We are jeans people. It’s not that we don’t love dresses, skirts, etc. but most of the time we are sporting a beloved pair of denim. Last week, we were chatting about the barrel jean trend and thought maybe we should all do a try-on to see how each of us liked them. But then Em had a better (and VERY generous) idea. I mean, jean styles are super personal and rarely does a single pair of jeans work on everyone, despite what a certain movie might have us believe:). Emily offered to pay for a pair of jeans that we LOVED (max $140 then anything above that would be on us). Obviously, that amount of money is plenty for what’s on the current market and needless to say, we were very excited and so grateful. Some jeans are ones we already owned and are still available while others are brand new. We were PUMPED to try some new styles. Come see what we are wearing:)
Emily
Y’all this denim world is cracking me up – apparently skinny jeans ARE back but only with certain types of boots of a certain height? And while we likely hit peak barrel jean last year, they are going nowhere (because they are far more flattering than just the pure baggy jeans). It’s all making me LOL. Obviously, I typically love a skinny jean but also have gotten used to not having the constriction (once I went “drop crotch” it’s been hard to go back). I bought these Madewell jeans at the end of last year and I was very very very surprised at how good they are. I don’t love all Madewell jeans (often I feel like they don’t keep me in around the places that I want more control). I think it took a long time for big brands to get the cut of the barrel jean right, in a more affordable way. These are mid-rise which I prefer on my short torso/big love pillowed frame. I prefer these with a bit of a heel for some height, but I wear them with sneakers a lot, too.
Caitlin
The Way-High® Curve Jean in Ocean
I’m kicking off 2025 with some unexpected, last-minute travel – and, when left with minutes to pack my suitcase, I eschewed all other bottoms in favor of two pairs of Everlane’s Way-High Curve Jeans. This isn’t my first time singing their praises on the blog (I really love them, gang), but I’m still so pleased with the way that they fit and fall on my bottom-heavy body. It’s often a challenge finding pants that don’t cling to my big thighs and ultra-wide hips, and it can be pretty discouraging – like, why can’t I just wear clothes like everyone else? – but these jeans make me feel like a million bucks. They fall just around my belly button, which is the perfect spot for me (unlike Em, I love a high-rise!) and they’re comfortable enough to wear all day even when I’m just working from home. If you’re also rocking a pear shape, I really think you’ll love these – they just bring some really nice balance to my bottom half! I got a 31, which is my normal Madewell/Anthro size (and I go for the 27″ inseam because I love a little sock pop!). I have 3 pairs – in Calico Ecru, Pure Blue, and Ocean (above) – and I’m just so, so, so happy that I took the plunge on them.
Jess
The Way-High® Sailor Jean in Tint Blue ($38 final sale) and Deep Blue ($128) | Gray Tee (I sized down two sizes for a tight fit) | Tomato Tee
Before I went to Everlane in person, my favorite jeans were the lighter blue ones on the left! Big kudos to Les Bunge for picking them out and giving them to me as a Christmas present. I love the high waist, the wide but not too wide leg, and the fun detail at the bottom. My only issue is that the “cuff detail” doesn’t necessarily go with every situation I’m dressing for (mainly evening things). Anyway, when I went to the store I tried on the Deep Blue version and loved them too! I did refrain from buying since the next two are what I came home with. I simply didn’t need THREE pairs of new jeans, especially when I have one of those three in a slightly different style. But if you do need a simple, wide-ish leg these are 20/10 for me. I did size down in the photo since they do “relax” fairly quickly and I was on the cusp of the two sizes anyway (plus, I prefer a tighter fit). FYI I’m a day or two in of wearing the lighter blue ones in the bigger size if knowing that is helpful. Still so happy with them!
P.S. I feel like I should say that I am a HUGE Everlane jean stan (as you will soon continue to read). Every pair I’ve ever owned (which is 4 styles now) I’ve loved. The fits are a dream and the prices are on par or lower than Madewell. I also have to say that if you live in LA, there’s a location in Venice (the only location actually) with just the best people who work there. Any time I’ve shopped (probably 4ish times now) they have gone above and beyond and are just generally so fun. I promise this is in no way sponsored, just genuinely think they are great.
Now, those jeans on Kaitlin are ones I have been eyeing because first off they are SO cute on her and she literally calls them “the best jeans ever”. And as you just read, they are LA Caitlin’s favorite too! The nudge and generosity from Emily gave me the perfect excuse to give them a try…
The Way-High® Curve Jean in Ocean – $128
TA-DA!! And I also love them. I know barrel jeans aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but I think they are so freaking fun and add a very cool shape to what can (and usually will) be a simple outfit knowing me. One of my three “style words” (words that help you shop for a cohesive style/wardrobe) is “architectural” and for me, these fit the bill. What I also love is that the denim is on the thinner side (and soft but not too soft) which lets the pant legs still sorta outline your real leg. That way you feel less “stiff clown pants” and more “look, I still have legs in these fun pants”. These were true to size for me and I chose the 27″ inseam which is what they label as “regular” in-store. So if you are taller maybe go for the 29″ inseam. Oh, I’m basically 5’4″ for reference.
The Way-High® Gardener Jean in Vintage Indigo – $148
A surprise! I went into the store on a mission. I wanted to try Kailtin’s barrel jeans first and foremost but then try a handful of other styles just to see. Well…I found another style. I think the first words out of my mouth (as in out loud to myself in the dressing room) were “OH, these are so cool”. There was just simply no way I could leave without them. They fit similar to The Way-High® Sailor Jean but with slightly wider legs. Now let’s talk about THOSE POCKETS. I just can’t say how much I love their size, shape, and how they wrap around the side. I’ve never owned anything like these and I’m almost too happy to own them. I might act like a little kid in their favorite outfit and sleep in them. I sized down in these if that’s helpful!
Mallory
Harper High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
So I’ve been rocking these $35 H&M wide-leg jeans for almost a year now (I have them in 2 colorways I love them so much!) but I really wanted a jean that was less baggy and more fitted without being fully skinny (but also thank god skinny jeans are on their way back — Alix Earle THANK YOU).
High Rise Laurel Canyon Bootcut Jean in BEBOP
So I went to Paige because I’ve literally always wanted a pair of Paige jeans…my friend used to work at their corporate office and said they literally design their jeans to make your booty pop. WELL POP IT DOES in these Laurel Canyon boot-cut jeans!! I’m so so obsessed with them because they’re SO comfy and stretchy but somehow still hug tight and lift the backend. Very into them (debating hemming them just a bit but we’ll see. I’m also not opposed to just wearing a taller shoe with them or rocking a version of Kendrick Lamar’s jeans). Paige, I thank you for these jeans that are somehow both incredibly comfortable but are also flattering and sexy. YOU DID IT.
Gretchen
Pistola Mid-Rise Bowed Straight-Leg Jeans
Normally you can find me wearing a pair of vintage men’s Levi’s purchased from a thrift store–worn in with a bit of a straight leg, slightly cropped, and with plenty of leg room. But these can be hard to come by and because they’re men’s, sometimes there’s a little too much room in certain areas, if you catch my drift. I’ve been looking for a pair of women’s jeans that give me the same effortless, vintage vibe but a pair that fits my body better. Oh honey, did I find them. I picked up these perfect Pistola Mid-Rise Bowed Straight-Leg jeans (a mouthful) and have been living in them ever since! They’re a beautiful, classic wash, hit right at my ankles, and sit exactly where I want them to on my hips. But they have a realllllly great shape–a mostly straight leg style that bows ever so slightly at the knee. They’re almost barrel jeans, but not as exaggerated, which works best for me. I can’t really pull off the barrel jean the way so many cool girls can, but this pair makes me feel like I’m one of them anyway! A little on the pricier side, but to me, definitely worth it!
Marlee
Risk Taker Mid-Rise Jeans in Be Bold
Yay for jeans under $100! I just grabbed another pair of these mid-rise straight leg jeans from Free People – I love these because while the silhouette is super simple, they have a raw hem and a double knee detail that makes them feel special without doing too much! The wash is a perfect indigo and they come in a bunch of other washes – these are the “Be Bold” wash, but eyeing them in a cream color too. They have a tiny bit of crop – I’m 5’8” and pants are notoriously short on me so I typically avoid cropped inseams but these hit at a perfect spot (they come in a short version too if you’re looking for some extra crop!). I’m in between sizes so I sized up this time for a looser fit, but I also have them in a size down in the black and those are a little more fitted in the butt (in a good way). Love them with sneakers and boots for now but excited to wear these around this summer with a cute tee and sandals!
Those are the picks! Do you have any you might want to try? Got a favorite you want to share with the class?? Hope this was a fun little insight into our personal styles and gave you a few new ideas you might want to test out.
And THANKS AGAIN to Emily. xxx
Love you, mean it.
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
