Madewell Demi-boot Jean Reviews
By far, my favorite overall denim brand is Madewell. I will caveat and say that I haven’t tried many other brands besides Madewell (Everlane is another favorite), because once I discovered Madewell jeans, I haven’t really felt the need to explore other brands as much! You might already know that I’m a diehard lover of skinny jeans. You can pry them out of my cold, dead millennial hands. But, I have fallen in love with another denim silhouette over the past couple of years: the demi-boot jean!
Below, you’ll find my reviews and a comparison of three different demi-boot jean styles offered by Madewell (the classic Cali demi-boot, the curvy Cali demi-boot, and the slim demi-boot), including helpful information on sizing (especially for my fellow curvy/petite ladies!), fabric content, and a few ways to style each pair featuring a number of my favorite past outfits (though as of publication, I’ve only worn the classic Cali in multiple outfits since I’ve owned them the longest)!
Read next: Curvy denim reviews: Madewell vs. Everlane
For sizing reference, my current pandemic size in most retailers is S/2/26 depending on the item. Before the pandemic, I was typically a size XS/0/25. I am borderline petite at 5’4” and have broad shoulders and long arms. I tend to size up in tops for extra room in the shoulders and length in the sleeves. I buy a mix of petite and regular length jeans and pants depending on the inseam.
WHAT ARE DEMI-BOOT JEANS?
Demi-boot jeans (also known as demi-bootcut jeans) are basically “half” bootcut jeans. They are usually not as exaggerated as your typical bootcut-style jeans; they are fitted through the thigh and only slightly flare out starting at the knee. Madewell’s demi-boot styles are typically cropped; I take the regular length in the demi-boot jeans, and I’m borderline petite.
Read next: Curvy denim reviews: Madewell vs. Everlane
Madewell Demi-boot Jean Reviews
Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jean Review
My wash and size: Preston wash (raw-hem edition) (no longer available), size 25 regular
Fabric content of my wash: 90% cotton, 7% polyester, 3% elastane
Description from the Madewell website:
Lean and modern, this fresh fit kicks out into a raw-hemmed mini-flare that works with flats and heels alike. Crafted with an extra-high 9 1/2" rise, these jeans have an extra layer of holds-you-in sorcery in front, thanks to our supersleek Magic Pockets.
High rise, fitted through hip and thigh, cropped kick out leg.
Front rise: 9 1/2"; inseam: 26"; leg opening for size 25: 16 1/2".
Premium 90% cotton/7% poly/3% elastane ISKO™ denim.
The jean that started it all! I quickly fell in love with my first pair of demi-boot jeans, the Cali demi-boot in Preston wash (purchased fall 2019; no longer available). I’m a big fan of the wash and light distressing/raw hem, and the regular-length fits me perfectly! I typically need to buy petite if shopping for skinny jeans that aren’t cropped. The demi-boot styles are already made to be cropped.
I purchased these jeans pre-pandemic, when I was a size smaller than I am now, but they’re stretchy enough that I can still comfortably wear these jeans (for the most part). I am keeping my eyes peeled for the same jeans in a size up on Poshmark because I love ‘em so much. The rise is just a touch shorter than I prefer nowadays, but it’s still pretty high. The Magic Pockets are why I love Madewell jeans so much. They truly are magic; they hold me in while still allowing for movement!
How to style Cali demi-boot jeans
Madewell Curvy Cali Demi-Boot Jean Review
My wash and size: Larkspur wash (TENCEL denim edition), size 26 regular
Fabric content of my wash: 44% cotton, 42% Tencel Lyocell, 13% polyester, 1% elastane
Description from the Madewell website:
Made of soft-to-the-touch denim woven with TENCEL™ lyocell, these cropped mini-flare jeans are reengineered for those with an hourglass shape. The result? A narrower waist with a contoured band, a longer rise (for a rounder booty) and a little extra room at the hips and thighs.
Please note: Choose your regular size—these jeans were designed for curves, so no need to size up or down.
11" high rise, fitted through hip and thigh, 16 1/2" kick out leg opening, 26" cropped inseam.
Do Well: For each pair made at the Fair Trade Certified™ factory, we contribute to a Community Development Fund managed by the workers.
Premium 44% cotton/42% TENCEL™ lyocell/13% poly/1% elastane denim from the Orta mill.
Magic Pockets.
I had been striking out on denim orders the past couple of months until I placed an order for the curvy Cali demi-boot jean in Larkspur wash and a second pair of jeans (reviewed below). These jeans feature a much higher rise (11”) and a slightly more flared bootcut leg opening than the classic Cali demi-boot jeans I reviewed above. They’re also cut for curvy ladies; I have no waist gap in these jeans compared to the other two pairs I reviewed here.
This is (I believe) my first pair of TENCEL denim jeans, and they’re super soft and stretchy compared to my other jeans. They definitely do not feel like rough denim; they’re thin and remind me more of jeggings than rigid denim, which is something I personally prefer but wanted to make a note of that in case you prefer less stretchy denim! Because the TENCEL fabric is thin, they tend to stretch out a little more with wear (especially around the knees), and they get wrinkly around the hips and knees. I still took my pandemic size (26) and felt that a size smaller was too tight in the waist.
How to style curvy Cali demi-boot jeans
Madewell Slim Demi-Boot Jean Review
My wash and size: Hayford wash, size 26 regular
Fabric content of my wash: 94% cotton, 5% polyester, 1% elastane
Description from the Madewell website:
Easy through the (high) waist, these jeans have a straight leg with a subtle flare at the hem for the longest, leanest look. A cool fit with a vintage feel.
A half an inch longer than our usual cropped fit, these jeans come in a cool midi length our head denim designer loves.
10 3/4" high rise, fitted through hip and thigh, 14 1/2" kick out leg opening, 27" cropped inseam.
Do Well: For each pair made at the Fair Trade Certified™ Saitex factory, we contribute to a Community Development Fund managed by the workers.
Premium 94% cotton/5% poly/1% elastane Orta denim.
Magic Pockets.
I also took a chance on the slim demi-boot jeans in Hayford wash in my most recent Madewell order, and I am pleasantly surprised! These are the perfect gateway jean to straight leg jeans (or the perfect alternative if you don’t like or haven’t found straight leg jeans you like). The rise in high, and the flare is much less pronounced in the slim demi-boot jean compared to the Cali demi-boot jean. I have a hard time telling if there’s a flare there at all!
Compared to my Cali demi-boot jeans, the slim demi-boot jeans feel more structured/rigid, but they’re not uncomfortably so (I took my pandemic size 26). I can easily wear these for a full workday sitting at my desk—whoop! The slightly longer regular length works well for petite ladies in the chilly months when you don’t want your ankles exposed (most washes are also available in petite and tall lengths). Like with the more flared Cali demi-boot styles, the slim demi-boot has enough of a leg opening that you can wear boots with taller yet slim shafts (below I styled them with lugsole boots). I’m looking forward to styling these in the spring and summer months! And buying more washes!
