This weekend Abercrombie is having their big bi-annual denim sale, with 25% off all denim and 15% of almost everything else! They also reactivated my code AFJEAN for a stackable additional 15% off (unfortunately I believe this might only be for US shoppers).
I’ve tried on various AF denim styles over the years and wanted to compare 3 of their most popular styles, all of which come in multiple inseam options like Short and Extra Short for petites!
1. 90’s Relaxed Jean
This is probably A&F’s most viral denim style that’s current without being too trendy, IMO. The cut is reminiscent of my favorite Levi’s ribcage jeans with a few differences (see my Levi’s review here). The A&F has a regular high rise, not as sky high as the Levi’s ribcage, and has a zipper fly instead of a button fly on the Levi’s. Additionally, the thighs on this Abercrombie relaxed style is cut just a little bit slimmer than on my Levi’s ribcage. This is a full length style so I take Extra Short to wear with flats, or I could do just Short for wearing with heels.
I saw they have a newer Wide Leg style that I haven’t tried yet but am curious about!
I also want to point out my favorite keeper lately – the cutest little sweater vest that’s basically a warm weather version of the striped Emilie sweater jacket I wear non stop. The cut of this vest is a little looser and slightly cropped in length, and is a light/medium weight knit.
2. 90’s Straight Jean
This is a classic full length straight cut jean – not too loose/wide, not too slim. I got this style last year, and have been gravitating more toward the relaxed fit (shown above) or the shorter ankle straight (shown below) when wearing flats or sneakers. I personally feel that this full length straight style looks better on me with a kitten heel or low ankle bootie for a long and lean line.
I also had a chance to try on this cardigan jacket which is very reminiscent to the J. Crew Emilie but did not keep it. Fit wise, the two are pretty similar except the AF is a synthetic blend while the Emilie is 100% cotton. The AF knit is super soft & smooth to the touch, but I’m a cotton fan so between the two I would personally prefer the latter. And the Emilie just came out in a new solid cream color that’s bound to be a spring staple! The sleeve length on both styles fit similarly, and I would fold the sleeve length under a bit.
3. Ultra High Rise Ankle Jeans
These jeans need no intro as they’ve been my most worn denim for over a year now and the EP bestseller for all of 2023! Since these are already a cropped style, at 5 feet tall I prefer to get the Short, not Extra Short. For a similar option with more washes in stock, the Levi’s Wedgie Straight jeans in size 24 x 26 length fit close to these except with a button fly and more rigid denim.
The “dark” wash in this style is currently well stocked in petite-friendly inseams.
My exact chunky cardigan pictured above is nearly sold out and was replaced with a cotton version. Since the original cardigan was a reader favorite, I wanted to try on the update for comparison’s sake! See below for the cotton blend one – I like the new textured material and the cardigan still has the same loose relaxed shape with an even more petite-friendly cropped length. The sleeves on the cotton version are different though with a wide chunky cuff (that I would not fold up one more time), so if you have shorter arms then this might fit long.