YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The Jean Hunt continues

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The Jean Hunt continues https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:27:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php shiny on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1182379 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 15:19:13 +0000 shiny 1182379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm hoping to get to National Jeans Company soon; I always have the best luck  there, and the service can't be beat. Meanwhile I have the BR trouser jeans coming, and some Paige Canyon high rise boot cuts on order from Nordstroms.  LeopardLuxe - I have tried JBrand on before, they are a close fit, but I have a strange aversion to the color of the stitching. It's always orange, have you noticed that? But I will try again.  Gigi - I have tried WH/BM and nothing there fits me. It's a vertical proportion issue.  Amy - I am intrigued by the yoga jeans! True Fit says I need a size 25, which is sold out.  Jay - "Pilcro no longer available." But thanks for the reminder to check Anthropologie.  Una - yes, the Provacateur -- that's what I just tried and reviewed in the opening post here! I mistakenly called it the "Bridget" -- now I see that is the name of the wash, not the style.  Kkards-- unfortunately, I've never found a pair of NYJD that fit. Well, I guess they fit, technically. Just not flattering on me at all.  Suz -- I haven't tried the Matchsticks in years. I had a pair awhile back, they fit "okay" but not great. I finally got rid of them. Have they changed their cut? And the material -- which I didn't care for either? Gabrielle - thanks! I am prone to over-analysis, rather than getting off my duff and going to the store to try things on. Heh. I just get so frustrated and disheartened and overwhelmed in the store, trying jean after jean on. What I'm learning is that there are certain brands that are worth the effort because I have the highest chance they'll work (CoH, AG, Joe's). Thing is, it pays to expand the search outside of those brands every few years or so, because you just never know, brands adjust and change their fit models sometimes. For example Joe's never worked for me in the past, I would not have thought to try them again if it wasn't for a persistent SA.  By the way, in case anyone was curious, Bloomingdale's seems to only stock in store jeans that are LOW rise. Very frustrating. I tried them all on anyway yesterday. :-Q Anonymous on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1182321 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 14:37:16 +0000 Anonymous 1182321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just want to say how impressed I am with your assessment.  You are a woman that thinks and breaks things down to get results.  Good luck in your search.  I am on a similar search and plan on reading your post very carefully as I assess each pair of jeans.   Suz on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1182010 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:28:51 +0000 Suz 1182010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another idea for you: Have you tried sizing up on J. Crew toothpick ankle jeans?  I don't know what they have for washes and fabrications this spring. But I did this last spring and got a pair in an overdyed wash, one size up from normal -- it is a cotton/ poly blend. It's getting worn at the knees now (i.e. knee fading) but I wore them constantly for a year. They are ankle bone length on me -- would be full length with some scrunch on you.  I tried them (same size) in other colours/ washes and didn't like them -- the denim was too thin so they looked like elephant skin, not a slightly looser skinny/ straight, which is what I wanted.  The rise is (maybe) too low for you -- but worth a try, I think. Sized up, you wouldn't get muffin top. I generally wear a belt. Although in this photo I'm not sure I have one on, since I'm wearing a peplum knit top.  I am about 5'4" (maybe 5' 3"). My hips are around 34". My thighs are substantial, however, and I do have a bottom. I usually wear a 26 in most jeans; these are a 27.  shiny on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181980 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 00:50:30 +0000 shiny 1181980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Back from the mall.... no luck with jeans, but I did try on the trouser jeans at BR. Except a different version, not bootcut - more tapered/skinny and meant to be at the ankle. And in regular (they didn't have petites). The SA said they get the ones online in the store on Tuesday, but not in petites, so I just went and ordered.  I will say if you like the fit of the Sloan's in the waist/hips/rise/rear, you will like the fit of these jeans. The cut seemed pretty much identical, though I was trying on a regular rather than petite. The denim is a very nice dark wash and not too heavy/stiff, which I like. I actually found them more cozy to wear than the Sloan's which can be stiff.  First I tried on the regular in a 2 and I really loved the fit in the front. The rise was just right, the crotch even dropped a bit. It had a relaxed look, but still sharp and polished because they aren't too wide in the thighs for me. But then when I checked the rear view I wasn't all that happy - sagged. So I next tried on the size 0 and those fit much better in the rear (even made it look perky, heh!) but the rise was lower and I didn't care for that as much. That said I am still giving the version online a whirl. I ordered a 2 regular w/short inseam and a 2p to compare.  BR has a new feature where you can "Reserve in Store" -- there's a button on the site, you just click it and they will set aside whatever you want, and come then to the store to try it on. LOVE! I did not take advantage of that this time because I'm uncertain if I will be able to get to the mall again this week (work is crazy busy), but I am going to give that a try down the road.  More mall report in other threads... we'll keep this one just about jeans.  Suz on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181939 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 23:33:02 +0000 Suz 1181939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jennifer, if you do try the BRs, please let us know how they work out. Also, if the petites have too short a rise, do try the regulars (if hemming wouldn't destroy them). In the pants, I've found that the rise is different enough in regulars that I can wear them (petites in BR are both too short in the leg and too short in the rise for me.)  kkards on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181876 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 21:40:08 +0000 kkards 1181876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What about nydj? They where the 1st thing that came to mind when you said bloat. Plus they come in reg and petite. catgirl on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181850 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:49:18 +0000 catgirl 1181850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shiny, the Joes petite Provocateurs are a great for for me... Have you tried them? JayS on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181814 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:04:55 +0000 JayS 1181814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Have you tried the Pilcro brand at Anthropologie? The Pilcro Superscript High-Rise and the Stet Slim Ankle might work. They are both meant to be ankle length jeans so the inseam is 29" which makes them long with scrunch on me. Like you, I do better with regular cuts because I have a long rise. Good luck on your quest! minimalist on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181808 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:00:49 +0000 minimalist 1181808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Second Denim's Yoga Jeans might everything you ask; the bootcuts are almost straight. Can't speak to length/hemming. <a href="http://www.secondclothing.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.secondclothing.com/</a> <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/yoga-jeans-by-second-denim-bootcut-jeans/3365743?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=821&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_A" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/yo.....ts-_-1_3_A</a> Gigi on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181804 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:56:15 +0000 Gigi 1181804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You could maybe try White House Black Market. They have tasteful-looking jeans. I have one pair from them, and it is nice and stretchy but doesn't bag out. But my experience is only with the one pair, so I couldn't tell you if all their jeans are like that. leopardluxe on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181749 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:19:15 +0000 leopardluxe 1181749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I highly recommend you give J Brand a try. They have models in all different types of rises (low, medium, high) and cuts (skinny to boot to wide) and finishes (distressed to very simple dark finishes as well as coated styles). They have the right amount of stretch to accommodate bloat days yet don't stretch out too much so you end up only being able to wear them once before wash (like I find my AGs will often do). Plus, however they do that four way stretch weave in the material and where they they place the pockets --does very nice things for ones bottom :-) They're pricey, but I've bought nearly all mine after-market (with the exception of a pair of skinny coated black moto style Duarte's I just had to have when they first came out). I usually wear a 24 or 25, depending on the model but I also have a few 23's. If it helps at all for size choice/comparison, my true waist is about 24 inches (give or take half an inch) and my hips are around 33 inches and I am 4 ft 11.5 inches tall. My full inseam is 28 inches. I do usually end up having to have the J Brand models that weren't designed as ankle or crop style shortened (the cigarette leg or bootcut styles) but I love how they look and feel so much that it's worth the cost (and I usually get the jeans themselves on either ebay or at consignment for anywhere from $20-$55 so even adding $12 for hemming, the cost is waaay less than retail price). Hope this info helps!  shiny on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181741 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:56:06 +0000 shiny 1181741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have no problem at all with hemming, though I do usually find the BR petites don't even need it and are "just right" length for heels.  Also when it comes to jeans in general, I tend to do better with regular not petites, but maybe that's simply a rise issue since i'm always preferring a longer rise. Or maybe I am just proportionately longer in the rise from waist to crotch, but petite everywhere else. Never quite figured that one out. :-Q Angie on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181735 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:50:36 +0000 Angie 1181735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I forgot to add that the trouser jeans look awful in the photo, which is a shame. You will need a petite - they are very looooooooong. Hope they work out.  Jules on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181734 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:50:02 +0000 Jules 1181734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok they should be quite a bit longer than shown, right? Can they be worn with flats at all? Hopeless? shiny on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181725 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:40:03 +0000 shiny 1181725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ooh.. those look like a possibility, Angie; thanks! I've never had any luck with BR denim though I have great luck with BR pants, so I will give those a try. I am hitting the mall this weekend and will check these out. Cross fingers they have them in the store! viva on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181716 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:34:22 +0000 viva 1181716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the idea of a trouser jean too, and finding a work-worthy jean could be very helpful to me. Looking forward to seeing how this journey evolves for you, Shiny. We're different body types but I can still learn from your thoughts. Angie on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181708 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:26:56 +0000 Angie 1181708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Try BR's trouser jeans in the dark wash right now. You look amazing in trouser styles, Jennifer. So chic - and the silhouette is trending:  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=20977&vid=1&pid=936142012">http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=936142012</a> I have lots of happy clients in this style. You will like the length of the rise. Wear with pointy toes shoes.  shiny on "The Jean Hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-jean-hunt-continues#post-1181700 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:14:13 +0000 shiny 1181700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No pics though I suppose I could take some if you think that would be helpful. I am looking for recommendations of brands to try next. Lots of detail here so you can understand my fit dilemma, and what I'm seeking....   GOAL: find jeans suitable for work/business travel. My wish list:  1. Dark wash/no fading/no distressing 2. Probably not skinnies... something with a bootcut or perhaps straight leg. Conservative/classic to look professional, but I still want to look good ....not boring.  3. Stretchy enough to accommodate bloating and weight fluctuations that are inevitable when traveling; it's partly the air pressure change from flying, and also the fact they are constantly feeding us on these trips! 4. Not so stretchy I can only get one day's wear out of them. Jeans take up a lot of room in a carry-on. My ideal jeans would still look great for 2-3 days wear, but be comfortable, not tight and unforgiving.  5. Versatile rise that works with tucking, half-tucking or not tucking.  6. Realistically, even though I'm starting to get more and more use to lower rise, probably a higher rise, as I futz less and feel more comfy in those.  Is that too much to ask? :-) Jeans currently in my rotation, that I wear a lot and love: 1. AG Nikki's, size 26 -- but these are not work appropriate.  2. LOFT bf's, size 2p -- again, not work appropriate 3. AG Farrah's (skinny & high waisted), size 26 -- I do wear these for work, so I am probably set on the skinnies, although I can only get one wear out of these before they stretch too much, so I'll keep an open mind if anyone has suggestions. (I cannot size down in these, unfortunately. The size 25 is way too tight in the thigh and waistband, and I can tell that they are tight in areas that are just not going to stretch at all, if that makes sense. 4. Joe's ankle skinnies in Niyah wash, size 26. The plus with these is that they are less skinny than the Farrah's, on me they fit more like a straight leg, so they are theoretically good for work. But although these are supposedly what Joe's calls a high rise, they are lower than the AG Farrah's, and they hit sort of in my futz & fidget zone. And I can't figure out why they work with some tops but not with others. They are comfy as can be, and I do love them. If they were just a little bit higher, they'd be my dream-jean.  Not currently in rotation but which I have loved in the past: 5. Citizen's of Humanity Ambers, Elson's, and Huttons. I still have these but with my weight up they are all too tight in the waistband right now. But I may give this brand another try. I recall these CoH styles fit very similar to the Joe's on me, except I find the Joe's are looser in the waist, which is lovely.  Because of the Joe's being so close, I ordered the Joe's classic bootcut, in a size 26 and 27 to compare, the Bridget, which is supposedly scaled for petites. Review: The 27 was too big all over. The 26 fit better.  Length is perfect-- just a tad too long but washing would likely shrink them just so, and I doubt any hemming would be needed.  The 26 fit better, but looser/more relaxed all over than the ankle skinnies. They are quite comfortable, nice stretch. I wanted to love them, really I did. Felt nice as soon as I put them on. But, without a belt they start falling down, and more importantly, they are too loose in the thighs. I can grab a wad of fabric, that's how loose. Don't know if I could get them tailored; they'd probably have to remove about 3 inches from the side. So they make me look short and boxy, I'm afraid.  When I compare them to the AG Nikki's (my recent WiW) or the AG Farrah's, the Bridget's make me look like I weight 30 lbs more, and I'm not exaggerating. I just look dumpy. If I went down to a size 25, I fear the rise would be way too low for my comfort zone. I really think it's about the overall cut. These jeans made me realize my biggest issue with fit is actually my thighs/legs-- I have scrawny legs, in comparison to my hips (35 inches) & waist. It's that IT/Apple thing again. Which is probably why I have way more luck with skinny jeans -- they fit my legs so I'm not drowning in my jeans.  I also ordered & received a pair of 7's since I noticed half of my coworkers were wearing those. Thought I'd give it a whirl. They fit me weird -- vertical proportions were all wrong, they seem made for someone 5'10.  If you've waded through all of this, thank you! If you have suggestions on brands/styles I might look into next, please pass them along!  At the moment i have Paige's and Kut's in my Nordstrom basket.... I never had any luck with Paige in the past, but I see they are high waisted so I thought i might try again. Never tried Kut's.