I stumbled across Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans in July 2020, when my old blue jeans finally needed replacing. Although this pair had caught my eye, I wasn’t sure the style would work for me. However, it just goes to show how it can be worth looking beyond your “style comfort zone” from time to time, because when I tried them on it was love at first sight.
Given how much I’ve worn them since purchasing them, how popular this style has been and how much I’ve featured them on this blog, I thought you might find a review of them helpful (This post is not in any way sponsored or gifted – although I may receive a small commission if you use the affiliate links below. You can read what that means here).
What I love about them
When shopping for jeans I consider whether they suit me, how well they fit and comfort. This pair ticks all three boxes. They are figure hugging but not too tight so to be uncomfortable. They fit well both in the legs and in the waist (I’ve often had difficulties finding jeans that fit my calves and thighs while not gaping around my waist) and I love how the straight leg style and super high waist elongates the leg and gives the outfit an almost Jane Birkin vibe.
I ended up choosing the colour “Tango Fade” (I don’t believe this exact shade is still available although Levi’s has come out with other shades which are very similar) with distressing on one knee. Usually, lighter shades of denim wash me out so I was excited to finally find a pair that didn’t. It’s been such a versatile colour that goes with a lot of outfits in my wardrobe.
Sizing
As mentioned above, one of the things I love most about this pair of jeans is the way they fit me. I’m usually a size 6 and I bought the size 24 of the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle jeans – which was the perfect size for me. The jeans stretched slightly after wearing them a few times – but just to give me a bit more room to move and they kept their shape and weren’t loose. They also didn’t shrink after washing them.
However, I think the black denim version of these jeans may have had more elastic in the fabric because I initially tried the colour “Feeling Cagey”, which is a faded black denim. While this pair was not loose on me, it didn’t feel as figure hugging as the Tango Fade colour and I was worried that they wouldn’t fit quite so well after a few wears. I also know that a friend of mine initially bought a pair in the true black colour, which she said didn’t fit her so well, whereas the “Georgie” did.
Just a little update: I ended up buying a second pair of Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans in the colour “Georgie” in February 2022 and wanted to update this post as I had a strange experience with sizing the second time around. This time I bought them online as opposed to in store. Although I found the perfect size in the end, I had to return two pairs before I found the right size (you can tell how keen I was for this pair of jeans as normally I couldn’t have been bothered retuning an item twice). I initially ordered this pair from an Australian stockist in a size 24 and it was too big. The cut and style also seemed to be a bit different from my original pair. I then ordered it in the size down from Revolve. However, despite also being Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans, the Revolve pair more closely resembled the design of my original pair and was also too small in the size down. I ended up buying a size 24 from Revolve and that size was perfect. However, my conclusion is that sizing of this pair of jeans can vary depending on the style and which stockist you purchase it from – something to consider. It might be worth trying them on in store, if you can, so that you can ensure you can get the correct size – otherwise many retailers offer easy postal returns these days.
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Price
I paid $150 AUD for these jeans. While they were expensive I was happy to pay this amount for a well made pair of jeans that I loved and will have for years.
Sustainability
Levi’s have been making efforts in the sustainability front with a focus on “durability” and innovations which reduce resources and waste. According to their Australian website they have saved “4.2 billion litres of water” since 2011 and have recycled and reused 9.6 billion litres of water, 75% of their cotton is sustainably sourced and “65% of [their] products are currently made in factories that run [their] Worker Well-being programs“. They also have goals use 100% sustainably sourced cotton and “100% renewable energy owned and operated factories” by 2025, reduce their supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and, by 2030, reduce “water use in manufacturing in water-stressed areas” by 50%. They have a tailor in Melbourne, Australia who will repair and redesign their clothes.
If you want to find out more about the sustainability of Levi’s , Good On You have a informative article “How Ethical Is Levi’s” and rates them as “It’s a Start“.
They seem to be making progress and for me, I’ve decided that I’m happy buying a pair of jeans that I love, that are well made and which will last me for years rather than a pair that doesn’t work as well for me. That said, I’m also keen to try a few jeans from a few sustainable brands as well.
Potential Feedback
I personally haven’t had any problems with this pair of jeans. However, my friend did have an experience where the dye from her black pair ran in the first was wash. Levis allow her to exchange them for the “Georgie” colour and I don’t believe she has had any problems with this pair.
Would I buy them again?
Absolutely. I particularly have my eye on the “Georgie” shade at the moment.
Just a little update to this blog post: As mentioned above, I bought a second pair of Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans in the shade “Georgie” in February 2022. Classic, easy to style and comfortable; once I got the sizing right, they’ve become just as much of a wardrobe staple as my first pair and I like the blue denim wash which feels a bit Parisian.
Styling inspiration
Here I’ve styled these jeans with a thrifted black knit jumper, gold hoop earrings and black slingback heels for a smart casual look.
As I mentioned above, I’ve featured these jeans a lot on this blog. Some of my favourite ways to style them are:
- With a one shoulder top
- With a black turtle neck sweater
- With a navy sweater
- With a polka dot top
- With a black body suit and grey coat.
I hope this review was helpful for you. If you have any questions, or if you’ve tried this style and loved it, please let me know on Instagram or in the comments below.
Photos: Sara Eshu
This post contains affiliate links. Post was updated October 2022.
Rebecca Akon
I love a good pair of Levi jeans. They last forever!! Thank you for the review. I am looking out for a pair of Levi’s at thrift stores but have not found my size yet. You look fantastic in yours!
bridieross
I’m so glad you found the review helpful Rebecca, and thank you so much for your kind words! I truly appreciate it. Levi’s jeans are such a classic, durable piece. It would be amazing to find a pair of vintage / thrifted Levi’s but I agree that sizing can be tricky when it comes to op shopping. I guess it adds to the excitement, particularly when you happen upon a gem. Good luck – I hope you find the perfect pair! x