I worked in the premium denim industry for several years at a few different brands, so I’d like to think I know a thing or two about good jeans. At one point, I probably owned over 60 pairs of jeans, but over time I’ve become more selective in my denim investments now that I don’t get the pleasure of enjoying employee discounts.
When it comes to jeans – especially pricier denim – I look for classic styles in timeless washes so that I can really get a long life out of them. My jeans need to be comfortable without losing shape, feel hefty without feeling stiff, and make me look and feel great.
I live my life in jeans, and since they’re a staple in everyone’s closet I’m a big believer in investing in pairs that make you feel fantastic. Enter the brand AYR, whose jeans I tried a couple years ago and instantly loved. In today’s post, I’m sharing a full review on two of their best-selling denim styles, The Legend, The Secret Sauce, and The Pop jeans, along with a super comfy non-denim pant, The Voila.
Shop The Pants
The Pop
The Secret Sauce
The Voila
AYR Jeans Review
AYR stands for All Year Round, and as the name suggests, the brand prides itself on making pieces for every season and every season of your life. They make clothing for men and women. And other than a classic button down shirt approved by Oprah, probably best known for jeans. Co-founded by Maggie Winter and Jac Cameron, AYR produces its pieces in small batches to reduce waste and tests every item it makes on the team to ensure the perfect fit. All jeans are made in California.
One thing I love about AYR jeans is that many of their denim styles are available in a short inseam and regular inseam (some even have a long option for you super tall ladies!). I find this super helpful because although I have a shorter inseam, I don’t consider myself to have a petite build, and typically do not fit into traditional petite sizes that are often scaled for smaller frames.
AYR recommends the 25” inseam for anyone 5’4” and under, the 27” inseam for 5’4” – 5’7, and the 29” inseam for those over 5’8”.
For sizing reference, I am 5’ 4” and wear a 4 or 6. In denim, I am typically a 28 but sometimes do a 27 or even 29 depending on the brand.
The Secret Sauce
The Secret Sauce, AYR’s wide leg jeans, has quickly grown to be one of my favorite styles by the brand. So much so, that I own them in two washes. These jeans feel on trend, but not trendy, with a wide enough leg to feel of-the-moment but not baggy or sloppy.
The Secret Sauce jeans also have a bit of stretch in them but don’t bag out. They are comfortable while still having some structure. I feel held in but not restricted, which is especially important given that they have a high rise.
Fit Details:
- Name: The Secret Sauce
- Silhouette: High rise, full length wide leg.
- Front rise: 11”
- Length recommendations: Grab the short inseam if you’re 5’6” and under, otherwise get the regular inseam.
Take your regular size in these. I’m a 28 in this fit, but if you’re between sizes, I would suggest taking the larger size. Since I am 5’4” I went with the short inseam, and the photos illustrate how the jeans fit me right out of the box with no hemming. The short inseam on The Secret Sauce is 29.5″ (and 31.5″ and 33.5″ for regular and long inseams, respectively).
A Quick Note: I find that the black wash Date Night fits me a smidge more comfortably than the wash Good Mood, despite me owning the same size in both pairs of jeans.
AYR Legend Jeans | Denim Shirt (similar) | Heeled Boots | Black Blazer
The Legend Jeans
I’ve tried two of AYR’s straight leg fits, The Legend and The LaLa. And while there are only minor differences between the two, I prefer how The Legend jeans fit my body. These jeans truly are a chic and classic high-rise straight leg that you will have for years and years.
The LaLa jeans have only a quarter inch lower rise than The Legend, but somehow felt much lower than that to me. I also prefer that The Legend is more of a moderate straight fit, and isn’t cut as slim as the LaLa.
Fit Details
- Name: The Legend
- Silhouette: High rise, straight leg jeans that aren’t too slim or wide
- Front rise: 11” and designed to sit right at your belly button
- Length recommendations: Grab the short inseam if you’re 5’6” and under, or the long inseam if you’re over 5′ 9″. Otherwise, get the regular inseam.
The wash I’m wearing here is called Skyscaper. I love this wash. It’s a beautiful rich blue that’s not too dark or light, works with a variety of colors, and feels elevated enough to work for dinners or the office since there’s minimal fading and distressing. This wash feels very chic and timeless.
The Legend jeans run TTS, but you’re between sizes, I would suggest taking the larger size.
I wear a size 28 short in these jeans, which have a 29.5” inseam. You can see that they hit just at my ankle, making them an ideal jean to wear with low to mid-height heels.
AYR Pop Jeans | Gold Sandals | Woven Bag | Eyelet Top (Shop Similar)
The Pop Jeans
The Pop jeans were the first pair of jeans I ever tried from AYR, and it was love as first wear. Good jeans are difficult to find and shopping for them can be overwhelming. But when I put these on I felt a certain type of relief and confidence that I really haven’t felt in a while with denim. I have never made a decision about purchasing jeans so quickly. Since then I’ve returned to the brand again and again for additional pieces seen in this review.
The material here was everything I was looking for: soft, thick but not too thick, with a slight stretch but not like leggings. They fit like a glove without pinching at my stomach or looking too tight. And somehow magically make my bum look lifted, but not huge.
Fit Details:
- Name: The Pop
- Silhouette: Slim straight cut with the slightest kick flare at the bottom and designed for a slightly cropped ankle fit.
- Front rise: This varies ever so slightly based on the wash, but on average the front rise is 10”
For The Pop, they’re available in three lengths so you can really choose exactly where you want the hem to hit you. I went with the 25” inseam to hit a couple inches above my ankles to show off my shoes. This length is a versatile one because it works with a lot of footwear options from ballet flats and sandals to heels and high ankle boots.
If you’re looking for a classic slim cut jean, I highly recommend these Pop jeans. Don’t let the kick flare scare you. As someone who isn’t super tall, straight leg jeans can look weirdly tapered on me and not straight at all. The subtle flare at the hem provides some balance and actually gives the illusion of a true straight leg.
The sales associate recommended taking a size down, so I went with the 27 and they’ve been perfect. They give just a little bit without becoming baggy or morphing into another size.
If you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down one size.
AYR Voila Pants | Striped Tank (similar) | Black Blazer | Black Sandals (similar)
The Voila Pant
Honestly, there are some days where hard pants just won’t do, and that’s when I turn to wide leg trousers.
The Voila pants are delightful. They’re made from stretch silk, yet somehow super sturdy and whenever I wear them I’m not paranoid about them pulling or sweating through them.
The elastic was it makes them super comfy, but since they’re made from silk they still feel dressy. You can wear these just as easily with an easy tee as you can with a blouse or a blazer. I like these a lot; I’m even thinking about purchasing another color.
I originally bought the Voila pant because I was looking for a versatile pant that I could dress up or down, that wouldn’t take up too much suitcase space while on a recent trip to Paris. They fold up small and although they sustained a few wrinkles, those came out super quickly and easily with only a few passes of my travel steamer.
It was never my intention to wear them as actual travel pants on the plane, but after I wore them a couple of times I realized they’d also totally work for this. They’re just as comfy as my go-to sweatpants, so if you’re in need of a pair of chic travel pants where you can just freshen up and go, your seriously need to consider the Voila. (They also make a matching button down shirt for that effortless, quiet luxury vibe.)
Fit Details:
- Name: The Voila
- Silhouette: High rise, full length wide leg pant
- Front rise: 11.5″
- Length recommendations: None, this style doesn’t come in length options. But I am 5″4″ and did not need to get these hemmed (the inseam is 29″)
These seem to run on the smaller size. I am a 4/6 and am right on the cusp and in between sizes on this style’s size chart. According to the brand’s website, a small is a US 2/4 and medium is a US 6/8. I took a medium in these, but I could probably also do a large for an even looser fit. I’d recommend sizing up, especially if you’re between sizes like me.
The Deep End Shirt
As someone who has amassed quite the collection of oversized button down shirts, I was super excited to finally get my hands on The Deep End, one of AYR’s best-selling tops.
Just like the brand’s pants counterparts, this shirt does not disappoint.
The Deep End Shirt is available in several goes-with-everything plain colors across a few different fabrics: cotton oxford, linen, and denim. AYR also makes this shirt in several striped cotton versions and in heavyweight silk. Regardless of which you choose, I think you’ll be super happy with this shirt.
I went with Artichoke Dip, a beautiful, pretty perfect green linen that straddles between a traditional dark green and olive. It’s not too yellow or green, and it’s a great shade that feels equal parts colorful and neutral at the same time.
Shop the look here.
I vacillate between wearing a small and medium in my tops depending on the style of them or how I want them to fit. With all button down shirts I own, I always want an effortless fit, and so I’m of the school of thought that a little loose is always better than a little snug. I’m wearing a medium, and it is exactly perfect for my taste. (If you have a larger chest, I recommend sizing up as well.)
As a swimmer in a past life who can find it difficult to find shirts roomy enough in the shoulders and in the upper arms, I have no qualms with The Deep End shirt. There is plenty of space with a comfortable fit in both areas, and I have yet to find myself pulling at the shoulder seams or underarm areas for adjustments.
This shirt isn’t overly long yet still provides enough bum coverage to wear with slimmer pants. I’m 5’4” but if you’re tall or looking for something with more length, you may also want to look into The Deeper End shirt, made with a longer body that’s more of a traditional tunic-style button down shirt.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Sezane’s Max Shirt for its generous fit, but The Deep End has proven itself worthy of a tie… dare I say, maybe even first place?
Are AYR Jeans Worth It?
In short, yes, AYR jeans are worth it. Whenever I buy an investment piece of clothing, I always consider the value it offers. Feeling confident and comfortable in something is priceless.
I also think about cost per wear of an item. Jeans are a part of my near-daily uniform. So for me it’s important to invest in denim that won’t stretch or rip, and to find silhouettes I can wear for years. Think about all the less expensive but so-so fitting jeans you have in your closet. Chances are, you’re never excited to wear these jeans. So, they either spend more time on their hangers, or you wear them out of utility but never feel totally amazing in them.
You deserve to feel great in your clothes no matter what!
Trust me when I say this: it’s much better to have a few pairs of high-quality, well-fitting jeans that you feel amazing in than a ton of jeans that are just okay. And of course, don’t forget the perfect, classic button down to complete your look.
4 Responses
Thanks for the review! Which wash did you get in the Pop? Does the denim have stretch?
Hi Jenny! I am pretty sure this wash is Laid Back. Yes, there is a perfect amount of stretch in them! They mold to your body and hug it, but you can comfortably sit and they don’t bag out!
Thank you for the review! I’ve been looking for pictures and a solid review in my size, and found it! Did you get the secret sauce Jean? I was hoping to see pictures of those too. I’m currently waiting for the Roadie to arrive.
Hi Nicole, you’re welcome! I didn’t end up ever getting them, but they’re on my list next!
I have the Lala and went up one size, and the Voila and took a medium. I hope that helps with sizing.