
If you have an Instagram you know that influencers all wear the best of the best, which makes us want to wear at least some of the best. I thought I’d give some premium denim a try so I bought 4 pairs of some of the most popular premium denim brands from GRLFRND to AGOLDE. I was pleasantly surprised, and completely confused.
So here’s what I bought: GRLFRND Karolina High-Rise Skinny Crop, GRLFRND Helena High-Rise Straight Jean, AG Adriano Goldschmied Farrah Skinny Ankle, and AGOLDE Jamie High Rise Straight. All denim was ordered as size 29.
Clearly I have a type, and that type is high rise. I hope this trend never goes out of style because it’s the most comfortable way to wear jeans in my opinion. I’ve been trying to branch out more into a looser fit as someone who barely ever wore jeans and only ever wore American Eagle skinnies. So here we are, growing up.
I’m expecting that I’ll get high-quality denim that I know will last me years and only get better with wear, I know they’re going to be a little snug at first, but I’m mainly just hoping I haven’t gotten bigger than I think I am. My last Revolve order I purchased a pair of Levi’s and let me tell you, they are not forgiving. The sizes are also all out of whack so ya girl couldn’t even get a pair of size 29 501s past her thighs. It was a sad night.
Let just get into it starting with:

AGOLDE Jamie High Rise Straight | $168 – Starting off with what was probably my favorite brand from the bunch. I love the quality of AGOLDE. As soon as I put them on I knew why everyone and their mom has been wearing them all over Instagram. The quality is there, and they’re soft for a thicker denim without being too stiff. The best part – I had to size down. What’s better than a premium jean giving you the realization that you need to size down. God bless you, Agolde. Thank you for making my day. They’re also a little cheaper than GRLFRND so it’s a win-win.
I got a size 29 in these, exchanged for size 28, I’ll update you when I get them!

GRLFRND Karolina High-Rise Straight Crop | $137 $228 – God damn, I wanted to love these so bad. For one, I wish these were higher than they are. Something I learned from trying all these on is to check the rise of the jeans if you’re looking for that real high rise. For revolve it’s in size & fit details. Being 5′ 8″ with long legs and longish torso I need at least 11″ rise for it to reach my belly button, otherwise they feel kind of mid-rise. These are 10″ so just a little bit lower than I wanted.
They were about $100 off and I thought I scored big time so you know I was extra excited. They fit me okay, definitely need to size down in this style as well because it’s a straight leg, not skinny. I get slight bagging near my crotch and my knees and calves, which means once they stretch they’ll look like the wrong size on me. I’ve noticed that GRLFRND jeans fit a little snug in the hip and upper thigh area and bigger in the waist, which I feel like is a problem for a lot of girls. I ended up returning them because I wasn’t in love, just an all around awkward fit on me.

GRLFRND Helena High-Rise Jeans | $149 $228 – I tried these on first and wow. This was the first pair I knew I was keeping, I was feeling myself right away when I put these on and you can’t return that feeling. I could see myself wearing a white tee, some slip on casual sandals grabbing a coffee with my boyfriend on a nice spring or summer day. That’s def when you know. I ordered a size 29 in these instead of 28 because I wanted them a little baggier. They were snug on my hips so I’d def size up in these no matter what. They aren’t too baggy on me, but hug my butt and thighs nicely. GRLFND has amazing quality – highly recommend, and they’re made right here in Los Angeles. The first day I wore them to work I got a compliment from the first coworker I talked to that day. That’s love.
Bonus: GRLFND had a wicked cute card in the back pocket when I tried them on that said, “Hey girlfriend. FYI these jeans should fit super snug at first – they’ll stretch out as you wear ’em. We promise, they are totally worth the wait.” It’s like your best friend is in the fitting room with you telling you that you did not get fat, it’s just the jeans. And it is – just the jeans.

Last, a little different than the others:

AG Adriano Goldschmied Farrah Skinny Ankle | $158 $225 – I can’t really express how I feel about these. I don’t know how they are $225 to be honest. I googled AG because I hadn’t heard much about the brand and saw that the designer is the head of Citizen’s of Humanity men’s line and had been deemed the, “Godfather of denim” so I thought I hit a little jackpot. I thought these would be a win for me, but I was wrong. I just don’t think this is what I’m looking for right now.
Maybe it’s just because I haven’t owned premium denim so the only thing I can think of is a thick texture that’ll stretch out, but these felt so eh to me. They’re not as thick as I wanted them to be, probably a good summer jean because the material is so thin and stretchy. The thing that got me the most is that they are slight itchy, and kind of reminded me of H&M jeans or something you could find anywhere. Thinking it over it made me feel like I don’t know how much mileage I’d get out of these ones especially if I got them stuck on a draw in the kitchen or my dog jumped on my with his big dinosaur feet. Returned and it broke my heart a little bit.
All styles listed through Revolve are still on sale as of today!
What are your experiences with premium denim and what are you favorite brands and styles? Definitely going to try more styles in GRLFRND and AGOLDE next, as well as some classic Levis. Comment brands and styles below!
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