I Tested Out 7 Madewell Pieces That Are Truly So Chic

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695850707925-main

(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. 

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695893517083-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695893534029-main

(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:

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695841476238-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

Hallowell Turtleneck Sweater Tank + Harlow Wide-Leg Pants

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695841582463-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

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:

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695841836499-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

The Signature Trench Coat

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695841908768-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

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:

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695893547798-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

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

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695893560202-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

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:

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695842500417-main

(Image credit: @thechichio)

Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafers

jcrew-madewell-fall-clothing-reviews-2023-309517-1695842582758-main

(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

Explore More:
Associate Shopping Editor
Chinazor "Chichi" Offor is a Georgia-born, Los Angeles–based associate editor and model who has recently relocated from Brooklyn, New York, and joined Who What Wear's West Coast offices. For WWW, she utilizes her love of personal style to dish out shopping advice to the masses.After graduating from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism, Chichi moved to Brooklyn and began hustling to make it in the NYC media world. Before landing at WWW, she spent some time at Vice Media Group, where she helped revolutionize Refinery29's plus-size and inclusive fashion coverage and even co-hosted a summer styling series. Prior to R29, she supported Bustle Digital Group's commerce team and freelanced for various publications.Chichi is a multi-passionate, pop culture–obsessed television and music lover who enjoys a good concert and a yummy meal just as much as she loves analyzing cultural trends and throwing together a solid outfit. After work, you can probably find her bopping around the best L.A. restaurants talking about her latest ADHD-fueled hyper-fixation (e.g., Jesse McCartney's underrated career, TikTok black hole discoveries, and theories on the emo-rock music revival).