay put at the waist, I feel like I’m always showing off the underwears-undertheres.
Comment from Anonymous
Time: May 25, 2007, 3:07 pm
What a great post! My “Come to Jesus” moment about jeans occurred when I was wearing a pair of Lands End jeans–ie., Mommie Dearest and caught sight of my reflection in a store window. I mean, I could have been the before on “Oprah’s” jeans show. Those jeans aged me, and gave me a horrible shape. I went on a mission, read every thing about jeans I could. Like another poster said, to each her own with jeans, but I found the ultimate jeans for me:
William Rast Stella Bootcut Jean
http://www.madisonandfriends.com/product.asp?lt=c&catid=4654&pfid=MAF04713
I got mine on ebay for about $40.
I also got a fantastic dressier pair at Express. Yes, Express, home of the editor pants.
Now, I will go checkout every recommendation above.
Comment from briezers
Time: May 29, 2007, 12:37 pm
I too made it my personal mission to stop spending $50-$60 on 10 random pairs of mediocre jeans throughout the year, and bite the bullet and buy some proper jeans (read as: premium).
2 hours and $200 later, I left Nordstrom’s with a pair of Citizens of Humanity boot cut jeans with a cute little crochet style pink and yellow stitch on the back pockets. Being 5′2″, I had them hem the bottoms for me. They have a slight flare at the bottom, so they still look *perfect* with literally everything: flats, sneakers, wedges, stillettos, cowboy boots, etc. Also, I already have some bootyliciousness going on, but these jeans make me wanna shake what my mama gave me. I kid you not- they not only look good, they make me feel good too! To me, that is priceless!!
I’d have to give these a solid 4.5 outta 5. The price may seem extraordinary at first, but when you spend $50 on 4 pairs of “so-so” jeans, voila!- you’ve just purchased one pair of stellar jeans!
Comment from dlg
Time: June 18, 2007, 10:57 am
for the paige laurel canyon gals (i am one too): AG’s “the club” jeans fit EXACTLY the same, except they are slightly less expensive AND, i get more comments about my ass looking good in them than i do the paiges.
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