During the pandemic, when most people pushed their “hard pants” to the backs of their closets, I entered what felt like my never ending era of ordering and returning countless pairs of jeans from many different retailers. I did finally find one style I loved, but I was still left hoping to source a new go-to pair of skinny jeans. Then, a few weeks ago—without any knowledge of my years-long saga—Spanx reached out to me with an offer to try the brand’s Ankle Skinny Jeans. To buy: $128; Spanx.com. The email wasn’t just an invitation to try their jeans—it was an offer to become a Spanx first-timer. Yes, even though a few of my friends swear by Spanx shapewear and others are obsessed with their pants—and despite the brand’s founder Sara Blakely being one of my favorite inspirational and entrepreneurial people to follow on Instagram—I had never actually tried anything from the brand. This was my opportunity to finally learn what all of the hype was about, so I enthusiastically agreed to try them. When my box arrived, I opened it to find a quote from Blakely: “The biggest risk in life is not risking.” It’s an apt quote for living life, but it was also appropriate as I felt like I was taking my own risk (albeit a mini one) by yet again trying new jeans. I felt hopeful, but based on my shopping history, I wasn’t yet convinced that I would love them. To buy: $128; Spanx.com. The wash, called Midnight Shade, was the perfect not-too-dark-not-too-light shade of denim. The fabric—which is 91 percent cotton, 7 percent polyester, and 2 percent lycra elastane—felt lightweight with just the right amount of stretch. Plus, rather than hassle with buttons of any kind, Spanx jeans all simply pull-on, just like a pair of leggings, to offer a “flat front.” The skinny jeans specifically promise to shape the waist and offer a fitted feel through the hips and thighs before tapering into a skinny fit that ends at the ankles. I was also intrigued that the pull-on jeans still had functioning back pockets—a handy feature I sometimes use for my phone when I’m on the go. Ultimately, I was most curious to see how the jeans fit. Rather than numbered sizes, Spanx jeans are available in XS to 3X in regular, petite, and tall sizes. After consulting the sizing chart, I felt confident going with a medium, which is also my typical workout legging size. But I did pivot and ordered the jeans in petite at the brand’s recommendation (I’m 5 feet and 2 inches tall, and Spanx recommends the petite option for those who are 5 feet and 4 inches and shorter). To buy: $128; Spanx.com. As it turns out, I should never have worried about a thing. Pulling on the skinny jeans was like hearing the first few notes of a favorite song: I knew I loved them before I even looked in the mirror. They hit right below my belly button and end at my ankles, just as the brand promised. Plus, the pull-on style and lack of buttons makes the jeans incredibly comfortable—so much so that I wear them instead of leggings. I can also still partially tuck tops in, which is my preference, and in doing so no one would ever know that I’m not hiding a button. Simply put, I am so impressed with these jeans that my exact email to the Spanx team reads: “Oh. My. God. These jeans are MAGICAL.” To buy: $128; Spanx.com. The Ankle Skinny Jeans retail for $128, and although they were sent to me to try as a sample, I now totally understand the hype and would pay full price for them on my own—and I definitely plan to. I’m so happy to report that my long search for the perfect skinny jeans has finally come to a close. Shop the jeans at Spanx, and they just might put an end to yours, too.
