From the looks of things, casual, chic ’90s style is becoming a new classic, which is great since I’ve been dressing like this for most of my life. It’s comfortable, easy to wear and doesn’t require much thought in the morning. I just love it, so if this look speaks to you too, a great pair of straight-leg jeans is a good place to start.
Add a sweater and loafers, a white tee and a jacket, or a button-down and a belt, and you have an outfit. For this roundup, I’m focusing on full-length jeans, where the inseam and your choice of shoes make a difference. You want the hem to meet the top of your shoe without bunching around it.
For this week’s Splurge, Spend, Save, I chose three pairs at different price points: Favorite Daughter’s Jen, Banana Republic’s Slim-Straight and Gap’s ’90s Slim Straight.
I’ll compare the fit, fabric and length of each so you can find the pair that works for you, and you might be surprised with what I end up recommending.
If you prefer a shorter hem, we covered ankle-length straiht leg jeans earlier this year.
Splurge: Favorite Daughter The Jen
I own The Jen and really like them. At 5’10”, the 31.5-inch inseam fits me well as a full-length jean. They have a mid rise and fit close through the hip and thigh before falling into a slim, straight leg. If you prefer your jeans to sit a little lower at the waist these are an option.
The Oslo wash is a medium-light indigo made from 59% cotton, 40% lyocell and 1% Lycra. Oslo is on sale for $168; the other washes are $228.
At either price point these are splurgy.
The product image gives a helpful expample of how these should fit with a heel, they cover the ankle but do not break on the top of the foot.
Buy: Favorite Daughter The Jen in Oslo, $168
Spend: Banana Republic High-Rise Slim-Straight Jean
The Banana Republic pair has a higher rise than The Jen and fits close through the waist, hip and thigh before falling straight. It gives you a more tailored look, especially with a tucked-in shirt or sweater and a belt, while keeping the easy feel of a classic jean.
They come in sizes 25–34 in regular and petite. The regular inseam is 31 inches, and there’s a 34-inch long option if you need more length. The medium wash is 69% cotton, 24% recycled polyester, 5% recycled cotton and 2% elastane.
At $78 with the current 40% discount applied at checkout, these are a particularly good buy. You get the full-length, slim-straight shape and more length options for less than half the price of The Jen in Oslo.
Buy: Banana Republic High-Rise Slim-Straight Jean, $78 with 40% off at checkout
Save: Gap High Rise ’90s Slim Straight Jeans
At $26 in the New Medium Wash, these are an easy way to try the full-length ’90s straight leg. They’re slim through the hip and thigh, then fall straight, with low stretch that gives them more of a classic denim feel. The fabric is 83% cotton, 11% recycled polyester, 5% recycled cotton and 1% elastane.
The size range is 23–35, with regular, petite and tall fits, plus short, regular and long inseam choices. The lengths run from 28 inches in petite to 34.5 inches in tall, so you have a much better chance of getting that hem to meet your shoe without bunching. There’s also a separate curvy fit. These run small, so I’d consider going up a size if you want a little more room through the hip and thigh.
This is the save for someone who wants the shape and a lot of choice in length without spending much. At this price, I’d take the extra minute to get the size and inseam right.
Buy: Gap High Rise ’90s Slim Straight Jeans, $26
Another option is the Gap Factory High Rise ’90s Slim Straight Jeans.
My Recommendations and a Note on Hemming
You don’t need The Jen. I like mine but they are not going to change your life.
At $26, the Gap jeans are a no-brainer. I’d buy them for casual days with a low-profile sneaker or ballet flats. They come in enough lengths that you have a good chance of finding one that meets the top of your shoe without extra fabric bunching at the bottom.
For a slightly dressier look, I’d choose the Banana Republic pair in a darker wash. If you need them shortened, buy a length that gives you room to get the hem exactly right. The hem should meet the top of your shoe with no break: no puddling on the floor and no fold of extra denim around your ankle. Bring the shoes you plan to wear most often to the tailor and have the jeans pinned while you’re wearing them.
Hemming jeans may cost around $20–$25, although I’d ask for a quote first, especially if you want to keep the original hem. That means the tailor shortens the leg and reattaches the factory-finished edge, preserving the stitching and fading at the bottom. It’s a small detail that helps the jeans still look like jeans after they’ve been shortened.
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