I Tested Out 7 Madewell Pieces That Are Truly So Chic

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(Image credit: @thechichio)

Welcome to The Great Try-On. We're gearing up for fall, and that includes freshening up our wardrobes with some new pieces. We got to try on some of the best fall pieces from some of your favorite brands and documented it all from our own personal "dressing rooms" so that you can see how they actually look IRL. We hope that our photos and candid reviews will help you shop for fall wardrobe builders and trend-forward pieces that you'll wear over and over this season and beyond.

I don't know about you, but I've loved everything going on at Madewell lately, especially this most recent fall collection. As a fashion enthusiast, I'm always eager to see what my favorite brands have coming down the pipeline. So you can imagine the excitement I felt when I got the opportunity to test out pieces from Madewell's recent fall collection for The Great Try-On. I tried out an array of goods, including the perfect wide-leg jeans, a versatile cardigan, pretty loafers, and so much more. Keep scrolling to read my thoughts on seven top-tier pieces and shop all of my Madewell fall faves. 

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(Image credit: @thechichio)

The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

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(Image credit: @thechichio)

My Review: I've always been a big fan of Madewell's denim, so I jumped at the opportunity to try on the Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean. The front pockets are so cute, and I'm a big fan of the wash and wide-leg cut. Madewell denim runs a little small for me, so I had to size up. Once I did, they were pretty comfortable while still feeling high-quality.

Shop the Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean:

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Hallowell Turtleneck Sweater Tank + Harlow Wide-Leg Pants

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My Review: I live in Los Angeles, so I'm always on the hunt for versatile knits. I love that the Hallowell Turtleneck Sweater Tank can be worn alone or with a wide variety of outerwear pieces. It's incredibly soft and has a lovely touch and feel. This must have something to do with the sweater's wool/cotton/nylon blend. 

I've heard rave reviews from friends and colleagues about Madewell's popular Harlow pants, and they really lived up to the hype. The material is light yet sturdy and looks super sleek paired with a variety of tops. They're super comfortable and easy to move in. I sized up on these, but I could have sized down (the waist was a little loose) because these are pretty true to size. 

Shop the Hallowell Turtleneck Sweater Tank:

Shop the Harlow Wide-Leg Pants:

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The Signature Trench Coat

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My Review: Madewell does classic pieces really well, and the quality of its Signature Trench Coat proves that. The fabric has a nice weight to it, and it's perfect for layering a sweater underneath if needed. I'm tall (5'9"), and I still feel that the coat was the perfect length. Sometimes, longer outerwear ends up being a little short on me, so I'm glad that wasn't the case here. The coat is honestly comparable to high-end designer trench coats I've seen on the market. With an under-$250 price tag, that's really hard to beat.

Shop the Signature Trench Coat:

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Open-Stitch Crop Cardigan Sweater + Softfade Cotton Boxy-Crop Tee

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My Review: A great cardigan goes a really long way. This open-stitch cardi from Madewell is the perfect light, buildable layer to go with your favorite fall looks. It also looks so chic worn over your shoulders or tied across your chest. I have a shorter torso, so I prefer the fit of a cropped cardigan. I'm also in love with the Heather Brown Sugar colorway because it's incredibly versatile. The style is pretty true to size. If you're looking for a baggier fit, you can size up. 

Anyone who knows me well knows how much I live for a striped tee. Madewell is my favorite place to get an easy tee, so it's no surprise I loved this Softfade Boxy-Crop Tee. It's such an easy piece to style, and it doesn't hurt that it's unbelievably comfy. I want a couple more immediately!

Shop the Open-Stitch Crop Cardigan Sweater:

Shop the Softfade Cotton Boxy-Crop Tee:

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Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafers

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(Image credit: @thechichio)

My Review: While I'm familiar with Madewell's denim and basics, I've never tried its shoes before. The brand collaborated with legendary loafer creators G.H. Bass, and the green pair really caught my eye. My feet are slightly wider, so I was worried about how the shoes would fit. There was a little resistance when I tried putting them on for the first time. However, once on, they felt pretty comfortable relatively quickly. It also doesn't hurt that they're this very pretty, fun shade of green. 

Shop the Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafers:

Shop More Madewell Fall Styles

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Chichi Offor
Associate Shopping Editor

Chinazor "Chichi" Offor is a Georgia-born, Los Angeles–based associate editor who relocated from Brooklyn, New York, and joined Who What Wear's West Coast office in 2022. At WWW, she utilizes over 10 years of editorial experience to dish out shopping advice to the masses and analyze key pop-cultural moments. Chichi previously worked at Refinery29, where she helped revolutionize the brand’s plus-size and inclusive fashion coverage. In her spare time, she’s keeping up with the latest movie releases, enjoying a relaxing day at the spa, or obsessing over her latest ADHD-fueled hyperfixation (e.g., Jesse McCartney's underrated career, the negative effects of bicoastal intellectual elitism, and Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic). You can find her online @thechichio on Instagram.