Citizens of Humanity Charlotte Jeans Review.

Ed. note: This is a post from 2023 that I’ve since revisited to update. Sadly, I believe Citizens has stopped producing their classic straight-leg Charlotte jeans, but you can still find them in small quantities here. A great replacement pair with a very similar fit, handfeel, and “daytime wash” are the AYR Legend jeans. I have become such a big fan of AYR’s denim line. The fits are iconic, and they really pay attention to cut and quality of material. I find the Legends run just a tad shy of true to size, but they do relax a bit with wear. I’d take your true size unless you’re between sizes, in which case, I’d take your bigger size. Two other styles to consider that are very much in the Charlotte lineage: the Frame Vertical and the Madewell Perfect Vintage. I haven’t tried these exact pairs, but I tend to go up a size in Frame jeans (I find their denim runs a full size small) and size down in Madewell. However, if you’re still determined to invest in Charlottes before they fully disappear, everything you need to know below —

Fit and Sizing Notes for Citizens Charlotte Jeans.

About half of my Magpies have asked for a Citizens of Humanity Charlotte jeans review, and the other half own and love them, so I finally ordered a pair of the Charlotte cropped jeans to review for myself. I took my true size (25) and they were very flattering on, especially the pocket placement in the rear and the way they sort of skim but do not cling to the leg. They boast a great straight-leg, high-rise cut. I love the particular wash of my cropped pair, too — ideal for daytime. Many of you have raved about them because they are somehow both contemporary and classic — not skinny, which seems to be unpopular at the moment — but not one of the looser/wider-leg fits that is dominating the street style scene. A perfect compromise.

However, I am still on the fence as to whether to keep them because they have a button fly (which I do not love) and absolutely no stretch. Maybe they give with a few wears? Maybe people like no-stretch because it really holds you in? But I think I’m used to something with a little more give and wasn’t sure if I’d be walking around like a tin man? I’ll tell you that my Agoldes 90s Pinch Waists also have very little give and I love the silhouette but I wouldn’t, like, choose to wear them while sitting at my desk all day. So I’m stuck! Are these jeans to wear when you want to look cute while hanging out with friends for a few hours? Will they “give”? I polled some of my fellow Citizens Charlotte owners, and a few suggested it’s worth sizing up one size — apparently, you still get the straight-leg look (they don’t look baggy) but they fit more comfortably for everyday life.

Update: My Final Thoughts on the Citizens Charlottes.

Though they fit, I ended up returning my true size and going up a size in the Charlottes and am so glad that I did. I get a ton of wear out of them in a looser fit — can wear them all day long at my desk, can move in them. I’d recommend ordering both your size and the size up and returning whichever is a better fit for you and the intended wear scenario. If you’re treating these like a Friday night sexy jean to wear with a silky camisole, you might stick with your true size. If you want to wear them to your desk all day, or while chasing babies, I’d go the size up. (Worn below, top, with the best cashmere knot-button cardigan and below, bottom, with the Tory Burch Romy bag and this luxe Alice Walk cardigan — the ultimate desk cardigan, which sort of goes with and over everything.)

P.S. My favorite petite jeans here.

P.P.S. All my favorite Shopbop styles.

P.P.P.S. My Amazon shop.

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