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I have a complicated relationship with denim. Ideally, I want to look pulled together, but realistically, I usually end up choosing leggings because the thought of a rigid waistband digging into my stomach all day makes me want to scream. Finding a pair of jeans that accommodates hips, thighs, and a stomach without creating that annoying gap at the back of the waist feels like hunting for a unicorn.
I decided to give the Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Classic High Rise Tapered Jeans a proper test run. You see these everywhere online, usually with thousands of people claiming they are the “perfect fit.” I don’t buy into hype easily, so I bought a pair to wear for a full week—working from home, running errands, and sitting in traffic—to see how they actually hold up.
The Problem: The “Standing Only” Jeans
We’ve all been there. You buy a pair of jeans that look fantastic when you are standing still in front of a mirror. They hug the right places, and you feel great. Then, you sit down.
Suddenly, the waistband turns into a vice grip. Or worse, the back of the pants slides down, exposing things that shouldn’t be exposed, forcing you to do the “hike-up” dance every time you stand up. For years, I struggled with jeans that were either too tight in the thigh or too loose in the waist. I was tired of tailoring bills and tired of sacrificing breathing room for fashion. I needed something that understood that bodies change shape when they move.
The Discovery
I didn’t find these through a high-fashion magazine. I found them because I kept seeing them pop up in forums where women were specifically complaining about the “waist gap.” The name “Gloria Vanderbilt” sounded a bit old-school to me, something my aunt might wear. But the reviews were consistent: people kept mentioning the “magic stretch” and the high rise actually being high.
The price point was the kicker. Unlike premium denim that costs hundreds of dollars, these were accessible. I figured if they were terrible, I wasn’t out a fortune. I ordered the “Amanda” cut in a dark wash, hoping the “classic tapered” description didn’t mean “mom jeans” in a bad way.
How It Solved It: The Sit-Down Test
The moment of truth came when I first pulled them on. The fabric is a cotton-polyester-spandex blend, and I noticed the difference immediately. It wasn’t that thick, cardboard-stiff denim. It had give.
I buttoned them up and—surprise—they actually sat at my natural waist. Not below it, not weirdly above it. Just right. But the real test was sitting down at my desk.
I sat. I waited for the pinch. It didn’t happen. The stretch in the fabric allowed the jeans to mold to my sitting posture without cutting off my circulation. Even better, when I stood back up, I didn’t have to grab the belt loops and yank them back into place. They stayed put. The “tapered” leg is also a nice balance; it’s not a skin-tight skinny jean that takes five minutes to peel off, but it’s not a wide-leg trouser either. It’s just a clean silhouette that works well with sneakers or ankle boots.
⚠️ It’s Not Perfect
I promised I would be critical, and here is where I have to be honest. While the fit is excellent, the front pockets are frustratingly shallow. This is a chronic issue in women’s clothing, and the Amanda jeans are guilty of it. I can fit a lip balm or a single key in there, but my phone? Forget it. It sticks halfway out and falls out if I bend over.
Additionally, because of the high stretch content, I noticed they tend to “bag out” slightly by the end of day two. If you like your jeans to stay extremely crisp and tight, you might find yourself washing these more often to snap the fibers back into place. They are definitely more “comfort” focused than “structure” focused.
Pros vs. Cons
Here is the breakdown of my experience after a week of wear:
| Life Improvements (Pros) | Annoyances (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Zero Waist Gap: Fits the hips and waist simultaneously without needing a belt. | Tiny Pockets: Front pockets are practically useless for modern smartphones. |
| Real High Rise: Covers the stomach comfortably and smooths things out. | Stretch Fatigue: The knees and butt can get a little loose after multiple days of wear. |
| Length Options: Comes in Short, Average, and Tall, which saved me a trip to the tailor. | Sizing Inconsistency: The black pair felt tighter than the blue denim pair I tried later. |
| Soft Fabric: No “breaking in” period required; they are soft right out of the bag. | Zipper Quality: The zipper feels a little lighter/cheaper than premium brands. |
Why It Beats the Old Way
My “old way” of dealing with denim involved compromise. I used to buy jeans that fit my widest part (my hips) and then wear a belt so tight it hurt just to keep the waist from gaping open. It ruined the line of my shirts and made using the restroom a hassle.
The Amanda jeans solve this through engineering—specifically the ratio of hip to waist in the cut. It feels like they actually used a human model for the plus sizes rather than just taking a size 2 pattern and zooming in. The freedom of movement is the biggest win. I can squat down to pick up a box or sit cross-legged on the couch without feeling like the seams are going to burst.
Recommendation
If you are looking for high-end, heavy-weight raw denim that will last you 20 years, this isn’t it. But if you are looking for a daily workhorse jean that is comfortable enough to wear for a 10-hour shift or a long car ride, these are a winner.
I specifically recommend these if:
- You have a significant difference between your waist and hip measurements.
- You hate rigid waistbands that dig in when you sit.
- You need a “safe” pair of pants that works for casual Fridays and grocery runs alike.
They aren’t the flashiest pants in my closet, but since I bought them, they are the ones I reach for the most. That says it all.
