In this Reformation Jeans review, we’ll look at all the ins and outs of one of the most popular sustainable denim brands on the market.
We’ll all answer all your burning questions, like:
- Is Reformation worth the cost?
- Do Reformation jeans run large or small?
- Are Reformation sales a thing?
- Tips for buying Reformation resale.
- Why is Reformation so popular?
- Who founded Reformation?
Listen, the only thing I like researching more than backpacks is jeans. Actually, that’s not entirely accurate. Flights and travel hacking are probably what I research most. I mean, who doesn’t want to go to Hawaii for less than $30?
Lucky for you, I also love creating consolidated buyer guides with all the nitty gritty about a product. And let me tell you, my Reformation jeans genuinely make my capsule wardrobe packing list every. single. time. Let’s get into why that is.
Are Reformation Jeans Worth the Cost?
Unfortunately, they are. Don’t shoot the messenger. I had never heard of the brand until I saw a YouTuber link a pair of the perfect baggy 90s jeans. The unfortunate truth for you and your wallet is Reformation does make a solid product. And at the retail price of $148 – $198, that better be true.
Reformation jeans are the type of denim that just feels right. There’s a solid weight to them and a durability of sorts. The way these jeans fold up after all-day wear is definitely different compared to my other jeans. It’s hard to explain, but they just lay right.
Shocked by the sticker price, I immediately scoured my favorite resale apps and ended up finding a pair for $30 in the perfect wash, fit, and size. More on that later.
Do Reformation Jeans Run Large or Small?
Now for the sizing question. This is the main event of this post. When I found my pair of Ref jeans on Poshmark, I instantly scoured the internet for detailed sizing reviews.
Since the detailed sizing content was decidedly lacking, I created this little guide to help. Overall, I’d say Reformation jeans fit true to size.
The jeans are made out of 60% cotton and 40% TENCEL X REFIBRA (essentially that copyrighted mumbo jumbo includes 10% regenerated cellulose fiber made from eucalyptus trees that save on water and land usage compared to cotton and the other 30% is recycled cotton). All that to say the denim is nearly 100% cotton and stretches some with wear, but doesn’t overly stretch and end up looking sloppy by the end of the day.
Reformation Jeans Fit Compared to Levis
I wear a size 25 in Levi’s Wedgie Straight leg jeans. And a size 24 is perfect for me when it comes to other pairs of Levi jeans, like the Baggy Dad jean and any looser fitting style.
Since the style of Reformation jeans I ended up finding on Poshmark was a looser fitting style (thankfully because I’m not that into tighter fits these days), I decided the size 24 would be a safe bet. Turns out, I was right. The jeans fit snug around my hips and are loose and comfy in the leg with a nice taper at the hem.
The waist could honestly be smaller for me, but aside from that, the hip fit and leg fit perfectly.
Bottom line: Reformation size 24 runs very similar if not a tiny bit smaller than similar loose-fitting style Levi jeans.
Reformation Jeans Fit Compared to Denim Forum by Aritzia
I wear a size 24 – 23 in Denim Forum jeans when it comes to their loose-fitting/straight-leg styles. For example, the Boyfriend High Rise Loose works for me in a 24, but I can also get away with a size 23.
Bottom line: Reformation jeans run true to size vs. Denim Forum. Denim Forum runs at least one size (sometimes two sizes) big.
Reformation Karli High Rise Relaxed Tapered Jeans
The Karli High Rise Relaxed Tapered jeans (size 24) are the style of Reformation denim I was able to nab. The rise is very high-waisted, so much so that my husband suggested I just order a pair that came up to my boobs next time (lol).
There’s a long zipper enclosure that makes peeing a whole lot less involved than a button fly. Mix the relaxed fit with the high waist and you’ve got an extremely comfortable pair of jeans. So much so that I actually took a 3-hour plane ride home in these after my New York trip.
Was it my first choice? No, but they were comfortable enough for me to not bother changing at the airport. The slight taper in the leg makes these jeans loose and freeing jeans appear tastefully put together. At least, that’s what I imagine they do for me.
Reformation Jeans Sales
From what I can tell, Reformation runs 30% off sales on end-of-season looks and pieces.
And according to my internet sleuthing, the brand also runs 25% site-wide sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, per this Elle article.
For regular people (like me) these sales are honestly not enough. Even with those price cuts, it still makes most Ref items $100 or more.
On one hand, that price is honestly not as high as you’d imagine for a brand that strives to pay a fair wage, gives workers an excellent working environment, and uses sustainable farming techniques. And not to mention, the recycled material. I’ll admit, I can get behind paying a little extra for those perks.
But, as a die-hard thrift shopper, and chronically money-conscious girlie, that price is just too much for me to accept. So, I settled for my own form of recycling and hit up my favorite resale apps to get Reformation jeans for an even better deal.
Tips for Buying Reformation Second Hand
This brings me to my other area of expertise. Buying high-end items on resale sites. Some of my favorite apps include Poshmark and eBay. Poshmark tends to have higher shipping prices and fees, but the app typically has the biggest selection.
eBay on the other hand is like the wild west. Each item is like a one-off find (a unicorn if you will) which means sellers are less likely to work with you when you send in offers.
Depop is another popular resale app where I can find a nice selection of trendy brands. Since I don’t use it often, though, I can’t speak much about its usability.
With Poshmark, I have never paid the full listing price because the culture is usually very open to giving a few dollars off here and there. And a good thing too, because with shipping almost at $8 and taxes, you are almost always going to pay around $10 over the sales price.
Why is Reformation Popular?
Popularity is an interesting topic to tackle. Since 2009 the brand has set itself up as a trendy beacon of hope for the sustainably minded. The aim of Reformation is to make things with “effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure” while being as green as possible.
Between Reformation’s design team and the heart for sustainability and providing a solid work environment for everyone, Reformation also prides itself in how nimbly it can get a product to the people.
The idea of a fashion revolution that is part of the ethos of Ref is about creating a “lifestyle brand that proves fast fashion, sustainability, and local manufacturing can co-exist.” An impressive statement. Reformation aims to design and manufacture a garment within a couple of months.
The other obvious reason for Reformation’s popularity is the brand is a favorite among many influencers.
Who Founded Reformation?
Meet Yael Alflalfo, the founder of Reformation. She is a native Californian who first began her career in the fashion industry as a designer. She launched her first brand Ya-Ya in 1999, but eventually left the brand due to the waste associated with running the business in the conventional manner.
Yael removed herself from the hustle and went back to the drawing board before launching Reformation in 2009. The emphasis on sustainability was at the root of this new brand. Reformation is now home to the first sustainable sewing factory in the U.S. where many eco-friendly measures have been implemented. While many of the clothes are manufactured overseas, like in Turkey or Pakistan, Reformation prioritizes the work environment of everyone involved in creating under the Reformation umbrella.
