The 5 Best Madewell Jeans, According to Editors Who Wear Them Daily

Best Wide Leg

Madewell Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jeans

Best for Petite Frames

Madewell Kick Out Crop Jeans

Best for Tall Frames

Madewell Perfect Vintage Jeans

Trendiest Silhouette

Madewell Darted Barrel-Leg Jeans

$148 at Madewell

How I Chose the Best Madewell Jeans

All of the Madewell jeans on this list come directly recommended by the PureWow editorial team. I chose only those pairs our team has worn for at least a few months (or in some cases, a few years) to ensure these picks will continue to hold up well over time. I then combed through reviews on the Madewell website, as well as reviews posted to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to ensure we’re not the only ones crazy about these jeans.

Best Overall

1. Madewell ‘90s Straight Jeans

What We Like

lots of wash options
timeless design
universally flattering

What We Don’t Like

fit varies by wash
not all washes available in petite, tall or plus

Madewell

Both I and Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak are fully obsessed with Madewell’s ‘90s Straight Jeans as an ideal pair of everyday pants that can truly do it all. Dress them up, dress them down, they can be made to work for just about any occasion and have such a classic fit, I feel confident they won’t be going out of style any time soon (or ever, really). They also come in a huge range of washes, so you can opt for a lighter blue for weekends or warm weather, or the trendy indigo wash shown above for the office or date night. Dubyak adds, “I wear these when I want to throw on heels and a nice top. The ‘90s silhouette has a bit more structure than my other go-to, the Perfect Vintage WideLegs, but they’re made of the brand’s comfort stretch material and I could literally sleep in them. Plus, they make my legs and booty look nice and lifted.” As for fit, most reviewers say these jeans fit true to size, but there are some variations across different washes. Be sure to double check the fabrication for the wash you’re eyeing, and know that darker washes tend to have less stretch than lighter ones, so you can feel confident you’re adding your best size to your shopping cart.

FAST FACTS

Size Range: US 23 to 34 and 14W to 28W
Inseam Lengths: 28, 30.5 or 33.5 inches, and 30 for plus sizes
Fabrication: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane (varies by wash)

Best Wide Leg

2. Madewell Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jeans

What We Like

high rise
timeless design

What We Don’t Like

few wash options
reportedly run a little big

Madewell

Dubyak’s second favorite Madewell jean? The Perfect Vintage Wide Legs, which feature a comfortable, loose leg and flattering high rise. “These feel like a go-to pair of cozy jeans you throw on with your favorite T-shirt or dress up with heels,” she notes. “They can be dressed up or down and they fit my curves like a glove. I love the finished hem, and that I was able to get them in the tall length for my long legs.” Indeed, they come in three different inseam lengths, all of which are on the longer side, making these jeans easy to wear with heels or chunky-sole shoes. The shape of the leg also isn’t so wide as to read ‘70s bellbottom. It’s sort of halfway between a straight leg and a super-wide boho fit. As for the sizing, reviewers generally note these jeans run big, so you may want to consider going down one from your usual size for a better overall fit.

FAST FACTS

Size Range: US 23 to 33 and 14W to 24W
Inseam Lengths: 27.5, 30 or 33 inches, and 29.5 for plus sizes
Fabrication: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane

Best for Petite Frames

3. Madewell Kick Out Crop Jeans

What We Like

lots of wash options
high rise

What We Don’t Like

fit varies by wash

Madewell

I’m joined by Senior Editor Dana Dickey and Editor in Chief Jillian Quint as a huge fan of this cropped silhouette from Madewell, specifically for petite frames. “I'm 5’4” with short legs, and the petite size is actually cropped on me, yay!” raves Dickey. “The medium rise sleekly hugs my rear and tummy. They come in so many washes and the little front patch pockets are charmingly retro. Finally, the 2 percent elastane makes for a stretchy fit that doesn't get too stretched out.” Quint adds, “These are the only jeans that actually look cropped on my 5’1” frame, and the small amount stretch means they hug my butt in the right places (but with enough heft to avoid panty lines).” I concur, these jeans, which come in four inseam lengths so folks of all heights can get in on the fun, make my butt look amazing. They have a well-defined V-shaped yoke, and the kick at the hem help me to fake more of an hourglass figure.

FAST FACTS

Size Range: US 23 to 33 and 14W to 28W
Inseam Lengths: 25.5, 27.5, 30.5 or 33.5 inches, and 26.5 inches for plus sizes
Fabrication: 97 percent Regenagri certified cotton, 3 percent recycled elastane (varies by wash)

Best for Tall Frames

4. Madewell Perfect Vintage Jeans

What We Like

timeless design
reportedly fit true to size
high rise

What We Don’t Like

sell out often
fewer washes available in plus sizes

Madewell

Almost all of Madewell’s denim comes in both petite and tall lengths, in addition to standard, but this classic straight-leg silhouette also comes in what the brand called “taller” fit for even more length. With an extra six inches added to the standard length, the taller silhouette is a dream for those who feel they can never find denim long enough to cover their ankles. For tall women looking for a pair of classic jeans they can wear for years to come, without going out of style or stretching out, the Perfect Vintage jeans are an absolute must-have. The leg has a similar cut to the ‘90s Straight above, but ultimately fits closer to the body, making them a phenomenal option for anyone trying to kick their skinny jean habit without going fully baggy. As for sizing, reviewers say the Perfect Vintage Jeans fit true to size.

FAST FACTS

Size Range: US 23 to 33 and 14W to 28W
Inseam Lengths: 26.5, 29, 32 or 35 inches, and 28.5 for plus sizes
Fabrication: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane