Review by Parveen Devi – I wanted to see for myself if what the brand claimed was true – jeans so comfy you can do yoga in them? Skeptical. The team over at Yoga Jeans sent me a pair to test for myself, and this is my 100% honest review
Jeans have been a firm wardrobe staple since Levi Strauss popularised them in the 1870’s. From classic straight to bootcut, skinny and flare; versatility, comfort and style is something that can be said for a good pair of jeans.
Denim fabric itself dates back even further still, with its origins said to be from Genoa, Italy, circa 1500, originally made for the Italian Navy uniform.
To say that the denim market is huge is an understatement to say the least. According to Statista, the global value of denim jeans in 2020 will be worth around $76.35 billion dollars, with this figure set to reach $85.4 billion by 2025.
It’s not surprising then, that in 2018 around 4.5 billion pairs of jeans were sold across the globe yet, with the popularity of the humble jean continually on the rise, finding a pair that ticks all the boxes isn’t always easy.
I am speaking first-hand about the horrors of trying to get everything waist down into a pair of skinny jeans that say right there on the label that they’re my size.
I’m a typical hourglass figure and short through the leg, so finding jeans to accommodate my body type is long to say the least, and once I’ve managed to find something that ‘will do the job’ I tend to stick with it.
My jeans collection has a strong tendency towards Topshop’s infamous ‘Jamie’ jeans and Levi’s 710’s. There’s also a pair of Apple Bottom’s which have no business ever seeing the light of day again.
Trouble is, clothing brands don’t often cater for all body types and no matter how much you love a specific style or brand of jeans, sometimes it just doesn’t work – I’ve learned the hard way with Diesel and 7 For All Mankind.
From baggy crotches and corset-like waistbands to suffocated butts and ridiculous leg lengths, whatever your body type, we have all suffered the dreaded curse of the ill-fitting jean.
“For Yoga Jeans, it definitely is very important to cater to a diverse range of body types. No two individuals are made the exact same way, and everyone should be able to find something that makes them feel beautiful, Confident and of course, comfortable.” – Eric Wazana, Co-founder, YOGA JEANS®.
Last September at London Fashion Week’s Celebration of Canadian Design, I had the pleasure of meeting the creative guru’s behind denim brand, YOGA JEANS®.
This Canadian brand was born of co-founder Eric Wazana’s love of distressing his own jeans from a young age, using only an old Coca Cola bottle cap and sandpaper. From his early love of customising denim, years later with help from his brother Jacob, Yoga Jeans came to life.
The name literally comes from Yoga. Think freedom, comfort, all things zen, and confidence in the skin you’re in.
Eric told me Yoga Jeans is a denim brand to suit ‘every body’ and I was immediately intrigued. They use a 4-way stretch technology in the fabric that will stretch to fit the contours of all body types without ever getting baggy.
To make things even better, Yoga Jeans focuses on the diversity of women’s body types and daily movements, not just style, creating jeans that are breathable, flexible and so comfortable that a woman could literally practice yoga in them.
The brand also features a ‘no gape’ waistband that avoids gapping when bending and sitting – a long time issue I’ve faced.
To top it off, Yoga Jeans is eco-friendly and sustainable and they make it a priority to lower their water consumption and leave a low carbon footprint. Each pair of jeans is lovingly made in Canada in their 52,000 square foot manufacturing facility where they can keep an eye on the quality of each piece produced.
Images courtesy of Yoga Jeans 
The jeans arrived in recyclable packaging fitting well with the brands’ eco-friendly and sustainable message.
I chose the Rachel Skinny Jeans in Polaroid, a nice sky blue colour, perfect for spring/summer.
Holding these jeans they feel premium. The quality and detail is the real deal, soft to touch denim with that texture you expect and nice detail on the stitching. The vintage wash is also true to the description online.
These jeans have a hidden zip on each of the ankles and there’s a cute little yellow tag sewn into the right pocket for a bit of extra detail.
Mandatory wiggle later and they’re on. I’m used to not even getting denim like this on and buttoned up comfortably, so we’re off to a good start.
They feel a little bit snug, standard for a brand new pair, but they haven’t crushed the shape out of my butt and thighs, and I can walk comfortably, which is refreshing.
Next thing I do is go into a Warrior One followed by Downward Facing Dog – they didn’t split, bonus!
They are a little long in the leg for me, I’m 5’4” and got a 27” leg, but I folded them a little at the hem and they still look nice.
Style-wise, I think they can be easily dressed up, but the vibe I feel for these is more casual. I paired them with trainers and a long coat (it’s winter in the UK) and took them for a spin to see how they wore throughout the day.
The waist is the part that impressed me the most, it really doesn’t gape! I liked where they sat on my waist, high-rise but not too high-waisted on me.
Admittedly, as the day went on I did find the waistband and denim naturally loosened, so I would want to wear a belt for the next wear, but this is nowhere near some of the terrible gaping waistbands I’ve experienced with other brands.
The jeans were comfortable the whole time I wore them, no chafing or rubbing considering the thicker material and they kept me warm too!
In all, I found this style of jeans to be a great ‘throw on and go’ pair of jeans that look good with a simple tee and some trainers for a comfy casual look.
Although not my typical go-to fit, I love the style and quality of the jeans. I’d be intrigued to see how other styles fit too, they have six in total, so definitely something for everyone.
I also love the fact that this brand is eco-conscious and I did manage to do a little bit of yoga in them too!
Read the full interview with Yoga Jeans co-designer, Eric Wazana.
While you’re at it, visit the Yoga Jeans website and check them out on Instagram.
parveendevi.com 