Everyone knows that there’s a high that comes with finding a good pair of jeans.
Part of it is that the right pair will go with almost everything. But a large reason why it’s so satisfying is that the process of trying on jeans is notoriously miserable. Almost everyone knows the painful experience of putting on pair after pair of ill-fitting jeans in an overly warm dressing room only to walk out empty-handed. (In fact, most of our editors will admit to having jean-induced meltdowns at one point or another.)
American Eagle is a brand that is known for its jeans. (At one point, it claimed on its socials that it was home to “the world’s best jeans.”) And to help get a better idea of how the brand’s jeans fit different body types — and what you should keep in mind to find the right fit for yourself — four of our editors went to the brand’s SoHo store in New York City to try on a range of American Eagle’s new and bestselling jeans. Keep reading to discover what we thought, as well as some of our current favorite Memorial Day deals from the brand.
The best American Eagle jeans, according to editors
I had never tried a Stovepipe jean before, but these were easily one of my top picks out of all of the pairs we tried. They were super comfortable and stretchy, but felt more like a traditional jean material than some of the other options I had put on.
I love the way that they fell and that they had a true straight-leg silhouette. The brand says that they run big, which is true, but I didn’t think it was enough to need to size up. I tried on a size 4, which is my standard size, and I still had a comfortable amount of room in the waist and legs. They didn’t have any short styles available at the store, which I would have opted for to better fit my 5-foot-2-inch height. But I was pleased to find that I could get away with wearing the regular length, even if it draped a bit over my sneakers.
“It’s been a while since I tried American Eagle’s jeans — I didn’t realize how soft they would feel, especially this Stovepipe jean,” says writer Danielle Murphy. “This pair definitely has all-day wear potential. There’s none of that tough, stiff feel that you usually get from denim. I could probably do a quick workout in these if I wanted to. They are supposed to be high-waisted, but they give me more of a medium-rise fit, which I actually prefer. I’m so happy they come in short lengths because this ends right below the ankle, making them perfect for wearing with sneakers and sandals.”
While Murphy is normally a size 2, she dropped down to a size 0 for this pair. “Even with the smaller size, the waist is still slightly too big, but the fit everywhere else feels nice. I could go lower if I wanted a more snug silhouette. “
“I’ve worn American Eagle jeans for years. and their high-waisted styles are typically my go-to,” shares editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson.“While my sizing has changed a bit over the years, this style didn’t disappoint. I opted for the long inseam, and it finally helped me achieve that coveted look of my jeans actually going past my ankle! I also love that these are stretchy.”
While Stewart-Jackson normally wears a size 16, she had to size up to an 18 for this pair.
When I slipped these on, I couldn’t believe how soft and light they felt! These are the kinds of jeans that you could really wear anywhere. The waistband was equally stretchy and comfortable. This was one of the few styles that I found in the short fit in the store, and it hit perfectly at my ankles. And I found that my standard size, 4, was a perfect fit.
Some of American Eagle’s jeans also come in curvy styles, which have more room in the hips and thighs. and Stewart-Jackson says that she “found the most success” with these styles. “I liked the Strigid Ripped Mom Jean I tried on, but the fit wasn’t quite right. When I tried on the curvy version, it was exactly what I wanted! I haven’t owned a pair of ripped jeans in a while so I’m excited to have a good pair of casual ripped jeans for those cooler summer nights.”
Even with the curvy style, she found that she also had to size up to an 18 in these jeans. Both associate editor Annie Shigo and I had similar experiences. Shigo, who wears a size 16, shares that she would have preferred a size 18. And I tried on a size 4 in the regular (non-curvy fit), but I wish that I had gone up to 6 and maybe tried the curvy version, because these were the tightest around the waist and they felt more like skinny jeans than mom jeans to me. They were pretty tight on my legs through the lower thigh all the way down to the ankle, which I didn’t mind, but I also like my mom jeans to be a little less fitted.
We are a group of self-proclaimed low-rise jean haters, so imagine our surprise when we tried on this pair first and found that many of us were actually fans.
“Now listen ... I was the first to say no to the return of low-rise jeans. The early aughts have traumatized me enough. However, this pair might be the one that makes me change my tune,” says Stewart-Jackson. “Not only did they fit, they also went up a little higher than I thought they would (so they’re more like a mid-rise to me). I tried the regular length and they were definitely too short for me, so I would opt for the long inseam on these but they’re definitely a pair that I’m thinking about going back for.”
Murphy shared a similar sentiment. “If you told me a few months ago that I would be purchasing a pair of low-rise jeans in the near future, I would have laughed in your face. But this wide-leg pair converted me. The fit is just too flattering to ignore. They’re a little long on me, but in a stylish and completely doable way. And, again, the material is unbelievably soft. It’s almost like I’m wearing sweatpants. It’s perfectly drapey and creates a relaxed yet effortlessly sleek silhouette.
I was actually surprised to see that these were labeled “low-rise,” because they hit right at my belly button. Sure, high-rise jeans tend to sit right past it, but I would consider these more of a mid-rise. I tried on a size 2 and found that I still had a little extra room in the waist. They weren’t quite as soft as the baggy jeans, but the material felt really comfortable and easy to move in overall.
“I liked how this felt on my body; they had a nice shape to them,” says Shigo. “I think they were the most true-to-size pair I tried (size 16). They were stretchy but had a nice weight. I think if you are under 5-foot-4-inches, these hit at a great spot.”
This was my favorite pair of jeans that I tried on — of course, they also happened to be the most expensive. However, the current discount is not too bad! I loved the rigid, heavier material that feels like a more traditional, well-loved denim, though it was neither hard to move in nor restricting in any way. This pair does not come in short sizes, but the cropped design means that the cuffs hit right around my ankles on my five-foot-two frame. Even though they’re technically low-rise, they hit comfortably at my belly button. This line only came in European sizes, so I selected a size 27, which is the brand equivalent of a 4. They fit comfortably, though they weren’t as roomy around the waist as other styles, because the denim is more rigid. If you want a roomier fit, I’d recommend sizing up.
The best American Eagle shorts, according to Shop TODAY editors
“I really liked the way these jean shorts fit,” says Stewart. “They were high-waisted, soft and, most importantly, long enough for me to feel comfortable wearing them anywhere.”
The long shorts are a trend that Gen Z has revived, and as a Millennial I just wasn’t sure if I could pull them off. In fact, I think both myself and Murphy were unsure of how these shorts would look on us, but when we put them on, we were each pleasantly surprised.
I often find myself staying away from typical denim shorts because many of them feel too short for certain activities and for wearing on public transit (I despise the feeling of my bare thighs touching the subway seats), so I really appreciate how these have a good amount of coverage.
“I always figured a Bermuda Short would make my 5-foot-3-inch frame look even shorter than normal, but I took a risk and tried a pair anyway. I ended up loving this high-waisted pair,” says Murphy. “They stop a few inches above the knee, which seems to be the sweet spot. I can’t wait to wear these with a platform sandal or a kitten heel. I actually think I could create the illusion of more elongated legs if I style them right. They are a super-cute choice for when it’s hot outside, but I don’t want to wear a full cut-off short.”
More American Eagle deals our editors love
“I love a tube top for summer and this one immediately caught my eye,” says Stewart-Jackson. “It looks like it’d be perfect to wear everywhere from the beach to picnics to pool parties. I’ll definitely be wearing it over a bathing suit throughout the summer. I like that the material is super stretchy and it’s thick enough to feel like it’s shaping your body well without being constricting (or paper-thin and see-through).”
“I love how flowy this skirt is,” Shigo says about this summer staple. “I have been seeing asymmetrical skirts everywhere and love how this looks on the leg.”
“I’ve been really into vest-style tops lately and I’m excited about this one for summer,” says Stewart-Jackson. “It’s a little more out there than what I usually wear, but I’m trying to explore/experiment with my summer style since it’s what I typically struggle with the most. I think this’ll look super cute with white pants for an end-of-summer Labor Day party or with some blue denim shorts for BBQs.”
“I’m really excited to wear this set this summer,” shares Stewart-Jackson. “I got it without trying it on and it’s true to size (hallelujah) and looks so cute! It’s a little more open in the back but covers a lot of skin in the front, which makes me more comfortable wearing it. I think, paired with a jean jacket and sneakers, I could even wear it in the office. (I wear the skirt more high-rise than mid-rise.) I think this is going to become my go-to uniform this summer for all of my outings.”
Shigo is a fan of these pants, which can be cropped into capris, thanks to the drawstring at the bottom of the leg. Though she notes that the white color is a little see-through, “so you have to be careful what underwear you wear with them.”
I have a warm-weather vacation coming up, and as soon as I saw this in the store, I knew it would make the perfect addition to my travel wardrobe. It drapes in a really flattering way and I love how airy the open-knit fabric is for the warm weather.
Do American Eagle jeans fit true to size?
Our editors, who all wear a range of sizes, had mixed experiences when it came to sizing for different cuts and styles. For example, I found that I was a size 2 in the Low-Rise Ultra Wide-Leg Jeans, but I was a size 4 in almost every other style. So it’s important to look at the brand’s sizing notes as well as reviews if you’re shopping online to get a better sense of how each pair may fit.
It should be noted that we were in a rather large American Eagle store in New York City, and there were only a handful of styles and sizes that were available in alternative lengths (short, long, extra-long, etc.). They also didn’t have every size our editors needed in the store, so if you typically need a different fit, your best bet is to shop online.
What are American Eagle’s Memorial Day deals?
American Eagle is currently having a Sun Fun Sale, with discounts of up to 50% across its site. You can save on summer favorites and new arrivals, including denim, dresses and more.
How we chose
Our editors tried on dozens of pairs of jeans at an American Eagle store in New York City. We chose our favorite pairs based on a number of factors, including overall fit, style, price, availability and how each one looks on various body types.
