“What’s the difference between boyfriend jeans and dad jeans?” I wondered to myself, as I browsed Abercrombie & Fitch’s latest denim offerings.

An obsession with the quality of the lawn?

A growing fixation on getting the lowest interest rate?

Bad jokes?

Abercrombie High-Rise Dad Jeans Review: The Fit & 3 Washes Compared

Truly I don’t know, but after being a longtime fan of Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise Mom Jeans, I was willing to give the Dad Jeans a try to see if “father knows best.” Little did I know this would lead to my new favorite jeans, and FINALLY finding a pair of full-length denim I can get behind.

Dad Jeans in Light Ripped Wash | Turtleneck | Mules

Dad Jeans in Medium Wash | Dad Jeans in Light Ripped Wash

How Abercrombie High-Rise Dad Jeans Fit

Abercrombie & Fitch High-Rise Dad Jeans are 99% cotton, 1% elastane. Translation? Account for some breaking in when you’re determining your size. After much trial and error, I’ve found that I typically need to try 2-3 different sizes to determine what’s going to work. And, not only should I try them on once, I should try them on a few different days, wear them for a couple of hours, sit down, stand up, move in them a bit to see how they’re going to wear. Sometimes the eventual size I land on by just doing that surprises me, as it did here.

Abercrombie’s High-Rise Dad Jeans have an inseam of 30 inches, longer than most jeans (hallelujah, my fellow tall gals/long-legged ppl!), and purports a relaxed fit through the legs. What I love about Abercrombie denim is that they offer extra short, short, regular and long inseams. Unlike the Curve Love style, these Dad Jeans do not have extra inches in the hips and thighs, but if you prefer that, there is a pair of jeans for you.

For some reason, the A&F website refuses to include the rise of their jeans, but I’m here to tell you, along with my trusty measuring tape, that the rise is roughly 11 inches. Considering my extensive research for a favorite pair of Levi’s, I know that 10.5-11 inches is typically my sweet spot for rise on jeans (for reference I’m 5’7, short-waisted, long legged).

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Abercrombie Dad Jeans in Ripped Wash: Size 29

I’m usually a size 30/10 in jeans and figured with the lack of “curve” plus the high rise that these dad jeans would be true to size. I was swimming in a size 30. The 29s definitely fit better, and if I want a baggier fit, one size up is it. They aren’t tight, but they still give good bum.

Dad Jeans in Light Ripped Wash | Turtleneck | Mules

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Abercrombie Dad Jeans in Medium Wash: Size 29

Here’s a non-ripped wash in a 29, because I know some of y’all are not into the rips. I typically don’t gravitate towards non-ripped jeans, but I’m feeling these. The wash is perfection, and again an actual full-length jean!

Dad Jeans in Medium Wash | Turtleneck | Mules

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Abercrombie Dad Jeans in Ripped Wash: Size 28

Not gonna lie, I still having trouble wrapping my head around how a size 28/6 in jeans fits me. It just goes to show you the absolute inconsistency in clothing size. I ordered the 28s on a whim, after needing J.Crew’s Slouchy Boyfriend jeans in the same size.

I was shocked at how comfortable these were (OK, I was actually shocked that I could button them at all). Yes, a little tighter around the waist and bum than the 29s, but I love how they look. I also think once I break them in, any tightness I feel around the waist will disappear.

Dad Jeans in Light Ripped Wash | Turtleneck | Mules

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Size Comparison: Abercrombie Dad Jeans in Ripped Wash

Dad Jeans in Light Ripped Wash

What size am I keeping the Abercrombie & Fitch Dad Jeans in? Both! Our bodies are not stagnant. There are times where my body wants a little more room in my jeans, and others when I want something more fitted. So, for those days where baggier is my style, the 29s are ideal. Other days where a tighter fit is required, the 28s are just right.

For under $100 a pair, I can feel good about keeping two pairs of dad jeans. (Even if my actual bonus dad would totally roll his eyes over buying purposely ripped jeans — as dads are want to do). What can I say? My 2022 speed is clearly father-influenced denim.

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x, Meredith