At a party hosted by my gym last month, I wore my then-favorite jeans (Paige skinnies, size 25), dipped it low, and split the backside open. Although my coach considered it a point of pride that my ass split my old jeans, I took this as a sign that it was clearly time to update my denim wardrobe to accommodate my growing butt and thighs. I had been wanting to try “athletic fit” denim for a while, but wasn’t sure how they compared to jeans I could try on in the store in terms of fit, fabric, and style, so I decided to create this guide. All of these jeans are ones that I’ve purchased with my own money; this review is my unbiased opinion. For reference, I’m 5’3″, 146-147#, and usually wear a size 2 in pants and skirts or size 25 jeans.

  
Paige skinny jeans (not sure what cut; they’re long gone)

Size 25

$160-$200

Fabric: These are soft and stretchy, almost more like a legging than a jean. 

Fit: these just barely fit over my butt and thighs, but had quite a bit of room in the waist, so I had to hitch them up a lot.

Squat test: Ultimate fail (see picture)

Overall: These are really popular jeans for a reason– they’re stretchy and comfortable– but they just don’t have the leg-to-waist ratio I need. 
  
Old Navy “Rockstar Skinny Jeans” 

Size 4

$25-$35 

I’ve had these for a couple years; they now come in mid-rise, high-rise, low-rise, and jeggings. These are probably closest to the mid-rise jean. 

Fabric: Stretchy denim (but not like a legging, unless you get the jeggings) thar holds its shape much better than I expected, given the price. 

Fit: They have a little extra room in the waist (though it doesn’t visibly gape open), so they tend to ride down a little bit as you move. These run a little small; I had to size up (2s fit better in the waist but were uncomfortably tight in the legs).

Squat Test: Pass with no crack exposure, provided you don’t go ass to grass. 

Overall: These are often under $30, come in a million colors, and are a really solid jean for ladies who are generous of butt and thigh. 

  
Hudson “Signature Bootcut”

Size 25

$170-$200

I bought these jeans when I had smaller and weaker legs. Even though I can technically get them on and button them, they are ludicrously bad for my current shape.

Fabric: Wonderfully soft and stretchy denim; there’s no stiffness at all to these jeans.

Fit: These are far too narrow in the leg– they barely fit over my thighs–

and the horizontal seam across the derrière creates a buttmuffin. There’s a little bit of muffin-toppage just because I can’t get the waistband up high enough over my booty. A larger size might help but I suspect it would be too big in the waist, since the waistband would fit if it hit me in the right spot. 

Squat Test: I can’t squat down at all without exposing my entire ass. Fail. 

Overall: The flap pocket design is distinctive and flattering; I loved these jeans when my butt and thighs were smaller, but they are not right for my shape anymore. 

 

Kut from the Kloth “Katy Boyfriend”

(Discontinued, but Kut makes similar boyfriend jeans)

Size 2

$60-$90 

I loved these until I took pictures and realized they’re straight up mom jeans on me. 

Fabric: Medium-weight denim with some stretch to it. They retain their shape poorly– I have to wash them after pretty much every wearing just so they won’t fall down. 

Fit: Of the entire lot, these are the worst offenders in terms of being HUGE in the waist. They are supposed to be “relaxed fit”, but they fit thunder thighs like a standard bootcut jean.

Squat test: the rise is high and they’re roomy, so they pass (especially if I’m wearing a belt).

Overall: these are really comfortable pants to do chores or outdoor activities in, but if you’re looking for something flattering and fashionable, I’d pass.

  

Genetic Denim “The Shane”

(Discontinued, but the “Shya” skinny jean is similar)

Size 25

$120-$150

Fabric: this particular pair of pants is a thin jacquard without a ton of stretch

Fit: These actually fit pretty great, as long as I don’t try to move very much. The waist fits without muffin top, and they *just barely* fit over my butt and thighs 

Squat Test: This one made me nervous. There wasn’t any crack exposure, but the fabric felt strained as I bent down, so I didn’t break parallel. Fail for incomplete range of motion.

Overall: I would wear these pants for a night out (which is why I bought them), but they don’t have enough room in the butt and thighs for me to wear them all day and feel comfortable.

  Fran Denim “Sarah Skinny”

Size 25

$80-$100 

There was one pair of size 25s on clearance, so I took the “athletic-fit denim” plunge and loved them!

Fabric: These have some stretch to them, but the denim is stiffer and heavier than most skinny jeans. This is less like a legging, and more like a true jean that molds to you with wearing.

Fit: the rise is a little higher than my Rockstars or Genetic skinnies. The waist is more fitted than the Rockstars, and the butt and thighs have more room than the Genetic skinnies. There’s a little bit of room in the waistband– just enough to allow for comfortable movement– but no gap. The waistband doesn’t have much stretch– there was a moment when I was pulling the jeans over my butt that I thought “no way will these ever go up”, but they ended up fitting perfectly. The calves are quite fitted; they were snug but not too tight on my 15.5″ calves, but ladies who wear wide-calf boots might find them too narrow. In terms of sizing, I’d go with whatever size is *just* on the edge of being too small in Genetic, Hudson, or Paige.

Squat Test: I could comfortably squat down with no plumber issues or anxiety about tearing the fabric. Pass! 

Overall: I really love these jeans. I haven’t been able to wear real denim like this since I was a teenager, and I had forgotten how nice it is. I was worried that the pockets would look small and weird like they do on the model, but they look normal on me. 

  

Relentless Jeans “Straight Leg Athletic Fit”

Size 24

$98

Fabric: these are very lightweight, soft and stretchy. They feel more like I’m wearing yoga pants than jeans.

Fit: because the fabric is so stretchy, they conform completely to my legs and butt. The waistband isn’t stretchy, so they don’t ride down like leggings tend to. The rise is pretty high, which I find comfortable, but these are not the brand you want if you are looking for low-rise jeans. There’s a lot more room in the calves than in the Frans– my calves fill them out, but women with slimmer calves might find them to be a little loose. They aren’t tight at all at the ankles; they definitely are a straight-leg and not a skinny jean. I need to hem these; they’re very long. I would say they run big– not even in my dreams do I have anything close to a 24″ waist, but these fit nicely even after a big dinner during shark week. The website encourages emailing to ask for size recommendations; I did so, and it took about a day to hear back, but the size they suggested was perfect.

Squat Test: I’m pretty sure I could go to a yoga class in these jeans. Pass!

Overall: I love these jeans too. The pocket design is especially cute and fashionable.

I will add to this post periodically as I purchase or try new jeans (Athleta Bettonas and Barbell jeans are notably absent, but I don’t have an unlimited budget). I would definitely continue to purchase Rockstars, Fran, and Relentless jeans.

 Because who doesn’t love a belfie collage?