Thursday, May 24, 2012

Trying on Denim at Anthropologie

I love wearing jeans. But the funny thing is, I only own 2 pairs I like (and wear), one pair of skinnies from True Religion and one pair of flares from People's Liberation (a great brand but no longer existing, I think).

My jeans are several years old and probably have the best cost-per-wear ratio in my closet. This is because as much as I like wearing jeans, I do not like shopping for them.  It is a painful process, usually requiring to try on about 20 pairs, before giving up and deciding that my old jeans will do just fine.

Last week I was in an Anthro store with a friend. I can never find anything I like at Anthro, everything there always seems to have at least one embellishment too many.  So while she was browsing ecstatically and trying on things like a mad woman (or like me at J.Crew)  I thought I would check out the home section. Then, I had this great idea that I can occupy myself with denim try-ons. And why not?

I took five pairs with me to the fitting room, all in size 28, which is my regular size in denim.

AG Simona    


Comfortable
The Simona jeans were very comfortable and casual. If I needed jeans for hanging out on the deck and barbecues they would be just fine, but I would not wear them on the date. That said, they would definitely benefit from some styling.
Look OK from front

hmmm, not so hot


Pilcro Petite Edit Slim

Gave me hips!
I quite liked these Pilcro jeans but I was a little shocked by the look of my hips. I never thought I could feel big in this area but I did. The back looked good.  They were comfortable and soft, and no muffin top.

Not bad
Now I just realized that maybe they are supposed to be for Petites? I am not sure. I am 5'6" and they did not feel petite, just ankle length. For those who are maybe more familiar with the brand, what do you think, is Petite just in the name or are they meant for Petites?



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Horrible in calf area
I know many people rave about their J.Brand jeans I always wanted to try them on.  The denim felt great, form fitting but very comfortable and I liked the dark wash. They did not give me a muffin top but the raise was high, almost too high for me.  I was satisfied with rear view. However, I did not like the length on me, it was cutting off my legs in unflattering point.

lu
Like the back view

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J Brand Super Skinny Ankle


Super Skinny!
they feel like jeggins
Supers skinny they are, for sure. I thought they were too form fitting and jegging-like, maybe I should have tried a 29, but the fit was good in the hip and waist so I think bigger size may just sag. I think I would have like them more in darker wash.

Form fitting
Are you a fan of J.Brand? How do you think sizing up would work? Do tell!

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AG Polka Dot Ankle Stevie


This was another style I always wanted to try. Before entering the store I saw a girl wearing a navy Stevies with bigger polka dots and she looked super cute but I think I would feel too conspicuous in them, so I tried the more subtle version with less conspicuous polka dots.

these are comfortable
These were very comfortable and I liked the color for the summer.

Like the subtle polka dots
Everything looked good until I glanced at the back view. My butt was OK but they were bunching up horribly in the thighs, and it looked ridiculous.

Do you own Stevies? Do you think they would look better if I sized up? 
But they bunch up in the back of my tights
Eventually, I did not get anything and decided to stick with the jeans I already own. But I thought all the brands were interesting and they seemed to work well with my figure.

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That's all folks!

Do you like wearing jeans?
What are you favorite brands?
Have you tried any of the jeans in this post?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

33 comments:

  1. You look good in so many of these jeans, but I like the Pilcro the best. My favorite jeans are from Lucky. I have the Sophia capris and the Sweet & Straight style-both in dark denim-and I wear them constantly. A few years ago I spent over an hour trying on jeans in the Lucky store and figured out which of their styles work for me. I don't shop for jeans anywhere else.

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    1. Hi JulieStyles, I have a pair of jean bermudas from Lucky and I LOVE them but I never tried jeans, I will make sure to stop by next time I am at the mall.

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  2. Hi,
    I had the same thing happen with me with bunching at the back of the thighs. I think it's the cotton especially if it's Japanese cotton. It's so exhausting trying to find the right ones but I finally did. Henry &Belle jeans are the best and I think you should give them a try .Check out the website . They have a 4 way stretch and I think we're the same size as I order the same size as you. Good luck !

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    1. Hi Marsha,
      Good to know that the bunching is not just me, I thought that maybe my tights were too big for the size.

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  3. I thought the Pilcro looked the best on you. I love jeans and have probably a dozen pair and my favorite brand is Genetic, I'd suggest checking them out if you ever get a chance but they're not readily accessible in department stores unfortunately. DL61 and Citizens of Humanity are also very chic and comfortable and you can find them at Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom.

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    1. Joelle, thanks, Pilcro were my favorites too. I may stop at Bloomies to check out the jeans department and the brands you mention.

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  4. I have several favorites depending on the style. I am curvy and wear a size 6 in Jcrew pencil skirts. I used to dread trying on jeans in stores before I discovered online shops which offer free shipping and returns. For some reason, I found it less stressful to try jeans at home. After countless try-ons and several years of wear, I would recommend the following brands whichhave worked for my body type: For crop jeans my favorites are the AG Cuffed Tomboy and the AG Ex-Boyfriend Crop. For Bootcut with heels/wedges I love Paige Laurel Canyon in McKinley wash which I have in two sizes, the bigger one to account for my winter weight and the smaller one for summer. For straight slim jeans, True Religion works for me. If I'm wearing ballet flats, JBrand's mid-rise Gigi crop flare in Pure is awesome. It's like wearing Lululemon's Groove yoga pants in denim.

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    1. Hi Marie, Lululemon's yoga pants? I love those, I would love for the jeans to feel like that!

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  5. You definitively look good in jeans! My favorite brand is Paige, I find the the styles almost always flattering. I do like JBrand but not all the styles. Citizen of Humanity was a favorite too but I haven't tried any in a long time.

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    1. Hi Ema, Thanks!
      I never tried Page either, have to remedy that.

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  6. The Pilcros look fab on you! My favorites are AGs Tomboy. I have scored all of them at Anthro on sale. :) I also happen to love the Tall sized Old Navy rockstar jeans too. I think I might have 3 colors, black, and regular colored denim. They are pretty great for the price.

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    1. Never thought about checking Old Navy, I woudl love t score jeans at their prices!

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  7. I'm a J Brand gal -- I try other brands, but always go back to buying them. I have two pairs of the Kori, but am a few inches shorter than you so on me it's right to the ankle. With some killer heels you may like the cropped silhouette better. Or a suggestion would be to try the J Brand 811 next time (straight leg, not as fitted as the Super Skinny or Maria, and comes in a ton of different washes and colors). I'm a 28 too, and would not suggest sizing down.

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    1. Decaf, I am sure you are right, the heels can change everything, sometimes is almost not fair to judge the fitting room pictures when there is no styling it may be harsh...

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  8. I love the Pilcro jeans on you! I definitely wouldn't recommend sizing up in the J Brands, the super stretchy jeans tend to be extremely unflattering when they are looser.

    My favourite brands are AG and J Brand, though I also like CoH. I definitely find J Brands to be the most slimming and flattering on me.

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    1. Thanks Caitlin, I think I will go back for those Pilcro jeans!

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  9. Agreed - the Pilcros look great on you :) I'm a Joe's Jeans fan myself - love scoring them at Anthro on sale :)

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    1. hi mack, I was going to try Joe's but run out of time.

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  10. Jeans and a jacket or jeans with a cute top/cardigan are my casual outfits of choice. I travel every week for work and I always pack a pair of jeans for off hours. This is something I try to remember when shopping, as other casual options can languish in my closet.

    I haven't tried the brands you mentioned - IMO the Pilcro was the most flattering. I have lots of favorites. Ernest Sewn, Stella McCartney, Taverniti, and Serafontaine are in current rotation. I also like Paige - but have experienced issues with the waist stretching out to the point where I've had to visit the tailor. My favorite pair of skinnies are from D&G - a surprise vacation find.

    My shopping MO for jeans is to visit a B&M that carries a broad selection when they are having a sale. I wear heels and bring flats and invariably spend at least an hour trying on as many styles as possible.

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    1. Muffy, I think your strategy is perfect. I have to remember to be patient and take my time to try a wide veriety.

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  11. Seems we all agree the Pilcro jeans look fab on you!
    I always hated shopping for jeans and actually stopped wearing them altogether for a few years (the early 2000s when they were all super super low-rise - thanks Britney) The one brand I now wear constantly is Second Yoga - seriously the most comfortable jeans ever invented. When I discovered them I threw away all my other jeans... It's a Canadian brand (and made in Canada, not India or wherever) but I know they're available in the US and Europe too. Best jeans ever.

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    1. Second Yoga sounds good, have to check them out, nothing like a pair of comfy, good fitting jeans!

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  12. As you know I have little luck with pants so trying on jeans is always a nightmare for me.
    I meant to tell you when we were in NY we took our older daughter to Anthro, I was waiting in the change room area for her and they were serving sparkling wine and cookies. The ladies were grabbing drinks and loads of clothes and buying everything! It was so funny! It was a real party atmosphere, interesting sales technique I thought. :)
    Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Hi Dani, that Anthro store at the Rock center is great. And I agree, give me some wine and cookies/cheese and I will buy more. Did you daughter buy anything? I could totally picture her in some of those clothes, of course she can wear anything and look adorable:)

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  13. I agree the Pilcro is the best of the bunch. I haven't tried any of these jeans myself.

    For "skinny" jeans, my favorites are still J. Crew Matchstick (dark wash). I don't do true skinnies, though, as they don't do me any favors!

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    1. Thanks cate, looks like Pilcros are a winner! For some reason i can wear matchstick cords ad I have multiple pairs but j.crew denim looks awful on me and always either sags or slides off my butt.

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  14. I agree with the first poster on the Lucky Brand Sweet and Straights. They are the best jeans ever for me.

    I do need to try them on in personal as they vary widely from pair to pair even in the same size and wash. I am a 6 in JC number 2 pencils and can wear anywhere from a 2 to a 6. The 2 is a great skinny, the 4 is a nice basic straight leg and the 6 has a comfy slouchy boyfriend fit.

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    1. Hi kitsmommy, ITA about trying jeans in person, you can never tell how will they look. It takes many many tryons sometimes before finding a perfect pair. I think the Lucky brand may work for me, I have a pair of shorts that I really love and wear all the times.

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  15. Hi there, I really like your blog but have never commented. Re Anthro and jeans, first I should say I love that store, but not necessarily just for clothes, prob most of all for the home stuff and also the store displays (yes I am weird, I get excited by ostriches made of wood shavings :). Anyway, I have a friend who is a manager there and one day a few years ago as I was mesmerized by the doorknobs, I said to her "who buys jeans at Anthropologie...?" And she said, "um, a LOT of people". Shows what I know!! :) Anyway, I find the sheer number of styles dizzying, but at least this means you can find them on sale all the time...I don't really wear jeans much. I think you look good in several of these but you could likely spend (waste) several days camped out in the store trying them all on...and they likely wouldn't mind either :) As for J Brand, I have one pair but they just don't fit right, they are loose in the thigh and get looser as I wear them, plus they are too long and I'm 5'8". I do know that lots of people like the AG Stevies. I did buy the Pilcro Superscript cords when they went on supersale months ago and I like those. Really nice quality and soft. Oh and re what Dani said, they quite often have snacks in the fitting rooms area. At Thanksgiving they had sparkling grape juice and cheese and crackers as well as little bottles of pellegrino. If you get tired you can go hang out down there (although maybe if they had wine people would buy more ?!:) Plus they had hersheys kisses in big jars at the checkout counters at Christmas.

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    1. Hi Sydneygirl, I am so glad you decided to comment. Funny that you say that about buying jeans at Anthro, I never though of it as a place to buy jeans either even if they have so many styles, but even on the website I never noticed that. I do love the stores hey really make it into a different shopping experience, like hanging out at your favorite flee market, browsing through antiques and just spotting this perfect frock, unfortunately not at flees elect prices, lol. And I am a sucker for stores serving food I want to buy something to reciprocate, almost like attending home shopping party.

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  16. FYI, People's Liberation are available at Nordie's in the Juniors dept now. I loved them when they first came out a while ago and just discovered them hiding over in the Nordstrom Junior's dept last month; picked up another pair and love them, too!

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  17. Definitely try Joe's Jeans. Love them! My build is similar to use (although you're thinner than me!) and they are really good for me.

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  18. I love the colors in this outfit-- I think the pants would look really nice with a more fitted top, and the top would look great with something with less volume on the bottom! Momotaro Jeans

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