Are These 3 Popular Jeans New Mom Approved?

I'm a new mom trying to get my style back. Here's what I liked and didn't like about three pairs of jeans.

July 09, 2024

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Photo by: Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Courtesy of Jen Glantz

When I became a new mom in 2023, I spent months lounging around the house in sweatpants and leggings. When I finally went to get dressed for a night out with friends, none of the pants in my closet fit.

I realized that to treat my postpartum body kindly, I needed to invest in new jeans for my new body. I felt ready to get my confidence back and to do that, I also wanted to revamp my style. I set out to find one good pair of jeans that I could dress up and wear to dinner, but also dress down and wear to run errands.

I decided to order jeans from three of the most popular brands out there: PAIGE, Lucky Brand and Levi's. After wearing each pair for a week at a time, here's what I liked and didn't like about each of them.

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PAIGE Women's Ultra High Rise Cindy Distressed Jeans

When I was browsing for new jeans, I remembered that so many of my friends loved the brand PAIGE for their pants. I decided to try out the Ultra High Rise Cindy Distressed Jeans, which are straight leg and ankle length. These jeans were the most expensive of the three that I tried, but seemed to have the most promising first impression. They felt soft and stretchy, even before putting them on my body.

Pros

When I put these jeans on, I was surprised by how comfortable they were to wear. The stretchy fabric was extremely comfortable and I felt like I was walking around in leggings all day. The jeans didn’t feel restrictive and I was excited to put them on and wear them all over town. The ankle length made them look great with boots and high-top sneakers.

Cons

I was the most disappointed by the way the jeans were distressed. I didn't realize that was part of this particular style. The jeans were made to look vintage and worn. They came with a rip on the pack pocket and light wear and tear on the bottom. For the price point, I didn't think it was worthwhile to own a pair of jeans that looked a little beat up already.

PAIGE Jeans

Photo by: Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Courtesy of Jen Glantz

PAIGE Jeans

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Lucky Brand Women's High Rise 90's Loose Jean

Before becoming a new mom, I used to have a go-to pair of Lucky Brand jeans. The old ones I had were too tight and the style seemed outdated.

I picked out a pair of the High Rise 90's Loose style that have a straight fit and leg in a dark wash denim color. When I took these out of the bag, I liked how stretchy they felt, but wondered how the length would fit, since they seemed in-between ankle and regular.

Pros

After putting these jeans on and wearing them to work from home, I couldn't believe how comfortable they were. They were stretchy but still form-fitting. They had the right amount of give to make them have the look and feel of traditional jeans without feeling too tight or restrictive.

This style also fit uniquely because it had a straight leg, but a looser fit around the thighs and ankles. I felt confident wearing these because I feel like they hugged me in all the right areas.

Cons

I wish the jeans were a bit longer than ankle length. I’m 5'6" and felt like these were just a little too short on me. I'd also prefer a darker color since these had a bit too much of a whitewash to them, especially from the pockets to the knees.

Lucky Brand Jeans

Photo by: Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Lucky Brand Jeans

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Levi's Women's 501 Original Fit Jeans

I have never tried on a pair of Levi's jeans before, but know that they are one of the most popular brands out there. I decided to go with the 501 Original Fit, which are high rise and slim fitting. Out of all three pairs, these were the only ones that weren't stretchy and I feared that they would be tight or uncomfortable to put on.

Pros

The jeans felt well-made and sturdy. I liked how the dark wash made them easy to dress up and down. I wore them with a fancy top for happy hour and again the next day with a white t-shirt to go grocery shopping. They fit well around my waist and didn't fall down when I moved around or sat down.

Cons

While this pair of jeans fell at a great length, they were a bit stiff and uncomfortable to wear. Because they are high-waisted and aren't made from stretchy fabric, my body felt stuffed inside of them. It was hard to sit on the couch or even bend down. The jeans also had buttons instead of a zipper. There were a few times when a button would pop open from sitting down.

Levi's Jeans

Photo by: Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Courtesy of Jen Glantz

Levi's Jeans

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Bottom Line

After testing out three popular styles of jeans, I decided to keep the Lucky Brand Women's High Rise 90's Loose Jean pair. I loved how the fabric was stretchy, yet firm and how the jeans fit nicely without being too form-fitting. While the other two pairs had their perks, I felt like I'd get the most use out of the Lucky Brand pair and found myself excited to put them on. As a new mom, finding new items that fit your postpartum body are important. I feel confident and comfortable in my new jeans!

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