Hey friends!
I’m back with, yet another denim guide (see my Everlane guide here, and my Madewell guide here).
I know you guys find these really helpful, and that’s awesome because that’s exactly what I want them to be!
Jean shopping is so hard, and it’s especially hard when you’re relying on how the jeans look on the models.
That’s where I come in!
I am happy to try out the jeans for you, and share my thoughts to give you a better idea about which jeans you should order.
After I shared my Madewell guide, I had a bunch of you reach out asking if I would ever consider doing an American Eagle Jean guide.
And you were in luck, because I was already thinking of reviewing their jeans next. I used to be a huge fan of their denim. It’s all I wore for probably about 5 years.
But over time I’ve found other brands I like, and I haven’t tried any of the American Eagle Jean styles in awhile.
And to be honest, as I was perusing the styles they offer, a lot of them seemed a bit too young for me (i.e. I’m not really into a completely destroyed pair of jeans anymore).
So because of that, I don’t have a ton of styles to show you today… BUT the ones I did pickup are really good.
One more disclaimer before we jump in: I won’t be keeping any of the jeans I ordered, but it’s not a quality issue… they simply seemed a bit redundant in my own personal closet. So just keep that in mind when reading my reviews… I’m writing them as if I were going to keep them, but I did send them back.
OKAY! With all of that said here is my American Eagle Jean Guide –
my measurements:
Height: 5’5″
Waist: 26.5″
Hips: 32″
Inseam: 27″
Boyfriend
Style: Slim 90’s Boyfriend Jean in Dark Vintage
Cost: $49.95, but currently 25% off
My Size: 4 regular
What the website says:
The Details:
These jeans are Real Good: made in a factory that meets our standards for water recycling and reduction.
- Rigid | Classic cotton denim with no stretch
- Super marbled texture for a throwback look
- 100% Cotton
- Relaxed with a high rise and tapered leg
- Hits right above the ankle with a 28″ inseam
- High 11.75″ rise | 12.5″ leg opening
What I say:
I really like these. In fact, other than the mom jean, these were my favorite style I tried.
They have a really relaxed vibe to them that I really like, and it is hard to find a true boyfriend style with a higher rise (I’m just not into midrise anymore!).
Other than the high rise they are a very classic boyfriend style with extra room in the hips and thigh, and then a taper to the ankle.
In terms of material, these are 100% cotton, but they are very lightweight and soft. I wouldn’t have realized they were 100% cotton if I hadn’t seen the description to be honest. There is a light amount of distressing at the pockets, but that’s it. I’m just not into distressed denim anymore so I appreciate that they offer this style in a wash with minimal distressing.
In terms of fit, they run very big. I got my smaller size (4), and they are too big. So definitely size down a size in these.
Final verdict: I really like these as a nice option if you love boyfriend jeans, and they are great quality for the price. As I said above, I will not be keeping these because I have another pair of boyfriend jeans that I already love, but I would have kept them (with an exchange for the correct size) if I didn’t feel they were redundant.
Straight
Style: Next Level Slim Straight Jean in Dark Wash
Cost: $49.95, but currently 25% off
My Size: 4 regular
What the website says:
The Details:
A fitted waist with a high rise and an easy, straight leg for a laid-back look.
- Ne(x)t Level Stretch
- All the vintage character with Ne(x)t Level Stretch you love
- Our softest, stretchiest, never-loses-its-shape denim
- Won’t bag out. Ever.
- 90% Cotton, 8% Elastane, 2% Lycra
- High-waisted fit with a straight leg opening
- High 11″ rise | 11″ leg opening
- 28″ inseam
What I say:
These jeans are really stretchy! I’m not used to my jeans being so stretchy ha!
I do really love the straight style of this style. They’re just a really great, classic pair of straight leg denim and the wash is a really nice, neutral dark wash.
I love the higher rise, and the way they fit more slim through the hips and thighs, with just a slight taper at the bottom. They would look really cute with sock boots in the fall/winter!
In terms of material, as you can see from the description there is a lot of stretch in these! If you are a fan of stretch denim then you will be over the moon with these because they legitimately feel as comfortable as leggings. They are also more thin than I’m used to with jeans, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The material just feels a lot closer to a denim legging (but not necessarily a jegging if that makes sense ha!) than jeans I’m used to. There is a light amount whiskering at the front, that I don’t personally prefer, but it’s honestly not that noticeable. The pictures pretty accurately depict how obvious it is.
Fit is the same as the boyfriend: they run very big. I got my smaller size (4), and they are too big. So definitely size down a size in these.
Final verdict: These are a great pair of basic, straight leg denim. There aren’t many bells and whistles to them, but if you are the type of person who is looking for comfort first in their denim then I think you’d really like these. As with the above, I will not be keeping these because I already own very similar styles from other brands.
Style: Stretch Mom Jean in Washed Black
Cost: $49.95, but currently 25% off
My Size: 4 regular
What the website says:
The Details:
These jeans are Real Good: made in a factory that meets our standards for water recycling and reduction.
- Stretch
- Mid-weight denim with just enough stretch for everyday comfort
- The look of your favorite vintage jeans with the stretch you know and love
- 79% Cotton, 14% Polyester, 6% Viscose, 1% Elastane
- Sits at the natural waist, slim through top of body & relaxed through leg
- High-waisted hits at the right point for comfort & coverage | 11.75″ rise
- Hits right above the ankle | 28″ inseam | 13.5″ leg opening
What I say:
Okay I really love these! These are my number one pick from this review. In fact, they are my favorite pair of mom jeans that I’ve found to date.
These are just the perfect mix of mom jean, but not too mom jean (you know what I mean?). Plus the stretch gives them the perfect amount of figure hugging, without them only being able to work for people with straighter hips. I’ve tried so many mom jeans styles that were so uncomfortable because they weren’t made for people with hips.
I love the high rise on these, the slim fit, and the very narrow taper at the bottom. Plus, the absence of distressing and whiskering is a major bonus for me.
In terms of material, they are stretchy, but not as stretchy as the straight leg option above. And while the website says they are mid weight, they still feel more on the light weight side to me. Again, if you like stretchy, more breathable denim then you will love these! If you are a fan of the weight and rigidity of non stretch denim you will hate these!
Fit is the same as the above: they run very big. I got my smaller size (4), and they are too big. So definitely size down a size in these.
Final verdict: If you are looking for a great pair of mom jeans, definitely check these out! Like I said, they are my favorite mom jean I’ve found so far. And while I am so tempted to keep these (in the right size), I returned them because I am more of a rigid, non stretch denim kind of girl. They are so close to being perfect, but I don’t want to settle so back they went.
Skinny
Style: High Waisted Skinny in Deeply Cobalt
Cost: $39.95, but currently 25% off
My Size: 4 regular
What the website says:
The Details:
These jeans are Real Good: made in a factory that meets our standards for water recycling and reduction.
- Ne(x)t Level Stretch
- Our softest, stretchiest, never-loses-its-shape denim
- Super soft, super comfortable, breathable denim
- Won’t bag out. Ever.
- 80% Cotton, 12% Polyester, 6% Viscose, 2% Elastane
- A casual cool-girl jean that goes with anything. New & improved fit.
- Fitted through the top of body & thigh | Easy knee & leg opening
- High 10.25″ rise | 13 ” leg opening
What I say:
I’m going to try not to be biased in this review for a couple of reasons: I’m not a fan of skinny jeans, I don’t like anything below an 11″ rise, and I don’t like heavy whiskering… and these jeans are all of those things.
Don’t get me wrong, if you like skinny jeans you will probably like these as they are a nice pair of skinny jeans. Admittedly, my beef with them is a bit personal ?. They are just the right amount of slim, skinny without being so tight and restricting. There’s a little less tapering at the ankle vs. a jegging style, as well as a bit more room through the lower thigh and knee area.
They do have a lower rise like I mentioned above (though still technically a high rise), so if the extreme high rise is not your thing, you may like these. And despite the whiskering, the wash is actually a really nice deep denim color that I really love. No distressing either!
In terms of material, they are just like the straight leg style in that they are super stretchy and thin. They have that same legging type feeling to them which is even more enhanced by the skinny fit.
Fit is the same as the above: they run very big. I got my smaller size (4), and they are too big. So definitely size down a size in these.
Final verdict: Not a fan of the things I mentioned above, but like I also said: they are a great pair of skinny jeans if that’s what you’re in the market for. I think it goes without saying that I will not be keeping these.
Well that’s all I’ve got for you guys! If I had to choose just one pair it would be the mom jean, and if I had to choose a second pair it would be the straight leg.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about the other things I’m wearing here are some affiliate links to everything:
The earrings were gifted by Ana Luisa, as were the sandals (review here)
What style is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
I have to say.. I found the AE mom jean a few months ago and they are a GAME CHANGER for me. Looooove them. Wish I could snag the more neutral washes and lack of distressing but they stay sold out a lot -_- however I finally got the washed black and wear them a lot in cooler months! I always love your denim guides!!
They’re so great right?! I’m glad you were able to get a pair of the washed black!
I think the skinny had best look on you . Sorry not a fan of mom jeans or straight jeans . There outdated and have a thrift store look . I’m sorry I hate the Mon jean look anybody just not cool . The 90’s are long over .
To each their own!