The 6 Best Madewell Jeans

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Let’s talk about jeans. They’re the most worn item in my closet, and I would guess they’re one of the most worn items in yours too. I have them in lots of different washes, styles, and even sizes since brands don’t always fit the same and some brands’ sizing, like my Abercrombie jeans, tend to vary even by wash.

Over the years, I’ve tried jeans from about 20 different brands. (I once tried 15 brands just to find the perfect pair of white skinny jeans.) And while I don’t think I’ll ever be totally done shopping for jeans, I have landed on a few brands that I LOVE and order from year and after year.

One of my go-to brands for jeans is Madewell. They have a cult following for good reason (I just got their new fall/winter arrivals and they are GOOD). They have so many styles, every size under the rainbow (they are extremely size inclusive and have tons of great curvy jeans), multiple rises for each pair, and tons of washes. Their size chart is easy to use, and they even offer virtual fitting appointments if you want a second opinion. If you have the option to drop by in person to one of their stores, you can visit the Madewell Denim Bar, which is an extensive selection to try on.

Madewell is having a MASSIVE Cyber Week sale, and a ton of their styles are 50% off with code EXCLUSIVE. Be sure to use the code at checkout!

When I’m resharing this blog post, I’m currently in my third trimester of pregnancy with my second baby. While I can’t wear the jeans I’m sharing below right now, they’re the styles I absolutely LOVED before I was pregnant, so I wanted to share them for anyone who’s shopping for jeans this winter.

With so many options, however, it can be a challenge to figure out how to narrow down which ones are best, especially if you are shopping online. So in today’s post, I’m sharing a roundup of the best jeans from Madewell along with my thoughts about them. Hopefully this helps you narrow down your favorites or find a new pair to love!

The 6 Best Madewell Jeans

1. The Perfect Vintage Jean

The The Perfect Vintage Jean from Madewell is what I call my OG pair of Madewell jeans, even though I had a few pairs before these. They were my gateway into non-skinny jeans and the first pair of straight leg/mom jeans that looked good on my petite frames (I’m 5″1 and was hesitant to try them).

This pair is a great option for women who are looking for a style other than skinny jeans. Think of them like an intro pair. They’re snug and flattering on the bum and through the hips and thighs, but the get looser at the bottom. They’re cropped slightly above the ankle (key for cropped pants) and high waisted. Win-win-win!

Like I mentioned above, I’m 5″1, so I ordered the Petite length (they have petite, regular, tall, and plus sized options) in a size 26. I’m usually a 25 of 26 and I do wish I had sized down in these since they’ve gotten a little too big over time. This pair has a slight stretch to them, which makes them very comfortable for all day wear, but they don’t hold their structure as well as a pair of denim jeans that are 100% denim. It’s a matter of preference, but I like to have a few pair of jeans with stretch and a few without. Since I wear them practically non-stop year round, I like options.

How to Order

You can order them straight from Madewell or grab them at Nordstrom (shop the Perfect Vintage Jeans from Nordstorm here) I like Nordstrom since I order from them all the time and they have the best return policy of.all.time. But Madewell runs great sales all the time, so check both places.

The photos below are from a few years ago, and the wash of the Perfect Vintage Jeans I’m wearing below is no longer made. The pair linked above (the Lindy Wash) has the most similar coloring.

I style them with sneakers, sandals, and heels.

2. Kick Out Crop Jeans

These used to be called the Cali Demi-Boot jeans, but what does that even mean? I’m thankful they’ve changed the name to something that makes more sense: Kick Out Crop. These are cropped jeans with a tiny flare at the ends. They’re flattering with all sorts of shoes because they show your ankle a bit, and the wider bottom balances slightly chunkier shoes, like sneakers, for example.

Madewell makes a TON of different variations of this style, and I own the Pure White wash in the Kick Out Crop. I wore them all throughout the spring and summer and can’t say enough great things about them.

I’m wearing a size 25 Petite in these and they’re a perfect fit. This cut is a little trendier right now, for good reason! Skinny jeans are classic, but this new cropped style is super flattering, especially on someone petite like me. The Pure White was (which is what I have) is the perfect shade of white, not too tight, not too loose, not too thin and also not see-through. If you are petite (5’4 and below) I suggest the petite inseam. I like my cropped straight leg jeans to hit above my ankle.

The Kick Out Crop style is also available at Nordstrom.

3. Skinny Jeans

I think everyone needs a good skinny jean in their closet. And I really think they should be black. They’re great for dressier occasions, or even business events if the dress code is smart-casual.  While I don’t wear these the most often, I’m always grateful to have them in my closet. Skinny jeans are great for tucking into boots or booties, or they can be worn with sneakers and sandals. They’re super versatile.

Madewell makes a few styles of skinny jeans, but the pair I own and love is the Roadtripper Skinny Jean. I’ve had them for years and I still pull them out each season. They come in petite, tall, regular and plus size, and the black is a true (non-washed out) black. They’re PERFECT for black booties and tall boots.

Of course, Madewell has a ton of washes in their skinny jeans, so if you already have a good pair of black skinny jeans, you’ll love their other options. I own and LOVE the Madewell White Skinny Jeans but sizes are almost gone.

4. Stovepipe Jeans

If you’re looking for a not-skinny-but-not-straight pair of jeans, the Stovepipe jeans from Madewell are a great option. They have a fitted leg and bum, but the ankle is slightly looser which gives them a polished tailored look. I don’t own this style yet. However, I want to snag a pair to style with loafers and flats since the Kick Flare can feel a little too playful at times.

There are a ton of different fits of the Stovepipe style. However, I love the basic Stovepipe Jean in the Auraria Wash.

5. The ’90s Straight Jean

Next on my wishlist is the Madewell The ’90s Straight Jean. I have a pair of ’90s Straight Jeans from Abercrombie that I absolutely love. See photos in this Abercrombie Jeans Review I shared. So, I want to see how these compare. When I first tried this style from Abercrombie, I wasn’t sure how to style the full-length jeans with such a relaxed feel, but now I love them!

You wear the exact same shoes you normally would. Then, you just have to get over the mental hump of them looking a little different than you’re used to. They are a fun trend that’s coming back and I’m here for it. Madewell’s ’90s Straight Jean comes in a ton of washes and fits. However, the pair I’m eyeing is the cream colored Vintage Canvas. I love white jeans in the spring and summer, but my Pure White washes feel a little bright for the winter. This cream colored pair is the ideal winter white!

6. The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

The trend I’m most disappointed to miss out on this year while I’m pregnant is the wide-leg trouser style. I can’t wait to get a pair next year! The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean is my favorite version that Madewell makes, and especially the Caronia Wash with the patch front pockets. They’re precious!

Since this style is a little cropped (or it looks to be), I’d wear these shoes that have a little lift like my heeled mules. A wide leg style like this looks best balanced with a fitted top, so I’d style these with a turtleneck or fitted sweater if I had them this winter.

I hope this post helps you narrow down what you’re interested in. I’ve been super impressed with Madewell’s jeans in the past and I can’t wait to try more.

Madewell is having a MASSIVE Cyber Week sale, and a ton of their styles are 50% off with code EXCLUSIVE. Be sure to use the code at checkout!

Happy shopping!

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