Table of Contents
About Madewell
In the 1930s, jeans burst on the scene in Hollywood through Western movies. But they’ve come a long way since being seen exclusively on cowboys and outlaws. Today, pretty much everyone has at least one pair of jeans and maybe even some other denim pieces in their wardrobe.
As such a popular fashion staple, there are many types of jeans, but which stand out? Madewell recognizes the value and classic appeal of quality denim and decided to make it trendy and affordable. Operating under J. Crew, Madewell produces apparel, shoes, accessories, and more for men and women of all shapes and sizes.
Lately, Madewell has seen a lot of media attention. It’s been covered by the New York Times, Business Insider, and Business of Fashion, among others. The brand has also been spotted on celebs like Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Anne Hathaway, to name a few.
Everybody wants good denim, but is this the brand for you to get it? My Madewell Jeans review will help answer that question with all you need to know about the brand, its policies, principles, and products. I’ll throw in some customer reviews for good measure. Let’s get started.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our mission is to help you make better, more informed purchase decisions. Our team spends hours researching, consulting with medical experts, gathering insight from expert professionals, reviewing customer feedback, and analyzing products to provide you with the information you need.
Overview of Madewell
Madewell started in 1937 as a Massachusetts-based men’s workwear company under a different name. When the workwear company went under in the early 2000s, Mickey Drexler, the CEO of J.Crew, bought it and turned it into an ultra-classic, vintage-inspired, denim-focused label.
Madewell also has its social media sites, and its blog publishes articles on everything from interviews with artists to promotions for upcoming collections. This unique blend of a quality product with a focus on doing one thing so well has led to this brand becoming successful.
With a solid international reputation, Madewell currently ships to over 100 countries and has over 140 retail locations across the USA.
Before continuing with my Madewell Jeans review, here is a rundown of the brand’s highlights.
Highlights
- High-quality vintage-focused jeans
- Also sell clothing, shoes, accessories, and more
- Worn by celebrities
- International shipping
- Over 140 American retail locations
- Ethical and socially responsible company
- Regular promos and discounts
Coming up are some reviews of Madewell products that appear in the collections of men’s and women’s apparel, shoes, and bags. This list is not comprehensive, but it will give you a rough idea of the materials, overall quality, and price points of the best-selling products on the website.
Madewell Men’s Review
This Madewell men’s collection review features one top piece and one bottom piece currently offered on the site. We will provide you with information about their composition, key features, prices, and so on.
Madewell Everywear Shorts Review
The best-selling Madewell Everywhere Shorts look like the perfect shorts to wear to the beach, on the boardwalk, during the daytime in the city, or “everywear” else
These versatile shorts feature a comfortable elastic waist and mesh-lined side and back pockets (2 sides, 1 back). You can find them online in one of 6 colors and sizes XS to XXL but is currently unavailable on the official website.
Madewell Donegal Cashmere Sweater Review
Cashmere is one of the softest, most luxurious fabrics there is. It gives you exactly what you need to love a sweater, avoiding any terrible scratching and itching.
This cashmere sweater features ribbed trim, a regular-fit silhouette, and an embroidered triangle detail on the neckline. Madewell recommends that you hand wash this piece only. It comes in sizes S to XL and is unfortunately out of stock.
Madewell Women’s Review
Denim ain’t just for the cowboys. The cowgirls can have some too! In this section of my Madewell Jeans review, I have a midi dress and some sassy leather jeans, and adorable paper bag shorts. Take a look at their specs and see whether any of them appeal to you.
Madewell Lucie Elbow Sleeve Smocked Midi Dress Review
If you can’t decide whether you want to be optimally comfortable or dress up and be at your best, then the Lucie is the perfect outfit to achieve both. The hippie-style midi dress features a fitted waist, elbow-length puff sleeves, a stretchy smocked bodice, and pockets. Who doesn’t love pockets in dresses?
What’s more, the dress uses eco-friendly materials created with natural fibers through a more planet-friendly process. You can find it in petite, standard, and plus sizes for $128.
Madewell Perfect Vintage Jean: Leather Edition Review
Remember clubs? I do. I remember how I used to admire women who would show up for a night of dancing wearing stilettos and leather jeans, and I’d wonder, “How can they wear those? They can’t be comfortable.”
They must have been wearing these Madewell leather jeans because they’re made with silky-soft leather, delicately lined in slightly stretchy knit fabric for optimal comfort and style.
The company recommends that you spot-clean these only, as they are genuine and delicate. They are usually available for $398 but are currently out of stock.
Madewell Paperbag Shorts Review
These shorts are so popular on the site that they are completely sold out. I’m not surprised, given that paperbag shorts have this way of looking ultra classy while making the booty pop in ways that other shorts only wish they could.
These high-rise, lightweight, linen-blend shorts are comfortable and flattering on any body type. Keep an eye out for these if they come back in stock!
Madewell Shoes Review
Nothing pairs as well with good denim as a quality pair of kicks. Both these boots and slides complement Madewell denim differently, resulting in dissimilar, yet undoubtedly stylish, looks.
Madewell Blundstone Super 550 Chelsea Boots Review
With a leather upper, nylon gore, and synthetic sole, the Blundstone Super 550 Chelsea Boots are built to withstand any kind of terrain and circumstances, from paved city sidewalks to slippery water-slicked stones, to slushy gravel.
You can feel secure in them while still feeling comfortable thanks to the cushioning built into the sole. The boots are available in rustic black or rustic brown in sizes 7-13. You can get a pair of these classic kicks for $220.
Madewell Boardwalk Post Slide Sandal Review
Jeans are versatile. Tees are versatile. These slides are versatile. The Boardwalk Post Slide Sandals feature a leather upper and a man-made sole with comfortable padding so that you can wear them all day and all night.
The company suggests you order half a size larger than your usual size, as they tend to run a bit small. The slides are available in true black, desert camel, and English saddle in sizes 5-8 (including half sizes). They typically sell for $60 on the site, but they are on sale for $55.
Madewell Bags Review
You can’t quite complete a look without a bag, which is why I included these two Madewell totes. Check out the details of both and see whether either or both tickle your fancy.
Madewell The Canvas Transport Carryall Tote Bag Review
A bag that is just as unique as its wearer. That is exactly what the Transport Tote is. The unlined tote is made of vegetable-tanned leather that burnishes with wear into a stunning and unique patina.
It features a smooth exterior, an 8” strap drop for versatile wear, and an interior zip pocket to carry your wallet, phone, keys, mask, change, notes, or anything else you might need throughout the day. You can find it online in Black Sea, acorn, or Distant Surplus for the price of $88.
Is Madewell An Ethical Brand?
The Community section of Madewell’s website outlines the company’s policies and practices regarding social responsibility. The section has information highlighting Madewell’s vendor code of conduct, its policies on the use of conflict minerals, the brand’s commitment to responsible sourcing, responsible forestry, and animal welfare, and much more.
Madewell also has subsections on its site for Diversity and Inclusion and Size Inclusivity, demonstrating that it wants to actively participate in the betterment of the fashion industry.
They also have an initiative called Do Well that explains the way the company intends to do well for the environment and for its customers. It resells old denim, repairs damaged goods, and recycles whenever it can.
Do Madewell Jeans Wear Out?
Of course, they do. Everything wears out eventually, but according to Kait Hanson in her blog ‘Communikait’, Madewell jeans retain their just-bought feel even after several washes, run true to size if not slightly roomier, and do not stretch out unless they are made to stretch out.
Several sources online claim that the jeans have withstood the test of time, especially the jeans that are part of the Perfect Vintage Jeans collection. These jeans look high-quality, fit exactly as they are supposed to, and are comfortable and stylish.
Does Madewell Have An App?
Madewell has a free app you can get on the App Store. By downloading the app, you can read up on the latest drops, collaborations, and events, shop anywhere anytime, and bookmark items to your favorites list.
You can also reap the benefits of insider perks by collecting points and redeeming them online or in-store and reading ratings and reviews from other customers to inform yourself of what is trending. Don’t forget to opt-in for push notifications to stay in the loop!
Who Is Madewell For?
According to the head designer of Madewell, “Madewell is for denim lovers – or basically anyone who appreciates timeless designs that put you at ease.” Men and women of all ages can appreciate the fun, independent, unique, and classic appeal of Madewell’s denim.
Comparison: Madewell vs. Everlane
San Francisco-based Everlane is an American clothing retailer that does most of its selling online. The brand has committed to being ‘Radically Transparent’, publishing all of the information about its factories, using only the finest quality materials, and offering full disclosure and transparency about its pricing.
A lot like Madewell, Everlane values ethical and sustainable business and goes out of its way to uphold these principles of ethics and sustainability.
Both companies ship internationally, have extensive lines that include men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and more, and they seem to be in the midst of some pretty impressive sales. In terms of their website aesthetics, Everlane has a more clean, contemporary aesthetic, while Madewell has a more vintage-inspired, cool, edgy appeal to it.
As for their product pricing, let’s take a look at their denim. On Madewell, a pair of skinny jeans can cost you anywhere between $80 and $140, while on Everlane, you’d be looking to spend within the range of $90 to $130. It seems that both companies are quite comparable. If you would like to know more about Everlane, check them out here: https://www.everlane.com/
Madewell Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
To see what customers are saying about Madewell, I consulted two major online review platforms: Influenster and Bizrate Surveys. Here’s what I found:
- Influenster: 4.5/5 stars after 2.5k reviews
- Bizrate: 9/10 after 19.4k reviews
On Influenster, an overwhelming majority of the reviews were positive, with reviewers praising the quality of the products. Many of the Madewell Jeans reviews here read like this one:
“Madewell is consistently making GREAT products. I have my absolutely favorite pair of shorts from Madewell. You do pay a bit of a higher price for their products, but in my opinion, it is well worth it. Will definitely continue to shop at Madewell!”
Overall, most reviews were centered around the brand’s famous jeans. One such jeans fan wrote: “Truly the best jeans. Perfect fit, silky soft denim & great washes. They do cost more, I tend to wait for sales, which makes them much more affordable.”
On Bizrate, the story is quite similar, with the majority of reviewers commenting on how they had fantastic experiences online and at their brick-and-mortar stores. The notable recurring comments are that Madewell’s products, while pricey, are well worth the price tag. As one Madewell Jeans reviewer wrote:
“Madewell has really streamlined the online shopping experience with ratings that include relevant info for the prospective buyers, like size and shape. I also genuinely appreciate that each product page typically shows the item on more than one size or shape of model.”
They went on: “Though the items are somewhat pricier, I have to say that everything I purchase from Madewell becomes a continual go-to in my closet.”
If the quality is there, the price is something that can be overlooked. With such high-quality prices and accessible sizes, it seems like this brand has gained a lot of loyal customers who are happy to shop with the brand.
Is Madewell Worth It?
I wholeheartedly believe that a good, durable pair of jeans is hard to come by. Madewell is known for producing denim that will look just as good years after you bought them. Sources on all platforms are swearing by Madewell Jeans, even going calling them miraculous because of how well they perform and hold up.
Aside from its commitment to product quality, the company is faithful to its commitments to social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical and clean business practices. Madewell goes above and beyond to make its green intentions, goals, and practices transparent.
All in all, I think that Madewell is absolutely worth it. You expect to find high-quality items that are affordable, ethical, and stylish on their website or in their stores.
Madewell Promotions & Discounts
Madewell has loads of promotions and discounts on their site, so be sure to check in regularly and stay tuned to their social media. Be sure to visit the sale section of their website, where they currently are offering items on sale for 30% off.
Where to Buy Madewell
Madewell sells its products internationally on its website. If you are located in the USA, you can visit any of the brand’s physical retailers.
FAQ
Where is Madewell made?
Madewell is an all-American denim-based retailer headquartered in Virginia. However, sources say that over half of their products are manufactured in China.
Who owns Madewell?
J. Crew is the parent company of Madewell. The current CEO of J.Crew is Michael J Nicholson, while the current CEO of Madewell is Libby Wadle.
Is Madewell good for curvy people?
One of Madewell’s featured shops is their Plus collection, which was revamped and relaunched in 2018. Shoppers can find an array of products, including tops, jeans, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, and swimwear, in sizes 14W–28W and 1X–4X.
Does Madewell run large or small?
Madewell claims that they try their best to set their size scale to align with industry standards. That said, if customers have questions about sizing, they are encouraged to check the brand’s size chart, or speak with a stylist via email ([email protected]) or video chat.
What is Madewell’s Shipping Policy?
All US orders are free for members of the brand’s rewards program. For all others, here is how much shipping will cost you:
- Economy (8-10 business days): $3
- Standard (3-6 business days): $5
- Expedited (2-3 business days): $15
- Overnight (Next business day): $25
International orders ship using Madewell’s international e-commerce partner, eShopWorld. The two shipping options are Express (typically ships in 2-6 business days) and Standard (can ship anywhere between 6-16 business days, depending on location).
Prices are calculated at checkout. All duties and taxes will be included in the item price (Canada excluded).
What is Madewell’s Return Policy?
Madewell accepts returns or exchanges of items purchased online within 30 days of their original purchase. To start a return, customers must navigate to Returns & Exchanges under How Can We Help? at the bottom of the website.
It appears as though US orders are exempt from return fees, but international fees vary depending on the country.
How to Contact Madewell
If you have any questions after reading my Madewell Jeans review, you can contact the brand directly using one of these methods:
- Email (US): [email protected]
- Email (International): julie@madewell.com
- Live Chat: Every day, from 9 AM – 11:59 PM ET
- Phone (US): 866-544-1937
- Phone (International): 434-385-5792
- Twitter: @askmadewell
Their customer service team is available over the phone from 7:00 am to 11:59 pm ET, 7 days a week.
Check out some similar reviews you might like:
Ask the community or leave a comment
WRITE A REVIEWCustomer Reviews
Leave a review