Big Madewell Sale: Perfect Vintage Denim Review

Madewell just kicked off one of the biggest sales I’ve seen for them, with 25% off everything for insiders (free to create an account) using code EXTRA25, and from 9/12 – 15 you can get a stackable 15% off with code JUSTFORYOU. I partnered with them over on Instagram, and wanted to do a more thorough review on their denim here on the blog. Was excited to see their best selling jeans included in the promo!

1. Perfect Vintage Jeans

Going to start from the slimmer Perfect Vintage style and work my way to wide leg.

These are a fantastic alternative to skinny jeans since they’re still slender and easy to style, but feel more current. I discovered these last fall (see on me) and out of the 3 styles in today’s post, they’re still the most versatile for me and great with sweaters, blazers, and all sorts of tops. I tried on the new Bainton wash in-person, which looks and fits the same as the wash I have. Kepler also looks like a good medium blue contender.

I wear 24 petite in these and cut the hem on mine an inch to make them a little more cropped. It’s a super easy adjustment and makes a big difference in how the jeans look! See my tutorial on cutting denim. If you’re between sizes, Madewell runs a little bigger at the waist than other brands, but it wasn’t enough for me to go a size down for these.

2. 90’s Straight Jean

Madewell sent me 2 pairs of jeans to try, and for one of them I picked this newer style. The 90’s straight is a retro-inspired cut that’s been very on trend in recent years. They’re a more slouchy, relaxed fit, which I like to be floor length on me worn with booties, flats, sneakers or a low heel.

Compared to the Abercrombie 90’s straight (see on me here), these are a medium weight denim with a touch of stretch and high rise, while the Abercrombie pair is a thicker, more rigid denim with a slightly higher rise. The A&F fit smaller at the waist with different inseam options.

Madewell 90’s straight in 24 petite: 12.75″ across waist, 10″ rise, 27″ inseam
Abercrombie 90’s straight in 24 Extra Short: 12.25″ across waist, 11″ rise, 25.5″ inseam

3. Perfect Wide Leg Jeans

These are the longer version of the wide cropped jeans I’ve been raving about all summer. The Heathcote wash that caught my eye the most was previously unavailable in my size, so I requested these in the Caronia wash to try. The waist is typical of Madewell sizing but fits bigger than brands like A&F.

I’m 5 feet tall and the length is shorter than what I typically see for wide leg jeans, hitting me a little above the floor when worn with flats. You can see from the model photo they show the hems at ankle length. This width and length is also nice for colder weather for wearing with booties underneath.

Size 24 petite measures: 13″ waist, 9.5″ rise, 27″ inseam.

4. Katrina Vest

Wanted to share a few more recommendations I have from this sale. I recently bought this black vest and have already worn it 5 times! See it on me with shorts here, and it also looks so cute with denim like the Perfect Vintage jeans above, a slim cropped jean, my affordable Amazon trousers, or the Madewell Harlow wide leg for some shape contrast.

This is the same style as the white linen vest I picked up this summer in a newer, nice lightweight fabric. I got the 00 and want to note that I did take the shoulders up myself (did a simple straight stitch across the inside of the shoulder straps) so it’s more cropped, but this adjustment wasn’t necessary. I’ll show a before and after in another post.

I also ordered this Mango vest to try for a dressier fabric vest, but don’t know how it fits yet. 

5. Harlow Wide Leg Pant

Personally this is not my favorite trouser since it’s more casual with a chino pant feel – I prefer a more fluid fabric pant like the AF Crepe Sloan. But for those who dress more casually and like a looser fit, I will say this style has grown on me. See them on me here.

Note the waist fit big on me, though the length is good with a small heel. I would say the sizing runs consistently with Ann Taylor sizing and bigger than AF. Size 00 petite measures 13″ across the waist, with an 11″ rise and 27.5″ inseam.

6. Midi Slip Skirt

This one is also too big for me at the waist, with size 00 measuring 13″ across when un-stretched). I thought it was still worth mentioning due to all the good reviews, and I do like how lightweight it is and that the fabric doesn’t cling like satin slip skirts do. The waist is fully elastic all around and pull-on style. See it on me in a try-on pic styled for workwear.