I Tried On Plus-Size Jeans From 9 Popular Denim Brands

Finding jeans that not only fit but flatter our unique shapes is a challenging pursuit. Denim in all forms, be it skirts, jumpsuits, or shorts, can be a literal pain to wear when not made properly. Throw being plus into the shopping mix and the number of quality denim options dwindles even further. On top of that, retailers like Old Navy that stock sizes for plus-size people to actually try on in-store are few and far between. But that doesn't mean there isn't a perfect pair of jeans out there for you, whether you're searching for the perfect wide-leg pant or skinny fit, light-wash or dark.

To help provide some first-person perspective, I've detailed my trying on of nine pairs of plus-size jeans from popular denim brands — including details on the fits, feels, styling possibilities (pictures included!), and overall comfort levels with a focus on mobility. As a tall (5’9”) woman with larger hips, I know finding jeans that fit properly without feeling too snug in the thigh area can be an issue, as can mobility and gaping in the hip area. But I've found some truly cute and comfortable options in a variety of styles and fits. Scroll to follow along my journey and hopefully find yourself one step closer to the plus-size denim of your dreams.

**All featured jeans, except for the American Eagle pair, were gifted for review!**

Size Worn: 36W/22 (Long)
Size Range: 23W-37W (Long, Regular, Petite)
Comfort Level: 7/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? I can do chair pose in them. They feel a bit tight when I try to do a full hands-to-the-floor squat.

I'm wearing the Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans in the ripped black wash. It's kind of wild that I'm wearing Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans for the first time as a 26-year-old. I tried on a few different pairs, and I was genuinely surprised at just how well they fit. This specific pair had that structured non-stretch denim feel when I first touched it. That makes a lot of sense once I looked at the fabric details. The pair is made from 99% Cotton and only 1% Elastane. They feel sturdy but aren't super heavy. They have a good weight to them and I'll definitely be wearing them year-round.

The Curve Love line of denim is apparently designed to cinch in more at the waist. They're built ideally for those that have a slightly wider waist to hip ratio that may experience significant gaping with regular jeans. Gaping is pretty common for me, but I did find with these there was a minimal amount. Which was definitely really nice to experience.

I'm 5'9" and I got the Long pair of these jeans, so they'll be full length on me. However, I could have gotten regular for a slightly more cropped look. I absolutely love the look and style of these jeans. I have been looking for the perfect pair of darker black denim, and the distressed and regular curve love straight pairs that I now own have definitely been able to fill that void. They'll be so easy to style this fall. Whether that's with a cardigan, button-down and sweater vest, or turtlenecks.

Size Worn: 22
Size Range: 16W-26W (standard & petite sizes available)
Comfort Level: 8/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? I can’t do a full deep squat, but I can do chair pose!

Here, I'm wearing the Breaker Relaxed jeans in copper from Anthropologie’s in-house Pilcro Denim line. I’ve tried other denim from Pilcro and they’re all pretty comfy across the board. These are definitely my favorite pair I’ve tried though! First, I’d like to mention that these jeans are the coolest color. This warm copper tone is surprisingly versatile and pairs well with a lot of my fall wardrobe. The relaxed fit on these cropped jeans is ideal for maintaining comfort all day long. They have a pretty significant high waist, so my high-rise undies didn’t peak through. I didn’t have any gaping in the back too. I even went to a lovely (and hearty) dinner at Saraghina with a couple of pals and never felt uncomfortable or restricted once. They aren’t super thick to the touch but have a sturdy feel, kind of like utility wear. You’d definitely need to wear another layer under these in deep winter colder temperatures to really protect your legs, but with a relaxed fit that shouldn't be a problem. I’ve styled them with a white button-down or leather cropped top. I’ve also cuffed them too for a different look. It’s a pretty versatile pair of jeans, so you can take the style anywhere!

Size Worn: 22
Size Range: 00-40
Comfort Level: 10/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? Yes! I can high-kick, too!

These faded jeans from Universal Standard are a force, plain and simple. They are the comfiest and easiest pair on the list to move around in. The structure maintains itself while also feeling very soft yet thicker to the touch. If you are between sizes, like me, then you may be able to get away with sizing down because of the secret stretch of these jeans. I've worn these with a heeled bootie and also with sneakers out around town. They are very easy to take from night to day seamlessly. As mentioned above, I'm 5'9" so I went with the 27-inch Donna's for a cropped look — but, these do come in a 31-inch inseam option for a longer look!

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Size Worn: 22
Size Range: 16-30
Comfort Level: 7/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? Yes.

Old Navy is ultra budget-friendly with a wide variety of options in various cuts and washes. It's a pretty dependable spot for plus-size folks to find simple options in each product category. I tried on a few pairs of jeans from Old Navy, but my favorite pair would have to be the Sky HI Straight Plus-size Button-Fly Ripped Jeans. These definitely had a relaxed fit when I slid them on. They were slightly big in the waist area but otherwise fit pretty well. I'd say they are pretty true to size because I'm in between a 20/22 in most pairs, so the fit makes sense. I don't love my jeans feeling super tight and these definitely gave me the room I needed. It's a nice classic neutral wash, and I love the slightly distressed look. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of Old Navy denim For the affordable price point. These are the ultimate budget-friendly, casual pair.

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Size Worn: 22W
Size Range: 16W-24W
Comfort Level: 7/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? Yes.

Madewell has always been a crowd favorite for denim; it's got that sturdy feel to it like it can stand the test of time, so you know the construction must be top-notch. I tried on a 22W in few pairs and I found that the denim (especially the pairs with less stretch) fit a bit snug — so, I'd probably have to size up on those. The pair I liked the most was the Plus Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean In Coffey Wash: Worn In Edition. This particular pair had some stretch and, therefore, slid up my hips easily and were pretty comfortable — but they were formfitting so still a teeny bit snug. They're also a lighter wash (which I love for the summer) and were slightly cropped on me (which I also love).

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Size Worn: 22
Size Range: 16-30
Comfort Level: 6/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? It was slightly uncomfortable when attempting a squat.

Eloquii is really great for staying up to date on the latest fashion trends. The plus-size retailer makes trendy clothes that are of decent quality and offered a much more extensive size range than most. (Apart from denim, there's a great selection of dresses and skirts!) I tried on two pairs I thought were very cute: the Neutral Wide Leg Jean and Color-blocked Pleat Front Relaxed Jeans. (I'll speak about the color-blocked pair a little more because I've been looking for a pair like this for a long time now.) The color-blocked denim felt a little on the thinner side; it didn't have that full-body denim feel like some of the other pairs on this list. But, once I pulled the jeans on, they definitely felt comfortable enough to walk around in. However, it should be noted that there was a bit of gaping in the back for me with this pair — something to be mindful of if you have a larger bottom. They are relaxed, too, which offered an overall fit that was not too tight or constricting. Plus, you really can't go wrong with that trendy two-tone look!

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Size Worn: 22
Size Range: 10-30
Comfort Level: 7/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? I can't do a squat with my hands touching the ground BUT I can do a regular chair squat.

I use to be afraid to wear white jeans because I thought I'd be unable to keep them clean. But I've learned that as long as you have Shout, there's no need to deprive yourself of this classic summer color. This wide-leg pair from Torrid was pretty comfy as far as jeans go — and I love how they are a super crisp white. While it's not a thicker denim, per se, I had no problem with my underwear showing through the light-white fabric. I bought the regular inseam which ended up not looking super long on me — thankfully — but, I could have gotten the long for a very solid full-length look. (Torrid offers short, regular, and long inseams.) I love the look of wide-leg denim, so this summery style is really up my alley.

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Size Worn: 20
Size Range: 00-20
Comfort Level: 6/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? I can't fully squat in these as they are a little bit snug.

While I recognize that American Eagle isn't the most inclusive of retailers, with denim and some swimwear being the only plus-friendly categories, I've owned this pair of jeans for over a year now — so I figured it was worth featuring! The American Eagle Curvy Mom Jean is a solid pair of denim, and honestly one of the first "mom" jean cuts that I ever could actually wear as a plus-size woman. There is a little stretch in the fabric, which helps with getting the jeans to slide over my wider hip area. The quality has mostly held up after many washes, with the color only fading slightly over the past year. At a $50 price point, they're also good value for the quality. However, due to limited sizing, many cannot partake — so if you're looking for a similarly budget-friendly option in more sizes, look to Old Navy or Target instead. I've gained a little bit of weight since I first bought these, so if I were to purchase a pair now I'd probably size up to a 22.

*Note: At the time of writing this American Eagle Outfitters went up to a size 24 online. The brand no w caps its sizing at a 20. *

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Size Worn: 20
Size Range: 00-24
Comfort Level: 6.25/10
Do They Pass The Squat Test? I can squat in these but I'd need a belt to make sure my underwear doesn't show.

I really wanted to include a sustainable pair of denim In this review and Warp + Weft is the perfect brand for it. The label boasts sustainable manufacturing processes and creates a wide variety of sustainable denim in a range of plus-friendly sizes. (Although we'd still love to see an increase beyond size 24 for the future!) I'm wearing the MIA Plus High Rise Flare Jeans here and to get them on I, admittedly, had to do a bit of jumping. Once they were up, there were some gaping issues — I'd just recommend wearing a belt to solve this. I haven't owned a pair of flare jeans for a few years now and these were definitely the right pair for me to hop back into this style with. If you're into a darker wash, then let it be known that this pair is available in another deeper hue!

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