Winter is coming, and it’s all jeans almost all the time for me. But which pair to wear? Once again, I’m on a journey to update my denim wardrobe and incorporate styles I don’t usually wear. Last month, I went in search of flare jeans that would make me look like a long-legged ‘70s babe, but this month, I’m chasing the influence of the younger crowd and trying on wide-leg and baggy styles.
My skepticism is once again running high. Bigger-volume clothing on curves is often not better. But, lo and behold, I may have a new favorite style — wide-leg jeans may overtake my skinnies and lay claim to Most Favored Jean status!
Diary Of A Curvy Woman: Finding The Best Wide-Leg Jeans (A Try-On)
For the purposes of fashion research, I’m trying on 13 pairs of wide-leg and baggy jeans, which I’ve photographed and written up for you below. These styles run the gamut from a wide-but-flattering, trouser-like style to the truly baggy styles that make me want to cozy up in a soft hoodie and call it a day.
I’m so pleasantly surprised by how much I love these comfortable cuts, and I hope my notes on sizing and material will help you find a new style you love too.
The Winners
These are the baggy and wide-leg jeans I love the most. I want denim that’s going to really work with my curves, and these pairs do just that.
1. Madewell Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jeans
Madewell’s done it again! It won my flare-jeans challenge, and it now wins my wide-leg challenge. Again, these Curvy Perfect wide-leg jeans are a curve cut, so it’s specifically made for people who have smaller waists and bigger hips.
Both the size 31 and 32 fit me, but I’m keeping the size 32 because I really want the front to lay very flat because I like that look aesthetically.
similar shirt | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
My favorite aspect of this pair is the cropped raw hem. The crop really works for me because it allows me to showcase my favorite winter boots and shoes, plus it’s just practical; we’ve already had snow in Colorado, and a very long hem in the wintertime is impractical because it just gets wet and muddy.
Even my little dog, Lion, thinks these jeans are pretty nice.
2. Good American Good Skate Jeans
These baggy jeans from Good American are so fun. I really feel like a teenager trying these on, and the size 14 fits me perfectly. The waist is nice and snug even though the legs are super-baggy, which is a real win considering this kind of fit is hard to find in other styles I’m trying on.
I think these Good American skate jeans are perfect to pair with all the trendy cropped shirt styles out there, like the SKIMS cropped tee that Kat tried on for us. You’ll definitely want chunky sneakers or loafers to wear with these jeans because they have a 34-inch inseam, so you need a little height to keep this style from dragging on the floor too much.
similar hoodie | jeans | sneakers
The Runners-Up
These jeans are so close to being my favorites. Solid options!
3. Levi’s XL Flood Jeans
Man, I can’t get enough black denim. These Levi’s Flood Jeans are the only combination of flare and baggy jeans (hence, “flood” jeans) I tried on for this roundup that I like. The waist fits without a gap, and the length hits just right as long as I’m wearing a shoe with a chunky sole (these jeans have a 32-inch inseam for reference).
With traditional seamed hems and no special detailing, these jeans are a blank canvas ripe for styling. Levi’s for the win again.
tee | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
4. Wrangler Barrel Jeans
OK, so these barrel jeans from Wrangler don’t quite fit, as you can see below from the creasing around the thighs. However, I think this is a unique style, so I’m including it as a runner-up — with the advice that this style runs small, so size up. The pair I’m wearing is a size 32, which is my normal size, and it’s too tight in the tummy and thighs.
What I love about these barrel jeans are the very ‘80s vibes I get from the light stone wash. Plus, I think the raw hems are cool, and the inseam is just right. Another aspect of this style that I like is that it’s very high-waisted. A downside is that these jeans definitely made the booty look a little bit flatter. I’m not sure I want to downplay my “assets,” although I think it’s meant to fit this way and look like a retro/mom-jeans fit.
similar bodysuit | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
The Honorable Mentions
The wide-leg jeans are the ones I like but don’t love as much as the winners. Still good, though.
5. Madewell Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jeans
More black jeans! And more Madewell. I’ve been wearing this pair of wide-leg jeans quite a bit lately. While both the size 31 and size 32 fit, the waist on the size 32 is just a bit more comfortable, and the drape on the front of the pants lays more flat like trousers, so that’s the size I’m sticking with.
These are not quite cropped and not quite a full length with a 30-inch inseam. The length does make these more practical for winter wear, and the style is very comfortable. As always, the denim from Madewell is good quality and doesn’t wear out quickly in comparison to other denim brands.
similar shirt | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
6. Wild Fable Super-High-Rise Distressed Baggy Jeans
A budget-friendly find! While I didn’t love Wild Fable’s super-high-rise jeans on me, primarily because I didn’t love the distressing, I do think these are worth a try if you’re looking for a way to incorporate a baggy style into your wardrobe — but without the big-ticket price commitment.
These are definitely baggy rather than wide-leg and fit more like the Good Skate jeans above. I tried on a size 14, and the style ran true to size.
7. AGOLDE Low-Slung Baggy Jeans
The length of the inseam, the wash of the denim, and the overall cut of the style are so cute, but again — as with so many designer jeans — these AGOLDE Low-Slung Baggy Jeans are just not cut for curves. There’s a big ole gap in the back of the waist. If you’re more of an apple than a pear, I would recommend trying these because they’re cute if you can find a pair that fits. I hope to see a curve line from a high-end denim brand in the future.
8. Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love High-Rise ‘90s Relaxed Jeans
I tried these Abercrombie Curve Love ’90s jeans in a size 32, and although they are indeed true to size, the waist doesn’t fit terribly well. I generally love the A&F Curve Love line, but one of the pros and cons of the line is that they do have non-stretch denim options (often hard to find in a curve line — a lot of curve designs rely on stretchy fabric to create the best fit). This one just doesn’t work for me, and so back it goes.
9. Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Low Rise ‘90s Baggy Jeans
I tried. I really tried. Low-rise jeans are still just not for me. However, in case you’re intrigued by the recurrence of low-rise jeans as a trendy fashion item, Abercrombie’s baggy jeans do run true to size.
Moreover, this style is offered in multiple washes and does have a curve-friendly design. I just couldn’t get behind where the waist was on me.
The Dishonorable Mentions
No. Just no. Return immediately.
10. Wrangler The Bonnie Low-Slung Loose Flare Jeans
Where to begin with Wrangler’s flare jeans… First, the inseam is too long for my height. Second, the style runs too tight in the waist and hips. Third, even if the overall fit had been better, I can tell there would’ve been a waist gap. Once again, this style is just not cut for curves.
Beyond that, the combination of flood style wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing to my eye as the Levi’s XL Flood Jeans above, so these made the “dishonorable mentions” list. Maybe someone else can pull these off, but I doubt they have my body type.
similar bodysuit | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
11. We The Free Tinsley Baggy High-Rise Jeans
Man, We The Free’s baggy high-rise jeans didn’t even come close to fitting. Every single pair of jeans I’ve ordered from Free People run small, and this style is no exception. It runs very small in the hips, waist and tummy.
The black-wash option is nice, but the fit of Madewell’s black jeans above is much better on me. The cargo detailing on the pockets and side of the leg is cute, but not cute enough for me to want to size up and see if I could find a fit. This style was just not for me.
similar bodysuit | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
12. AGOLDE Dax Upsized Jeans
A soul-crushing dishonorable mention. I was really excited to try on these ADOLGE upsized jeans. The paper-bag waist looks so cute in the photos — not so much IRL.
The detail at the waist makes it to where that the waist doesn’t fit at all, and there’s a huge gap in the back. The rest of jeans technically fits throughout, and even the length’s good on me (I’m 5’5”), but I just don’t fit this flattering. Somehow the jeans look sloppy rather than chic, which is always what I’m worried about with baggy styles. Sadly, this style is going back.
AGOLDE, I’m waiting for you to up your curvy-jeans game. You have at least one consumer waiting to buy your products.
13. Universal Threads High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Unfortunately, Universal Thread’s high-rise wide-leg jeans just fit funky — and not in a good funky way. Plus, I don’t love the feel of the denim. The quality matches the price here, and while it meets expectations, the jeans just don’t exceed them.
These are in the return category for me. There are better budget wide-leg jeans out there, like the Wild Fable baggy jeans listed above.
similar bodysuit | jeans | loafers (also at Free People)
OK, friends! That concludes my pretty epic roundup of wide-leg and baggy jeans for a curvy, midsize frame. There are so many more winners than I was expecting when I started trying on styles. Special thanks to the reader who requested this try-on and review — you pushed me to try something new, and I loved it! Leave questions, comments and further requests below. Until next time, happy denim season.
XO,
Anne
Hey, Pinners…
Thank you SO MUCH for this post! I have been yearning for a pair of wide-legged jeans but had about given up, given that I just assumed they would look awful on my plus-size body.
My next conundrum is that I don’t wear heels because of back issues, and it seems like to truly pull off wide-leg jeans you need some sort of lug sole or heel. Any thoughts there? How to wear flats and pull off wide-leg jeans?
THANK YOU! I am so thankful for this post, it’s every pair of wide leg jeans I have wanted to see in someone my size and height! Yay!
Thanks for reading, Ashley!
I would recommend the cropped Madewell jeans, Emily! The inseam on those will allow you to wear flats to your heart’s content. And, if it doesn’t hurt your back, you could try cool sneakers that have just a bit of a platform on them.