Review: Old Navy Jeans for Women

My daughter recently informed me that my wardrobe was seriously outdated and I was in need of a makeover. As much as I hate to admit it, she was right. When it comes to shopping for clothes, I'd rather dig a ditch with a teaspoon than go to the mall. However, when she suggested a girl's day out and insisted we could go to ONE store and purchase my entire spring wardrobe, I reluctantly agreed.

This past Saturday, we headed out. When we arrived at the mall, I sighed, knowing she would drag me around to every store until we found "mom's perfect spring wardrobe." She parked directly in front of Old Navy and I scanned the area for "mom" stores. For some reason, I was under the impression Old Navy was for the younger crowd.

We entered the store and were instantly greeted by not one, but two, attractive young women. An adorable sales clerk introduced herself and encouraged us to browse the store and feel free to ask for assistance at any time. My daughter informed her we were on a mission to find a spring wardrobe and update my look. The salesclerk asked what type of clothing appealed to me, my favorite colors and fabrics.

Coming from a mixed heritage of German and Irish, the women in our family are somewhat hardy stock. We have thick waists, wide hips and big arms. No amount of exercise will alter our genetic make-up. Few of the women in my family wear jeans, mainly because it's hard to find jeans that fit comfortably.

I explained this to our Old Navy salesclerk. She escorted us to the women's section and began pulling jeans from the wall. She suggested I try a jean cut called "The Goddess." The name alone was appealing to me. After all, we were on a make-over mission to transform my image.

She pulled three other styles out for me including The Diva, The Sweetheart and The Flirt. I found these names to be quite creative and appealing to my feminine side. That's a huge plus when shopping for clothes; especially if you hate to shop.

Armed with several pairs of jeans, I headed toward the dreaded dressing room. This is where I would be forced to view my body in ways I'd rather not see -- in the torturous three-way mirror. Much to my surprise, the mirrors in Old Navy's dressing room made me look thinner. I wonder if they purchased "skinny" mirrors so they can sell more clothing? If so, it worked for me!

I stepped into The Goddess jeans first. These were a "relaxed" fit with a faded wash. Although they were a little too long, they fit perfectly. I sat down on the built-in bench to see if I could still breathe in the sitting position. That's my biggest problem with jeans. They fit too tight around my waist. If they fit my waist, they are too baggy everywhere else.

Next, I checked out the backside view. Much to my surprise The Goddess jeans made my buttocks appear as if I'd had a butt-lift. Can you say SOLD! In fact, give me five or six pairs!

Our salesclerk informed me that The Goddess style is also available in a Capri-cut. However, they can only be purchased from the Old Navy website. Since I knew this style fit so well, I went home and ordered two pairs -- one dark and one stonewashed. If they fit as well as the jeans, I'll probably order more because I wear Capri's nearly year-round.

Old Navy's "The Diva" jeans are a low-rise cut. Although I liked the way the jeans fit overall, I didn't care for the low-rise cut. I have a bit of a paunch and the low-rise cut seemed to emphasize it even more. My salesclerk had given me two styles, the boot-cut and the wide-leg; however, I only tried on the boot-cut.

"The Flirt" jeans are mid-rise and available in a variety of denim colors. The clerk had given me three pairs of these jeans -- faded denim, cream and rose. She had matched the rose colored jeans with this adorable brown top, so I tried that outfit on first. I liked all three pairs, but decided to only purchase the cream and rose. Since I was getting so many pairs of "The Goddess" jeans, I thought it would be nice to have some colored dress jeans for my new spring wardrobe.

What I like about "The Flirt" style of Old Navy jeans is they aren't bulky. This style is a lighter weight of denim, making them perfect for warmer weather. The mid-rise is considerably more comfortable than I expected and hits about 2-inches below my waist. The waistband is relatively wide and transcends into the jeans, so it is smooth and doesn't dig in to my stomach.

Old Navy's "The Flirt" style jeans are also available in cuffed or straight Capri's. Unfortunately, Old Navy was out of my size that day. The salesclerk took my name and phone number and said she would call me when their new order arrived. She also suggested I check the Old Navy website.

Finally, I tried on "The Sweetheart" and absolutely fell in love with these jeans! They are super soft and comfortable. The salesclerk had given me two styles to try -- curvy and boot-cut. The curvy style is exactly what I needed. While I liked the boot-cut, Old Navy only had them in dark denim and I don't particularly care for jeans that look brand new. The Curvy style is a soft, stretchy fabric and offers a bit of flare at the bottom. The flare makes my legs look longer and the style is quite flattering for my body type.

After selecting my new jeans, we ventured to the blouse section. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of shirts and tops available for women at Old Navy. Their collection includes everything from soft, flowing blouses to cotton tunics. They incorporate bright colors and uplifting prints in many of their blouses. Personally, I find their apparel to be good for the soul. It lifts my spirits to wear brightly colored clothing.

To finish off my new spring wardrobe, we headed to the shoe department where I flipped over the wide assortment of flip flops. As a Floridian flip flops are essential! Old Navy sells their flip flops for a mere $3.50! I purchased black, hot pink, red, brown, teal and yellow. When you purchase two or more pairs, Old Navy drops the price to $2.50 per pair. Talk about a bargain!

Altogether, I spent around $500 at Old Navy and walked out with a stunning, colorful and comfortable spring wardrobe that makes me look fashionable and up-to-date. Now that I know Old Navy offers so many fun and functional clothes for women, I'll be heading back for a new Fall and Winter collection. Not only do I love the new clothes, but the salesclerk provided us with a wonderful shopping experience. By listening to my needs and inquiring about my fashion preferences, she was able to select clothing suited to my body shape, pleasing to my eyes and age appropriate.