Right Fit Jeans by Lane Bryant (TM) - Hot or Not?
August 27th, 2007 — elegantplusmagazine
Right Fit Jeans by Lane Bryant (TM) - Hot or Not?
While wide leg trouser jeans are certainly the hottest (and most flattering) silhouette available for Fall 2007, and more designers are entering the plus denim market (last time we checked Nordstrom alone is carrying Paige Premium, Michael Kors, Svoboda, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein jeans in plus-sizes), the most exciting denim news for plus-size women this year is the unveiling of Lane Bryant’s new “Right Fit Jeans”. Every full-figured woman (heck, every woman) knows just how difficult the search truly is for the perfect fitting pair of jeans. Forget the status of designer labels, trendy washes and special detailing…… if your jeans don’t fit your body right you are going to be neither comfortable nor stylish.
The Technology
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago everyone’s clothing was custom made to fit their body perfectly. There was no “perfect size” or trying to fit all of the various shapes and sizes of feminine curves into a single prescribed, standard manufactured shape based on averages. And then along came the Industrial Revolution and mass produced clothing. Suddenly the whole idea that clothing should fit the body got turned on its head and instead bodies needed to fit the clothes. And there we see the seeds of modern body image issues and fashion.
After over sixty years of static sizing standards which we are all still trying to get our bodies to mold into, a new women’s clothing sizing project was born. Right Fit comes from a three year initiative by Lane Bryant using cutting edge technology to scan 14,000 women’s bodies and compile the data to give their design team precise and scientific information about how full-figured bodies are shaped and how to fit those bodies.
And guess what? They found out what we all knew all along. There is no one single plus-size body type. We come in all different shapes of curves.
The Sizing
This is where a great idea gets confusing in execution. Instead of using a sizing system and numbers with which we are all familiar, Lane Bryant has created a new sizing system from 1 to 8. And from there, they’ve created three shapes which are color coded: a Yellow body type is straight from the waist through the hips; a Red fit is slightly curved from the waist to the hips; and a woman with a Blue body type has a small waist and is fullest at the hips. Finally a variety of inseam lengths are available for petite, average and tall plus-size women.
Without their sizing calculator it’s anybody’s best guess what a normally sized 20 pear might wear (OK, we can say “Blue” but would that be a Blue 2, Blue 5, or….??) . But we can tell you this, waist measurements from 34″-52″ are used in the calculator and hip sizes 36″-65″ are available. This leads us to suspect that some of our more voluptuously proportioned, super-sized sisters may actually be included in this new sizing system. And this isn’t as much of a shocker as it at first appears because over the last year or so, Lane Bryant has been quietly experimenting with extending the top of their size range in select styles from 28W to larger. We couldn’t find anything on the website larger than a 28W when we popped in today, but the new Lane Bryant Catalog releasing this fall by parent company Charming Shoppes will carry sizes as large as 44W. Furthermore, plus-size specialty sister store, Catherine’s, is also offering the Right Fit jeans and they serve women up to sizes 34W and extend the Right Fit specialty sizing system from 8 to 12.
Hot or Not?
Right Fit jeans are available under the Venezia label at Lane Bryant in different styles: classic, flare, Houston trouser fit and boot cut; lengths: petite, average and tall; and washes: light rinse, medium vintage, dark blast, and dark rinse. Prices are much more reasonable than most premium, designer lines of jeans and range from $39.50 to $49.50.
Elegant Plus Magazine
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So here’s our question to you, dear readers. Are the Right Fit Jeans from Lane Bryant hot or not? Have you tried them? Do they fit as well as promised? Do you like the styling? Do you like the idea of a completely new sizing system or do you find it confusing? We want to know!
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More full-figured jeans can be found in the Elegant Plus Jeans and Denim Directory.
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Popularity: 39% [?]
August 27th, 2007 at 6:12 am
I haven’t tried them and the sizing system seems a little confusing to me. But I plugged in my measurement . I usually wear a 22-24 in jeans and am pear shaped. I came out to be a Blue Size 5, if that helps anyone.
August 27th, 2007 at 7:25 am
I have had the chance to try them. Not impressed. They were not awful, but I expected an awesome fit, and I got just so-so. They measured me and everything. I was a red, size 1. To be honest, I think I was more between a 1 and 2, as the 2 was too big and the 1 a bit too snug in the waist. I tried the yellow too. No go.
I am sticking to Baby Phat, Svoboda, and LEI.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I bought them…I LOVE LOVE LOVE them…did I say I love them?
For me, the fit is PERFECT…I’m a blue..and I have NEVER had a pair of jeans that did not gap in the back…these don’t…
I know some ladies on here have had some issues, but I truly love mine.. I’ve never looked so good in jeans!
August 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I love love love the Right Fit Denim! I’m a red, so I really didn’t have a problem before, but the cut and styling of the jeans have been tweaked to make them better…and frankly, as a 20-something who is saving to purchase my first home, Svoboda and other higher end plus size denim isn’t always doable…but now I don’t have to worry about it - I can look chic and pulled together in great fitting jeans at more than a fraction of the price!
FINALLY LANE BRYANT GETS IT!
August 27th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Online i put in my measurements and came up with yellow 2, in the store i tried on a yellow 1 and it fits just a bit snug (but i’m assuming it will stretch out.) i’m an apple shape and while they fit me well in the thigh/butt area, they are tight in the waist. Just like every pair of jeans i have (except DKNY!)
But they were $30 bucks, a steal compared to DKNY and CK.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I have had to put up with wearing elastic waist jeans- until now. These new jeans are amazing!
Did I also say that I love them? They fit like a charm. I was absolutely shocked when I could actually zip them up- no gap in the back- and then have the length that I need too! I am definitely going to buy another pair!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Well, I’ve been asking this question on a couple of the chat groups to which I belong as well - and the general advice that keeps coming up again and again is that:
WHEN ORDERING ON LINE using the Lane Bryant size calculator, go down at least one numerical size when you order. So for example, if your measurements calculate to a Blue 5, order a Blue 4.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I am deliriously happy with these jeans. I went into a Lane Bryant store about three weeks ago, hoping against hope they’d have something I would wear - my taste runs to the bohemian/eclectic and they rarely do stock anything like that. I saw those jeans, and I’ve wanted a good pair of jeans for a while now. I knew nothing about the sizing or the fit, and I found it confusing. I asked one of their sales folks, who was amazingly helpful and friendly (not at all usual with Lane Bryant, in my experience). She explained everything, walked me through the section, set me up with several pair of jeans from the red and blue fits, and I hustled off to the fitting room.
I am in complete and utter love with these jeans. The reds didnt fit because the cut is a bit more restrictive for my body (one size higher would have done it, which I understand Catherine’s now carries them in sizes up to 12, so I must go there this weekend), but the blue fit jeans were PERFECT. In fact, if I could have gotten them a half-size smaller they would have been the best jeans I’ve ever worn.
For the first time in many years I’ve found myself able to wear jeans as often as I want now. I plan on going back and getting several more pair, and going to Catherine’s and seeing if I can get that pair of red-fit jeans I wanted in a slightly larger size. I can’t say enough good things about these jeans. I’m not a fan of fitted or tight clothing at all, and I am absolutely comfortable in these. I also have a prominent incisional hernia right around my waistline, and these jeans dont bother me at all.
Go there and spend some time trying on different sizes. It took me about 30 minutes of experimentation before I found The Perfect Pair. Have a little patience and work through several sizes in all three colour fits. I am guessing that very few women will find fault with these jeans. I can’t praise them highly enough.
Now I’m waiting for them to come along in faded, stonewash, and black. And I highly, highly recommend that you try them on in a brick and mortar store before ordering them online…the fit is completely different and you CANNOT guess what size you’ll need before you have already seen them and experimented in a fitting room.
August 29th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I was really excited about these jeans until I got to teh store and tried to get help from the clerks. They had no idea what they were doing. Three girls got in on the act of measuring me and came up with three different sizes and three different body types. Rather than try to figure ou the stupid new sizing system, I walked out. If you are going to mess with traditional sizes, get your staff trained! GRRRR.
August 29th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
I am a yellow and both my friends are a blue, They are very happy with their fit, I am so-so about them. Definately better than some of my old jeans. I may try a size smaller as they do stretch out quite a bit. I did experience a smell with the dark rinse that wont go away with washing, am returning them for a light rinse pair.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
[…] depending on your shape. (I gather that their sizing goes higher than it used to, also.) From Elegant Plus: Instead of using a sizing system and numbers we are all familiar with, Lane Bryant has created a […]
August 30th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I just got some Lane Bryant Right Fit Jeans and they are amazing! I have to say my expectations were low, but they measured my waist when I came in and I was a Red 1. Tried ‘em on, and wow! I can’t remember when I’ve looked that good in a pair of jeans and when I actually had jeans that show my waistline without gaping in the back! I have big thighs and I was worried about the thighs being too tight, but they were just perfect. and I love that they have petites in the store, too. Thank you Lane Bryant, for finally figuring out that we may be plus size, but we’re not all built the same!!
September 1st, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I got mine at Catherine’s yesterday, and can I tell you I LOVE THEM! First time this pear shaped super size chica has had jeans fit without an elastic waist. Did I say I LOVE THEM already?
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:52 am
I work at Lane Bryant, and I can tell you that the training they provide for us, and the online calculator, isn’t really acurate.
When you’re measured for the jeans, ALWAYS go down a size from what the clerk measures you at, if not two. They’re running big and long. I was measured at a size 7 red by my manager, and I wear a size 6 red. I normally wear talls but I was able to wear average in these jeans. And the jeans do streach out quite a bit. So if they feel snug, and skin tight when you first buy them– they will streach out.
We tell our customers all of the above, and now I’m telling you! I’m sorry if some associates at other stores haven’t been as… enlightened.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I am not that much of a fan. I went to the store and had myself measured, it said i was a red 2 tall…but they fit horrible. So I went with a yellow 3 tall and they fit better. Also they were tight in the waist and fit nice everwhere else, and since i was told they would stretch i got them. unfortunatley they strethced everywhere except in the waist, so they are a bit too snug in the belly and too loose everywhere else after a while.
so meh. they’re alright.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Well, the Elegant Plus editor here went ahead and tested the size calculator available on-line, followed advice we’ve been hearing everywhere — go down one size from what the calculator indicates — and took the plunge and ordered a pair.
They arrived yesterday. Fit like a glove when tried them on (hooray!) and wore them around all day yesterday and most of today. Starting to stretch out a bit in the seat today and the waist does have some give - maybe should have gone down TWO sizes from the calculator. We’ll keep you updated on how they wear further and wash.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
[…] depending on your shape. (I gather that their sizing goes higher than it used to, also.) From Elegant Plus: Instead of using a sizing system and numbers we are all familiar with, Lane Bryant has created a […]
September 14th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
No way. No fit. So very sad. Waist 35″ Hips 52″ The sales person measured me and I offered either 4 or 5 Blue. There is just too much room in the low front and while my hips were enclosed the waist was too high and too big. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I appreciate the effort, but for me, it’s back to the drawing board.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Mine are a pair of the dark wash jeans - which I love. But one of hte girls in a forum I belogn to just pointed out that they aren’t colorfast. Someone else suggested washing the first time with some white vinegar to set the dyes. I tried it and it seems to have worked. At least I don’t have blue undies……hah, hah.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Well I usually would never go into Catherines. Ugly clothes. But they are carrying the Right Fit jeans from Lane Bryant in even larger sizes. Brave them if you are bigger and want a pair.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I’ve had my Right Fit jeans from Lane Bryant for a month now. They definitely stretch out a lot. I went down one size from what the sales clerk measured. My advise - even if it feels too tight when you first try them on, go down two sizes. Their fine but definitely don’t fit as well as when I first bought them. Now they fit like the rest of my jeans. A little too big in the waist, etc.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:40 am
I love my dark wash Right Size jeans. They fit perfectly and I washed them before I wore them so never had an issue with the color bleeding. My one complaint is that they have this weird chemical smell that just won’t go away. I’ve tried everything I can think of to wash them in. I’ve soaked them, used vinegar in the rinse cycle, sprayed Febreeze on them, etc and nothing works. Does anyone have any tips on getting the smell out?
October 12th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Mine don’t have a smell. Wonder why yours do? At least I don’t think my nose is broken. Hah, hah.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
OK, so I am now reporting back after some wearing, washing and size experimenting.
They do stretch out A LOT. I went down one size from the on-line calculator and they fit perfectly when they came out of the box. They however stretched out quite a lot and never really shrank back after washing completely. So now they fit about as well as most of my jeans, instead of better.
Second pair that I ordered - Flare Style rather than Bootcut which the first pair is — I ordered TWO sizes down from the calculator. They fit quite snuggly when they first came out of the box - even got a bit of the dreaded muffin top. But after just a couple of hours of wear they have also stretched out to just about perfect - where the first pair started but didn’t finish.
So ladies who still haven’t tried them…… drop a couple of sizes from the calculator and expect an extra snug fit when you try them on for the first time.
As for the dark wash SMELL issue. My first pair definitely has an odor, especially right after drying. Some are saying use Febreeze in large quantities to get out. That stuff makes me sneeze, so have yet to find a good alternative. The good news is that the grapevine reports that the head designers at Lane Bryant know about this problem….. I’m thinking they may already have done something about it, since my second pair is also dark wash and odor free.
So that’s the test shopping scoop on Lane Brant Right Fit jeans from Elegant Plus. I’d give them two thumbs up since the price is little, the fit really is better than any other pair of jeans in the closet once the proper size is purchased, and the designers are listening and working hard to smooth out any issues.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
I love my right fit jeans alot. However, they do stretch out a lot and have a slight smell to them. They make me look slimmer than what I am and even though they are a little baggy they still show my curves.Way to go LB. How about making some in a thinner light-weight jean material.
October 29th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I’m impressed with the fit, but that smell is driving me crazy! I’ve used nearly an entire bottle of Febreze…has anyone successfully returned these jeans after having washed them?
November 12th, 2007 at 10:30 am
I have tried them, and I’m a 1 blue. For me, they fit better in the places jeans have never fit. For example, I apparently have an extremely short rise, and therefore when I have pants made for me at the tailor, they always use a treally short zipper. It fits me well obviously, but I have never seen that type of zipper in pants other than the Right Fit jeans, and I was ecstatic about that. For pear shapes, I would highly recommend these.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:20 pm
I just bought two pair of Right Fit yellow size 5 petite and they are WONDERFUL. My problem with the old Lane Bryant Venezia jeans was that they were too tight in the waist and baggy in the hips. These fit me like a glove and they have really given me a boost of self confidence because they look so much better than my old jeans.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:57 am
I love my jeans, they fit me better than most have, since my favorite jeans makers stopped making the one I love.
But the smell is driving me batty! It spread to anything I washed with the jeans (like the dark towels). I’m a chiropractor, and I have had a little girl with environmental allergies break out in hives her last two visits, which we JUST figured out was due to the darn smell!
I’m going to try and return them tomorrow and see what happens. I’ve washed the two pairs I bought already, but it sounds like they are cognizant of the problem…
God, it makes me want to gag!
December 26th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I was concerned at first with the way they were so snug. I’m not used to tight jeans. HOWEVER, the sales lady was very nice and brought over 3 other associates who all had the jeans on. They all said that they stretch quite a bit within the first 45 minutes. So I tried it. I bought the yellow #5 petite. They fit GREAT, they are not binding in any way, they don’t pinch my belly at the button.
The key is that you want to buy them “a little too tight”, because of the stretch, they will conform to your body and then look good - not tight.
Hope this helps!
~Kim
January 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I have the same smell problem with these jeans. It only seems to be the dark rinse ones. It must be whatever the dark coloring they use. I cant even wear mine. Im going to send an email to customer service.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Hi all,
I think that the jeans fit ok but I am so annoyed with the fact that every plus size woman walking around has on the same jeans as me. I do mean everyone. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate the fact that Lane Bryant is trying to step up their game but is it a crime to want a little more individuality. It sucks that our clothing options are sooooo limited. Just a little fat rant; sorry.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I have bought these jeans in the past and the size 2 reds are a god send. Best fitting jeans ever!! Unfortunately, Lane Bryant has done ZIP about the smell problem because I just bought the dark blue rinse and they stink to high heaven after three washings and three soaks. My fingers are stained blue as I type this. And why do they make them in that faded blue color?? Big girls need dark jeans, not light colors that make us look even bigger than we are. Shame on them.
March 29th, 2008 at 12:55 am
im a guy and I have a hard time finding jeans because of big thighs. I actually bought a pair of them and they are perfect. My thighs fit perfect. I love lane bryant jeans.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I have 2 pairs of the dark wash 3 Red jeans. 1 average and 1 tall. The Talls are extremely long but great for boots (I’m 5′7″). The only problem I have is the button is making my stomach break out. I’m not sure but they must have massive amounts of nickle in the button. I talked to a sales lady yesterday and she said she has the same problem.
But overall, I LOVE THESE JEANS!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Also a Guy. After reading about these jeans and having problems myself I went in to Catherine’s and Saleslady set me up with 5,6,7. Website said I was 8 Y. I was amazed I fit 5 yellow. Tight at 1st. After one wash and 2 days wearing little looser. Should be perfect.
Nice not gaping at the rear!
SteveD
October 16th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
After reading other people’s comments on here, I am glad to know that I’m not crazy about my jeans having a strong, nasty chemical odor that spreads to whatever they are washed with, worn with or hanging next to. What the heck is causing it? Makes you wonder if it’s of any risk to us to wear them. I haven’t experienced any rashes or anything like that, but the smell is awful. I’ll probably never buy these jeans again which is a shame because they fit me great.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I’ve never owned a pair of jeans this dark before. I ended up here from doing a Google search on “dark wash jeans smell” hoping this might be some normal thing that would wear off the jeans after a few washes. I’m really annoyed to learn it’s an error on Lane Bryant’s part AND no one seems to have had any success removing the odor.
I’m a size eight, red, petite and I love the fit of the jeans. I also love the color. I can even wear them to work because they look professional with a nice top and a blazer. They were about 6 inches too long, even after the first wash (I’m 5′2″), so I paid 11.00 to have my dry cleaner hem them.
I can’t stand the smell though! Now it looks like I’m not only out the money for the jeans, but the tailor’s fee too. I will definitely be complaining to Lane Bryant about this. I probably will buy another pair because they fit so well, but only in person so I can make sure they have no smell in the store first. I did buy mine in the store and noticed the smell then, but I thought they just needed to be washed. Grrr.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
WHITE VINGEGAR GETS THE SMELL OUT. I found this suggestion on another forum somewhere and I tried it. It worked! Put one cup of white vinegar in with the soap when you launder the jeans. I used one cup for three pairs of jeans and it took 99% of the smell out (it’s very, very faint now in only one pair). It might work even better to use one cup of white vinegar for each pair of jeans that you’re washing.
Lori
February 14th, 2009 at 2:06 am
I tried the white vinegar soak and it did NOT work on my jeans. I have used it with every wash and the smell is still there.
It really is sad that these jeans have such a terrible odor. They fit wonderfully and I would make these my standard jean, but not with this odor problem. If Lane Bryant can fix that I will be a loyal customer.