Monday, January 19, 2009

Product Review: High Heel Flares

High-Heel Flare Jean In Faded Blue Wash
Click here for product page
Item 97032
Regular: $108.00
Now: $29.99

"Thanks!" to Hillary (in this post) who shared with us her great review of this jean!

Hello all. Just wanted to give a quick product review on the high heel flare jean. I don't know why the website hasn't completely sold out. You should all be logging on and ordering multiple pairs right now- especially now with the faded blue wash marked down to 29.99 with the additional 20% off. I ordered my first pair just before the holidays and love them so much I ordered another yesterday for back up.

I found them to be true to size although a little snug at first. Do not be alarmed; they stretch nicely after your initial wearing. I normally am a 32 in JCrew jeans and cords and was as well in these. JCrew is the only place I feel confident ordering things from without ever having tried on that particular item- the final sale never really worries me!

The jeans are soft, the blue is vivid and unique, the pocket placement is divine and the waistline high and slimming. These literally are the jeans of my dreams and I think are vital to every woman's closet. I personally am over seeing every single person in the free world wearing skinnies skinnies skinnies. Viva la high heel flare!


"Thanks!" again to Hillary (in this post) for her review! :)

High-Heel Flare Jean In Indigo Wash
Click here for product page
Item 96949
Regular: $120.00
Now: $59.99

I tried on the jeans in the Faded Blue Wash in the store a couple of times, because I really wanted them to work out. Especially since they (1) look great on the hanger and (2) are priced at just $19.99 (which is before the additional 30% off). However, I found the length of the jeans way too long (and it looked weird when I tried to see what it would look like hemmed).

Although the Faded Blue Wash didn't work out for me, the High-Heel Flare Jean in Indigo Wash looked great on. (Weird, I know! It's the same jean, with the same length, just different shade. Yet one pair worked for me, while the other did not.) I found the Indigo Wash pair true to size. The jeans are not stiff, but not as soft as the faded blue wash.

While I found the Faded Blue Wash version looking very "flared" on me, the Ultra-Dark Indigo pair did not come across as "flared" but more like a trouser leg. (This might be because of the shade itself). Moreover, I found these jeans a bit more versatile, in that it can be dressed up or down because of the indigo wash shade itself. As a result of the shade and trouser-ish leg, the pair of jeans had a wonderful slimming effect (as I did appear longer and leaner). Overall, I highly recommend these jeans. :)

What are your thoughts on the high heel flares (do you like/dislike the style, design, fabric, shade/wash, length)? Are you considering or already have purchased either pair of jeans? Have you seen these jeans in person? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)

60 comments:

  1. I was eyeing the High-Heel Flare Jean for a long time but ended up getting the Trouser jeans instead because i could order them in my normal J. Crew size with out trying to figure out my waist size. But now it seems the High-Heel Flare Jean in Tall are all sold out so i've missed the boat anyways.
    :(
    Always the way...
    Maybe they'll have some at the sample sale!
    Actually i'm not counting on there being any Tall sizes there

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  2. It drives me crazy that these styles are not offered in petites or short sizes.

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  3. The first commenter made me take a hard look at the jeans again, but I had to remind myself that pants are not something I should be buying on final sale. :) I want to try them on in the store if I find them!

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  4. I wanted to buy the jeans after the review but the 20% off discount is no longer valid. I will pass for now :)

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  5. Banana Republic has really nice jeans in regular, petite and tall sizes, from 00-16. I also prefer their jeans b/c they usually have a tiny bit of a distinguishing characteristic (i.e., special stitching, seaming, pocket, buttons) without being obnoxious like some designer jeans.

    I have tried some j.crew jeans but I hate how completely plain they are.

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  6. One word, flares . . .

    *walks the other way*

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  7. As I have written on numberous posts I think the fit of these if the WORST ever for JCrew. I have been wearing JCRew jeans for 8 years and this is the first time a pair of their jeans has not fit me. I tried 2 sizes and all washes in the stores. I am 5' 10" and two styles were even too long on me! The one wash looks like CHEAP WRANGLER denim. Not a look I want to sport! These are a pass. I can easily see why these have not sold well and the price keeps going down.

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  8. The fit is DIFFERENT on all three washes even though it is the "same" jean style--they really aren't. On one style I tried (and I tried all 3) the waist was at least and inch bigger--same size. Beware final sale on these unless you really know what size you need or are willing to pay a tailor.

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  9. I love the fit of the HHFs, but I had to seriously hack off 5 inches for them to fit me, since I'm 5'1. BUT...the fit is fabulous for me, so I ended up buying 2 more pairs on FS. They're my go-to new jeans right now. I like them much more than the trouser jeans.....

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  10. Does anyone know the difference between "clean indigo wash" and "indigo wash"? Which one is darker?

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  11. Jeff,

    You are right...the flare is awful. I walked the other way....:)

    Julie

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  12. I love, love, love the HHFs!! Jcrew pants/denim are usually too big for me, but the 25 fits great. The length is quite long (I'm 5'6"), but they give me an excuse to wear all those heels sitting in my closet!

    The color is very nice and they are sooo comfortable. They sit up nice and high which I like. I wouldn't spend the full price ($98 I think?), but are definitely worth the $29.99 plus 30% off IMO. I snagged up a second pair this weekend.

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  13. I LOVE the HHF jeans in indigo!

    Unlike a few of the other posters, this is the only pair of J.Crew jeans in recent years I've actually been able to wear. Certainly a prime example of how one's body type will affect their opinion of the HHF. I'm 5'5", and curvy in places that it seems most JCA aren't (stomach and calves). Matchstick jeans won't even go past my calves when trying to get them on, and the bootcut jeans make me look short and stumpy.

    The HHF in indigo are extremely flattering (in my case) - they make me look longer and leaner, the rise isn't so ungodly low that when I sit I'm showing the world the, uh, world, and they have just the right amount of stretch to be comfortable without being like a tight pair of spandex leggings.

    I'd ordered a couple pairs (in different sizes) early on in the season so I was able to return what didn't fit. And to Amy's ququestion about the "clean indigo" vs. "indigo" wash - I ordered both, and sitting them side by side I honestly could not tell the difference.

    I can't say enough how much I love this fit/style. I'm hoping that the white version for spring/summer will have a similar fit - though I haven't tried those on yet.

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  14. Anon at 3:27 AM: Thanks for letting us know that you also found the fit different for each of the washes. I thought I was a bit crazy to think one wash worked for me while the other didn't. ;)

    RatsOnParade: I really like the Indigo wash too! They really do look great. :) Unfortunately, the Faded Blue wash didn't work for me. Congrats on your Indigo wash pair! :)

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  15. Oh, I should've mentioned I wear my HHF with 3" heels. I haven't tried having them altered to wear with flats. But at 5'5" + 3" they come just barely to the ground without scuffing the pavement. HTH. :)

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  16. I have these jeans in all three colors and LOVE them. I did size down which I was surprised about. I also had to have them hemmed (I'm 5'4").

    If I could find some more at the prices now ($19.99 range) I'd buy a few more pairs.

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  17. Alexis,

    Yes, you are not crazy. I tried a 30 in all three washes of the jeans and each pair fit differently in length and waist and hips...mainly the waist and length though....really strange. Also, the hips were really tight in the 30's and the 31's were just swimming--HUGE on me. What a complete nightmare!

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  18. Snug? Ha! That's not right at all! Mine are so saggy in the bum that it's ridiculous!

    And, they are very long. I am 5'10" and I trip on the hem (even with heels!).

    -E

    (And, first Anonymous - get them hemmed! I would love to be petite/short. You can always hem - you CANNOT add material on!).

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  19. I like these jeans, but has anyone noticed that they run big? I'm normally a 27 in J. Crew bootcut jeans, but I got a 26 in these and they are still a little loose. I was afraid to get a 25 b/c they'd be cut shorter.

    I do agree that the leg is not flared, but more trouser-ish. The dark color is great. My co-worker remarked that my new jeans made me look very slim :D

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  20. Prep e girl,

    Had your coffee yet? You can have a difference of opinion--all for that! but can you be a bit kinder please. You come off very harsh sounding...

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  21. Thanks for posting my review Alexis :) When I wrote it I should have included that these jeans look FINE hemmed- I took them to the same tailor I always go to and they did a great job. If you go to someone who knows what they are doing, you won't be disappointed.

    Also, Jeff, they don't really look like a traditional 'flare.' No need to be insulting. No need to 'walk the other way.'

    Hope everyone is enjoying a nice day off.

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  22. Jeff wasn't insulting...I think the flare is awful too! I tried on all 3 washes.

    I enjoy your direct, no nonsense approach, Jeff!

    Julie

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  23. I agree w/ anon 1:16am that JC needs to offer petite sizes!

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  24. The word 'flare' does incite a lot of feelings. I personally do not like them, but I appreciate that at least there are all sorts of different kinds of jeans out there so people can wear whatever is the most flattering to them. I'm sticking with slim/straight leg or bootcut, though.

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  25. I was looking forward to the higher waist on these jeans. I'm an hourglass with short legs so higher waist is more flattering but of course hasn't been available much.

    I found they ran large, especially in the waist and fanny, except they grabbed me in the saddlebag area and flared out from there, causing the jeans to emphasize my worst part. I think a high-heel flare style would have looked great if the fit had been better. They might work better if you're a rectangle and are looking for the higher waist to create curves.

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  26. Thanks for the fantastic review, Hillary! I've tried on the High Heel Flares, and really like them, especially in the Indigo Wash. :)

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  27. Ugh, SO bad on me!!! I tried the lighter color during one of the holiday promos and expected to love them to no avail. The pair I was sent had a rise so high they practically trapped my underwire! Needless to say, they were marched back straight to my local B&M. Congrats to all who persevered and found the right fit/ wash combo for them at such a great price.

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  28. Anon at 9:51. Thanks for the laugh! I love the almost trapped my underwire comment! This is what everyone needs, light-hearted humor.

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  29. This is slightly off-topic but have people had problems with color transfer on J Crew jeans? I wore the trouser jeans in a very dark wash at Thanksgiving and the dye came off all over the pale pink sweater I was wearing. (We were playing scrabble and I was often leaning over with my forearms resting on my thighs, got dye all over the sleeves). I ended up sitting on a towel for Thanksgiving dinner in case I got dye on the chair! After googling it, I couldn't find anything that I could do to help. Does anyone have any solutions? I'm afraid to wear them with light colors now. (BTW I think the high heel jeans are very flattering on curvy girls!)

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  30. I LOVE my clean indigo size 27 HHFs. I am a dedicated 7forallmankind wearer, but tried these on in-store because they were so cheap ($39.99 + 30% off markdowns + 15% student discount).

    I agree with some other commenters, they made me look very tall and lean, I like that the rise is a little higher, without making your butt look weird. They honestly couldn't fit better, except maybe a little shorter (they are ALMOST too long with a pair of average height heels).

    I have been wearing them as my new "dressy jeans" & received many compliments. No one believes they were < $30.

    For reference, I am a little under 5'6", 120 lbs, hourglass-ish body type.

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  31. Boston Brit- I have the trouser jeans (which I love! Now I have 2 pairs. but now my curiosity is piqued and I may have to try on the high heel flares now) and the tag said to wash it a few times before wear. I went overboard and washed mine 3 times (line dry) before I wore them and had no problems. So, throw them in the wash a few more times before you wear them and they should be fine.

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  32. i got 2 pairs at the beginning of jan..the lighter paper were 11 bucks and the dark were 17 bucks ( iused 30% and student discount)....i love them...almost got another dark pair but had already bought too much in the store......

    I love them.....

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  33. I ordered the High Heel Flare in Indigo Wash last week and am excited to receive it! I had tried the jeans on in the store and liked the fit, but I wear a long inseam and have to order online. I was able to get these for $41 with the extra 20% off and the student discount. I am thrilled to hear the great reviews--they look fabulous online and you can't beat $41 for a pair of jeans (unless it's $19.99...but no talls!)

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  34. I only tried on one pair of the lighter colored ones (didn't realize they all fit differently) and I didn't like it. The rise was too high, and it was one size too big. I am curvy and petite, so I have to end up paying to hemming at the tailor anyway.

    I have better luck recently with the Ann Taylor petite modern lindsay waist bootcut jeans (fit for me is absolutely perfect at the waist, thighs and hem), or Joe's Jeans in Provocateur, or Joe's in Honey. I don't have thick thighs and High Heel Flare is too wide around the thigh.

    I have a pair of 7 for mankind ultraflare and they looked stylish with matching colored high heels on. I wouldn't knock it until you try it.

    I also have problems with dye transfers. Not only with J Crew. Last two times I washed new denims I ended up having to clean my dryer as it was stained blue. Sigh.

    -South Bay Addict

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  35. Boston Brit, I have the same problem with dye transfer of my J.Crew trouser jeans. I haven't come up with a solution either, so I just wear dark tops/sweaters with them. When I first got the jeans, they actually made my the tops of my legs blue, to the point that they looked bruised! I have had them for 6 months or so, and the dye still transfers. I had a pair of white North Face snow boots that turned blue as a result of these jeans. For some reason, I didn't really think about the boot color when I threw them on those three times. :(

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  36. MOM JEANS. Worst pants J. Crew has ever put out, hands down. I didn't even think they were cute on the model. Sorry. You can all yell at me now.

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  37. Boston Brit: I totally hear you on the darker jeans and the dye issue! :)

    I find washing the jeans (inside out) a few times works well to prevent the dye staining my clothes. Incidentally, I use special laundry detergent for darker colors and it seems to work pretty well. :)

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  38. NEVER buy jeans (or any pants) without trying them on first!!!

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  39. I ordered 16 pairs in the trouser cut and high heel flares in different washes/sizes. JC says I could try them on and return them if they don't fit. Who says you have to buy jeans without trying them on first?

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  40. I'm short and curvy for my size, but I loved them, and they're a real bargain right now.

    So worth hemming. . .

    There may be some big size inconsistency, though. I took one size smaller than usual. I only tried them on because my size wasn't available. Maybe these are an in-store purchase!

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  41. Anony@12:02

    You must have found a nice CS rep. Never had any luck with what you have experienced. So, I belive, for most of us--final sale is final sale.

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  42. Wow, these jeans are controversial! I always thought mom jeans were super high waisted, acid wash, and tapered, but what would I know. The darker version of these reminds me of SFAM Gingers. These won't be as high on the waist for women with long torsos.

    I wish we could have a post on all the vintage wash jeans. I'd sure love to see photos of the vintage slim on some 'real' women, both cuffed and uncuffed.

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  43. I bought the High Heeled Jeans in faded blue but i HAAAAAAAAAAATE them. They are SUPER highwasted on me and the pockets make my ass look flat. I need the tailor to work some major magic to make these look nice. :-/

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  44. Anyone up for a good laugh should read The Urban Dictionary's definition of Mom Jeans-Yes, Mom Jeans are tapered, and often accompanied by a 'butt in the front'. Lol.

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  45. haha. I was going to say mine looked "nothing like mom jeans" but didn't want to offend any fashionable moms!

    They really don't though..but I do have a really long torso so maybe that has something to do with it!

    nice urban dictionary definition by the way. I think I'm going to look for a google image of that look right now.

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  46. Lol, check out the SNL Mom Jeans skit! True mom jeans are always pleated in the front, ha ha!

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  47. I'll stick to my Levi's 501s.

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  48. All dark colored jeans (not just J Crew) transfer dye when they are washed, just wash them separately!

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  49. These jeans are made for women with curves. They do not flatter those of us with "stick-figures" as my friends would say. I'm pretty straight and thin on the bottom and these looked ridiculous on me.

    I think it is great that there are options and J.Crew doesn't expect all of us to wear the same jeans. It's nice to hear some JCAs rave about the fit and how much they love these jeans, especially since they are on for such a deal.

    Thanks for the review.

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  50. Regarding color transfer on jeans. I used to wash all my dark-colored items in salt water since it used to 'set' the color. I haven't tried it lately, but I should since I have matchsticks and toothpicks from J.Crew that do transfer. I sort of forgot about it and just stopped wearing those jeans for now. I'll try it and report back if it works.

    p.s. the toothpick jeans are really bad for transfering color. Your arms, hands, the chair, coat, everything picks up a hint of indigo...

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  51. re: color transfer. A really nice SA at my local B&M advised washing inside out and with a cup of vinegar in the wash the first few times to cut down on transfer and totally wash that way before wearing.

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  52. I bought a couple of darker pairs of these jeans on sale and love them. I have hips and am tall, and I thought they flattered me WAY more than skinny jeans ever would. They don't flare but have a trouser leg instead, which I absolutely love, and they look fantastic over heels. The rise is comfortably in the mid range -- not so low that everything shows when I sit down (which I think never looks good on anyone), and not so high I feel like I'm wearing jeans from the early 90s.

    I'm glad J. Crew makes jeans that non-stick figures can wear! I hope it continues to make pants for a variety of figures.

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  53. I like these. I am short (5'3") and I had to big time
    hem them and take the flare in a little but it cost only $10 through the Jcrew tailor and the pants themselves only cost $17 so it was worth it. The waist fits well with no gap in the back even with my curvier hips. That is the best part.

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  54. Congrats to all of you who have the HHF and love them! It's such an awesome feeling when you find jeans that look great on you.

    As far as my experience goes, I tried them on once and they did nothing for me. They just didn't flatter me at all, and it had nothing to do with them being too long. I guess I'll just have to stick to the trouser & bootcut jeans!

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  55. sc crew, the Charleston, SC, store had several pair when I was there Saturday. I think they were priced at 19.99, but I could be wrong about that. I thought about trying them on, but decided not to. Maybe if I go back this weekend and they have some in my size. Anyway, if you really want more, give them a call. 843-534-1640

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  56. LOVE these jeans! So leg lengthening, dressy and feminine! They are NOT "mom" jeans (although I am one). Mom jeans are acid washed, above the belly button, tapered legs... these are sleek and urban. Great with heels.

    JenG.

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  57. I bought the High-Heel Flare Jean in the Indigo wash over this weekend, and really like them. For under 20 dollars, these jeans are a great deal! As everyone else has noted, if you are curvy, the jeans will more than likely flatter you. As a size 10, I find that these jeans hit me in the right places. They were way too long, but they are very easily hemmed. I'd just like to thank the original reviewer, because she made me take another look at these jeans!

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  58. What female fashion trends do you absolutely hate?
    flare jeans for women

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  59. I like the high heels on www.27880.com ,my wife always buy heels on it.It’s so fashion and beautiful.

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