Alright so I’ve been seeing these Abercrombie low rise jeans pop up everywhere lately. TikTok, Instagram, you name it. Everyone’s talking about the “Y2K revival” and honestly? My old bootcut flares from 2003 are long gone. Figured I’d bite the bullet and see what the fuss is about. Here’s how it went down, step by step.
The Initial “Let’s Just Buy Them” Phase
Hopped onto the Abercrombie website – felt weird, haven’t shopped there since maybe high school? Found the “Ultra Low Rise Wide Leg Jeans” – that’s the pair everyone’s obsessed with. Scrolled through, saw a billion colors, got overwhelmed. Stuck with classic medium wash. Size? My usual Abercrombie size is a 26 in their Curve Love line. Figured “Low Rise” probably fits different, but hey, let’s start there. Clicked “Add to Cart.” Boom. Done. Shipped fast, I’ll give them that.
First Try-On Disaster
Jeans arrived. Pulled them out. Felt… thin? Like, not flimsy, but lighter than I imagined. Held them up. Yep. Super low waistband. Like, belly button territory low. Okay, deep breath. Stepped into them.
Pulled them up. And up. And… stopped. Way below my hips. Like, hip bone territory. My immediate reaction? “Oh god, my entire stomach is out.” Felt like I needed constant core engagement just to exist. Buttoned them – surprisingly easy. Walked around the room. Felt exposed! Kept yanking them up instinctively, but they just… sat there, low and slightly menacing.
Here’s the real kicker:
- The Waist Gap: Major space at the back! Like, I could fit a fist back there. But the front? Snug right under the belly button. Weirdest feeling.
- The Rise Measurement: Label said “Ultra Low Rise (4.5″)”. Four and a half inches?! Yeah, that tracks. Felt like maybe 3 inches on me.
- The Muffin Top Effect: Even though my stomach was basically bare, the top edge was cutting right across the soft bit lower down. Instant soft spillage over the top. Not cute.
The wide legs were cool, but I was too distracted by feeling like my pants were actively trying to escape southward.
Troubleshooting Like a Madwoman
Refused to accept defeat. Grabbed two sizes up (28) and one size down (25) the next time I swung by the store. Let’s get physical with fitting rooms.
- Size 28 (Up 2 sizes): Way too big everywhere. Waist swimming, hips baggy. Felt sloppy. Nope.
- Size 25 (Down 1 size): Absolutely. Could. Not. Breathe. Buttoning was a core workout I didn’t sign up for. Felt like sausage casing cutting into my lower stomach instantly. Hard pass.
- My Usual 26 Again: Re-tried my delivered size. Still gaping in the back, tight-ish front waist, and that low, low ride. But maybe… just maybe, they’re meant to sit that low?
Stood there staring at myself in the 26s. Did the “squat test.” Minor butt crack alert. Did the “sit down test.” Immediate pressure on the lower abdomen. Not painful, but noticeable. Like “hey, I’m here, reminding you I’m low-rise.”
Finding the Slightly Less Painful Fit
The 26 was the only contender from my tries, even with the flaws. Here’s what I concluded:
- You HAVE to Embrace the Low Ride: Seriously. These are not mid-rise jeans pretending to be low. They start WAY below your natural waist. Accept it or pick a different style.
- Size for the Stretch (or Lack Thereof): Mine were 99% cotton, 1% elastane. Barely any give. Size based on your lower stomach/front hip measurement, not your usual jean size elsewhere. Forget the number on the tag. It’s meaningless.
- The Back Gap is Inevitable for Some Bodies: If you have curves (smaller waist, fuller hips/butt), a back gap with low rise is basically standard unless they have stretch. Focus on the front fit being smooth(ish) and the waistband feeling secure-ish when sitting. That gap? Ignore it or plan for tailoring.
- Fabric Matters Insanely: Tried on a pair in a different wash (darker, felt slightly thicker?) same size felt slightly better in the stomach area. Less cutting. Wish I’d known to try different fabrics!
- Don’t Trust Size Charts Blindly: Abercrombie’s own chart felt off for these compared to their other jeans. Just go try them on. Seriously.
The Final Verdict: I kept the 26s. Are they perfect? Hell no. The back gap annoys me. Sitting down takes getting used to. But washed them, wore them high on my actual hips (where they naturally want to sit anyway) with a longer cropped tee? Started to get the vibe. They look cool from the front/side. The wide leg is flattering. It’s a look, not necessarily comfort. If you want true comfort, maybe low rise ain’t it for everyday. But for the aesthetic? You can make it work with the right size (based on front fit!), zero expectations about coverage, and maybe a belt if the gap is massive. Proceed with caution and realistic expectations!
Biggest Tip? Go into the store if you can. Try multiple sizes AND multiple fabrications/washes. Your “size” will likely change depending on the material. And honestly? Bring a friend to laugh with you when you see how low they really go.
