Jan9
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When I was growing up, Abercrombie & Fitch jeans were the very last thing I would wear. Every time I tried them on, they were WAY too small (even in my correct size), which put a bad taste in my mouth, especially as a teenager. Now that I’m 42, I can’t stop buying them. Kind of ironic.
I was so surprised by these jeans and SHOCKED by how well they fit my petite frame without needing to be tailored, since they come in multiple lengths. They are truly a perfect fit. Now I shop at Abercrombie for basics, jeans, and my favorite Abercrombie denim shorts every summer.
These days, I prefer looser non-skinny, “mom-fit” denim, since I find it more comfortable and more flattering.
Being petite and 5’1?, it’s difficult to find mom jeans that don’t look frumpy, swallow my frame, or look like flared, wide-leg pants. Enter the Abercrombie Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight Jeans. So good that I now own nine pairs (5 different styles and some styles in multiple washes). If you’re petite too, my favorite jeans for petite women rounds up more no-alteration options like this pair. I’ve also fallen for Abercrombie’s barrel and 90s fit jeans, both of which I get into below.
In this review, I’m sharing my favorite pairs + side-by-side comparisons with a few other brands of jeans I own so that you can see how well Abercrombie jeans fit. Also, I have a video review that includes the Abercrombie jeans if you prefer to watch rather than read.
The Best Abercrombie Jeans + Sizing Tips
Below are the styles that made it into my regular rotation, along with the sizing quirks I’ve noticed on each. I’ll tell you exactly where to size up, size down, or stick with true to size so you’re not guessing.
Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight Jean
The Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight Jean changed my mind about Abercrombie jeans entirely. I have a 25 in these, and the waist runs a little snug at that size, so if you’re stuck between two sizes, size up. It also comes in Curve Love, Abercrombie’s cut with extra room through the hip and thigh, if that’s more your fit.
High-Rise 90s Relaxed Jean
The High-Rise 90s Relaxed Jean is the pair I suggest if you want that classic Abercrombie mom jean look without going full wide leg. It’s relaxed through the leg but still holds a straight shape, not baggy like the Loose pair below. I started in a 26 and ended up exchanging for a 25, so I’d size down if you’re on the fence. Also comes in Curve Love.
Mid Rise Barrel Jean
The Mid Rise Barrel Jean is one of my most-worn pairs in my whole closet. It runs true to size and fits well through the waist without a dramatic curve through the leg. This one comes in Curve Love as well, if that fit works better for you.
Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jeans
The Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jeans are what I wear when I want a little more structure than the 90s Relaxed above. It’s narrower through the leg and made from a stiffer denim, so it holds its shape more than a relaxed fit would. It also comes in a Curve Love version if that’s your fit.
High Rise Vintage Flare Jean
The High Rise Vintage Flare Jean runs small. I ended up going up one size, and they fit a lot better through the hip, but I am very muscular in my legs and glutes. There’s a Curve Love option here too, if you want the extra room.
High Rise Wide Leg Jean
The High Rise Wide Leg Jean is the one I’d wear if you want a real wide leg without going full flare. The leg opens up dramatically from the hip, so it needs a little length to look right rather than pool at the ankle. This is a different shape than the Ultra Loose below, so don’t expect the same fit; this one is more structured and holds its shape through the leg. This one’s available in Curve Love, too.
Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean
The Wide Leg is more structured, and the Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean is the opposite: relaxed and sits lower on the waist than everything else in this post. It’s a lighter-weight denim, too, so it moves loosely instead of holding its shape. If you already have the 90s Relaxed Jean and are wondering whether you need both, this one sits lower and looser through the leg, whereas the 90s Relaxed is higher-waisted and holds more shape. Curve Love is available on this one as well.
Which Abercrombie Jeans Work If You’re Not 22 Anymore
Not every fit in this lineup wears the same once you’re past your twenties. Most of what’s here still works well, but one leans younger than the rest.
If you want a jean that holds you in through the waist and hip without extra room at the thigh, start with the Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight or the Ultra High Rise 90s Straight. Both are fitted from the waist down through the leg, so nothing is loose or baggy.
The Low Rise Ultra Loose leans a bit younger. It sits low and baggy through the leg, which feels more college than 35+ to me. I’d save it for a casual weekend look rather than an everyday.
How Abercrombie Jeans Compare to Other Brands
Vs. MOTHER Insider Crop Step
The MOTHER Insider Crop Step is another favorite of mine. You can see from the photo above that they’re slightly snug in the upper leg and then have a small flare at the bottom. MOTHER denim tends to be stretchier and much pricier at $228. I feel like the MOTHER jeans have a cleaner line through the leg than the Abercrombie, so that’s something to note when choosing..
Abercrombie feels stiffer, like true denim, rather than stretchy. This is all preference, but stiffer denim holds its structure really well, and it gets more comfortable over time, which I love. Overall, I love both styles (stretchy and non-stretchy) but wear them for different looks.
Vs. Madewell Perfect Vintage
The Madewell Perfect Vintage is similar to Abercrombie in price ($128 or less when on sale), but I don’t think they look as good. Madewell looks looser and a little slouchier. The top half of the jeans is less fitted than Abercrombie, which I don’t like as much. I wear the petite size in Madewell, and they are still a little too long on me. I love that the Abercrombie jeans hit right at the ankle in the short length.
I have a full blog post reviewing Madewell jeans if you want to compare those styles.
FAQ
Do Abercrombie Jeans Run True-To-Size?
Yes. Abercrombie jeans run pretty true-to-size now, so toss that teenager dressing room trauma out the window. I’m almost always a 25 or 26 in Abercrombie jeans, and I’m 5’1? and 120 lbs for reference.
Abercrombie has sizes ranging from 23W to 37W (the Abercrombie size chart will help you identify which size to order) and two different fits (classic and curve love), which I’ll get into below.
Another thing that I love about Abercrombie jeans is that they come in four different lengths: extra short, short, regular, and long.
I buy the short length. Being 5’1?, having shorter options makes a huge difference for me, since regular jeans don’t always look the same unless I alter them. And if I can find jeans that don’t need alterations, I’m buying them (BTW, getting your jeans tailored to you is a sure-fire way to get more wear out of them, even though it can be annoying).
I ordered the “short” length for my first pair, and it hit right above my ankle bone, which is exactly what I was going for. However, my two pairs that do not have distressing are a little shorter, for some reason. I like the length of those, especially with my short boots, but keep that in mind when you’re shopping.
Do Abercrombie jeans run big or small?
They used to run small back when I was younger, which is probably why I steered clear of them for years. That’s changed. Most styles run true to size now, though a few, like the 90s Relaxed and the Barrel, have more room built in, so I’d size down on those if you’re stuck between two sizes.
What size should I get in Abercrombie jeans?
Start with your usual jean size and go from there, since Abercrombie’s sizing runs true for the most part. If a specific style runs looser or tighter than expected, I’ve noted it in the sizing tips for that pair above.
Are Abercrombie jeans good for women over 35?
I’m 42, and these are what I wear most days now, so my answer is yes. The styles I’ve picked here lean more mom fit and vintage than skinny or low-rise, and that’s just what fits my life and body better these days.
What is the difference between Classic and Curve Love fit?
Curve Love has an extra 2″ through the hip and thigh compared to Classic, which helps close that gap at the waistband if you carry more weight through your lower half. I switched to Curve Love a while back since I have muscular glutes and quads, and it’s just more comfortable for me. I can still wear Classic; most of my older pairs are Classic, but they fit tighter through the thigh than what I prefer now.
The Bottom Line
I love Abercrombie jeans. I work from home but try to get “ready” every single day, and Abercrombie’s jeans are the ones I pull out of my closet to wear 90% of the time. There’s something so nice about having a pair of jeans that fit perfectly and look good from every angle. If you’re on the fence, just order them to try. Abercrombie has sales frequently, and while they sell out of sizes often, they always restock.
I also have to note that if you’re expecting, Abercrombie has some of the very best maternity jeans I’ve tried. I have a full review on my favorite maternity jeans, but this Abercrombie jeans review is about the non-maternity styles, since that’s what most of you are shopping for.
Alright, I’ll wrap this up and go dig my favorite pair out of the dryer.
Shop My Favorite Abercrombie Jeans
Leave a Comment
8 responses to “The Best Abercrombie Jeans + Sizing Guide (2026)”
Great post, Teri! I, like you, used to think AF was just not for me. But, now I find that a lot of my girlfriends are finding cute items from there! Do you have any recommendations for boot cut or flare jeans? I have seen that style making a comeback!
Hi! I just added some flares to the post that I love!!!
Great post but I wish people measured the waist across like they do Levi’s. Like a 14.5’ 15”/30, etc
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I love these jeans. At 4’11 I ordered the extra short and they are PERFECT!
I am obsessed with AF’s overalls! I ordered the cream pair this summer and they fit so amazingly, I just bought the denim. I love the wide leg and flattering torso area on my petite frame so much!
ooh good to know! I’ve been on the hunt for overalls!! Thank you so much!
I love the navy tank you are wearing. Is that from jcrew? Hoping you can provide the link.