A year and a half ago, I took up an entire page on this website waxing poetic about my love for Madewell jeans. And don’t get me wrong, though I’ve added a few other brands to my denim arsenal since then, I still highly recommend the Petite Curvy Perfect Vintage jeans and, more recently, the Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg jeans. (An expert tip: Make sure you try on the sizes in-store, because the fit can change from wash to wash.) However, now that I’m older and therefore wiser, I’ve been trying to elevate my wardrobe a bit. For me, that meant finding one thing in particular: Good Pants.
These Good Pants had to check several boxes. They had to be work-appropriate (the kind of thing that would make sense in our creative office but still function for important meetings), and be suitable for drinks with friends. They had to be comfortable enough that I wouldn’t mind wearing them all day, including during two 45-minute subway commutes, and preferably short enough that I, a 5’1” person, wouldn’t need to hem them. I also just needed to like them.
Given my success in the past, I wanted to see if I could complete this particular treasure hunt at Madewell, too. What I found was something so good and so solid that I broke a personal rule of mine and bought them in two different colors: Madewell’s Harlow Wide-Leg Pant.
To give credit where credit is due, it turns out TikTok was already on top of these; if you search the pants in the app, you’ll find more than a handful of videos of people fawning over them—and for good reason.
For starters, the pleating and wide leg make these tailored pants feel both classic and trendy, roomy, and flattering, all without overwhelming the body. I can pair them with a slouchy sweater without drowning in fabric, or with a cropped shirt for a more balanced pairing of silhouettes. They also come in nine colors—I have Acorn and Dark Forest, so far—so you can choose something formal, fun, or somewhere in between. And for those looking for a party-ready option, my colleague, ELLE.com’s senior fashion commerce editor Dale Arden Chong, recommends the recently launched satin version.
An OOTD photo I sent to a friend and am now reluctantly sharing with the class. Behold: the Good Pants in Acorn.
In terms of wearability, the Tencel and linen blend combination renders the pants drapey, breathable, and extra comfy; I even chose to wear the pants on Thanksgiving, if that tells you anything. That being said, there are two small cons: You might need to layer a pair of tights underneath in the winter, as they’re quite breezy, and I’ve found that, because of the material, they don’t always stay wrinkle-free, though neither point has bothered me much yet.
As for my last checkbox, the Harlow Wide-Legs do come in petite sizing, meaning there’s a perfect inseam for my short frame. I’ve been able to wear these with loafers, flats, and boots of varying heel heights. I also got to try on the petite version in person. If you know, you know! And though they are priced at $118, Madewell has enough sales that you can usually find them at a discount. (I believe I got mine for 20 percent off.)
These days, I’m still searching for a few more pieces to finish off my new wardrobe: an easy-to-wear kitten heel and a button-down shirt that’s slouchy yet polished, to name a few. But for now, at least I have my Good Pants.
Madison is the digital deputy editor at ELLE, where she also covers news, politics, and culture. If she’s not online, she’s probably napping or trying not to fall while rock climbing.