AGOLDE Denim Guide: 90’s, Riley, Pinch Waist – 2023 UPDATED

THIS DENIM GUIDE WAS UPDATED ON 5/5/2023 to include the low slung jean

Hey guys!

As I always do with my denim guides, I’m going to keep this intro pretty brief… because we’ve got a lot to cover!

I’ve really enjoyed sharing these guides with you over the years, and I’m happy to know that they’ve been really helpful to you guys as well! I’ve been wanting to create a new one for this spring, and it was pretty obvious which brand I should review… AGOLDE.

I’ve become quite the fan over the last few years AND you guys have asked for this one so it’s kind of a no brainer.

Now, I realize that these jeans are spendy and that it’s nice to know a bit more information before you spend that kind of money on a pair of jeans…

which is where this AGOLDE denim guide comes in.

I’ve got a bunch of their most popular styles to review for you guys today. We’ll go over fit, material, overall thoughts, etc. And you’ll get to see them on a real person. 🙂

Just a note, that some of these washes are no longer available, but I’ll link to the closet one I can find.

Okay! I hope you find this helpful! As with my other denim guides, make sure to check back regularly because I’ll keep it updated as I try new styles!

Alight let’s get to my AGOLDE Denim Guide:

My measurements:

• 5’4.5″
• 130ish lbs.
• 26.5″ waist
• 32″ hips

UPDATED 2/17/23:

• 125ish lbs
• 26″ waist

:: Low Slung Baggy ::

Style: Low Slung Baggy 28” in Milkshake

Cost: $228

My Size: 25

What the Website Says:

• Ultra-relaxed. This upsized fit sits low on the hips with a directional, baggy silhouette. Cut with a shorter inseam and crafted in non-stretch denim. 
• This fit is true to size. Meant to fit oversized.
• Soft, non-stretch organic cotton with subtle drape
• Closure: Button Fly 
• Rise: 12 1/2″ 
• Inseam: 28″ 
• Leg Opening: 20″ 

What I Say:

• Fit: this is the best pair of jeans I’ve bought in a really, really long time! I love them so much I also have them in another wash. These are the jeans I’ve always dreamed about, but just never actually saw in reality… until now. The perfect amount of slouchy I don’t care, while at the same time enough of a crispness to look chic and pulled together. Between this pair and my blue pair I could live in these jeans. They are labeled as a low slung jean and I think if I would have sized down they may have fit a little lower on my hip, but they also would have looked a LOT more baggy. I went down a full size and they’re STILL nice and baggy while having a bit more of a comfortable mid rise fit. Honestly? Perfection in a fit.
• Material: the 100% organic cotton is so soft and worn in feeling. They kind of feeling like you’re wearing your dad’s old (perfectly worn in) work jeans. It is a more lightweight denim so I’m not sure these would work in the really cold months, but it does make them the perfect summer jean.

:: Lana ::

Style: Lana Mid Rise Straight in Fiction

Cost: $188

My size: 25 (2/23 updated)

What the Website Says:

• Our coveted true straight. The Lana sits at your waist with a slightly relaxed, full-length inseam. This vintage-inspired fit is crafted with an authentically worn-in feel that makes this your go-to everyday jean. Style with an easy tee on the weekend or dress up with a blazer for the office. 
• Closure: Button Fly
• Rise: 11 1/2″
• Inseam: 31″
• Leg Opening: 16″
• Fabric: 100% Organic Cotton
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

My thoughts:

• Fit: these are definitely a straight leg fit just like the website says and I do think these probably wouldn’t be the best jean for my curvier friends unless you sized up. They are a more rigid fit, but they are extremely comfortably with a bit more of a relaxed fit around the waist. I went for the smaller of my two sizes and they fit well so I’d say go down if you’re debating. I really, really love how these jeans fit… they give such a cool vibe, but they’re not so over the top baggy like a lot of the other 90’s styles you’ll see. I think these are a great option if you’re looking to try a full length straight leg style, but you don’t want to look like you’re 21. 😉 They also skim the floor for me and I’m average height, so something to consider as AGOLDE does not have petite or tall sizes.
• Material: the material is definitely not a stretchy fabric by any means, but it IS really soft and comfortable. I would say these are one of my more comfortable pair of jeans with the slouchier fit and the extra room in the waist and hips. The material has that already broken in feel that I really love 100% cotton to have.

:: Freya ::

Style: Freya High Rise Slim in Hoax

Price: $198

Size: 25 (2/23 updated)

What the website says:

• Designed with a waist-accentuating high-rise, a slim, stovepipe silhouette, and finished with an extended inseam to elongate the legs. The Freya is a timeless new fit that you can wear season after season. Style with a basic tee or a chunky sweater on the cooler days.
• Closure: Button Fly
• Rise: 12 1/2″
• Inseam: 31″
• Leg Opening: 14 1/2″
• Fabric: 99% Organic Cotton 1% Eco Lycra
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

What I say:

• Fit: THESE are the winner of all the AGOLDE jeans. I don’t know why this style isn’t more popular because I’m telling you guys, these are the best jeans. First of all, they are SO comfortable. They just seem to form to your curves and give a very flattering fit. Second, they look great with flats, sneakers, boots, heels. I love that they are a slimmer straight leg so they still have a modern look to them (they’re definitely not skinny jeans), but they feel as wearable as a skinny jean. The only thing I wouldn’t do with them is wear ankle boots OVER the top of them, but you could definitely get away with wearing a looser fit knee high boot over the top. Seriously the most versatile jean!
• Material: they have just a tiny bit of lycra in them so they are a bit more stretchy than most of AGOLDE jeans which does make them a lot more comfortable. These have been my go to jeans for that very reason and they are one of the only pair of AGOLDE jeans I can wear from the start of the day all the way to the end without wanting to put on sweatpants if that tells you anything. 🙂 Super soft material as well.

:: Riley ::

Style: Riley High Rise Straight in Shatter

Cost: $198

My Size: 26

What the website says:

• With a better-than-vintage aesthetic, this fit is a brand favorite season after season. The flattering high-rise and straight leg hold close to the body for a universally loved look.
• True to size. This is one of our closer fitting shapes and is cut in a non-stretch denim. If in between sizes, you may want to size up.
• Closure: Button Fly, Rise: 11 1/2″, Inseam: 26″, Leg Opening: 14″
• Fabric: 100% Cotton
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

:: 90’s Crop ::

Style: 90’s Crop Mid Rise Loose Fit (older wash so linked similar)

Cost: $198

My Size: 26

What the website says:

• A cropped version of our iconic 90’s jean. This decade inspired mid-rise is designed to sit relaxed on the waist with an eased up fit through the body.
• This fit is intended to be oversized. Size down for a higher, closer fit.
• Closure: Button Fly, Rise: 12 3/4″, Inseam: 26″, Leg Opening: 16″
• Fabric: 100% Organic Cotton 
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

My thoughts:

• Fit: Okay first of all: I have no idea why they say these are mid rise jeans with a 12″ rise, so let’s just get that out of the way ha! These are definitely a high rise even with a size up. These were the very first AGOLDE jeans I bought and they were the jeans that go me hooked! These are the most comfortable pair of jeans I own and, while I typically reach for the Riley’s, I like having a pair of jeans like these in my closet… and I appreciate the cropped fit on my 5’5″ frame. Definitely size down in these though, unless you want them to be really loose because I did not and they have stretched out almost to the point of not fitting.
• Material: the material is incredibly soft and while it is 100% organic cotton they are so comfortable to wear. These are a thinner jean so I don’t wear them very often in the colder months, but the material makes them the perfect spring and summer jean.

Style: 90’s Mid Rise Loose Fit in Photogram

Cost: $178

My Size: 26

What the Website Says:

• Cue the nostalgia. This 90’s inspired mid-rise is designed to sit relaxed on the waist with an eased up, straight fit through the body. Wear them with just about anything, from classic tees to chunky knits.
• This fit is intended to be oversized. Size down for a higher, closer fit.
• Non-stretch denim with an authentic feel, washed down for a soft to the touch feel
• Closure: Button Fly, Rise: 12 3/4″, Inseam: 29, Leg Opening: 16″
• Fabric: 100% Cotton 
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

My Thoughts:

• Fit: I have to say, these full length jeans (and the pinch waist) are the only full length jeans I’ve liked on me. I think sometimes the full length jeans don’t translate as well on us shorter ladies, but these really do! I think it’s the way the leg is cut on these… they are almost a wide leg, but definitely not a wide leg so the full length works a lot better. Again, I’m not sure why these are considered mid rise because they are definitely not, but I do love the the high rise paired with this cut of jean. I find these jeans to be really comfortable and I reach for these a lot for everyday wear.
• Material: I don’t know how AGOLDE does it, but these jeans are just so soft as well! They are obviously not stretchy with the 100% cotton, but you don’t miss the stretch because they sit so nicely. The material on these is more midweight than my cropped version so these are the perfect jeans for colder weather (but definitely doable for warmer weather as well).

Style: 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight in Navigate

Cost: $188

My Size: 26

What the Website Says:

• A cool throwback feel, the 90’s Pinch Waist is the perfect vintage inspired straight. Designed with a close-fitting high rise and easy, full-length straight leg. 
• True to size. Fits very close to the waist, If in between sizes – you may want to size up. Crafted from non-stretch denim.
• Washed down and soft organic non-stretch cotton
• Closure: Button Fly, Rise: 12 3/4″, Inseam: 29 1/2″, Leg Opening:15 1/2″
• Fabric: 100% Organic Cotton
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

My Thoughts:

• Fit: So I’ll be honest… I really see very little difference between the pinch waist and the 90’s mid rise. They have the same exact rise so they sit very similarly on the waist line. I think these are cut just a tiny bit more close to the waist so they do give a more nipped in look. I just have to say that NO ONE does straight leg jeans like AGOLDE. They just have the perfect cut to them, and when I want to wear a true straight leg I almost always reach for these. I also don’t find the full length as overwhelming on my frame as I do with other full length styles (like I mentioned above). I have other jeans with a slightly shorter inseam and they just don’t work for me. It’s magic I tell ya!
• Material: These feel very similarly to the 90’s mid rise full length I mentioned above. They have that soft, midweight 100% cotton that truly does feel like a great pair of broken in vintage jeans.

:: “Skinny” ::

Style: Nico High Rise Straight in Chronicle (similar wash linked)

Cost: $178

My size: 26

What the Website Says:

• A go-anywhere, wear-with-anything kind of jean. This comfortable high-rise has a straight fit with just the right amount of stretch. Style with the Linda Tee or High Neck Rib Tank for an easy everyday look.
• This fit is crafted from stretch denim, runs true to size.
• Uncompromising stretch and recovery
• Closure: Button Fly, Rise: 11 1/4″, Inseam: 27″, Leg Opening: 11 1/2″
• Fabric: 59% Organic Cotton 40% Rayon 1% Elastane
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low.

My Thoughts:

• Fit: I put these under the “skinny” category because these fit almost like a skinny jean and I actually think these would be a perfect step away from skinny jeans if that is your vibe, but you want to branch out a little bit. They have the more slim fit, straight leg feel, but because of the stretch and slimmer cut they give the feel of a skinnier jean. These jeans feel very similar to the Riley stretch, but the inseam is a bit longer, and the rise is just slightly shorter. But I think the main difference is that they taper just a bit more at the ankle creating a slightly slimmer fit than the Riley. In my opinion, these pair a bit better with boots in the winter in my opinion because you don’t get as much ankle showing (i.e. you stay warmer), but they’re also great with sandals as well! Because of the slim fit I did try a size bigger and my true size, and my true size were the ones.
• Material: The material is very soft and stretchy (are you seeing a theme with the word soft yet? Ha!), but I would say the denim feels slightly more substantial than the Riley stretch… not better quality, but almost as if they weren’t really stretch denim if that makes sense. They do seem to hold their shape just a bit more than the Riley… i.e. these won’t stretch out over time.

Phew! Well that’s all I’ve got for you guys! I hope this was helpful and will help guide you in your AGOLDE denim pursuits. 🙂 Like I said above, make sure to check back because there are more styles I’d like to try (and review) in the future. And keep an eye out because I’d like to have an AGOLDE denim short guide up in the coming months!

And if you’d like to see more denim guides I have a Madewell Denim Guide, Everlane Denim Guide, and Levi’s Denim Guide already up and running!

Until next time,

Karin