Fab Find: Gap’s Long & Lean Flared Jeans

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Fab Find: Gap’s Long & Lean Flared Jeans

— by Angie

on January 11, 2011

If you’re after an inexpensive pair of flared jeans, I highly recommend Gap’s Long & Leans. I used to have a pair about seven years ago and was not as happy with the way they looked back then. They bagged out and the fit wasn’t flattering on my thighs and bottom for some reason. But I recently retried the style and I’m pretty sure the quality of the denim AND the fit has changed because now I love them. And judging by the online reviews, I’m not alone. They don’t stretch out, the denim is super soft, and my thighs look fine.

They come up quite high in the rise so I like to wear a belt and tuck in tops with this style. The leg widths are much roomier than my premium denim bootcut styles and the hem width measures 18 inches on small sizes. So with the Long & Leans I can achieve a 70’s flared leg vibe without going too wide on the width of the hems. I can also comfortably sport a one and a half to two inch heel without feeling dumpy or killing the balls of my feet.

Gap’s Long & Leans in a faded wash are my answer to flared 70’s look jeans this season because I don’t want to wear wider hem widths. With a 30% store discount and a 20% discount coupon I got them for a song! They are available in three different washes, from sizes 00 to 20 across petites, regular and talls. Brilliant.

Note that I have put these in the store, and this post contains affiliate links.

29 comments · Add a comment

kellygirl

Veteran

Coincidentally, I picked up a pair right after Christmas. I was looking to duplicate the Perfect Bootcuts but they were unavailable in my size. The SA suggested trying the L&L and now I’m a convert!

January 11, 2011 at 2:30 pm

kellygirl

Veteran

ETA: The SA recommended sizing down from the PB. I did and mine fit perfect!

January 11, 2011 at 2:32 pm

Debora

Veteran

Thanks for the recommendation, Angie! I will check these out.

January 11, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Antje

Veteran

I was just looking at these (online) today! Now with your endorsement I really have to give them a whirl Quick question – do they run true to size? I sized down for my “Perfect bootcut” as they run super big. Thanks!

January 11, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Cynthia

(website)

I don’t wear skinnies, so these have been my go-to jeans since even before the “1969 denim” first appeared a couple of summers ago. I think the material is lighter weight than the older long and leans (which I also had a few pairs of) and they sag less around the butt.

January 11, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the validation, Kellygirl.

That’s interesting, Cynthia. The “new” Long & Leans are definitely a different animal now than a few years back.

Antje, how coincidental! I think they run true to size. But then I do like the fit of these a little looser than my boot cuts because that’s more 70’s-looking I think. Does that make sense?

January 11, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Antje

Veteran

Interesting, yes that makes sense. I guess I’ll just have to try them on!

January 11, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Tanya

Veteran

Lovely jeans! I am looking for something more flared, so I will skip them, but I will certainly admire them on Angie and other YLF-ers.

January 11, 2011 at 4:17 pm

Beth

Veteran

While I’ll always be a skinny/straightleg girl, I love my L&Ls and they’re the version from a few years ago. Worn with heels, they make my legs look miles long.

So glad a new trend can be found already residing in my closet!

January 11, 2011 at 4:28 pm

Gracey

(website)

I’m tall (six feet) and I have to say that Long and Leans are great for tall girls. They only go up to a size 16 in tall, but I’ve found that the regular length is often long enough for flats (this has even worked for my sister, who is 6’2″).

As for the sizing, I agree with Angie, that they are a little looser, but still what I’d call “true to size.” (They’re not so loose I would or could go down a size).

Very imformative post, Angie! Thank you!!

January 11, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Diana

Veteran

Thanks for the review, Angie! Like you, I remember the old long and leans bagging out really quickly, but I’ll have to at least try these new ones on. It’s good to know that the rise is high too – essential for my short waist and long rise! Honestly, I really don’t need any more jeans, flared or otherwise, but it’s good to have options.

January 11, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Refugee

Veteran

Ooh, I’m feeling all ahead of the curve! I bought some last weekend and am loving them.

January 11, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I always like it when you provide recommendations. It helps take the guess work out of shopping for me. Thanks Angie!

January 11, 2011 at 5:47 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My pleasure, Lisa.

Gracey, thanks for chiming in with more great validation!

Can I just also so – look at the perfect pant lengths on this model. KILLER.

January 11, 2011 at 6:11 pm

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I loved the old Long and Leans on me. I might give these a try; I had a pair on last year but my husband thought they were unflattering. Try, try again!

January 11, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I wish I had this insight last week as I ordered some bootcuts from Gap to try while they had the sale on
I hope they still have my size in these when another sale comes in…
Does anybody know what is the length for Long? Perfect Bootcut in Long were too short for me to wear with 2 in heels. Are these L&L longer?

January 11, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, Sveta. The Long & Lean in regular lengths on small sizes has an inseam of 34 inches!

January 11, 2011 at 7:57 pm

Mellllls

I’ll try them if I buy new jeans. Not sure if I need any new ones though.

January 11, 2011 at 7:57 pm

Christie

I loved my L&Ls a few years ago, and sadly seem to have purged them at some point. Glad to know the newest ones are so great … are the Gap’s bootcuts good too?

January 11, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Christie, Gap’s bootcuts are definitely worth a bash. Try the “Perfect Boot” first and then the “Sexy Boot”. Compare those cuts to the new Long & Leans.

January 11, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Christie

I will try them on in the store soon! Gap jeans have always been a good fit on me.

January 11, 2011 at 9:08 pm

Sara

I loved the way these fit for the first few weeks, but the butt-sag comes quickly. It might be the fact that I have mine dried in a dryer though, causing the elasticity to break down. I still buy them, I just buy them on sale and don’t expect them to hold up for a year!

January 12, 2011 at 9:49 am

Bianca

Veteran

LOL! I just cut my old Gap Long & Leans into shorts this past summer!!!! I will reconsider the new ones based on your reviews.

January 12, 2011 at 11:03 am

Anne (mrsanniep)

My white jeans are Long and Leans from the Gap and I like them, too. What I like most is that they must run large because I’m a size 4-6 in these, as opposed to my standard size 8.

January 12, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I got two pair in white, but I’m having one tapered (the pair I hemmed for flats) so I can tuck them into boots. I couldn’t find any other white pair that fit in the thigh, and the flare on these really is great for the leg-line.

I think they run ever so slightly big. I am usually an 8 and they fit a tiny bit big (only, now I’ve gained weight and they are slightly to tight.)

January 12, 2011 at 5:03 pm

materiella

So excited for flared jeans to return! Time to change things up.

January 12, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Kari

Veteran

Fantastic! I’ve heard good things about this brand, too. When I’m done with SYC I’ll give them a shot.

January 12, 2011 at 10:24 pm

Kari

Veteran

One question, if you don’t mind – how does the fit of these jeans hold up over time? My Gap Real Straight jeans fit fine for the first few wears & washes, but over time have started to sag after one wear so I have to wash them more frequently.
(I always wash them on cold & hang them to dry.)

January 15, 2011 at 11:39 am

Tanya2

I do love the fit of these jeans, especially since I am tall, and these are wondefully long! However, my experience was to size down not one, but two sizes. I would advise to be sure to wear them for some hours, before washing, around the house to be sure you want to keep your purchased size. Mine stretched out like crazy.

January 17, 2011 at 8:05 pm

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Fab Find: Gap’s Long & Lean Flared Jeans

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