I’m not always thrilled to try on jeans, but when they fit well and they make you feel good, they simply make your life easier. I prefer a drop crotch, of course, but one must have a few “normie” jeans in the arsenal. I went shopping, tried on many in-store, ordered many more, most of which had great reviews. There are some surprise hits (and misses) with only a handful that I know I’d wear on repeat (3 of which I already had but are going strong). Here you go:

Madewell – The Vintage Flare Jean

Shirt | Mules | Jeans (size 26)

This is a testament to how different profiles work on different figures. These jeans are constructed really well (they flatten up top instead of creating more of a bulge, which some do). These are on the tighter side, so I mainly wear them if I know I’m going to want to feel really good and pulled together. But if I know I’ll be sitting all day, I don’t choose them. They aren’t skinny jeans, but for those of us who thrived in that profile, these are a close second.

Pilcro – The Wanderer Mid-Rise Relaxed Jeans

Jeans (size 27)

I wear these a lot – mostly dressed down with boots or flats. They are tighter to your leg, but they have that cool carpenter jean vibe and seams that make an interesting shape. More high-rise than I usually like on me, but the waist is super comfortable, and I like the big front pockets.

Mother – Kick It High Waist Straight Leg Jeans

Jeans (size 27)

I’d like to go on record that I didn’t select these. I was in Nordstrom, and the salesperson put them in my room. She said they were the most popular jeans of the year. Fine. I’d try them on and then UGH OK I SEE. They are fantastic. Comfortable, flattering, and that perfect wash and hem length. My only warning is that Mother jeans stretch out after 2 wears, but that’s what you get for having some stretch. I feel GREAT in these.

AE – Dreamy Drape Strigid Low-Rise Ultra Wide-Leg Jean

Jeans (size 25 / 0 short)

I spent so much time in American Eagle trying on baggy jeans. I think I was heavily influenced by my 10-year-old daughter (she pulls them off so well). I legit really liked these. They are drapey and flattering and super comfortable. I had to go undersized like crazy, and then I went short (maybe too short?), so they read more like “wide legs” than baggy. Ultimately, I didn’t keep these because I have others that I think I’ll opt for more, but these were great and so affordable.

AE – Stretch Mariner Jean

Jeans (size 26 / 2)

I also tried their other baggy version, which was also really comfortable. These are more mid-rise, which I prefer, and if you wear them with sneakers, they will puddle (which I know is a thing, but it’s not my thing).

Sometimes for me, “ultra wides” can be really unflattering because there’s just a lot of volume that can be overwhelming – but the way the top of these is tailored around your waist and thighs, it has a nice slimming effect that then opens up into a wide leg instead of a big, wide floppy pant on you. And the dark wash is so good.

Abercrombie – Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean

Jeans (size 26 short)

These Abercrombie ones are low-rise (which is preferred for my shorter torso) and are super structured. My team loved them, and I like them (thick denim, feels like Japanese, great wash, etc). But once I tried on the Agolde’s below, I knew I had found the loose jeans that I felt best in (which are of course twice the price). In other words, these are solid, but they felt too bulky on my frame.

J. Crew – Barrel Zoe

Jeans (size 26)

J. Crew is giving Madewell a run for their barrel money! These are GREAT. That wash is excellent, the hem is perfect in length for both heels and flats. And they are higher waist but felt flattering up top. I kept these and love them.

These are the J. Crew Barrel Zoe in size 27. They’re a barrel shape without a dart. They seem extremely tailored and well-made because they have a nice, rigid shape with really good proportions. I love love love the wash, they really nailed the fading on the thighs without being too much and not too much whiskering. These are mid-rise but feel pretty high-rise to me, FYI, but not mad at it. The pocket has a nice slant detail, and the seams have nice contrast with a tan thread that feels classic. Solid YES for me in-store, and I feel like I’m going to wear them a ton this spring, both dressed up and down.

Madewell – The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean

Jeans (size 27)

These cropped pants are so popular, but I didn’t feel great in them (or not as good as others, anyway). The waist didn’t feel great – it tucked me in in a spot I didn’t love.

The high rise is too high for my short torso, so I’m probably not the right person to review these pants. The length and the shape of the leg are solidly good, and I really like the structure of the cropped hem. If you’re into high-rise crop, these are solid – I just need more of a mid-rise. These also have a really good vintage-y wash.

We The Free – Risk Taker Mid-Rise Jeans

Jeans (size 26)

I really like how these fit in the butt, but they’re a little tight in the waist (and yet I wear them a lot). A cool cut, good length, I like the raw hem and carpenter detail, I just find myself grabbing them a lot for most day-to-day errands. They are great with flats and slides. Just a super casual pant.

AGOLDE – Low Rise Loose Jean

Jean (size 26)

Aritzia is a dangerous store. Some stuff is so affordable, then some is so splurgy, but all of it feels cool. I tried on a ton of pairs of jeans and was like, “Whoa, ok” when I found these. Many of you might be able to pull off low and loose better, but to me, it’s been a struggle, so I was so excited. These are FANTASTIC. A great wash, low rise, flattering, and loose, but not so much volume that it swallows me up. The tags are still on, so I’m giving myself through Monday to see if I for sure will keep them. Very thick Japanese denim and great seams. Slightly tight in the butt, but when I sized up, they were too loose in the waist.

Ugh. I wish I didn’t like these so much because they are splurgy, but as a desperate short-torso’d lady, to find this low rise wide leg fit and feel so good in it made it impossible not to splurge. It’s a super high-quality thick denim, vintage wash ala Levis, zero stretch in a good way, and I like that it’s more fitted in the butt.

Quince – Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans

Jeans (size 26)

These Bellas are still alive and well. The wash is so good. The shape and color are excellent. I find that they are too high-waisted for me, so I mostly wear them with a longer button-up or a sweatshirt, but I don’t tuck into it. For the price, they are just so good.

We The Free – Breezy Denim Pull-On Jeans

Jeans (size short, small)

Ok, these are vacation pants. Elastic waist, super easy breezy to wear. Comfort is 10/10. If it’s hot outside, I’m in shorts rather than pants, so I don’t need these, but for those of you who want the easy breezy pant to put on in hot weather, these are so cute. The regular is VERY LONG, so I’m wearing a short, which are still long.

They’re just super great casual, throw-on-and-go pants that are super stretchy. The waistband in the back is elastic, but looks normal in the front.

Madewell – Darted Barrel Jean

Jeans (size 26)

By far the best barrel on the market (and I don’t love a lot of Madewell jeans on me, tbh). I have these in 3 different styles/colors and wear them all the time. The run big, so the 26 sits lower on my hips and the 25 is way more fitted (I like both for different looks and comfort levels). They just nailed the construction to make them flattering.

Madewell – Ultimate Wide-Leg Jean in Airy Denim

Jeans (size 26)

These are super lightweight, very comfortable, and a great wash. But beware, they’re very long, so you’ll either need heels or be okay with the puddle. Comfort 10/10. Too high-waisted for me, and they won’t keep you in if you like a more structured top.

I kissed WAY more frogs, TBH, and I also know that I have a specific body type (apple-shaped, so I like a slimmer pant so I can wear boxier tops). So take it all with a grain of salt. Jeans are rough, but I found a few princes:)

*Photos by Kaitlin Green