We can't say we didn't see this coming, but Amazon Essentials — the online juggernaut's exclusive clothing collection — has finally launched its first foray into denim. Let's talk about it.
On September 15, Amazon announced via email an entirely new denim line of various silhouettes and trending designs, with Gen Z influencers Kate Barlett and Luca Mornet as the faces of the brand. Some major promises made about the line included garments designed with customer comfort in mind, high-quality materials and technology that would "help customers find their perfect pair of denim on the first try." The best part, every single item retails for under $50, with a majority ringing up for less than $30.
Everyone owns a pair of jeans (a sweeping generalization I'd argue we can all agree on), but it's no secret that finding ones that fit to your body type can be a struggle and a half. So, to see if Amazon truly delivered in the style and sizing department — at a price point that is seriously turning heads — I, along with several of my bravest and chicest colleagues, tried a few pairs.
Amazon's Denim Shop
The Denim Shop features a range of men's and women's denim pants (as well as skirts, dresses and jackets, but we'll get to that later), in a variety of inseam lengths and sizes from 0 to 20. Styles also come in differing washes, stretch levels and rises (the majority being mid- and high-rise) to help you find the perfect fit for your color preference and body shape.
The most important fact I'm taking away from this try-on is that I just found one of my new favorite wide-leg jeans for less than $30. Meaning my only complaint is that it's forcing me to rethink every expensive denim purchase I've made in the last 10 years of my life. I wish I was exaggerating. I wore this pair multiple times in the past week and a half, and each day, I received at least one compliment from someone.
In terms of fit, I was wildly surprised by how comfortable these felt as soon as I first put them on. My only worry was the "low stretch" description on the product page, which could have meant two things: to expect a pant that feels as stiff as a board or to not expect a jegging-like materials. What I received was something in-between: I wouldn't be doing cartwheels in these, but they offered the perfect amount of structure and durability that I like to feel with my jeans.
Since there's only a single inseam length available, I was only able to order my waist size with a hope and a prayer that they wouldn't need any hem work done (there's no way I'd send a pair of $29 jeans to a seamstress). Jeans that I order online normally err on the too-long side, but these fit my 5'5" frame perfectly (be warned, tall gals). I'm excited to pair these with my booties and leather jackets this season!
If you like to be a little playful with your jeans, the brand offers bolder silhouettes, like this flared crop jean. The design wasn't quite up production coordinator Camryn Privette's alley, but it was easy for her to see how these could they could be a great pick for anyone looking for something on the trendier side.
"For being affordable, the denim material actual felt good and thick, but it wasn't too thick or stiff," says Privette. "My biggest turnoff was the sizing; I sized up for these and they were still a little too small in certain areas but, at the same time, a little too big at the waist."
Like the wide-leg style, these are also only available in one inseam length. "I also think if you’re shorter and petite (I am not), these would be great."
My (Murphy) mother hates shopping, especially for jeans. She swears that she can never find a pair that looks good on her. Imagine my surprise when, one, she agreed to try a new pair, and two, actually fell in love with them.
When asked what she liked about them, she could not stop raving about the fit, which she described as form-fitting and perfectly stretchy. "They are tighter in the thighs and looser at the bottom, which I love the most," she says. "They are the perfect length for boots, but I can probably wear them with sneakers, too." She was also pleasantly surprised by the mid-rise waist. "I usually wear high-rise, but I like how this sits right over my belly button."
And when asked if she would recommend them for the price point and if she would buy in different washes, her response? "Absolutely." (She only wishes they were offered in more colors!)
After trying the brand's take on a straight-leg fit, associate editor Kamari Stewart says she received the type of quality and fit that she expected at a less than $30 price point. While she did look fantastic wearing them, if I do say so myself, there were some sizing issues Stewart could not ignore.
"Being that the launch is pretty new, I think they still have some work to do in the larger sizes. I'm between sizes in most brands and I picked the larger one for these jeans, but it didn't fit right everywhere. It was tight in some areas like around the waist and thighs, but a little loose around the calves," she says. The 5' 10" editor adds that this pair in particular offered a fit that landed somewhere between a skinny jean and a straight jean. "These were just short enough that it looked weird to wear with sneakers. I ended up tucking them into boots but then ran into the other issue of them being too bunched up and baggy around the knees. I see the potential here, but there's still work to be done," she adds.
NBC intern Jasmine Stewart had the opposite experience with her skinny jeans, even going as far as calling Amazon Essentials her new go-to spot for denim.
"As a tall girl (5’10”), it’s always a struggle to find jeans that actually fit my long legs and hug my waist just right," she says. "These were a perfect, true-to-size fit, with roomy pockets, durable belt loops and thick fabric that’s stretchy and breathable. I’m obsessed with this stark white pair and love how its simple design can go with several different outfit ideas. I am so glad I snagged these because skinny jeans are definitely making a comeback — and Amazon is right on time.”
More Amazon Essentials Denim Shop styles
Are flared jeans coming back? Again?? We hope so, because we've got our eyes on this bell bottom-like pair of jeans.
The new denim collection has more than just jean pants. You can grab this trucker jacket for only $41. It's said to be extremely durable and customers say they love the flattering fit.
Just in time for putting together your chicest fall 'fits, this jean skirt will look stunning with tall boots and a chunky sweater.
This denim dress will make for lightweight and comfortable transitional piece as we near the end of summer weather and welcome those fall breezes.
How we chose
Our editors tried several styles from Amazon's brand-new Denim Shop and provided unbiased, honest opinions. We chose to highlight Amazon because of its popularity and affordable price point.
