I tried on jeans at Abercrombie, J. Crew, and Madewell. Turns out, the perfect pair does exist.
Chloe Caldwell
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- I tried on similar pairs of straight-leg jeans at Abercrombie, J. Crew, and Madewell.
- The pair from Abercrombie fit nicely along my waist, but they were a bit too baggy in the legs.
As a 5-foot-2-inch woman with a semi-athletic build, finding clothing that actually fits my frame is an ongoing challenge.
For me, jeans are a particularly difficult item to shop for — they're either too long, too tight in the legs, or too baggy at the waist. That's why I've been on a mission to find a pair that hits my curves in all the right places.
J. Crew, Madewell, and Abercrombie are all well-known retail destinations for denim, so I decided to stop into each store at my local mall to find the perfect pair.
I tried on similar straight-leg jeans from the three contenders to compare each style based on the fit, fabric, variety of sizing options, and price.
I was surprised by my favorite, but I took home a pair of jeans I'll be wearing regularly for the fall season and beyond.
I began my search at Abercrombie.
After years of lawsuits and declining sales, Abercrombie has officially been deemed "back from the dead."
The retailer, once viewed as a trendy hot spot for the cool kids, has reinvented itself as a staple for timeless basics and elevated essentials.
In the second fiscal quarter of this year, Abercrombie reported a 21% rise in sales year over year, and ever since their comeback, I've been shopping at the brand regularly.
I appreciated Abercrombie's range of size and style options, but the overall shopping experience was disappointing.
The first thing I noticed about the retailer's in-store denim selection was how many sizing options it had. There was a full wall of floor-to-ceiling shelves holding various denim styles in sizes 23 to 37, as well as short, regular, and long lengths.
When I visited on a busy Saturday afternoon, however, only one dressing room was open, and the line to try on clothes wrapped around the back of the store.
The employees eventually opened a smaller second option, but I was left feeling frustrated before I even put the jeans on.
Once I finally made it to the front of the line, I tried on a pair of mid-rise straight jeans. The jeans were part of the brand's Curve Love collection, which has "additional room through the hip and thigh."
I couldn't find the shade I preferred in a short size, so I tried them on in the long length to decide whether I'd buy them online.
I loved the style of the Abercrombie jeans, but the fit was a bit baggy on me.
These jeans fit well along the waist, and I liked the light wash, but they were a bit too baggy on me.
However, the material (made of 99% cotton and 1% elastane) felt durable and long-lasting. The pair cost $90, which I thought was a fair price for the quality of the material and construction.
Overall, I loved the style, and if the line at the store hadn't been so long, I would have tried them on in another size.
Next, I took a trip over to J. Crew.
Next, my denim search led me to J. Crew, a brand known for its timeless, well-tailored looks.
Although J. Crew filed for bankruptcy in 2020, the company brought in new owners and a new CEO as part of its revamped strategy. The privately-held retailer celebrated 40 years in business in 2023.
I haven't spent much time at J. Crew, but based on the designs I saw on their website, I thought the retailer might have what I was looking for.
J. Crew offered a good range of sizes but didn't have as many style options.
The J. Crew store I visited didn't have as many style options as Abercrombie, but the range of sizes was impressive. J. Crew offers jeans in sizes 23 to 37 in petite, tall, and classic lengths.
I tried on a pair of the high-rise slim wide jeans in a petite size.
I absolutely loved the fit and length of the pair I tried on at J. Crew.
These jeans were incredibly flattering, falling right above the floor to the perfect length. The cut of the denim accentuated my body in a way that boosted my confidence. They also felt sturdy yet comfortable.
These are the type of jeans I'd be able to dress up or down depending on the occasion, which I always appreciate.
Like the pair from Abercrombie, these jeans were made of 99% cotton and 1% elastane. However, at a higher price point of $148, I wasn't 100% certain about taking these home.
I made one final stop at Madewell.
For my final stop, I headed to Madewell, which is actually owned by the J. Crew Group. I'm drawn to Madewell's aesthetic, which typically resembles '90s styles with some modern flair.
I love that the brand even offers free in-store hemming services for Madewell loyalty-program members.
Madewell had a vast selection of denim.
When I walked into Madewell, I was excited by the number of jeans lined up on shelves in the center of the store. The brand carries a vast selection of jeans in curvy, petite, tall, and extended sizes.
The sales associates were kind and helpful, which made the shopping experience pleasant — I saw one helping several people find the perfect size and fit.
Every pair of jeans I picked up felt thick and reliable. I went with the '90s straight jeans, which were once again made with 99% cotton and 1% elastane.
I found my favorite pair of jeans at Madewell.
I was satisfied with the length, wash, and overall fit of these jeans. They felt a bit snug around my legs, but I liked how this accentuated my figure more than the other two pairs I put on.
Overall, these felt like jeans I could wear for years and still love. I readily and happily took these $138 jeans to the checkout line — I finally found my perfect pair of petite jeans.
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