PAIGE jeans review – are they worth the splurge?

There’s no denying it, shopping for jeans is a tricky business. 

So, in the hopes of making your experience a more pleasant one, we’ve traded our lockdown leggings for every imaginable style of jeans. And, having tested every piece of denim we could get our mitts on in a range of scenarios (working, walking, doing the dishes), we’re ready to bring you reviews of the very best jeans.

In this review, it’s all about LA-based jeans label PAIGE. Read on to see if they might be just what your wardrobe is missing…

PAIGE jeans don’t come cheap, but if you’ve previously struggled to find perfectly fitting jeans, then they might just offer the sartorial Cinderella moment you’ve been dreaming of. With more than 150 styles available, there are a wealth of washes, shapes and styles to choose from.

What’s special about PAIGE jeans?

Dreamt up by co-founder and creative director Paige Adams-Geller in 2004, this brand is all about fit.

Adams-Gellar’s love of jeans began when she was working as a top fit model – an industry term for someone who’s hired by brands to try on their clothes in order to ensure the cut, style and fabric is working; a little like a real-life mannequin.

Seeing firsthand just how difficult it was to find the perfect pair of flattering jeans, Paige was inspired to launch her own line. 

Of course, PAIGE releases trend-led styles each season, but these are far from throwaway pieces. Built to last, PAIGE jeans are made of strong stuff – soft yet sturdy, performance-built denim, to be precise. 

How much do PAIGE jeans cost?

A step-up from your average pair of high-street jeans, the price tag reflects the increase in quality and craftsmanship. If you're after cheap jeans, this isn't the brand for you. You can expect to pay between £200 and £300 for a pair, with premium leather jeans ringing in at as much as £1,000.

What are they made from?

The make-up of PAIGE jeans will depend on the style you’ve chosen (skinnies have more stretchy elastane than a structured straight leg), but you can expect to find cotton, rayon, polyester and Spandex in the mix for most styles.

Never heard of rayon before? It’s a fabric made from purified cellulose, most commonly sourced from wood pulp. Lightweight, breathable and moisture-absorbent, it has a lot in common with cotton.

The result of this blend of fabrics? A denim that manages to tiptoe the line between feeling super soft and lived-in from the very first wear, without compromising on shape and support. A pair of Sarah Slim jeans I trialled as part of this review made both my thighs and behind look noticeably smaller and they felt wonderfully comfortable, too. 

As vintage jeans were crafted from raw denim, instead of the pre-treated, pre-washed fabrics we see today, they’ve got themselves a reputation for being pretty uncomfortable. They’re hard to come by, too, and you’d probably need to hone your eBay skills or prepare to spend hours trawling the rails in your local charity shop to get your hands on a pair. 

But that’s where PAIGE’s Transcend collection really comes into its own, using a super-soft, performance-driven denim to give you the cool, worn look of vintage jeans with all the comfort of a brand new pair. Win-win. 

Which PAIGE jeans are best?

Shopping for jeans is a personal thing, but PAIGE’s bestselling styles are a good place to start...

Sarah Straight

Breaking in a new pair of jeans makes for a pretty uncomfortable job, but luckily the kind folk at PAIGE have done the hard work for us. Teaming just enough stretch (they’re 2% elastane) with sturdy cotton, the Sarah Straight (like every other pair of Paige jeans) has been pre-washed and treated for that lived-in softness. Featuring a straight leg, high waist and cropped length, buy yours in a light blue wash for a truly retro feel. 

Leenah

Proof that fashion’s obsession with the 90s is showing no signs of slowing down, PAIGE’s wide-leg Leenah jeans have become one of the brand’s top sellers. A true flare, they flatteringly snug around the hips, bum and thighs, before kicking out wide from the knee. The high-rise waist helps to support your tum and boost your bum. Choose from a hidden zip or exposed button fastenings. 

Sarah Slim

Narrower than the Sarah Straight, we’d describe the Sarah Slim as a more grown-up take on the classic skinny jean. Form-fitting without feeling sprayed on, the beauty of these high-waisted jeans is in their simplicity. Handy for petites, they come in a cropped length, too. Keep it classic in deep indigo or black, or choose light washes and distressed detailing for a laid-back look. 

How comfortable are PAIGE jeans?

Thanks to the brand’s dedication to the softness of their fabrics, PAIGE jeans are a joy to wear. There’s none of the restriction you often get with thicker, more rigid denim pieces and that really pays off in comfort. 

And, because each fit has been tailored with real bodies in mind, you don’t have to worry about niggling seams, rolling waistbands and uncomfortable creasing around the crotch. 

Are PAIGE jeans true to size?

I tried my PAIGE jeans in my usual size and was pleased to report they fitted like a glove. It was even easy to wiggle the slim fit over my (generous) bum and thighs – a giveaway sign of a great pair of jeans. 

PAIGE sizing works by hip measurement from 23in through to 33in. 

Most high-street jeans skip the odd numbers on jeans sizing, losing plenty of shoppers to the awkward no-man's land between sizes. By offering half sizes, PAIGE negates that problem without having to enlist the help of a tailor. 

It’s not an exact science, but PAIGE’s sizing is roughly equivalent to a UK size 4-20. If you’re unsure about your size (and ordering from the US), we’d recommend taking the time to properly measure your waist first.

How easy are PAIGE jeans to care for?

PAIGE recommends machine washing your jeans inside out on a cold, gentle cycle. Deeper shades like black and indigo can be easily transferred on to other garments (especially if they’re new), so keep darks and lights separate to stay on the safe side.

Tumble dryers and jeans don’t play nicely together, so to keep your PAIGE jeans in tip-top condition for as long as possible, hang up and leave to dry naturally. 

Does PAIGE offer easy returns? 

If you’re ordering directly from the PAIGE website, all unwashed, unworn pieces can be returned within 30 days of purchase. PAIGE havw currently extended this period by an extra 15 days to accommodate for COVID-19 related complications. 

If you change your mind or find a style doesn’t fit, you won’t be refunded your initial shipping charges. These will only be returned to you if you received an incorrect or faulty item. 

How can I recognise PAIGE jeans? 

Incorporating their brand ethos into the design, every pair of PAIGE jeans features their signature whipstitch on the back pocket.

It represents nine lives and is intended to serve as a reminder to “grow, reinvent yourself and evolve for the better”. 

PAIGE jeans verdict 

If you’re willing to take a sizeable step up from the price of high-street jeans, PAIGE will reward you with a flattering fit across a Pandora’s box of styles.