"A lot of things about adulthood have surprised me: how much groceries cost, how quickly I can run through a bottle of laundry detergent, how I feel in the morning after drinking two glasses of wine. But very few things have surprised me as much as living to witness Abercrombie’s shocking comeback at the ripe old age of 30.
It’s not a secret that Abercrombie & Fitch has done a complete rebrand; one that’s helped to garner a resurgence that very few retailers have managed to attain. From their affordable, on-trend selections to their re-introduced size range, the Abercrombie of today is a far cry from the one that you knew back in middle school. Now, it’s all grown up. If you’ve been on social media in the past three years, you probably know that Abercrombie jeans are, once again, some of the internet’s most-loved.
With its budget-friendly prices, trusted quality, an extended range of lengths, and a Curve Love line, Abercrombie jeans have gone viral for a good reason—but with so many options, how do you know which pair is best for you?
On a quest to uncover the answer, and to find out what makes Abercrombie’s jeans so covetable, I tried on eight of their most popular styles–from ’90s to vintage, slouchy to baggy, and everything in between.
Ahead, I’m breaking down each pair, so you can find your favorites.
For reference, I am 5’3″, and varied the sizes I tried between the regular and short lengths.
1. Abercrombie Ultra High-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans
Fit: True to size
Length: Short
I’ll be honest, this was my first experience with Abercrombie denim. Sure, I’ve heard amazing things, but as a former moose logo-enthusiast, forgive me if my 30-year-old self is still in a state of disbelief that we haven’t quite moved on from our middle school retailer of choice. However, after trying on the Ultra High-Rise ’90s Straight, I’ll hand it to ‘em—they sure know how to keep us coming back for more.
The extra-high rise of these jeans helps to hold you in, but not uncomfortably, since the fabric still has quite a bit of stretch. The vintage-inspired silhouette eases up throughout the leg, avoiding the look of a skinny without crossing into the territory of a wide-leg. Due to limited stock, I’m wearing a size 24 short rather than my usual 24 regular—I’m 5’3” for reference—but the shorter inseam ended up hitting just right.
Best for: Anyone looking for a pair of vintage-inspired jeans
2. Abercrombie Mid-Rise ’90s Straight Jeans
Fit: True to size
Length: Regular
Don’t be fooled by the description of “mid rise” here. When compared to the same silhouette in a high rise, I’ll admit: I didn’t notice much of a difference. While the first jeans were the brand’s short option, these were the regular version, and the longer inseam didn’t bother me whatsoever. This particular mid rise feels more like a high rise—just as waist-defining, but without the need for an extreme tuck. Though I said the regular inseam wasn’t all that noticeable, if given the choice, I’d still go for the shorter option. (I couldn’t possibly run the risk of having my hem pick up something unwanted in these rather unpredictable New York streets.)
Best for: Anyone looking for a classic straight-leg jean
3. Abercrombie High-Rise ’90s Relaxed Jeans
Fit: True to size
Length: Short
When I read description of these jeans as “relaxed,” I expected a baggy, loose fit, which these very much did not have. These jeans were a pleasant surprise: a slim, boot-cut adjacent silhouette that’s flattering in all the right places. They’re slightly wider at the hem, meaning they work for all shoe types, and feel a bit more versatile than the ’90s straight option with a more seamless ability to dress them up or down. Best of all, the shorter inseam hits juuuuust right on my petite frame, eliminating the need for a tailor while simultaneously keeping me from buying a heels-exclusive pair of jeans. If you’re looking for denim that toes the line between a baggy and a straight fit, these are it.
Best for: Anyone looking for a hybrid between a straight-leg and wide-leg jean
4. Abercrombie High-Rise Vintage Straight Jeans
Fit: True to size
Length: Regular
Between these and the High-Rise ’90s Straight jeans, I really didn’t know the difference in what I was ordering. (Hence, the exact reason for this try-on.) If you look at the description for both online, you’ll see it takes an expert’s eye to spot the difference. When compared to the ’90s Straight, the Vintage Straight has a more relaxed fit at the waist and hips before it eases up into a full-length, straight-leg fit. The ’90s Straight, however, is more fitted throughout the waist and hips, and doesn’t start to open up until about mid-thigh.
I tried these jeans on in the regular inseam option to accommodate for the raw hem, but found that it got lost with the longer length. If I were to exchange, I’d opt for a shorter inseam. If I had to choose, despite liking the more vintage-inspired fit of these, I think I’d opt for the ’90s Straight instead.
Best for: Anyone looking for a pair of relaxed, vintage-inspired jeans
5. Abercrombie Low-Rise Baggy Jeans
Fit: Runs slightly large
Length: Short
I haven’t put on a pair of low-rise denim since, oh, I don’t know, middle school? Honestly, though, these aren’t that low—they just aren’t high rise. (Honestly, you wouldn’t really want a pair of baggy jeans in a high-rise, either.) The combination of the lower rise and the wider leg of these jeans feels way more vintage-inspired and laid-back than I expected; they’d make for the perfect pair of jeans to accompany any sweater and loafer combo for fall, or any tee and sneaker combo for summer.
Oh, and if you’re worried about the baggy, low-rise mix being completely shapeless, think again: I was surprised to look in the mirror and find my waist, hips, and booty all highlighted in the best way possible.
Best for: Anyone looking for a comfortable, everyday pair of jeans
6. Abercrombie Mid-Rise Slouchy Jeans
Fit: Runs slightly large
Length: Regular
Again, I didn’t know the difference between Abercrombie’s “baggy” and “slouchy” jeans would be when I was ordering them. The biggest difference I found? While their baggy jeans remain slightly relaxed at the waist and hips, their slouchy jeans are fully relaxed at the hips and are slightly looser throughout the leg.
Though I’m a sucker for a loose pair of jeans, I think if I really had to choose, I prefer the baggy version of these. I found this slouchy version to have a bit more room in the front zipper area than necessary for me.
Best for: Anyone looking for a pair of baggy, loose jeans
7. Abercrombie High-Rise Loose Jeans
Fit: True to size, size down for a less baggy fit
Length: Regular
As if I couldn’t be anymore confused, we’ve now added the word “loose” to our denim vocabulary. Returning to the drawing board, now deciphering between slouchy, baggy, and loose, I determined that per the website’s description, and based on my in-person experience, “loose” refers to the fullness throughout the leg. Put simply, their fully relaxed waist mirrors that of the slouchy, but the leg isn’t quite as loose as the slouchy or the baggy options.
Despite their shapeless-sounding name, and the ratio of lower ratio of cotton to lyocell, Abercrombie surprisingly labels these as “no stretch.” Though I’d agree, the material of these offers very little give, I still find them to be just as comfortable as some of the stretchier options.
Best for: Anyone looking for a baggy jean that still has a higher rise
8. Abercrombie High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Fit: Runs large
Length: Regular
Here me when I say this: these are wide. Like, really wide. I’m sporting a regular inseam here, and I most definitely needed a short, or maybe even an extra-short. All petite-gal biases aside, I do really like these. Unlike the ’90s-inspired, vintage washes, these are made with a higher ratio of lyocell, meaning they have a softer feel with a bit more stretch. Not to worry, though: They’ll still hold you in and retain their shape (no sagging butt at the end of the day). If you’re thinking of purchasing these, I’d recommend styling with a pair of kitten heels or heeled booties.
Best for: Anyone looking for a wide-leg pair of jeans
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.