The infamous Levi’s wedgie jeans and my vintage high rise quest

I’m chasing that cool vintage high waist, button fly look and I don’t think it works for me. Do either of these jeans look right?

One is the Levi’s wedgie in deedee wash (heavy denim with stretch) and the second is a sample version of the same style that I found at a thrift store, in a lighter weight denim. I thought I liked the second better but now I’m not sure.

I’m realizing that my small weight gain all went to my waist. I haven’t adjusted to seeing the current me. So it’s hard for me to judge these.

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22 Comments

  • Jane replied 5 years ago

    Good look to chase!

    I think I agree with you about the second pair.

    How do you feel about the length? The reason for asking is that it seems that there is a bit of fabric around the lower leg that could be throwing off the look of the whole leg.

  • Greyscale replied 5 years ago

    Ah, good point. I had the first pair turned up an inch, but I forgot to do that for the photo. It does help but they look about the same throughout the leg.

  • Sal replied 5 years ago

    I think they work - I do think they need to be a little cropped or rolled.  Personally I like these jeans with some ankle I think.

  • Aurore replied 5 years ago

    I also like the second one better : it looks sleeker on your hips and thighs. The first one looks a bit too big around the waist : are they the same size?

  • Greyscale replied 5 years ago

    They are the same size but the sizing on this style is crazy. And the waist on the second pair is an inch higher. I wonder if they modified the style after making the sample.

  • Jessikams replied 5 years ago

    I am also intrigued by this style as the loose fit seems cooler for summer. But I tried on a pair while shopping with my best friend and she started to laugh....never a good sign...

    I would like to say that your waist area does NOT look fat. These high waist cuts just create a different look in that area and the eye has to adjust. My high school bio teacher used to tell us that a flat belly was an impossible goal: “there are organs in there ladies! They need space to function properly!”

  • Style Fan replied 5 years ago

    These are a great look for you.  I don't see a big difference between the two but I am not an expert.  I tried these jeans on and noticed a difference in size depending on the wash.  Levis are very inconsistent with their sizing. 

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    VERY on trend look. Suits you.

    I like both pairs, but would like to see them shorter. 

  • Greyscale replied 5 years ago

    Jessikams, great point. It’s not that I think I look fat per se. It’s just that I see how I look different from 5 or 10 years ago, but no one else is going to see me from that unique point of view! So other people’s opinions are more useful than my own.

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    I like them on you! The fit is similar to the CoH Drees that I liked on me. I like the second ones best, and I'd prefer rolled or cropped.

  • Janet replied 5 years ago

    I think they both look pretty similar, and you wear this style well (lucky!). You look great and I see no evidence of weight gain from any of your previous times posting. 

  • karen13 replied 5 years ago

    I like the second one best for fit, first for length, although both look good, just a looser look for #1, if that is what you want. The lighter fabrication might be nice for warm days.

  • replied 5 years ago

    Of course I went straight to your post - after all of the recent jeans talk. I prefer the second pair, but I'm also finding this whole mom -jean silhouette hard to wrap my head around, still, a few years into it.

  • kkards replied 5 years ago

    wow....I think both of these look great....so which ever is either less expensive or feels better is the one I'd keep.

  • LaPed replied 5 years ago

    They both look great on you. Slight preference for the second pair, but the first pair would look great hemmed or rolled up to show some ankle (well, they both would). I'd go with whichever pair is more comfy, because those will get more wear. 

  • replied 5 years ago

    They look like the fit is the same, and good, but I like the first one better because I think the hardware treatment is truer to the style and won't date as soon.

    I only put "as soon" because it seems inevitable but really that's a true jeans look and they look great on you.

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    Do you have a long rise, Greyscale? And quite a long waist. That's why these look GREAT. Slam dunk body type for the silhouette. 

  • Greyscale replied 5 years ago

    I have the longest rise in the world! The pair on the right barely hits my belly button. It's why I'm excited about this high waist trend, except that pressure on my tummy is very unpleasant. Thus the challenge in finding the perfect pair. These are both plenty comfortable, though.

    I have the neck and torso of a 6' woman and the legs of a 5' woman... The high rise helps even it out!

  • Greyscale replied 5 years ago

    Oh heh. Isabel's comment was the first I'd noticed that pair #2 (the sample, from a thrift store) didn't have rivets on the pocket. It looks like they just didn't bother putting them on the sample.

    I searched for the code on the tag and found the final version:
    https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/...../523050004
    Apparently they're 8% Elastomultiester, 2% Elastane -- explains why they feel lighter and stretchier. I usually prefer higher cotton content, and the missing rivets might drive me nuts now that I've seen.

    To fill in the back story:

    I own pair #1 and have worn them often in the past month. But I always feel schlubby in them. I came across pair #2 and considered 'upgrading' to the sleeker fit and selling #1 (since they're trendy, they'd sell pretty easily on Poshmark for what I paid for #2). Now I can't decide. I'll keep one of the two, at any rate... and I'll definitely get them shortened.

  • Jaime replied 5 years ago

    I will vicariously enjoy them both on you, says short waisted (if I had a waist) admirer.

  • RobinF replied 5 years ago

    I can't really tell a difference so I would go with the one that feels best to you. High-rise will never work for me! It didn't work particularly well back in the day when it was all you could find and I'm afraid would be even worse now.

  • Aida replied 5 years ago

    How fun that you were able to find a sample pair. I prefer the second pair (the sample) due to the softer denim, I think. Looks a little more broken in. Also the waistband seems better shaped for you.

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