What clothing category do you find is the most challenging to shop for?
Wait, wait, don’t tell me – let me guess:
Is it denim?
(It’s probably denim).
At least, that’s always the category I struggle with most, and the one I seem to hear the most grumbling about.
Jeans are almost always too short, too long, too tight in the hips, too saggy in the bum, and are you seriously trying to convince me that these are pockets?
Shopping in-store for jeans is kind of a nightmare, too. They’re heavy to tote around the store, and trying them on in those teeny tiny fitting rooms kind of feels like you’re trapped in a wrestling ring (but the opponent is yourself).
I turned to trying things on at home long ago, and haven’t looked back. The ability to make a thoughtful decision on whether or not to keep an item, plus the dignity of getting dressed at home, is worth the hassle of ordering and potentially returning online.
And one of the major game-changers in inclusive fashion has a ton of denim inventory right now – from everyday classics to the fully on-trend.
Note: I received the pieces shown here in exchange for a social post, however, this post is not sponsored. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission to offset my site's hosting fees - at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Universal Standard’s denim section isn’t limited to just blue jeans (though there are plenty of those!). Denim jackets, skirts, overalls, and tops are all in the mix – and everything is available in the full 00-40 size range. If you’ve noticed your sizing feels consistently off with other brands, it might be time to give Universal Standard a try.
Readers can save 10% on their next Universal Standard order with my exclusive code INFS-AMBWAYWARD.
Rather than grading their sizing from a small sample size and working their way up, the brand places the average size, 18, at a medium for more accurate distribution. You can find your US size on the chart below:
Today I’m sharing a look at some of my favorite styles from Universal Standard’s denim section – the Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans, the Lou High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans, the Kelsey Denim Jacket, the Carol High Rise Jeans, the Karlee Stretch Cotton Twill Cargo Pants, the Jackie High Rise Cropped Jeans, and the Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans:
UNIVERSAL STANDARD DENIM REVIEW
Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans (Black)
Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans (27 Inch) Size | 6 Color | Black Material | 64% Cotton, 24% Polyester, 10.5% Rayon, 1.5% Elastane Also wearing | Top | Boots | Beret | Bag | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings
A style for curves? Yes, please. The Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans, shown here in the 27-inch length, are designed for bodies with a hip difference of 10 inches or more (I like to think of them as cousins to the Etta, which have a straighter fit through the hips).
I’ve struggled to find a pair of solid black straight-leg denim with no whiskering or distressing, and I am glad I took a chance on this pair. They’re not perfect – despite being a short length, the rise is really high on me (and I love a high rise!), leading to some bunching in my midsection. But they’re comfortable for travel and so far, the high stretch content hasn’t led to them bagging out. As always, I machine wash US denim on cold and hang it to dry.
I have one fit note for this pair, and that is to ignore the recommendation to size down in the black colorway. Universal Standard’s black denim runs notoriously small compared to the other washes, so take your usual size in black.
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Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans (Stonewash Indigo)
Donna High Rise Curve Straight Leg Jeans (27 Inch) Size | 4 Color | Stonewash Indigo Material | 90% Cotton, 8% Polyester, 2% Elastane Also wearing | Sweater | Flats | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Necklace | Bag
After trying the Donna in the black wash and feeling thrilled with how they fit in the waist (no gaping!), I couldn’t help but try the same pair in the Stonewash Indigo. Over time I’ve learned that Universal Standard’s blue denim tends to run a little bigger than the brand’s black denim, so I sized down from my usual 6 to a 4. It was definitely the right call, as this pair fits like a dream!
The fabric of the blue version of these jeans has significantly more cotton, and it’s obvious in the hand feel. This pair feels much more sturdy and substantial than the black pair, but I can still move about easily thanks to the 2% stretch. Despite having the same high rise, this pair sits a bit flatter at the waist, making it feel more polished. This pair is my go-to on days when I want to look put together in my denim – I just wish the inseam was one inch longer on my 5’4″ frame. I’m tempted to give the 32-inch version a go so I can hem it to a less-cropped length.
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Lou High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans
Lou High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans Size | 4 Color | Union City Blue Material | 90% Cotton, 8% Polyester, 2% Elastane Also wearing | Tee | Sneakers | Necklace
I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of barrel-leg jeans for quite some time (longtime readers may remember this post), and I was immediately drawn to this pair as the Lou High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans went through five rounds of fittings to perfect the cut. I sized down per the recommendation, to have a more snug fit through the hips rather than going full-on oversized. They fit beautifully through the hips and legs, and the bottom hem hits at my current preferred length.
They are pretty stretchy, but also quite sturdy – the kind of jeans you’d reach for when spending hours in the car or on the plane. I’m a little tempted to size down once more to bring the waist in a smidge – it feels a little loose, although I’m not getting an obvious gap – but it’s nothing a belt can’t handle.
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Kelsey Denim Jacket (White)
Kelsey Denim Jacket Size | 3XS Color | White Material | 73% Cotton, 23% Polyester, 4% Elastane Also wearing | Tank | Carol High Rise Jeans | Sandals | Sunglasses | Necklace | Circle Earrings* | Stud Earrings
If I’m not mistaken, the Kelsey Denim Jacket is my first denim jacket in at least a decade. I’ve always loved the idea of a denim jacket – it’s a great way to dress down a too-dressy outfit – but just didn’t love wearing blue denim on my upper half. Not only is a white denim jacket a great compromise, but it’s also incredibly practical as it can pair with just about any outfit. And this one is like the Goldilocks of jean jackets: it’s neither one of the teeny tiny jackets of yesteryear nor the super oversized kind that will make its way out of style soon enough. The Kelsey is somewhere in between – a classic.
I waiver between a 3XS and 2XS in Universal Standard, but I choose the smaller of the two as I expect to wear it mostly in the warmer months. With the exception of the sleeves – you can see I have to cuff them, as I need to do with just about all jackets – it fits like a dream. Thankfully, the cuffs only add to the casual nature of this look.
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Kelsey Denim Jacket (Black)
Kelsey Denim Jacket Size | 2XS Color | Black Material | 78% Cotton, 19% Polyester, 3% Elastane Also wearing | Lou High Rise Barrel Leg Jeans | Tee | Sneakers | Necklace
So nice I ordered it twice!
Double denim goes in and out of style so quickly it’s hard to remember when it’s actually trending – but I find pairing blue and black denim together doesn’t net a Canadian tuxedo vibe. I’m clearly very impressed with the Kelsey Denim Jacket, and frankly, more than I want to be given its high polyester content. But it’s super soft and stretchy, moving with me instead of constricting me, as 100% cotton denim jackets can sometimes do.
I went with the larger of the two sizes here for layerability (that’s a word, right?), as the darker denim lends itself to cool-weather clothing. Until it’s sweater time again, I’ve adjusted the back buttons to cinch in the waist a smidge.
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Carol High Rise Jeans
Carol High Rise Jeans Size | 2XS Color | White Material | 73% Cotton, 23% Polyester, 4% Elastane Also wearing | Tank | Tote | Sandals | Sunglasses | Necklace | Circle Earrings* | Stud Earrings
Whew, I’m glad I took my usual size in the Carol High Rise Jeans instead of sizing down as I sometimes do with this brand. Since I selected them, Universal Standard has made a recommendation to size up in this style for the best fit.
White denim is notoriously hard to get right, and this pair comes pretty close. Though it has the same cut and fit as a flowy pair of white trousers, the Carol is quite structured. There’s no clingy drape from the base of the hips downward – the legs stay nice and straight, hanging away from the frame. I like the drama it adds to this look.
But my issues with this pair lie with the fit and the sheer fabric. On me, the waist blissfully doesn’t have any gaping, but I would have loved an extra inch in the hips to reduce the pulling. In “real life” this is less noticeable than in photos, so I can live with it – but what is harder to manage is the see-through-ness. Nude-to-you undies are always going to be best under light clothing, but the Carol High Rise Jeans are sheer enough here that I don’t think you can tuck in any vibrant or dark tops without them showing through.
I’m hanging onto this pair for now as it fills a gap in my wardrobe, but only time will tell if they’ll grow on me enough to stay for good.
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Karlee Stretch Cotton Twill Cargo Pants
Karlee Stretch Cotton Twill Cargo Pants Size | 3XS Color | Black Material | 54% Cotton, 40% Rayon, 6% Elastane Also wearing | Tee | Sneakers | Necklace | Sunglasses
Okay, technically these are now under the Pants section of the site, but at one point, they could be found under the Denim header.
If you’re the kind of person who reacted to the news that cargo pants were back with an, “oh no,” the Karlee Stretch Cotton Twill Cargo Pants might just be the only pair you’d consider wearing. The fabric is super stretchy and wrinkle-resistant, the waistband is elastic (but there are belt loops in case you want to conceal that fact), and the pockets are simply waiting to be filled with all of your snacks.
If a pair of trousers and a pair of cargo pants had a baby, it would be these. I sized down per the recommendations, and the fit is basically fantastic. I think these will make great travel pants!
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Jackie High Rise Cropped Jeans
Jackie High Rise Cropped Jeans Size | 6 Color | California Blue Wash Material | 73% Cotton, 23% Polyester, 4% Elastane Also wearing | Tank | Hat | Bag* | Sunglasses | Necklace* | Shoes
I don’t know if you feel the way I do, but to me, the Jackie High Rise Cropped Jeans scream summer! The drapey fabric, the cropped length, the cut hem – this pair seems to bring out the sunshine even on a winter’s day.
But how do they fit? Universal Standard advises you to take your regular size in this style, and I fully agree. While my inclination is generally to size down to a 4 in most blue denim from the brand, I am glad I stuck with a 6 here. The fit is almost perfect – there’s no gaping at the waist (I was worried as this technically isn’t one of their curvy styles), but I’m getting some creasing across the hips because the rise is so high.
Unsightly creases aside, the high-stretch content and summer-weight fabric mean this pair is made to move – and I will be living in them in the warmer months. I just have one stylistic request for the designers of this style: please consider making the zipper just an inch longer, as the proportions look a little wonky to my eye.
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Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (True Blue)
Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans Size | 4 Color | True Blue Material | 73% Cotton, 23% Polyester, 4% Elastane Also wearing | Top | Heels | Sunglasses | Earrings
The 70s called, and they are incredibly jealous of the Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans. These wide-leg jeans have all the vintage flair, minus the rigid 100% cotton feel.
I first tried this pair on in my usual size 6 at Universal Standard’s Charlotte pop-up and nearly swooned – but they were just a tad too large. The team didn’t have a 4 on hand, but the stylist and I both agreed that going down a size would be a good idea. Thanks to a recent sale, I caved and ordered the True Blue pair in a 4.
That feels like the right call, though with so much stretch and so much fabric at the waist (when they say this pair has an ultra-high waist, they mean it), I feel like I could maybe have sized down to a 2 – but I’m enjoying how comfortable this pair is. Well, except for the length.
I like to shoot the photos for my reviews without any alterations because I want to give you a realistic look at a garment – but this pair is destined for a hem date with my sewing machine. I plan on keeping them on the long side, but I want to be able to wear this pair with flats without dragging them on the ground.
Other than the length and a smidge too much fabric at the waist, I do have one other little gripe with this pair, and that’s the pockets. They feel comically tiny for such a high-waist cut, and they’re set up a bit too high on the bum. I know, I know, it’s supposed to be lifting – but on me, it comes off a little awkward. I guess the good news is I can’t see myself from the back!
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Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (Black)
Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans Size | 6 Color | Black Material | 78% Cotton, 19% Polyester, 3% Elastane Also wearing | Top | Heels* | Necklace | Earrings | Bag
For whatever reason, my brain can’t seem to comprehend that these jeans and the previous ones are both the Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans. If I had to drill down on why they trick my eye, I’d say it’s because of the dye. The Black denim here is an incredibly deep, rich color with no fading whatsoever, while the True Blue looks lived-in. The former feels buttoned up, and the latter feels ready to get down.
There’s room for both vibes in my world, and I relish having a trouser-like black pair of jeans in my wardrobe for dressier occasions.
I recommend taking your usual size in Universal Standard’s solid black denim, and I’m glad I took a 6 here. Something about the deeper dye leads to much more of a holds-you-in feel, and I’m certain that sizing down would leave me with a pair that is way too snug at my waist. But in your normal size? Well, I think the kids would say that this pair leaves your waist snatched.
Still, they’re not quite perfect – while I don’t mind the pockets on this pair so much because they disappear into the dye (they’re still a little too small and a little too high, but much less noticeable), the legs are far too long for practical wear. To the sewing machine I go, friends.
*this product is no longer available and a comparable item is linked
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Looking for more of my favorite Universal Standard pieces? Find them all in one place!
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Is denim your toughest category to shop for, too? If so, what’s the next toughest one?
AGREED. Jeans are a challenge for sure. In fact I have to do a major jeans purge and get some new ones. Glad you found some pairs that work for you.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
It’s funny – my partner never complains about finding jeans in his size, because they’re sized in a way that makes sense. But jeans in the women’s section are always a toss-up.