Still looking for the perfect pair of jeans? I tried 5 popular jeans so you don’t have to. My relationship with jeans has been a complicated one, to say the least. And if you’re a human who is also in need of some denim, then it’s extremely possible that we’re in the same boat. I have a smaller waist, larger hips, long legs, but I’m short. So as you can see, purchasing jeans is a struggle for me. They either fit my hips, but not my waist, or fit my thighs but are too tight around my butt. Basically, there’s just always something wrong, and I know I’m not the only one with this issue.
Therefore, I volunteered myself as tribute to fix this issue and ordered jeans from the most talked-about stores. TikTok has been a hotspot for recommendations lately, and I love it. My credit card though…not so much. There’s just something about hearing people on TikTok talk so passionately about products they love that makes me click “add to cart” instantaneously. If someone on TikTok shares their obsession with a steering wheel cover, I’d have the urge to buy it, and I absolutely hate driving, so that says something.
After two months of following TikTok recommendations for jeans on my FYP (AKA, “for you page” for my non-TikTokers), I have ordered jeans from five different online stores. And after years of searching for the perfect jeans, I’ve finally found them in these two months. So read on to find out the pair that worked best for me, and my reviews on each pair (including the TikToks that convinced me to buy them)!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you! I only recommend products that I absolutely love, and all of my opinions here are honest. For more information, please read the full disclosure here.
Size Reference: Height: 5’1″ Inseam: 27″ Waist: 24″
H&M: Straight High Ankle Jeans
Once I saw this TikTok I knew that I needed these jeans. They looked so cute on the girl, and they were $35 which really sold me. So I ran to H&M’s website, found a student discount, and ordered them in my normal size. Lauren – the girl who filmed the TikTok – recommended going a size down. However, I ended up needing a size up. The size 0 was way too tight in my hips and thighs, but large in my waist. Therefore, if you have a smaller waist to wider hips ratio, I do not recommend these, I ended returning them. If you have an athletic body type, then I could not recommend these more because the quality of the denim and the style of the pants for $35 are incredible. FYI there is no stretch to these, they fit like a true pair of denim.
Zara: Slim Fit Hi-Rise
I don’t know about you, but I’m on the Fashion side of TikTok, so I’m constantly seeing trendy Zara hauls. I have probably seen hundreds of TikToks about Zara’s jeans at this point that it would be a crime not to try them. Based on all the videos I’ve watched though, I’ve quickly learned that Zara is not made for short girls. Therefore, I purchased a pair of the ankle/crop length, which ended up working perfectly because they fit full length on me!
The TikTok I attached above may not have been convincing because of Siena’s (the girl in the TikTok) opinion on them compared to Levi’s. And I can’t speak on the behalf of Levi’s because they are out of my price range to even try, but these Zara jeans were amazing. For 40 bucks, the fit and quality of these make them look like Levi’s. However, since they’re true denim, there’s no stretch, which is a downfall in my book. But I’ve been told that it’s normal because they need to be worn in. Overall, I highly recommend these if you like the look of Levi’s and want real denim – I did not return these, they lived up to the hype!
// Related Post: Where To Buy Cute, Modest-Friendly Bikinis For The Summer
Old Navy: Extra High-Waisted Sky Hi Straight Button-Fly Jeans
These were very similar to the H&M jeans; great quality for a low price but did not fit. The way these jeans looked in the TikTok had me purchasing a pick-up in-store order in seconds. They were even on sale! I purchased a size 0, my normal size, and they ended up fitting like a size 4. And unfortunately, I couldn’t size down because 0 was the smallest size offered, meaning I returned them. But if you’re a size 4 and up, I highly recommend these. The style was super cute, and they are always on sale!
Abercrombie & Fitch: Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight Jeans
Abercrombie & Fitch is my favorite place to shop lately. They are anything but their original 2009 logo tees and shirtless models. They have become inclusive and incredibly fashionable. But I haven’t thought about purchasing their jeans because they’re pricey, specifically $80 and up. And I know, I know — good jeans are an investment. But I’m in college man, $80 will pay for half a textbook. However, I had no idea how often their jeans go on sale until I saw all of these TikToks.
Therefore, I waited until a pair I liked went on sale. The Ultra High-Rise Straight Jeans are praised the most; I got them in a size 24 short length. Let me tell you, these are the best jeans I have ever owned. They not only fit me perfectly (true to size) but they were less than $50! And they have stretch! They fit my waist perfectly, without being too tight around my hips or my thighs, and the length is perfect. The size chart was super accurate for me, and they ended up looking exactly how they looked on the model on the website. I have purchased two more pairs since, and live in them all. Best pair of jeans I have ever purchased, everyone needs a pair.
American Eagle: Stretch Mom Jeans
I started purchasing jeans from American Eagle in high school and never shopped anywhere else. Their jeans are affordable, inclusive, and always cute. The only con in my opinion is the lack of styles (for example, they don’t offer straight or wide-leg jeans) and they’ve always been baggy around my waist.
I didn’t purchase the same color as the girl in the TikTok, but I bought the same style. I ended up really liking these jeans, however, they didn’t fit as well as I was hoping. They felt a little baggy in my hips and waist, which was a little disappointing, but I wouldn’t size down. However, I ended up keeping them because they were just so darn comfortable and affordable (they offer a 20% student discount). They’re comfortable enough for me to sleep in them, and that’s not even an exaggeration. If you’re looking for comfortable, stylish, and affordable jeans, these are for you!
Living life, and writing about it as I go.
Leave a Reply