I’ve got a Madewell Denim Guide for you today!
This post was purely born out of my own curiosity to try out a bunch of their different styles to see if their were any that I liked.
I’ve owned a few pairs of their skinny jeans over the years, which I really loved actually, but were victims to closet purges solely for the reason that I don’t really wear skinny jeans anymore.
But it had been years since I checked out their denim section so I added a bunch to my cart, and thought I would do a try on/first impressions type of guide for you today so you can go through the process with me.
A couple things to note:
I would normally do a try on in stores instead of ordering a bunch, and then returning them but with stores closed that wasn’t a possibility.
I didn’t want to wait because they are having some pretty big sales right now, and a lot of their denim is part of the sale which is pretty rare (I think? I don’t often see their denim in their sales at least) so I wanted to take advantage of the discounts.
And finally, I won’t be keeping every pair I show you today, and I’ll explain why in each individual review.
I just wanted to make that clear because, no, buying out the Madewell denim section is probably not necessary, and I don’t want you to “follow my lead” ?.
For this reason, you’ll probably see a few tags in photos. Don’t be alarmed.
And actually, on that note, you’ll notice this in the review, but I ended up ordering the wrong size in every pair except one so keep that in mind when looking at the fit.
For the pairs that I do exchange for the right size, I’ll circle back with updated photos/thoughts.
I didn’t pick up every pair that they offer (there’s way too many!), but I went for the pairs that caught my eye, and that I thought would be of interest to you guys.
SO. Let’s hop to it!
Here’s my Madewell Denim Guide:
My measurements:
5’4.5″
125 lbs.
26″ waist
32″ hips
Madewell denim comes in sizes 23-37, and in Petite, Regular, and Tall Inseams.
A NOTE ON MY MEASUREMENTS: When I first wrote this guide my measurements were different so when I say I got a 27 and needed a 26 that was when my measurements were 135 lbs, 27″ waist and 32″ hips. I now wear a 25 in most Madewell denim whereas I typically wear a 26 in most other denim brands. If I say I’m wearing a 25 in one of the styles then my measurements are what are listed above this paragraph.
Links to products are affiliate links
Updated on 4/20/22
:: Perfect Vintage Jeans ::
Style: The Perfect Vintage Jean
Cost: $148
My Size: 26 regular
What the website says:
Product Details:
With their waist-accentuating high rise and tapered legs, these are “mom jeans”…if your mom was a ’90s supermodel. Made of denim with an authentic old-school look but tons of comfy stretch.
- Please note: Yes, they’re stretchy, but please choose your usual size.
- 11″ high rise, fitted through the hip and thigh, 12 1/4″ tapered leg opening, 28 1/2″ inseam.
- Do Well: For each pair made at the Fair Trade Certified™ Jade factory, we contribute to a Community Development Fund managed by the workers.
- Premium 95% cotton/3% poly/2% elastane ISKO Reform™ XP denim.
- Machine wash.
What I say:
Updated to say: now that I’ve owned these for awhile I have a few extra thoughts:
Size down in these because they do stretch out over time. I’ve picked them up in a few more washes and I now get them in a size 25. ALSO these are magical unicorn jeans I swear! They are SO stretchy and comfy, but they stay up all day with zero slipping down. It’s magical I tell you! These are the only jeans I want to wear when I know I am going to be wearing them all day. I now own them in about 4 washes I love them THAT much. In fact, if you’re only going to buy one pair of Madwell jeans, do this one! You won’t regret it.
Original thoughts:
Here I am trying the Mom Jean trend again! Ha! These do feel a lot different than the official Mom Jean above though, and here’s why:
First: they are VERY stretchy. Like, yoga pant stretchy. Second: these are much more figure hugging, and I attribute that to my first point about the stretch. And finally: these are much better for people with a higher waist to hip ratio. So again, I ordered these a size too big… BUT I know that if I got them in the next size down they would fit perfectly because the stretch allows for the denim to fit a curvier frame. They have a slightly lower rise than the Mom Jean, but they felt super high anyway, and I think it’s because the stretch makes the waistband sit more snugly around the waist. These are slightly more cropped as well, which is funny because the Mom Jean’s inseam is supposedly shorter… not sure how that works! In the side shot you can really see the best where they hit on my ankle.
Like I said above, the material on these is unreal. It’s like you are wearing yoga pants, but in a denim version. I’ve heard people rave about Madewell denim for that very reason, and now I know why! It’s so comfy, and makes them the jeans to reach for on days where you just want to be cozy.
Final verdict: will 100% be exchanging these for the correct size because, well… magic yoga pant jeans people!
Style: The Perfect Vintage Straight Jean
Cost: $128
My Size: 25 regular
What the website says:
These are “mom jeans”…if your mom was a ’90s supermodel.
- Fitted 11 1/4” high rise hits just below the belly button.
- Our supersleek Magic Pockets give you an extra layer of holds-you-in sorcery in front.
- Fitted through the thigh with a cool straight leg.
- 15” opening, 29” full-length inseam.
Fabric: Real-deal Heritage Stretch
- Our best-selling Heritage Stretch denim has an old-school look and a touch of give for a perfectly broken-in feel.
- 99% cotton/1% spandex.
- Midweight: 12 oz.
Do Well: Fair Trade Certified™
What I say:
Size down in these because they do stretch out over time. I don’t have a lot to say about this style of the perfect vintage jeans that I didn’t already say above so I’d definitely refer to the above review for specific specs on the jeans.
I did want to add that while I like the idea of these jeans I will be returning these, but purely because I don’t personally prefer the way full length jeans look like on me. If you feel differently, or if you’ve been wanting to try the full length jean trend, these are the ones to try! I’ve tried quite a few styles (and sent them all back) including some much more expensive options, and these are by far the comfiest (I’m telling you – the perfect vintage jeans are magical!). I literally have no complaints other than I don’t personally love the look.
Final verdict: will be sending these back, but I’d encourage you to try them if you’re wanting to try the full length trend.
Style: Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Crop Jean
Cost: $128
My Size: 25
What the Website says:
The cut: The latest addition to our Perfect Vintage fam, these cropped jeans combine our classic high fitted waist with slouchy wide legs. The fabric: Premium denim with the holds-you-in structure of rigid plus a touch of stretch for day-one comfort.
- 11 1/4″ rise, 18″ leg opening, 27″ inseam.
- 99% cotton/1% elastane.
- Magic Pockets®.
What I say:
As usual, size down in these because they do run big. I’ll be reviewing another pair of perfect vintage wide leg jeans below this, so I wanted to make a specific note about the fabric on this wash. It’s much more stiff than the other perfect vintage jeans that I’ve tried. It’s definitely not bad, but if what you love about the perfect vintage jean line up is the softness of the denim, these feel very different. If you’ve ever tried on a pair of Levi’s these feel very similar.
I really like these! As far as wide leg jeans go, they hit all the right check boxes. They’re not too wide, but they’re also not so slim that they don’t feel like wide leg anymore. I love the high rise and the fit throughout the hips is perfect. I also love the length on these… I really don’t like when wide leg pants are too cropped and these are not.
Final verdict: I love these and I’m playing around with keeping these, but I have a similar style already in my closet so I have to think about it. Very tempted!
Style: The Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Full Length Jean
Cost: $138
My Size: 25
What the Website says:
The cut: The latest addition to our Perfect Vintage fam, these full-length jeans combine our classic high fitted waist with slouchy wide legs. The fabric: Our best-selling Heritage Stretch denim has an old-school look and a touch of give for a perfectly broken-in feel.
- 11 1/4″ high rise, 17″ wide leg opening, 29″ inseam.
- 99% cotton/1% spandex Heritage Stretch denim.
- Magic Pockets®.
What I say:
Okay so as I mentioned above, I want to compare this style with the cropped style for just a moment. The fabric on these is much more akin to the straight legged perfect vintage styles I have. It still has that nice weight to it, but it’s very stretchy, easy to wear, and soft. It feels less like 100% cotton if that makes sense. So if you’re very picky about the fabric softness and you don’t like the feel of 100% cotton then I’d go with this version.
NOW. This is supposed to be the full length version, but there’s barely a difference in length? Maybe I’m crazy, but they look exactly the same! I mean, there is a two inch difference, but you don’t feel it at all. I guess I’m used to full length being more like a 30-32″ inseam so these don’t feel full length to me… which for me is actually a good thing! I don’t love jeans that hit the floor on my height so I prefer this form of full length. But keep that in mind. These also run a bit big so stick with your normal Madewell size (i.e. size down).
Final verdict: I love these! The wash is really similar to the perfect straight jeans that I have and love, but I love the update with the wider leg.
:: Straight Leg ::
Style: High Rise Slim Straight Jeans in Stillwood Wash: Slit-Hem Edition
Cost: $98
My Size: 25
What the Website says:
The cut: Complete with the holds-you-in sorcery of our Magic Pockets® in front, these high-rise stovepipe jeans have slim straight legs with slits in the hems to show off your shoes. The fabric: Supersoft (and eco-friendly) denim with tons of comfy stretch.
- Name change alert: This fit was formerly known as the Roadtripper Stovepipe.
- 10 1/2″ high rise, fitted through hip and thigh, 12 1/2″ straight leg opening, 29″ inseam.
- 76% cotton/22% conventional poly/2% REPREVE® recycled poly denim.
- Do Well: Crafted with REPREVE® polyester made from recycled plastic bottles.
- Magic Pockets®; slit hems.
What I Say:
I just noticed that these had a name change, and used to be the Roadtripper Stovepipe. Which is interesting because I thought for sure these had to be the new stovepipe jeans that I review below! The fit is really similar, and they do have a similar feel to the fabric. However, I do think the difference is these have that extreme stretch and more jegging type feel that is synonymous with the old roadtripper style. And if that’s your jam, these jeans are great. They still feel like a jegging, but you get a more updated fit and style. In fact, if you’re trying to quit skinny jeans (which you don’t have to you know), I’d say these are a great place to start.
My only beef with these jeans is that they’re so stretchy that the fit doesn’t have the same flattering effect that the perfect vintage jeans do. They do tend to bag up a bit at the crotch and knees. Still, if it’s comfort you’re going for and you don’t mind a bit of that then I’d say go for it. I went with a size 25 in these and they fit great (even though they were extra stretchy). Also, it’s worth noting that this style is about $30-$40 cheaper than most of their other styles so these might be a good option if price point is a concern.
My final thoughts: I’m not going to keep these simply because I prefer the perfect vintage and I’d reach for those every time. Still a great option for those looking for comfort or to save some money!
Style: Stovepipe Jeans
Cost: $138
My Size: 26
What the Website says:
Made of denim with just a touch of stretch for comfort, these raw-hemmed stovepipe jeans have a French-lady-with-a-capsule-wardrobe feel.
- 11″ high rise, fitted through hip and thigh, 12″ straight leg opening, 27″ inseam.
- Do Well: For each pair made at the Fair Trade Certified™ Saitex factory, we contribute to a Community Development Fund managed by the workers.
- 99% cotton/1% spandex denim.
- Magic Pockets; raw hems.
- Machine wash.
What I say:
These might be one of my new favorite styles from Madewell! I had always passed over this style in the past, but this wash really caught my eye, and now I’m in love with the fit. They have that Madewell magic at the waist and they don’t slip down at all even though they are very stretchy. The cut is also really flattering with a slimmer fit, but with a more straight leg shape instead of a taper to the ankle. They are a bit thinner than the perfect vintage jeans or the dad jeans, but they are definitely a “legging feel” type of jeans. They also have a really high rise, and a normal cropped inseam… both of which I love.
Final verdict: I had thought about sizing down (which is why you can see the tag in these) because the waist has a little bit of room, but the more I’ve thought about it, I don’t want the style to be too fitted in the leg so I’ll be staying true to size in these (and definitely keeping!).
Style: The High-Rise Slim Boyjean
Cost: $138
My Size: 25 regular
What the website says:
Product Details:
The cut: Easy in the (high) waist, our signature boyfriend fit has a slim-but-still-relaxed leg (think a vintage men’s jean cut for you). The fabric: Our best-selling Heritage Stretch organic cotton denim has an old-school look and a touch of give for a perfectly broken-in feel.
- 11″ high rise, 13 1/2″ leg opening, 30″ inseam.
- 99% organic cotton/1% spandex Heritage Stretch denim.
- Raw hems, ripped knees.
- Do Well: Made from organic cotton that is grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides from untreated, nongenetically modified seeds.
What I say:
So I was a bit disappointed in these jeans. I WANTED them to fit like they do on the model (don’t we all ha!). They looked like they had a slight flair at the bottom making them more of a true straight leg + the fit looks a lot more relaxed on the website. In reality, (as you can see) they fit a bit more like the mom jean (see below)… I really don’t see a difference at all. They don’t have that much stretch in them so I may try going up a size and seeing if that creates a different effect. If it makes a difference I’ll keep you posted!
However, if you were a big fan of the mom jeans, you may like these a lot! It seems like they may be phasing the mom jean out so I’d try these because I really do think its a pretty good dupe. They’re still just as comfy and stretchy and They have the same curve hugging effect that mom jeans are known for. The mom jeans run a bit more true to size, but as I mentioned above, if you want to get the mom jean effect with these definitely size down.
Final thoughts: I may try to order a size up and try for the intended look, but I’m not sure.
Style: The Mom Jean
Cost: $92
My Size: 26 regular
What the website says:
Product Details:
Freshly updated (cuz we heard you like a little less “mom” in your Momjeans), this superhigh-rise pair has vintage-y tapered legs. Made of denim that combines the holds-you-in structure of real-deal rigid with a touch of flattering stretch, they’ll be so day-one comfortable you won’t even unbutton at the dinner table (but, trust us, you’ll look *chef’s kiss*).
- 12″ high rise, fitted through the hip and thigh, 12 1/2″ tapered leg opening, 27″ inseam.
- 96% cotton/3% elastane/1% spandex comfort stretch denim.
- Magic Pockets; raw hems.
- Machine wash.
What I say:
This truly is the perfect mom jean. They have the look of a mom jean, but they’re much more fitted throughout the leg so you don’t get the bagginess in the hips that you’ll find in a bunch of other mom jean styles.
I ordered them in a size 26 which is my typical size, but they are a BIT snug. It was a bit of a struggle to pull them up – they HAVE stretched out a little, but I would say if you’re in between two sizes to definitely go up in size.
Thoughts on fit: these fit really well through the hip and thighs. With this kind of style, I like the waistband to be snug to really create that hourglass shape, and these definitely do that. The rest of the leg has a nice taper to it, but it’s not so extreme that you’ll look like you’re wearing a costume. Finally, these hit me right at the tops of my ankles so they aren’t too cropped, but they’re not a true full length either.
The material is very soft and comfortable. They’re easy to move in, but the denim has enough weight to it that they really suck you in (in a good way!).
Final verdict: I LOVE these and think they are the perfect mom jean for anyone who is scared of mom jeans. 😉
Style: Baggy Straight Jeans
Cost: $98
My Size: 25 regular
What the website says:
The cut: Designed to go with a tiny tee, our brand-new baggy jeans are fitted through the high waist with slouchy straight legs. The fabric: Old-school 100 percent cotton nonstretch denim.
- 12″ rise, 15 1/2″ leg opening, 32″ inseam.
- 100% cotton nonstretch denim.
- Rips.
What I say:
meh. Ha! Okay to be fair, these jeans are not for me so I’ll try to be as unbiased in my review as possible. I do love that these are made out of really soft 100% cotton. They are not rigid or thick at all so they’re actually really nice, comfortable nonstretch denim. I also love the extreme high rise because I think that balances out the proportions of the extra fabric at the bottom. If this style of jeans are for you I think you’ll love these. The comfort and quality is there.
The price point is also a bit lower on these making them a bit more affordable, and the wash is the perfect vintage inspired wash. I do find these to run a bit extra big so go down a size for sure in these.
Final thoughts: I am just not into this baggy, ripped jeans trend. It gives me too many jnco flashbacks and I’m not about that life anymore. These will be going back.
Style: The Dad Jean
Cost: $138
My Size: 26 regular
What the website says:
Product Details:
Slouchy and slightly oversized, this boyfriend style in black denim was inspired by the kind of low-slung jeans you might steal from your dad’s closet (you know, the one place where it’s still pretty much the ’90s).
- 11 1/2″ long rise, slouchy and roomy through hip and thigh, 15″ wide leg opening, 28″ full-length inseam.
- Get ’em in your usual size for a relaxed vibe.
- Do Well: We partner with the Better Cotton Initiative to improve cotton farming globally.
- Premium 100% cotton denim from Italy’s Candiani mill.
- Button fly.
- Machine wash.
What I say:
Okay we talked about the Mom Jeans, and now we need to even it out with a chat about the Dad Jean. These were a pleasant surprise friends! They remind of the AGolde 90’s Jean, but at a fraction of the cost.
These are a similar feeling cotton as the Mom Jean, but in a much thicker version. Still, they are very comfortable to wear, and don’t feel restrictive at all. I think I accidentally ordered these in the correct size (because I’m not sure why these were the only size 26 I ordered??), but it was the right decision as these are the only jeans that fit me correctly right out of the box. The name of these jeans sums them up quite nicely: they fit like the type of jeans your dad wears. But in a really good way? Ha! They are straight from top to bottom, with just the slightest taper at the bottom, and are full length hitting right at the heel. They are slouchy all the way down, but they also sit snug on your waist so you still get a nice cinch there.
The denim is really easy to wear, and they feel like any vintage Levi 501’s you may come across in your local thrift store. Like I said, it’s a bit thicker than the mom jean, so it does feel really authentic. Oh! And they have a button fly.
Final verdict. Ummm yes please! You may think I’m crazy to be vibing a pair of jeans called Dad jeans, but these totally do it for me. I love the full length, slouchy fit and think these will look amazing with boots and a sweater come fall.
And that’s it folks! I hope this was helpful 😊. Keep coming back, because I update this guide regularly with new styles!
I also have an Everlane Denim Guide if you’re interested in more denim reviews.
As always, thanks for reading!
Until next time,
Karin
This is so thorough! Thank you for the fantastic roundup.
I’m so glad you found it useful!
Hey!! Where is that shirt from? Thanks!
It’s linked at the bottom of the post! ♥️
Hi Karin, I am transitioning out of skinny jeans too and decided to go with the Madewell Perfect Vintage. My question is, what are the best winter shoes for this style? I was thinking of getting the Ainsley boot but I’m afraid it might be too short. I want booties that will keep my feet warm and dry. Where should the boot hit in respect to the pants? I need help understanding that. Thanks!
Hi there! I think it depends on your style. To be honest, I prefer to wear sneakers with this style, but I also really have loved the Madewell chelsea boots as well. I’d go for something that has a slimmer ankle so that it can fit underneath the hem of the jeans. I hope that helps!
Perfect! Thank you ?
Hello! & thank you for the spot on reviews!! I absolutely agree with your sizing & fit summary / suggestions. ….just to give anyone out there who is on the fence to take your word for it.
I do have a question about the Chelsea boots. I LOVE them but the reviews on sizing and comfort are all over the place. Because of this I’ve reluctantly put off buying a pair despite a love affair with the chunky sole overall style.
In your opinion how does the fit run? Tts, small, large. And also, your take on comfort, break in time, if any, etc.
Many thanks in your anticipated response!!!
And again, fabulous job correctly nailing, imo, all aspects of the jeans for this post.
Wishing you a beautiful day! ?✌
Thanks Desiree! I appreciate the backup. 🙂 As for your chelsea boot questions: I have a full review in this post: https://karinemily.com/new-in-at-madewell/ (and what I wrote then still holds true, except the rubbing at the ankle has gone away!)
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you for pinning it, as this is my only form of social media ? I want so many pairs that you mentioned now!
I’m glad it was helpful! Pinterest is my favorite social media so I get it! ?
Do you know why Roadtrippers are so much cheaper? Thanks – great review!!
I don’t know officially, but I think it’s most likely do to the fabric makeup. They’re a lot stretchier… more of a jegging really.
It looks like you listed the slim wide leg crop jeans two times, I am curious the name of the black wash denim jean that appear to be a more straight leg style ? Thank you!
Thanks for pointing that out! The link is fixed now!
This was the best review! I referenced it so many times before purchasing my newest pair of jeans. I’d like to know what white tee you have on in most of the pictures because it looks perfect!
I’m so glad it was helpful Jacqueline! I have the white tee linked at the bottom of the post. ♥️
Love this! Don’t see a link for the oatmeal long sleeve you’re wearing in the Enmore Wash. It looks so good with them.
It’s an older style from Kotn that’s no longer available. ?
Thank you for the detailed, thorough post! It’s super helpful. I’ve been looking for a guide to Madewell jeans like this for some time. Can I ask you where that black and white striped top that you wore with the Roadtripper jeans is from? Thanks in advance!
Hi Annie! I’m glad you found it helpful! It’s from Everlane – the Modern Breton Tee.
I’m looking to step out of my skinny jean bubble and try the perfect vintage jeans, so this post is great! I am actually looking to purchase either the Ainsworth or Enmore, but cant decide. Would you tell me how they compare to one another?
Hi! The major difference is that there is more fraying at the end of the Ainsworth. With that being said I reach for my Ainsworth WAY more often than my Enmore… there’s just something about the Ainsworth. So if I had to pick between the two it would be the Ainsworth every time!
This post is so great! I have probably 10+ pairs of Madewell jeans and I always struggle with size- I’m usually a 25P, sometimes a 24P, and occasionally a 26P. I feel I struggle with the different levels of stretch when I first try on a pair- I never know if I should go with the smaller size or to go with the pair that feels the most comfy initially. IYO I have a pair of Perfect Vintage that I’m debating between and they are the stretchiest fabric available. I’m debating between a 25 and 26. The 26 fits the comfiest out of the box and the 25 feels slightly tight in the waist. Would you say to stick with the 26 or go down to a 25 because they’re so stretchy? Thanks for these posts!!
I would definitely go with the smaller size! Mine are always a bit tight in the waist at first, but they definitely stretch out enough to be comfy after a few wears!
I have a pair of madewell style # is faded but the JCrew tags has 3 sets of #’s A RFC and 2 @ the bottom . Do any of these 3 numbers tell me the style within Madewell or even J crew? I have two pair I love they no lonfer make . They were both skinny – road trippers in different washes. I have returned 3 orders trying to get what I have in those first two. One pair style # MA495 FA 20 – for wash. Please help – bookmarking this – going to read through entire thing. Love what you have done.
I wish I could help you, but I have no idea! Sorry!
Very informative post. My favorite is The Mom Jean! Can you tell me where I could find the white tank you are wearing with them.
Its the Brightside tank from Madewell!
This is a great round up! I tried the perfect vintage after hearing so many great reviews and I felt like there was too much fabric in the crotch area. My 20 yr old daughter who has a different shape than me felt the same. They look awesome on you. Have you heard this feedback at all? Maybe they’re too high waisted for us?
Oh that’s strange! I haven’t had that problem at all, though I do find you have to size down in them. Did you stay true to size?
This is amazing, thank you! Please do one for shorts 🙂
So glad it was helpful!
It’s good guide for ideas. Thanks a lot.
Karin, I’m still using your denim guides almost a year later! Please keep posting. I love your style!
I’m so glad they’re helpful Katie!
I know this is an order post but I am not obsessed with the perfect vintage jeans. I have a rectangular shape and short legs but these are the most flattering jeans I have tried one.
I have a question tho. How are the mom jeans fit different from the perfect vintage ? They look very similar .
The mom jeans have a bit more room in the hips and are a little more tapered at the ankle!