Finally, the perfect jean! I hate to think how much money I've wasted on the "three figure" jean companies such as Seven, Lucky, AG, and True Religion over the years, thinking that the answer to looking fabulous in a pair of jeans was to plunk down an obnoxious amount of money at the cash register. Sure, in the dressing room, these aforementioned brands looked great, but over time, failed to pass the "bend test", ended up too loose here, too tight there, too long, too short, and so it goes.

So, I figured for forty bucks, ordering these jeans blind from Amazon was a risk-free endeavor. I'd stopped a woman in the grocery store parking lot one day and asked about her fabulous looking jeans. She raved on for five minutes about the Levi's bootcut 526's she was wearing and her journey with expensive jeans equal to mine that ended up in fruitless frustration.

Once they came in the mail, I slipped them on with excitement and anticipation. WOW!! My 5'7", size four, very straight frame came to life with a flat tummy and nice looking tuchus! They fit just right through the thigh area and waist (some reviewers complain of a waist that's too big, since I'm built straight up and down without much curve, this assisted me greatly), and survived the bend test no problem. The mid-rise is perfect and sits about an inch or two below the belly button; a happy medium between homely and too low. And for my height, the length was perfect, too. I'm able to wear anything from flats to two or three inch heels without a problem. With 7% spandex, the stretch is just enough, and the texture of the denim is buttery soft and does not bind or contstrict at all. So comfy! Add the balance only a bootcut leg can provide, cute back-flap/buttoned pockets (which operate like regular old fashioned jean pockets, the flap is only for looks), and there you go! Pefection has been attained!

For a slightly dressier jean, I highly recommend the Levi's 515 bootcut, which have a bit less stretch and cute little studs on the back pockets. Thank you Levi's, you have married affordability, solid quality, and great style. My relationship with outrageous jean prices is officially OVER.