Whether or not you believe that skinny jeans are “out” I think we can all agree that it’s exciting to see other denim cuts on the racks at both high-end retailers and Walmart (and everything in between).
I’ve enjoyed wearing my wide-leg canvas pants for a few seasons now, but I haven’t given wide-leg denim a go (I think it may have something to do with the trauma from this life experience).
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Since a barrel-cut leg is a happy medium of relaxed and tapered, I headed to my local Madewell to give their Balloon Jean a try in person.
I loved the way they felt and fit; they’re made of a heavier material than the Perfect Vintage Jeans or High Rise Skinny Jeans, but had enough stretch to hold in my shape and combat a waist gap. They fit much more snugly on my curvy figure than their model, but I think I prefer it this way.
The only thing that stopped me from buying the jeans right then and there was the price tag. $128 just isn’t in the budget right now, and even with the 20% Insiders Event discount, I’m hesitant to spend that much on something that may or may not fit in the coming months.
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
Enter: The Arc Jean by Everlane, currently on sale in limited sizes (note: sizes tend to go in and out of stock quickly as their remaining inventory dwindles – if you see sale items on the site in your size, snag them now!).
ABOUT THE ARC JEAN
The Arc Jean (now the Way-High Curve Jean) is only available in Dark Indigo at the moment (it was previously available in Black, but if you’re reading this from the future you may luck out in finding it secondhand. Oh, and if you’re from the future, do you have any advice for ending this pandemic?).
I checked the site twice a day for about a week and was able to order my pre-pandemic size 28 and a likelier candidate size 29. By Saturday they both arrived, and I figured I’d do a full Home Try-On post as it’s been a whole two years since my last one.
A REVIEW OF THE ARC JEAN
First impressions: I really love the dark wash and the cut of these jeans – my style skews classic with a twist, and these fit the bill perfectly. I’m not working in an office at the moment, but I’m sure I’d feel right at home wearing these to an office that allowed denim (if not, a similar cut is available in twill).
I was also really surprised that the difference between the 28 and 29 appeared so negligible when off the body, and wasn’t sure if there would be a discernible difference when trying them on. The measurements of the pairs I received varied slightly from the website listing:
Size 28: 14″ waist, 42″ lower hip, 11.75″ rise, and 27″ inseam
Size 29: 14.5″ waist, 44″ lower hip, 12″ rise, and 27″ inseam
(For reference, I’m 5’4″ and my current measurements are 35″-29″-43″; it’s worth noting that due to my anatomy, my hip measurement is taken lower on my body than some size charts indicate and I typically have to guess whether I should base my size on my hips or waist).
Once on, though, I could definitely feel the difference. The smaller size nipped in a bit closer at my waist than the larger size but pulled and stretched at the hips and flattened my rear in a way I’m not used to; the larger size left a larger gap at my spine yet felt more comfortable in the seat.
Both pairs created a wedgie effect, but it was noticeably more uncomfortable on the size 28 pair. The inseam on both jeans clocked in at 27″ but the size 29 jeans felt longer due to the more relaxed fit. On me, it’s a more full-length leg, but I’m into it.
The pockets on these aren’t terribly deep, but I can slide my whole phone into the front and back pockets (yay!). What’s uncomfortable and unappealing, though, is the way the fabric buckles at the knee.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE ARC JEAN
Note for 2024: The Arc Jean is no longer available, but occasionally pops up on secondhand sites like eBay, ThredUp, and Poshmark. Everlane has also released a similar, though slightly more dramatic, version of this jean. Find The Way-High® Curve Jean here.
Ultimately, even though the size 29 jeans technically “fit” and I really like the way this cut balances out my wide hips (it sort of just grazes them and then drops down versus the figure-hugging fit of skinny jeans), I’m returning both pairs using Happy Returns.
I think these are a great option for curvy figures like mine, but perhaps better suited to ones with a slightly narrower waist-to-hip ratio. Those less hippy than me should choose their size based on the waist measurement, as the hips are cut generously. In the meantime, I’ll be over here combing the internet for a secondhand pair of those Madewell jeans.
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Have you embraced the barrel/arc/balloon/lantern pant trend? What is your favorite cut of denim right now?
