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  4. I'm 5'10" and it's hard for me to find jeans that are long enough. I tried on 11 pairs and found these 2 brands made my favorites.

I'm 5'10" and it's hard for me to find jeans that are long enough. I tried on 11 pairs and found these 2 brands made my favorites.

Joi-Marie McKenzie   

I'm 5'10" and it's hard for me to find jeans that are long enough. I tried on 11 pairs and found these 2 brands made my favorites.
Author Joi-Marie McKenzie struggles to find jeans that are long enough as a woman standing at 5'10".Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider
  • As a woman who's 5'10", it's often hard for me to buy jeans because they're hardly ever long enough.
  • So I went to my local Nordstrom and tried on nearly a dozen pairs of jeans.

It's been three long years since I've purchased jeans.

First, there was the pandemic when I fell in love with a variety of sweatpants, stretch pants, baggy shorts and — my favorite — fuzzy onesies. Then, I got pregnant with my second child so jeans just weren't on the menu.

When I looked up, I realized that I needed a good pair of jeans. Still, I was hesitant. Since Bebe (yes, the beloved clothing store) shuttered its brick-and-mortar stores, it's been hard for me to walk into a store and walk out with jeans that actually made it past my ankle.

But I decided to face my fears and change that last month. I went to my local Nordstrom in New Jersey determined to find a pair of jeans that fit. After trying on 11 pairs of jeans, I found two brands that made the cut.

First up, I tried on a light-washed, wide-legged pair of jeans.

First up, I tried on a light-washed, wide-legged pair of jeans.
I've been obsessed with wide-leg jeans look since I saw them come into style.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

I'm obsessed with a good wide leg. It's a style of jeans that you can dress up with stilettos or wedges, or dress down with flats.

So I was excited when I found Veronica Beard's Taylor relaxed wide-leg jeans. I typically wear between a size 6 and 8, and decided to try on a size 29/8.

What I loved most about these jeans is that the wash, a light-colored look, was perfect for the summer. The actual denim was also not very thick so they'd be perfect to wear on a hot summer's day. And since I'm embracing my post-baby body, I loved that they were high-waisted and hid any pouch (which I'm proud to have, for the record).

Most importantly, the jeans fell below my ankle and the bottoms were a bit unfinished, which I loved.

Sadly, there was too much of a gap in the back.

Sadly, there was too much of a gap in the back.
Sadly, the wide-leg pair had a huge gap in the back.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Unless I wanted to flash everyone I walked past, these jeans weren't going to work.

They had too much room in the back so if I sat down, I'd be showing off wayyyy too much.

I even sized down and tried on a 6, but that didn't fix the butt-gap issue.

I'm also glad these didn't work out because they were rather expensive, clocking in at $298.

Next up, I switched brands and tried on Good American.

Next up, I switched brands and tried on Good American.
I tried on a variety of jeans in different sizes, washes, and styles.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

As a former entertainment editor, I've heard of Good American.

I've read the headlines that Khloé Kardashian is a co-owner, but I'm also a huge fan of ABC's "Shark Tank," and Good American's founder, Emma Grede, is often a guest shark, investing in mostly women-owned companies. So I was excited to see if the brand would live up to the hype.

I tried on Good American's "Good Legs Flare" in a size 8.

I tried on Good American
Why didn't y'all tell me Good American is so freakin' good?! I'm mad at you now. I am!      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Honeeeey, when I tried on these jeans I initially noticed how the slight stretch in the jeans hugged my legs and hips. It's exactly how I wanted jeans to fit — snug but not too tight.

It almost felt like these jeans were made for me; they hug in the places where I wanted to hug and gave me grace in places that spread post-baby and because I can't walk past pasta on a menu without ordering it — and I don't care!

As if I couldn't be more obsessed, they were perfect for my 5'10" frame. They fell past my ankles so I could definitely wear these with heels or flats.

Good American's jeans also made my butt look good.

Good American
Good American's jeans hugged my backside.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Unlike the Veronica Beard wide-leg jeans, which had a gap at the back, Good American's hugged my backside. Apparently, the brand has a special technology that solves this issue for women.

On the tag, it said that the "Good Legs Flare" jeans have what's called "flat-tummy tech and a gap-proof waistband," which helps them hug the figure and prevent that annoying gap.

And as a person who likes to be environmentally conscious and often rents clothes to reduce my impact on the environment, I love that 70% of the brand's denim is made from responsible materials. They're also inclusive in sizing, offering sizes 00-24.

Lastly, they were also more affordable at $149. Add to cart!

While I loved this style, not all Good American jeans are created equal, in my opinion.

While I loved this style, not all Good American jeans are created equal, in my opinion.
The tag on my favorite pair of Good American jeans.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

I absolutely loved the "Good Legs Flare," so I tried on a few more styles. Sadly, they didn't fit me as well.

I tried on a lighter wash of jeans called the "Good Curve Bootcut," and it felt too saggy in the crotch. Although they were long enough, I couldn't get past the roominess that would leave me pulling up my jeans every 20 minutes.

This pair of Joe's jeans were too small, sadly.

This pair of Joe
I usually wear a size 6, but not in Joe's jeans.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Halfway through trying on 11 pairs of jeans (I'll spare you the absolute duds), I tried on a pair of Joe's jeans. I loved this wash that looked a bit like dirty denim and would be a good pair year-round.

But I quickly learned that not all pairs of jeans are made equal. Despite typically wearing a size 6, I couldn't close this high-waisted pair of Honey Curvy Bootcut jeans. They also lacked a stretch material, a quality I rather enjoy.

Next!

I finished my shopping by trying on this winning pair of Veronica Beard jeans.

I finished my shopping by trying on this winning pair of Veronica Beard jeans.
These Veronica Beard jeans in the Beverly skinny flare were one of my favorites.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Despite the wide-legged pair not working out, I tried on the Beverly Skinny Flair jeans from Veronica Beard in a size 30.

Thanks to the wash, they felt like the perfect summer pair of jeans. I also loved that these jeans felt richer — meaning, they were made of a thicker stretch material. Created by Veronica Swanson Beard and her sister-in-law Veronica Miele Beard, these jeans immediately hugged my curves in ways that I absolutely adored.

They also passed the length check, falling way past my ankles, making them great to wear with a heel.

If you're not into this wash, it also comes in a bright-blue hue. The retail price is $298 so they are an investment piece. You can also purchase them in four installments if you buy online.

Despite my fears, I won't wait so long to buy jeans again.

Despite my fears, I won
Author Joi-Marie McKenzie posing next to a rack of jeans in a Nordstrom dressing room.      Joi-Marie McKenzie/Insider

Admittedly, I paid a lot more than what I typically spend on pants but as a tall girlie, I've never been able to buy cheaper jeans.

While fear kept me from going into any store and trying on jeans, I still had an amazing experience re-learning what works for my body and going home with two solid pairs of jeans in hand.


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