Madewell is a women-only, or should I say 20-something-women-only clothing line that was launched by J.Crew back in 2007.
The clothes are kinda cute actually, and some of their jean designs for women are great.
If you’re into jean leggings, for example, these $95 jeans are quite flattering (although you still need to be on the skinny side to actually pull them off):
And these skinny jeans are not bad either, if that’s your style (only $55 on sale at Shopbop):
HOWEVER. For 2010, Madewell came up with what I can only hope is a fluke and not something that is going to take over for women’s jeans in 2010 – the $110 Slouchy Trouser Jean:
I’m not sure why they call them “trouser” jeans – it’s basically boyfriend jeans with pleats, which is a bad, bad combination.
These jeans are simply atrocious. It is one of the least flattering jean designs I can possibly think of, and in fact they are even worse than skinny jeans which you know I hate.
I don’t care what anyone says, pleats on pants are very unflattering and are always a bad idea. So these jeans have pleats, and then the hem is narrower which adds even more to the illusion of bulky thighs, and they are cuffed! Which shortens your legs.
My 2 cents? Stay away from this particular style and focus on the company’s other jean styles. And if you happen to feel an uncontrollable urge to wear them anyway, try to balance the boxy look with a form-fitting top.
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