Madewell "Vintage" Jean Haul Review

I've been selling and collecting vintage clothing since 2013, I have since switched to selling vintage clothing patterns since genuine vintage clothing is becoming obsolete and expensive. Thus, my goal someday is to help everybody, no matter what size or budget, find high-quality period-correct vintage clothing whether you buy it off the rack or make it yourself!

Watch the Video

The takeaways

  1. Look at the Madewell Size Chart - Madewell does Vanity sizing, which means that the size on the label does not correlate with the size of the pant. I think it’s safe to say to go two sizes down from what you normally buy if you want tight-fitting pants, if you want something more comfortable only size down once. I will be exchanging my size 25 with a size 23 in the corduroy pants, however, I seriously might think that they just mislabeled the pants I received so I am hoping they fit even better then what I am expecting.

  2. Note for Madewell - Please if you are going to use vanity sizing then do letter sizing ex: XXS S M L XL. If you label a pant as size 25 the majority of people will assume that means the circumference of the waist. Its frustrating and I know its an easy solution. Shoes have escaped this insanity, but imagine if somebody gave you a size 9 shoe when you asked for a 7? Lame.

  3. Note the Styles/Cuts arent actually all the same - labels labels labels. Just because they list it as a vintage cut wide leg pant doesnt mean its derived from the same pattern as I discovered with the corduroy pants.

  4. Stretch in denim has come a long way - I gave the fabric ratings all a high score becuase the fabric is very nice, even though the denim nerds out there would prefer no stretch at all I actually dont mind anymore. If you asked me 10 years ago I wouldve been strongly opposed but I think fabric quality has come a long way. For instance, stretchy jeans used to stretch out permenantly and wouldnt bounce back even after washing, but not with Madewell jeans! Besides in every pant I bought the lycra never exceeded 2% which is just enough “give” to prevent you from ripping your pants if you squat or bend over and for added comfort when you eat just a little too much.

Allison Kohler