Amazon Essentials Denim Review: My Honest Thoughts After 3 Weeks Of Testing

3 min readAS A SHOPPING editor, Amazon has been my go-to store to buy household goods, beauty products, and tech. But in past year, the online retailer has also become my one-stop-shop for cute, affordable clothes. Take its in-house brand, Amazon Essentials, which is chockfull of chic activewear, influencer collabs, and—the latest addition—comfortable jeans.Shop Amazon Essentials DenimLaunched on September 15, the Amazon Essentials denim collection includes denim jackets, jeans, skirts, dresses, and more. The brand promises premium denim under $50 and with that speedy Prime delivery we’ve grown accustomed to. I got my hands on a pair of the Ultra Soft Mid-Rise Wide Leg Jeans to see how the quality, comfort, and style held up. Below are my honest thoughts after three weeks of testing.ProsAffordable price pointTrendy wide leg fitSoft & comfortable to wearWide range of sizesConsRuns smallCould be too long on petite womenSizes0—20ColorsDark Shadow Wash, Black, Slate Blue WashMaterials40% cotton, 40% lyocell tencel, 20% recycled cottonHow I Tested Amazon Essentials DenimWhen shopping for jeans, I look for versatility in style and comfort. I want to be able to wear them to the office or dinner just as easily as I could wear them during a long day of travel. To meet this criteria, I often opt for a wide leg fit because it’s trendy while also giving my legs room to breathe. When browsing Amazon Essentials’ denim collection, this pair immediately jumped out at me.Editor Sidney Lee wearing the Amazon Essentials Wide Leg Jean.They’re easy to style and comfortable to wear.At first glance, the quality of the denim looks a little cheap, but for a price point under $30 that was expected. Once I tried the jeans on, I was pleasantly surprised at the fit and tailoring. The denim was soft while still having enough structure, and the pockets and hems were neatly sewn.The classic silhouette is definitely a no-frills style, but serves as a good canvas to build upon when styling. For the office, I paired them with a button down and heeled booties, and on the weekend I styled them with a t-shirt and sneakers. I also really like the color of the Dark Shadow Wash, which is a perfect dark blue that’s trending this fall. Regardless of their appearance, the real question is—can I wear them all day? Yes! The mid-weight cotton blend has a nice drape that I felt comfortable sitting in at my desk for eight hours.A few notes on the fit of the jeans.The Mid-Rise Wide Leg Jeans are fitted through the waist and hip with a wide leg through the thigh down to the leg opening. This denim has little to no stretch which I think works for a wide leg fit. I’m also a #tallgirl at five-foot-ten, so I love that the pant legs run a little long. But if you are petite, you may have to wear heels or get the jeans hemmed which can be a bummer for a $29 pair of pants.Other reviews on Amazon say that the jeans run small, and I would agree, especially if you are looking for a super baggy fit. I machine washed and dried the denim twice, and so far there hasn’t been much noticeable shrinkage.Final Verdict: Stylish Fits For LessLike most Amazon Essentials pieces, you really can’t argue with the price. For under $30, you get a decent pair of jeans that are on trend and comfortable! While I wouldn’t call these jeans “premium” (my favorite denim is still from Madewell), you get a lot of value for your money. If you’re looking for a basic pair of jeans that can be styled up or down, Amazon Essentials’ denim is a great affordable option.Shop Amazon Essentials Wide Leg JeanShop More Of Our Favorite ClothesMost Comfortable Bras | Best Skechers For Walking | Warmest Winter Coats For Women | Best Women's Underwear | Best On Cloud Shoes For Walking | Best White T-Shirts For Women | Best Sweatpants For Women | Best Workout LeggingsSidney Lee is the Editor, Deals and Trends, for Best Products, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Biography, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Oprah Daily. She loves keeping up on the latest social media trends and viral pop culture moments to recommend only the best products to readers. Previously, Sidney was the Assistant Home Editor at HGTV Magazine as well as contributing editor at Food Network and The Pioneer Woman Magazines, covering home, food, style, and more. She is based in Manhattan, and outside of work you can find her trying all the latest restaurants the city has to offer.