The Levi Fit Guide

Hi friends! It’s been a minute, huh? I am getting back on the posting bandwagon with a post LONG overdue– the Levi fit guide!

In case you haven’t noticed I love love LOVE Levi’s. Sure, their true denim nature means they have little stretch and that can make them intimidating to buy online, I get it. Trust me, I have bought and returned more pairs of Levi’s than I count.. BUT let me assure you that once you get the hang of what styles suit you, you will love them, too–between the fit, the price and it’s iconic brand status, once you go Levi there is truly no turning back.

A Note on Sizing

I am 5’2 and 105 pounds. My typical size in jeans is 24 but I have Levi’s in my regular jean/shorts rotation from size 23 all the way to 26! I will, of course, note what size I take in each specific style below, but my general Levi’s advice is you purchase your regular size PLUS one down/up (depending on my recco below) try them on and return whatever doesn’t work. Revolve carries Levi’s and their shipping/returns policy is excellent. ShopBop is also a great place to purchase Levi’s as they have free and fast shipping/returns. What I love most about Levi’s is their forever quality– the styles have been around (and the same! key! you only have to go through the try + return process once!) since WAY before my time and I bet they will be here long after I’m gone– they are true and tried classics, and for $99 a pop at it’s highest price with plenty of sales to go around, they are worth the hassle in my book.

The Wedgie

Perhaps one of Levi’s most famous fits, the wedgie fits snug through the hips and thighs with a more relaxed leg. They are supposed to have a wedgie look, lifting your back side in that way only vintage jeans can. I wear a size 25 for a loser, more relaxed fit (in the winter, I have room for leggings under them!) and a size 24 for a more fitted look. I suggest you start with your true size. The Wedgie comes in straight and ankle lengths– the ankle has a slightly more tapered (closer to the body) fit. If you are small like me, it won’t make a difference as I just cuff the bottoms and cut them with sharp scissors and the ankle ends up just being straight. The Wedgie fit is 99% cotton, so it has a little stretch and loosens as you wear it. There is a version called the Wedgie Icon that is 100% cotton– if you can get your hands on it, the Icon is the best fitting Wedgie, in my opinion, but it has less stretch (as it’s straight cotton) and the fit is slightly more fitted so I recommend (on the icon, only) that you start with one size up.

501 Stretch Skinny Jeans

As the name suggests, the 501 skinny jeans have a tighter fit than the Wedgies. They are the OG Levi’s. Little stretch, so stay true to your size. They are fitted through the hips, thighs AND legs– wedgie’s open up at legs. I have 501s in my true size 24 and in size 23– for a whole day of sitting, the 23 can get uncomfortable but they have a tighter fit..

My white Levi’s are a different kind of 501 skinnies — you can find them here— they are 97% cotton (vs 99% of the two pairs above) so they have more stretch. I suggest you size DOWN on these as they are more stretchy and a little loser.

501 Original Fit, Cropped:

A cropped, slightly looser version of the 501 skinnies. These (exact pair sold out here, non distressed version here) are the only pair of Levi’s I haven’t had to cut for length. Stuck to my true size 24 in these. Disclaimer– I wore mine to the ground and the holes ripped so much I could not longer wear then without my knees being on FULL display. I still LOVED the fit, though so I cut them into shorts! You can find the easy how-to in this fun Reel. Here they are in white.. I’m so tempted!

That’s it! All my Levi’s in one place– woohoo! I’ve been meaning to do this FOREVER. I will do shorts next! Any other posts you’ve been wanting to see? Drop me a note and I will take care of it 🥰 Happy shopping, loves!