Levi’s Ribcage Jeans review: the ‘flattering’ pants everyone can wear
The bestsellers have been labelled the “cool girl jeans of my dreams” and are a great alternative to skinny denim that looks good on everyone.
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Amongst decades of trends, only one item has stood the test of time.
When it comes to fashion and style, we have more choice now than ever before and trends change so fast. In the last twelve months alone we've had clean girl aesthetic, cottage-core, ballet-core, old money, mob wife and eclectic grandpa amongst the most popular.
And while these kinds of trends come and go quicker than you can reach for your bermuda jean shorts from the early 2000s, one item of clothing has stood the test of time and can be spotted throughout each new wave - the humble denim jean.
From the flared jeans of the 70s to the baggy low-rise of the 90s, jeans have always been universally loved.
As for the 20s, there's no denying it, the high-rise straight jean is here to stay. But now they're way more than just mom jeans. Cinching in at the waist and tapering out for a more relaxed, casual look from the knees down, the straight jean is versatile and a welcomed change to the (seemingly) never-ending 'skinny jean' trend that dominated the 2010s.
The absolute opposite of what anyone - on TikTok or otherwise - would call 'daggy'.
If you still need a little more convincing, we've done our research and found the perfect straight leg jeans that are not only a great investment, but really flattering too.
The Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans have been a bestseller for years and for good reason. The style is ultra-flattering thanks to being fitted around the bum and hips like a pair of skinny jeans, while the straight leg means you’re at no risk of looking cheugy.
According to THE ICONIC’s Head of Style Nicole Adolphe the Levi’s Ribcage are “always a popular choice” for shoppers at the retailer.
“The high rise length sits perfectly on the waist, making it a flattering style,” she told news.com.au.
“The straight jean shape is also a timeless style, as they are not too skinny or wide legged.”
The Levi’s Ribcage can be “worn on rotation by changing up your tops”, making it a must-have buy for a capsule wardrobe, Nicole added.
“For me, the length of the jeans suit well and the shape allows for any type of shoe e.g. heel, sneaker or boot,” she said.
“I’m also a fan of the button up fly rather than a zipper.”
To help you decide if they’re for you, myself and three members of the news.com.au checkout team have roadtested the popular jeans, plus we’ve asked Nicole for her top tips on how to wear the Ribcage this season.
CLAUDIA COY, NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER
I regard myself as quite a jean connoisseur, and for the last two years I've been focusing on building the perfect jean wardrobe. I have everything from straight and skinny, to baggy and cargo in a variety of light blue wash, mid-blue wash, dark blue wash and black. But the one style that I'd never considered adding to my collection before? Bell bottoms.
Of course, I'd heard of Levis' Ribcage style before and, as someone who almost exclusively wears high-rise pants, the idea of a 12 inch rise was certainly of interest to me but a flared jean felt a little too far out of my comfort zone.
That was before I met this pair and now I can't imagine a wardrobe without them. Made of 99 per cent cotton and one per cent Lycra (so you know they'll keep their shape) the vintage-inspired bell silhouette is one of the most flattering styles I've ever tried on.
My favourite part? The jeans are snug around the waist and upper leg and subtly flare from the knees which creates an illusion of longer legs - a look I can't quite achieve with my everyday straight-leg pants.
HANNAH PAINE, NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT EDITOR
These are the cool girl jeans of my dreams and as I put them on for the first time I’m honestly kicking myself I hadn’t thought to get a pair for myself sooner.
The denim is a lovely thick material that smooths over any bumps and is the perfect length on me, ending just at the ankles.
I got the Jazz Pop colourway which is a deep denim blue with subtle distressed accents along the hem and pockets that give it a chic vintage look.
These jeans are a slightly stiff denim which means they’re a bit tight (especially around my tummy) the first couple of times I wear them, but then they begin to stretch and mould to my body for the perfect fit.
The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is their button-up fly instead of the usual zipper, as I found the buttons tricky to do up the first few times as the denim was too stiff.
But all in all these are a big yes for me thanks to how flattering they are and their sheer versatility.
You can easily dress them up with a crisp white shirt and blazer for the office, or pair with an oversized tee and slides for a casual weekend look. It’s official, I’m never going back to skinny jeans.
MELODY TEH, NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT DEPUTY EDITOR
I’m usually a blue jeans gal but after spotting a girl on the street in the coolest white jean and denim jacket ensemble, I knew I needed to get my hands on a pair of white jeans, stat. And I believe I’ve found the ‘perfect white jeans’ in these gorgeous Levi Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans in Cloud Over, which I’d describe as just the right blend of white and cream. Also, important note for any white piece of clothing, I can confirm they are not see through.
Now as a millennial with an unhealthy attachment to skinny jeans, I was hesitant to try a straight-leg style but these Ribcage jeans are beyond flattering, hugging you in all the right places. The fitted high-waist of the jeans not only gives your waist a nice definition but also slims your hips. At 169cm, I found the full length perfect for me.
These jeans honestly go with everything and I love the fresh look white jeans give any fit. The Cloud Over style also features a frayed hem and distressed, slightly ripped detail at the pocket, which I am obsessed with as it gives any outfit a little edge. I’ve been wearing them with chunky loafers and black leather jacket or opting for an all white ensemble with a crisp shirt and sneakers with an oversized trench thrown over. I know come spring and summer, I’ll easily be able to pair with any colour tank and a pair of slides.
There’s a nice stretch to the jeans that make them super comfy to wear but one thing I’d flag is that after chatting to my colleagues, I believe the white jeans are a tad stretchier than the other colourways. I’d recommend sizing down (and with Levi’s half sizes, it’s easy to do) if you’re after a more fitted look as the waist does stretch. I went for my standard size 30, and it has a lot of give up top which I personally don’t mind as I like to be as comfortable as possible in my jeans, especially when I’m sitting at a desk most of the time at work.
It’s rare to find jeans that are as flattering as they are comfy, but I think this may just be the unicorn jeans we’ve all been searching for.
EDWINA CARR BARRACLOUGH, SENIOR MANAGER, ECOMMERCE CONTENT AND STRATEGY
These jeans talk a big game – they seem to be universally loved by stylists and women who have serious fashion clout.
Plus, they’re forever appearing in bestseller lists. Because of these impressive credentials, I was expecting big things and I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed.
First things first, I love that these jeans come in in between sizes – an absolute godsend for those of us whose perfect size is an uneven number.
Honestly, why don’t more brands do in between sizing for an item as tricky as jeans? Thanks to Levi’s sizing, I could find the cut that fits both my waist and bum/thighs – hallelujah. Sizing aside, while these jeans are called Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans – I’d place them squarely on the wider end of the straight spectrum.
If you’re a fan of straight-y-180 jeans, you might need to look at a slimmer style. Having said that, these are the widest jeans I now own and I find them flattering.
The cut finishes just above my ankle, which makes them great for pairing with loafers and sandals.
The high waist is the highest of any ‘high waist’ jeans I’ve tested out, so the ‘Ribcage’ name is bang on.
I thought these jeans would be completely rigid but actually they do have a little give, so they hold their shape but are really comfy. Super versatile, supremely wearable, I know why these jeans are a sellout success.
PHILIPPA TONKIN, NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT EDITORIAL CONTENT COORDINATOR
After seeing dozens of amazing reviews for these jeans, I was super keen to try them out. When I first popped them on they were a bit tight around my stomach area but after not long at all they definitely loosened up and stretched out.
I wore them for an entire day when working from home and must say I was thoroughly impressed with the comfort levels.
Normally my WFH attire can be described as “relaxed” to say the least and jeans don’t often make the cut but these were so comfy I would definitely wear them at home again.
I consider myself to be of fairly average height, sitting at around 165cm, and loved the length of these jeans.
Sitting just above the ankles, they looked great with my trusty Converse, but I know would also work well with a boot in winter and a sandal come autumn and spring.
If you’re looking for a new quality pair of jeans then I would definitely recommend getting yourself a pair. Plus, they come on sale fairly often so keep your eyes peeled to grab a great deal.
WILL THE LEVI’S RIBCAGE STAY IN STYLE?
“While other trends might come and go, the Ribcage style is timeless and continues to be a wardrobe staple,” Nicole said.
“They are also a great jean to pair with a ‘trend’ piece up top. For example, incorporate a waist skimming crop, while keeping your jeans the same style.”
HOW TO STYLE THE LEVI’S RIBCAGE
“There are so many other options you can play with but a few of my favourite ways to style the Ribcage jeans are with a waist skimming crop tee or a plain ribbed singlet,” Nicole said.
“Another way to style your jeans is by pairing them with a bralette and blazer combo or French tucking in an oversize shirt.
“You could also wear them with a waistcoat, vest or button up cardigan with a few buttons undone.
“If you want to keep it chic, try it with your favourite bodysuit. Shoes-wise, my pick would be sneakers or chunky slides.
“To finish off the look, add a pair of sunglasses and a cute baguette shape bag.”
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