I Didn't Know Madewell's Denim Was *This* Good Till I Found These 5 Pairs

Model wearing Madewell jeans.

(Image credit: @madewell)

Calling all Madewell stans. If you're a fan of the brand's classic, well-made pieces, then you're probably well aware of which perennial staples are the most popular. There are so many things the retailer gets right, from its wardrobe staples to its everyday shoes and classic bags. Above all, its denim selection is top-tier.

I've been impressed with a lot of Madewell's selections recently (its belts and handbags are top contenders on my wish list), but after a quick visit in-store, I came to realize how impressive its denim silhouettes are. After perusing and trying them on, I went home with two pairs, but I've also shared some other top contenders consider as well. Think of these as the jeans that you'll invest in now and that will become the backbones of your wardrobe for years to come. Yep, they're just that good. Continue on to read about and, of course, shop each of the styles I recommend. Plus, see which other best-selling Madewell items you could also add to your cart.

See My Favorite Pairs

The Perfect Vintage Jeans

Yusra Siddiqui wearing button down, blue jeans, and sneakers in Madewell dressing room

(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

These jeans are the answer to all your vintage denim prayers, complete with a high-rise '90s-esque fit and a broken-in feel, minus the hunting through flea markets and thrift stores. The Fernrock Wash is perfect with slouchy sweatshirts and slides for weekend adventures, and the Tile Whitewash can be waltzed right into the office with a button-down and some loafers. With a variety of fits, lengths, washes, and levels of stretch, there is a pair of Perfect Vintage Jeans for everyone.

My Review: When the sales associate at Madewell told me these were her favorite jeans, I assumed she was talking to get me to purchase them. But as soon as I slipped them on, I realized she was telling the truth. Vintage was a correct name for them, as they had a soft and "worn-in" touch like you would find while buying vintage denim.

Customer Review: "These are one of my favorite Madewell jeans. They are fitted in the waist and hips, but the straight leg makes them much more modern than a skinny pair. Super flattering and love the medium-wash blue!"

The '90s Straight Crop Jeans

Yusra Siddiqui wearing white jeans, blue button-down, and leopard sneakers in Madewell dressing room

(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

The '90s Straight Jeans offer the same vintage-inspired look of the Vintage Jeans but are cropped and meant to hit right above the ankle. If you haven't been able to find the perfect cropped jeans for you, don't fret because Madewell offers this style in Petite, Plus, Standard, and Tall lengths.

Customer Review: "Let me start by saying it's near impossible for me to find jeans that fit great. These are so close to being perfect for my body. I'm usually a standard 32 in most jeans, and that's what I ordered. There is no stretch (noted by the rigid denim description), and they mean it! They're a little tight when you first put them on, but they do stretch out as you wear them. They hit right above my ankles, which is perfect for me. These are lightweight and so, so comfortable now that they've stretched out a bit. I'll be wearing these a lot. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice light summer denim."

See Other Top Contenders

Low-Slung Straight Jeans

Low-waist styles aren't for everyone, but this has to be the most flattering pair I've seen. It sits right at the hips but has slouchy and relaxed legs.

Customer Review: "I've never received so many compliments or been asked where I've gotten something as many times as I have wearing these jeans. I sized up from my regular size so they would sit low on my hips, and they are absolutely perfect. I would wear them every day if I could—definitely buy these!"

The Harlow Wide-Leg Jeans

Madewell's Harlow Wide-Leg Pants were a best seller, so the brand took the initiative to create a fresh spin with a denim version. Imagine your favorite jeans but soft enough to drape on your body in a relaxed manner. It's the perfect balance between formal trousers and casual denim.

Customer Review: "These jeans are the best! You can dress them up with a nice blouse and heels or down with your favorite T-shirt and sneakers. They are soft to the touch and comfy. I highly recommend."

The Emmett Wide-Leg Jeans

With the cropped length, wide-leg silhouette, and patch pockets, these are exactly the kinds of elevated jeans I'd reserve for occasions where I want to feel more polished, especially the cream pair!

Customer Review: "Very nice material, and they fit perfectly. I was concerned about the color until they arrived. The color is perfect more like cream or off-white. They also look great on."

Pair Your Jeans With These Madewell Best Sellers

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Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.