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Help me find my new perfect jeans

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So. I am in love with my Citizens of Humanity Racer jeans in Patina wash. So in love I bought a second pair in a different colour (taupe) which, predictably, I don't wear as often. I probably should have bought a second pair in blue, and could still do that.

How do I love them? Let me count the ways:

Best fit I've ever had. (I did size up -- I bought these 2 years ago and don't know if sizing changed since then.)
Perfect fabric -- feels almost like 100% cotton, just a hint of stretch but they don't "stretch out" so much as get more comfortable with wear.
I can wear them full length or wear them rolled up as slim crops.

The only problem is, they are low rise, and I really want a mid rise jean or higher as my new favourite.

In the fall, I bought the Arielles thinking they'd be the ticket. I had to size down. And they're not the same fabric! These are more stretchy. They're fine. Very comfortable and reasonably flattering. But I don't like them anywhere near as much. The Racers truly feel like the "ur" jean for my body. Read the rave reviews at Nordstrom and you'll see what I mean.

My question is this: Is there a version of the Racers (same fabrication) in a mid-rise? I don't have a store near me to test them all out. Any Citizens fanatics know which models might be similar? I looked on Nordstrom's site and Shopbop and couldn't find it, but maybe I missed something. There is a Citizens store in Toronto so I could call there and maybe go there on my next trip -- but that won't be for quite a while.

Citizens of Humanity 'Racer' Whiskered Skinny Jeans (Patina)

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Citizens of Humanity 'Arielle' Mid Rise Skinny Jeans (Ocean) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$208.00 $124.80

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Keix

JamC

Veteran

I like Citizen's Ava. They are straight leg and the rise seems mid; not low and not high waist.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know the Ava's well. Just not sure Suz will like that width of leg. The Ava works well on my tall size 10 and 12 clients - their version of skinnies. I'd say the Arielles are a good bet.

'Ava' Straight Leg Jeans (Santorini)

$168.00 $112.56

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I always thought the Rocket was the high rise version of the Racer.

This spring my two favorite jeans are a Rocket crop and an Avedon crop.

Have you looked at the brand's own website? I think it probably has more info than what other stores do, and it's got a "compare" feature. https://www.citizensofhumanity.com

Avedon Skinny Sculpt Ankle Jeans

$228.00 $114.00

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Citizens of Humanity rocket crop miramar

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could help. There should be a jeans search that goes by fabrication, waist in inches, inseam, rise, etc - all in actual inches/cm. Hmm, maybe I will get someone to create one .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Alas, Angie, the Arielles look like a good bet, but they aren't. I am keeping the pair I bought. But I find them too stretchy to be my ideal jean. (In fabrication, they're similar to the GAP jeans we both bought last summer, the pale blue ones). I don't actually like that type of fabric anywhere near well as I like the Racer fabric.

Ummlila, yes, I looked on the site. But they don't mention fabrication and it's the fabric content that is key. Nordstrom's gives the most info but I can't find a fabric like the Racers in any of the other models, at least so far.

I'll see if I can figure out the fabric content of the Avas. What I love about the Racers (among other things) is that they are actually between a skinny and a straight. They call them a "slim." They're not quite as calf sucking as a skinny -- and yet they are definitely not as wide as a straight.

skylurker

Veteran

Hi Suz, I'm surprised Canadians never consider Naked&Famous, a Canadian brand, their denim is better quality than Coh - if by better quality you mean old school, reasonably thick and not ultra stretchy denim, as I understand from your post. And they're much cheaper.

This e-retailer gives detailed measures to give you an idea : http://shop.tateandyoko.com/co.....ous-womens

JamC

Veteran

I never realized how different the fabric content is from one color to another. That makes finding new jeans much more difficult. Thanks for opening my eyes.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Tap size and fit on a product page and you will see more about the fabric. E.g. https://www.citizensofhumanity.....ny-in-taos

However, I don't think every pair of Racers has the same fabric: I believe that only refers to the style in terms of shape and cut. They are listing five different pairs there, each with very different fabric. https://www.citizensofhumanity.....t/?q=Racer

Here is a comparison of several slim and skinny cuts https://www.citizensofhumanity.....are/index/

If you look at the tags in your favorite pair, you may find what "wash" they are along with the fabric content, and use that to find a similar mix.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried the COH Elsons? I have a pair (bought two years ago I think?) and I don't wear them lately for a couple of reasons, but I wonder if they might work for you. The pair I have are not stretchy at all. They're straight-legged and cut long -- I actually need to have them hemmed if I'm going to keep them because the length is one of the problems I have with them (the other is that I was maybe 5-7 lbs smaller when I bought them and the lack of stretch does not help). They are mid-rise and a nice wash. I had to size up in them. I don't know if the cut or fit has changed since then.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, thanks. I will take a look. I think they are a looser cut than I am looking for, but I will check.

Lisa, that is awesome, thank you. I think I have found a pair that is in the same fabric content. The Agnes. I might prefer a different wash, but beggars can't be choosers. I know that my Racers are Patina wash and I know the fabrication, and it sounds like the Agnes at Nordstrom's.

JamC, yes fabric content varies from colour to colour for sure and also style to style. It makes sense, because some styles need specific properties. An ultra skinny needs more stretch to go on!

Skylurker, I guess we don't buy them because they are not easy to find! In fact, I've never seen them. (Then again, as you may recall, I live in a small city without a lot of shopping options so do a lot of shopping online.) Anyway, thank you for the pointer; I will see if I can find a retailer and try some on. I think I'm actually looking for something in between the old style denim (which I also love) and the stretch jeans that are now so ubiquitous. This is what the Racers are. They don't feel stretchy at all but they do have the tiniest amount of give. And it all comes down to the cut -- they are just really great on my hard-to-fit thighs.

'Agnes' Slim Straight Leg Jeans (Euclid)

$218.00 $146.06

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2

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suz, the Elsons I have are not terribly roomy -- more of a slim straight, at least on me. You mention fitting in the thighs (although I never see on you the reasons to have difficulty in that area the way I do!), so I wonder if they might be good for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, I know what you mean about the denim fabric. You probably won't like the COH Rocket crops for that reason - which is why I didn't suggest them. I have the Rocket crops and do prefer my Gap jeans which have virtually no stretch.

I'm with, Janet. Try the Elsons. I have quite a few clients in those. They are older jeans though - and they could have changed the fabric.

Never heard of the brand Skylurker is talking about - but it sounds interesting.

My favourite premium denim brands are J.Brand, AG and Current Elliot. Have you tried any of those? I wonder if the AG stilts will suit your needs?

Current/Elliott 'The Cropped Straight' Straight Leg Crop Jeans (Sugar)

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J Brand 722 Love Story Jeans

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Current/Elliott 'The Cropped Straight' Ankle Jeans

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AG Adriano Goldschmied Jeans - The Stilt in White

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, I checked out Skylurker's recommendation. It seems they are real old style denim and in N. America pretty much only sold in men's styles. Nordstrom's has men's and Revolve clothing has them. I found a Canadian article about them but not stockists for women's styles.

I will check out the Elson's as well, Angie and Janet. Thank you.

Anonymous

keep us posted on how the Agnes works for you, Suz. I'm looking for a very similar jean, mid-rise.

I would like to know if I would need to size down in the Agnes like one reviewer did.

You sized up in the Racer jean, I see. How uncomfortable is the low rise in those Racers? I can wear some low risers if the band is not super cinching and lays flat. Is there a little give in the waist band on those Racers?

I'm 5'7", 135 lbs. And jeans can fit differently, all over the place! some jeans I'm in a 28, others a 29. Long-legged.

good luck!

Anonymous

I don't have a lot of experience with premium denim, but I do have and really like my J Brands for exactly the reasons you outline. No stretch but not terribly heavy either. The ones I have are that "slim" cut, which is just perfect, and I've just recently cut them off to shorten them after wearing them cuffed for awhile. I picked them up from Nordstrom on -sale last fall. Not sure what the fibre content is (not sitting in my bedroom right now -lol) but I'll have a look .

skylurker

Veteran

That retailer I linked to is based in Montréal and ship inside North America (prices are in USD because I access the site from France I suppose). They don't seem to offer free shipping and returns though.

I was under impression they had lots of retailers in Canada http://nakedandfamousdenim.com/store-locator/#647. It's true the brand mainly cater to men, the models for women are hard to find here, but I'm surprised Canadians can't find them either!!!

Sorry to have sent you on a wild-goose chase....

Aziraphale

Veteran

Suz, I'm not going to be much help at all in suggesting other styles, because I'm having a hard time myself finding non-stretchy jeans, but I do know that I've tried on an awful lot of Citizens jeans (because, like you, my favourite pair is the Racers) and I have yet to find another style by that brand that I like even half as much. And one thing I've noticed is that they are very inconsistent between washes. You can try on different washes of the same size in the same style (in the same shop, same day!) and one will be miles bigger than the other. And the fabric varies a lot, too.

I know you're not going for the Rockets, but I thought I'd point out that those are high-rise, and I think you're looking for mid-rise. (At least, they're very high-rise on me! And they are marked as high-rise).

I've had better luck lately with R&B. They have a pair of "high-rise" jeans called Phoenicia, but really they are mid-rise. I found them comfy and flattering, and a good weight -- although they do have a bit of stretch. (I didn't buy them because I was looking for a lighter wash). They are a similar colour to your Racers.

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Colette

Veteran

During the winter I picked up a pair of black Paige Verdugo skinny jeans that I really like. They are more of a mid rise with stretch in the fabric, but they keep their shape nicely. I was extremely skeptical of the fabric content but I decided to give them a try and I really like them. I plan on adding a pair in blue denim.

'Transcend - Verdugo' Ankle Skinny Jeans (Nottingham)

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all. I think this is going to involve a bricks-and-mortar shopping trip to try things on because I won't be able to find them simply by online ordering. Alas.

Colette, I have never tried Paige jeans but I know they are popular with some forum members. Thank you.

Elisabeth, you're exactly right and this is what scares me -- every wash even of the same style seems different! I like my Rag and Bone Dres so I am willing to check out more of the brand.

Skylurker, it is so strange -- those prices came up for me in Euros when I went to the site! Hmm. Well, I can check the store possibles. I do live in a small centre but I can make a trip to Montreal or Toronto; it's just that I can't do it right away. Of course I'm not in immediate pressing need of these jeans, either, ha! It just feels like that.

Lisa, I will look at J. Brand again .The ones I tried some years ago were not cut right for me, but I know that styles differ so much!

CJ, I find the rise really comfy on the Racers and I am not a low rise girl as a rule. It is much higher in back and in front does not cut into me, but yes, I did size up. I am shorter and wider than you from the sounds of things (about 5'4" and weigh anywhere between 115-120 or so). I have short legs, so the opposite of you. Am fairly slim hipped, but muscular thighs. I usually wear a 26 jean but sized up to the 27 for the Racers and that was the right call for my thighs.

Angie, I've been meaning to check out AG jeans as well. I've just never tried any on. I guess it is time to go on that shopping mission!

Sal

Veteran

I wish we could go jeans shopping together. I think my local retailers will have good jeans (at a huge price) but I am putting off going because I really want two pairs and it will cost about $500 - ouch ouch!

I do buy online but not for jeans - and I know what you mean about fabrication. Such a variation between the same style in different colours.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BLAST. Suz, don't we wish you duplicated those Racers! - (just read your comment on Sterling's thread). *SIGH*

I love AG, and think they're about the best for basic jeans (they have the AG Stilts in blue denim). For fashion, I tend to prefer Current Elliott or J. Brand.

Anonymous

I just saw a pair of CoH Rockets on eBay, new with tags, sz 27 for $86.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Citize.....item236702

Auction expires in about 30 minutes.

Anonymous

What about emailing or calling COH to ask whether the fabric you want is used in other styles. A bit of a long shot but maybe worth it?
I am super gun-shy about online purchases about anything that's not a near -definite "keep". I can understand wanting to stick with the same brand to save time and hassle.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That sounds like a great idea, Smittie. I can talk with someone before going into a store and searching.

Style Fan

Veteran

Suz I had the CofH Elsons for 8 years. They were great. I would say they were mid rise. 98%cotton and 2%stretch. Straight leg. Perfect. They finally ripped in a not fashionally place. (unlike my Paige jeans which fell apart after 6 months. Boo.)
I didn't realize there was a Citizen store in Toronto. I bought mine in Burlington at a store that carries premium denim. Joelle's on Brant Street. I usually go to Rainbow in Yorkville or Body Blue on The Danforth when I am in Toronto for premium denim.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, StyleFan. Yes, there's a Citizens store I believe right on Hazelton Ave now! But I don't know how wide or deep their stock is. I will have to check it out. I will check it out when I go to the city next time.

Keix

Veteran

I like AG jeans too; all of my mine have been stretchy-denim fabrication, though. But I only ever shop the Stevie cut from Anthropologie so maybe their regular line has more variety (my local Nordstrom doesn't carry AG for some reason).

I do have a pair of Mother Looker Skinny jeans in a light denim wash that are the type of fabric you describe--just a little bit of give, but structured and not very stretchy. And it's a mid-rise; but the legs are definitely super-skinny on my larger-than-average thighs and average calves. Maybe check out Mother anyway in other styles.