Review: Paige Premium Denim (plus)

As posted last month, Paige Premium Denim is trying out the plus market at Nordstrom by introducing three of its designs for women size 14-24W. The jeans came out this past week, and soon thereafter on "curvy" message boards, people were saying that they ran small. Having pre-ordered a pair in the Mandeville Canyon (plain pocket) style through Nordstrom.com, I started to panic that my usual 16 was going to be too small. Exchanging sizes through the mail can be tricky, especially if the size you may need runs out.

So on Tuesday after work, I popped into my local Nordie's and headed for the Encore department, what they tastefully call the plus-sized department. The store had the Paiges there, so I got a 16 and an 18 Mandeville Canyon off the rack and went to go try them on. The sales lady told me the jeans were running small but that they will stretch out after an hour of wearing them.

Well, the 16 fit me just fine. Which is good news if you're a large misses. If you're a true plus, unless you have unusually skinny legs, you're going to have to size up.

What I loved about them? The Paiges are the softest, most comfy pair of jeans I have ever tried on. They feel like you've owned them for years. They feel very light, which also distinguishes them from pretty much any other jeans I've worn. I'm happy Paige didn't make a crappy, half-baked knockoff either the way Seven7 did for Lane Bryant...the look and quality is identical to its regular denim line.

The meh? Oy, the price! Paiges run about $175-$225 depending on the style, and the Mandeville Canyons were the "cheapest" at $198. The other two styles are over $200. One can buy almost two pairs of Svoboda denim (a great plus denim line) for what one of these costs. This is definitely a luxury/splurge item.

Fit wasn't an issue with me but if Paige Premium Denim wants to succeed with the plus market, it will likely have to adjust its sizing, particularly in the legs. I would also suggest that they make their back pockets bigger. Bigger pockets are more flattering on a wider rear end than small pockets. This is especially true if you are going to put some kind of design on them. The proportion of pockets was okay on me but if baby got lots of back, small pockets are going to look ridiculous.

In any case, I hope this foray is a success and that other premium brands will also give the curvy market a shot.