Cotton On jeans review: We put three different pairs to the test
Cotton On jeans have sparked a frenzy online but do they really live up to the hype?
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
When it comes to buying jeans, it’s fair to say that it’s one of my least favourite activities, up there with scrubbing the bathroom and doing actual work at work. That’s why when I find jeans I like, I get very excited.
On my TikTok For You Page, I’ve seen countless videos of people swearing by their Cotton On jeans. From the baggy cut to the straight leg, everyone is raving about almost every style.
But how good can they be? And can a pair of jeans at $80 or under tick all of my checkboxes?
I decided to put three of Cotton On’s bestsellers to the test. The Super Baggy Jean, Relaxed Wide and the Original Straight. I also called in two of my colleagues to get a real understanding of each pair of jeans and how they fit the three of us.
I am around 165cm tall and my biggest struggle when it comes to jeans is finding something that fits my hips and waist. I have a much smaller waist than I do hips so I always end up with lots of room around my waist and a very tight situation around my hips and thighs.
“Similar to pretty much every other woman on the planet, shopping for jeans is no easy task,” says Marina.
“I’m 158cm tall with a longer torso and short legs, so I have to tailor pretty much every pair of pants – and the same happened with all three pairs of these Cotton On jeans.
“I also have more of a rectangular body shape, so it’s always been hard to find jeans that sit at a good point in my waist, while also giving me some shape.”
Claudia is 172cm and says her biggest struggle with jeans is finding a pair that fit well around the thighs / bottom area while also cinching in at the waist to flatter her figure.
Have a read below, to help you decide if these jeans are for you (spoiler alert: I think they will be).
SUPER BAGGY JEAN
Cotton On Super Baggy Jean, $69.99 at THE ICONIC
Also available at Cotton On
Philippa: Shell Blue, size 28/10
These were by far my favourite of the three. They hugged my waist and hips so nicely. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a pair of jeans fit me so well before. I didn’t have that dreaded gap around my waist or any awkward tightness around my butt or thighs.
Plus, the length was great for me. I liked how they sat just above the floor so you could still see just a touch of my sneakers.
I recommend sizing down in these though as they are a bit baggier than the rest. This is set to be my go-to. This is the way to if you’re looking for the perfect, flattering wide-leg jean that goes with everything.
Marina: Graphite Black, size 28/10
Ok, I think these are my new favourite pair of jeans.
I opted for this washed black shade, a style that’s been missing from my wardrobe and am very happy to welcome it with open arms.
While I usually sit between a size 10 and 12, I decided to size down to a 10 because of the baggy style – I find the 10 gives me more shape. It kind of tapers in slightly at the waist and then flares out towards the bottom in a way that’s super complimenting to my almost rectangular body shape.
I also love that the denim is rigid but still soft and comfortable, and I find it super easy to wear these to work and sit down at my desk all day.
Claudia: Dream Blue/Stripe, size 28/10
As a millennial, I admittedly had some reservations about re-visiting the low-rise baggy trend of the late 90s. I’ve grown quite accustomed to the ‘secure’ feeling a good pair of high-waisted jeans can give you and yet, I was pleasantly surprised by this Super Baggy. They don’t sit nearly as low as I thought they would and I actually really like the look when paired with a tight top. Given Pip Edwards is my ultimate style icon, I took a leaf out of her book and really leaned into the ‘baggy/oversized’ style by pairing the jeans with a tight white shirt and an oversized white blazer.
RELAXED WIDE JEAN
Cotton On Relaxed Wide Leg Jeans, $69.99 at THE ICONIC
Also available at Cotton On
Philippa: Graphite Black, size 30/12
I had mixed feelings about these jeans. I liked the way they looked but comfort-wise, I wasn’t feeling my best. The jeans are mid-rise and as someone who prefers high, it was noticeable. Because of the lower rise, it also meant that when I first pulled them on I really noticed how short the inseam was in comparison to the other two. However, as the day wore on, they did start to stretch and become more comfortable.
In terms of the colour, they’re not a super heavy black but more of a washed black tone.
Marina: Breeze Blue Worn, size 30/12
For those days where you want to wear jeans, but don’t want it to feel like you’re wearing jeans, the Relaxed Wide Leg is my top pick. I’m obsessed with this shade Breeze Blue Worn – exactly as it’s described, it’s this gorgeous worn-in blue that I find matches with most things in my wardrobe. I really love the mid-rise as it’s super comfortable and flattering, and I did size up to a 12 as I found the 10 was a little tight around my waist. This is a great easy jean!
Claudia: Breeze Blue Worn, size 28/10
These were not dissimilar to the Super Baggy however I will say they did stretch more quickly, so if you’re thinking of sizing up - don’t. The Relaxed Wide sat a little further down on my hips than the Super Baggy but again, I felt much more comfortable in this style than I thought I would. Given how spacious they are, I balanced the look with a tight top and then threw on an oversized blazer. If you’re anything like me and haven’t mustered the confidence to try the low-rise trend, this pair is a great middle ground to start with.
ORIGINAL STRAIGHT JEAN
Cotton On Original Straight Jeans, $59.99 at THE ICONIC
Also available at Cotton On
Philippa: Breeze Blue Worn, size 30/12
These were the jeans I was most excited to try. I previously had the cult Agolde 90s Pinch Waist high-rise straight-leg jeans that I managed to snag on sale for a great deal but after years of wear, they sadly got a tear and I had to give them up. So I’ve been on the hunt for a new pair to fill the straight-leg jeans hole in my wardrobe.
These also say they are a mid-rise but on me, I was able to wear them higher without any issues, thank goodness. They fit super well around my waist but were a little bit tight around my thighs. In the blue, I had no issues but I think in the white, it might not have been a great look.
In terms of the length, I think I might get them taken up as I love pairing a cropped jean with a ballet flat.
Marina: Vintage white, size 30/12
I’ve been looking for a classic pair of white jeans for some time now, and I’m so glad I stumbled across this pair. The Original Straight is a super popular style from Cotton On, and I’ve actually tried on a few different size 10s in the past – and was not a huge fan.
I realise now that I had to just size up to a 12. While it is a straight-leg shape, the bigger size gave me more room around my waist and bum, making the whole jeans feel more relaxed and easy to wear. I can’t wait to style these in the summer with some cute strappy tops!
Claudia: Leopard, size 28/10
Maybe it was the leopard print (which is very on trend right now) or maybe it was the fact they sat higher on my waist (it was definitely both reasons) but these were by far my favourite of the three. I also received a lot of compliments the day I wore this outfit, so I’m sure that contributed to my loving them. These are the jeans you should purchase if you’re not convinced by the low-rise/baggy style but are also steering clear of skinny jeans. The classic blues are a great everyday pair of jeans, or maybe go a bit wild and get yourself a pair of leopard print - in any case, size down for a higher fit.
Want a discount on your favourite brands? Head to the news.com.au coupons page.
Also, be sure to sign up to our free shopping newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest sale and product news.
‘No-brainer’: Dapper men’s fashion essentials
Building a wardrobe can be stressful, but we’re saving your oodles of time and money with this excellent range of essentials.
I’m a curvy girl and I found the dress of my dreams
Something that will make getting ready in the morning a whole lot easier? Sign us up.
If you don’t know this word, you’re old
In years gone by, the word had serious negative connotations but thanks to one pop star, it’s well and truly on the way up.
Vogue editor’s wardrobe ‘hack’ for winter
Save time and money with this wardrobe trend that actually involves cutting down on your clothes, not buying more.