Dec28
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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 Abercrombie, tend to vary even by wash. Over the years, I’ve tried jeans from about 20 different brands (I tried 15 brands just to find the perfect pair of white skinny jeans, ha!). 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. And I’ll get into all of the details in this post. 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. In fact, 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.
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!
6 Best Madewell Jeans
1. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Ainsworth Wash
These are 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 and tall 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.
You can order them straight from Madewell or grab them at Nordstrom. I like Nordstrom since I order from them all the time and they have the best return policy of.all.time.
I style them with sneakers, sandals, and heels.
Similar top | Jeans | Shoes
Similar Top | Jeans | Similar Shoes
2. Cali Demi-Boot Jeans
I got the Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in Pure White this past spring are my new favorite white jeans. (And I tried a LOT.) I’ve been a big fan of white jeans for years (and the Madewell white skinny jeans are classic, I’ll share more below!) but these are the best I’ve ever tried. I was getting a little tired of my skinny jeans, and ordered these cropped jeans as another option. I’ve been shocked by how much use I’ve already gotten out of them this winter! I even wore them for Valentines Day outfits. Unfortunately the white version is all sold out, but the cut is still a favorite of mine, even in other washes.
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 (or in this case, demi bootcut) to hit above my ankle.
You can find this style directly on the Madewell website and at Nordstrom in a few washes.
My favorite way to wear these is with sneakers, but to be fair, I haven’t had them in the spring or summer yet. I’m sure I’ll wear them with slides and sandals throughout the warmer seasons. I’m SO excited about this pair.
Similar Top | Same style of jeans | Sneakers
Here’s how I’d dress them up for warmer weather.
3. Roadtripper Skinny Jean in Bennet Wash
The Roadtripper Skinny Jean in Bennet Wash is an older pair from Madewell that isn’t being made any more. The only place I can find them is on Nordstrom, but they’re fully stocked, and cheaper than normal!
I think everyone needs a black skinny jean in their closet. 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. I love that these jeans have a zip fly (I can’t STAND a button fly), and that they’re high-waisted.
They run true to size, but on Nordstrom you won’t see an option for petite or tall. These are a good pair to have tailored to fit perfectly, since black skinny jeans are such a staple.
Order them here.
4. 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Pure White
These are the OG good ol’ classic high rise skinny jeans in white. I’ve always thought that white jeans looked SO cute – on other people. Year after year, I would try on a pair in the spring and feel so frustrated since they looked AWFUL on me. I couldn’t figure it out! They made me look MUCH heavier than I actually am or showed every imperfection or just looked frumpy. They all looked terrible, even the ones from brands that I typically love. So I made it my mission a few years ago to find a pair of white jeans that I loved. Naturally, I ordered FIFTEEN pairs to try on and compare. (Only from places with good return policies of course!!!) And I finally found a WINNER. The 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Pure White from Madewell.
They’re the perfect shade of white, not too tight, not too loose, not too thin and not see-through (which was shockingly common with many pairs, yikes). Since I prefer a high-rise, that’s the route I went, but they also have a mid-rise option. Madewell makes so many pairs of white jeans that aren’t skinny too.
I always recommend having your jeans tailored so that they fit your height perfectly.
There’s nothing better than a pair of pants that fits you like a glove, especially if you plan to wear them all season! If you are petite (5’4 and below) I suggest the petite inseam, here. I like my skinny jeans to hit just above my ankle bone.
They certainly weren’t the most expensive jeans I ordered, so that was a major plus too. They’re also sold at Nordstrom, so if you are a card holder, this is a great situation.
Similar top | Jeans | Similar Shoes
Similar tank | Jeans | Similar Sandals
5. High-Rise Slim Straight Jeans
The High-Rise Slim Straight Jeans is a classic straight leg jean. They’re super stretchy, which would make them the perfect pair of jeans for moms in the postpartum phase who want to look cute but need something comfortable or with a little extra room. They’re high-rise (super flattering) and all around a great comfy pair of jeans. I have a size 25P per usual in these, but they run slightly large, so I probably could have sized down. I have them in the Arverne wash, which is no longer available, but this wash is very similar.
If I were only going to purchase one pair of blue jeans from Madewell, I’d order these or the Perfect Vintage pair. If you like more stretch, go for these. And if you prefer a slightly more rigid fit, go for the Perfect Vintage jean. You can order them from Madewell here or Nordstrom carries the same pair in a slightly lighter wash that I actually prefer. (If you want even more structure, go for a pair from Abercrombie. My favorites are in this post.)
6. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Coney Wash: Destroyed Edition
I don’t have the Perfect Vintage Jean in Coney Wash but I WANT THEM! They’re the same cut as the first pair I talked about in this post, but in a really cute light wash with slight distressing. The light wash is perfect for casual spring days and summer nights. I’d pair them with a flowy blouse and flat sandal or sneaker.
They come all sizes, and they’re considered “comfort stretch” which is more structured than the pair above, but not as rigid as 100% denim. They’re a perfect combo. I like that the distressing is very minimal and the raw hem is subtle too.
7. The Perfect Vintage Straight Jean in Becker Wash: Button-Front Edition
I LOVE this looser fitting pair of Petite Perfect Vintage Straight Jean in Becker Wash: Button-Front Edition. I’m wearing a size 25 (my true size) and they’re loose in the best way.
I usually HATE button fly jeans but I truly love this pair. They’re cropped, but not by much. If you’re looking for a relaxed pair of straight jeans, this is the pair!
Pair I don’t love: Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean
I ordered these Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jeans thinking I’d love them, but I don’t. The booty was really snug and not very flattering, while the rest of the jean was large and slightly loose. If the booty had been slightly more flattering, I’d be more excited about these, but I’m going to stick to my Blake jeans from Joe’s which are much more flattering.
Here’s a photo of the Madewell pair versus the Joe’s pair.
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. Keep an eye out for their denim shorts in the summer. The mom jean shorts last year were my favorites EVER!
Happy shopping!
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