Finding a pair of jeans that actually fits shouldn't feel like a part-time job. Yet, for anyone with a "curvy" build—basically meaning your waist is significantly smaller than your hips or thighs—the struggle is visceral. You know the drill. You pull on a pair of standard denim, it fits your quads perfectly, but then you look in the mirror and see it. The gap. That annoying, two-inch canyon of fabric at the small of your back that makes it impossible to wear a shirt tucked in without looking like you’re wearing a diaper. Honestly, it's exhausting.
Then came the Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love jeans.
A few years ago, Abercrombie underwent a massive rebrand. They ditched the shirtless models and the overwhelming cologne scent to actually listen to what people wanted. What people wanted was denim that didn't require a belt just to stay closed at the waist. The Curve Love line was the answer. It wasn’t just a marketing gimmick; it was a fundamental shift in how they patterned their clothing.
What is the Curve Love difference anyway?
Most "curvy" lines from other brands just add more stretch. That’s a lazy fix. Stretch denim eventually bags out at the knees and loses its shape by lunch. Abercrombie did something different. They took their most popular fits—the 90s Ultra High Rise Straight, the Skinny, the Flare—and re-engineered the proportions.
The math is simple: they added an extra two inches of room through the hip and thigh while keeping the waist measurement exactly the same as their standard fit.
It sounds like a small change. Two inches. But in the world of garment construction, two inches is a lifetime. It’s the difference between a pair of jeans that cuts off your circulation when you sit down and a pair that feels like it was custom-tailored for your body. If you’ve ever had to "size up" just to get jeans over your thighs only to have the waist be massive, you get why this matters.
The technical side of the fit
The construction focuses on the "rise" and the "seat." By increasing the surface area of the fabric in the back of the jean, the garment can contour over the glutes without pulling the waistband down. This eliminates that dreaded "back gap" that haunts standard denim. You’ve probably noticed that when you sit in regular jeans, the back pulls away from your skin. With Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love jeans, the waistband stays flush against your spine. It's kinda revolutionary for a mall brand.
Real talk about the sizing
Let’s be real: Abercrombie sizing can still be a bit of a trip.
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Generally, you should stick to your true waist size. If you are a 28-inch waist, buy a 28. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to size down because there’s "extra room." That extra room is specifically for your hips. If you size down, you’ll just end up with a waistband that’s too tight, defeating the whole purpose of the "Love" in Curve Love.
The fabric blends vary across the line. This is where it gets tricky.
- The 90s Straight: Usually 99% cotton and 1% elastane. These are stiff. They feel like "real" denim. They will feel tight for the first twenty minutes, but they mold to your body as you wear them.
- The Jean Legging: Much higher stretch content. These are for when you want to look like you're wearing jeans but feel like you're in pajamas.
- The Flare/Bootcut: Often a middle ground.
I’ve seen people complain that the 90s Straight feels "too small" at first. That’s actually the cotton doing its job. Authentic denim needs a break-in period. If they're comfortable the second you put them on, they'll probably be too big by the end of the day.
Why the 90s Ultra High Rise Straight is the MVP
If you go on TikTok or Instagram, this is the specific style you see everywhere. There's a reason for the hype. It has an 11.5-inch rise. For context, that’s high enough to hit right at the narrowest part of most people's torsos.
It creates a silhouette that is incredibly balanced. Because the leg is straight from the knee down, it offsets the wider hip area. It’s a classic "cool girl" look that works with sneakers, boots, or heels. Most importantly, the Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love jeans version of this fit ensures that the straight leg actually looks straight. On curvy bodies, standard "straight" jeans often end up looking like skinny jeans because the thighs are too tight. These give you that actual effortless, loose-but-fitted look.
A note on lengths
Abercrombie is one of the few brands doing multiple lengths correctly. They offer Extra Short, Short, Regular, Long, and Extra Long.
- Extra Short: Inseam is usually around 26 inches.
- Regular: Inseam is around 30 inches.
- Extra Long: Inseam hits about 34 inches.
This matters because "curvy" isn't a height. You can be 5'2" and curvy or 6'0" and curvy. Having the ability to choose your waist, your hip-to-waist ratio, and your inseam is why these jeans are constantly sold out in popular sizes.
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Identifying the "Gap" and why it happens
To understand why the Curve Love line works, you have to understand garment physics.
In standard pattern making, the ratio between the waist and the hip is calculated based on a "standard" hourglass figure that hasn't really been updated since the 1950s. If your measurements fall outside that specific ratio—if your "hip-to-waist" delta is greater than 10 inches—traditional jeans will fail you.
When a jean is too tight in the thigh, it acts like a lever. As you walk or sit, the tension in the thigh pulls the waistband down. To compensate, manufacturers often make the waistband wider so it’s easier to get the jeans on. This is exactly what causes the gap. Abercrombie’s Curve Love pattern recognizes that the thigh and the waist are two separate fit challenges. They widened the "seat" (the back part of the jeans) without widening the "waistband." It's simple geometry, yet so many brands refuse to do it because it costs more in fabric and pattern testing.
Comparing the Curve Love to other "Curvy" brands
You might be wondering how these stack up against Madewell’s Curvy or Good American.
Madewell’s Curvy line is excellent, but they tend to have a slightly more "classic" or "preppy" vibe. Their denim is often thicker and has a bit more of a traditional workwear feel.
Good American is the gold standard for stretch. If you want maximum compression and a "sculpted" look, Good American is great.
However, Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love jeans occupy a specific niche: they look like vintage, non-stretch Levi’s but fit like they were made for someone with actual glutes. They’ve mastered the "rigid" look without the rigid discomfort. That’s a hard balance to strike. Plus, at a price point that usually hovers around $90 to $110 (and they go on sale constantly), they’re significantly cheaper than the designer alternatives.
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How to care for them so they last
Don't ruin your denim. Seriously.
If you bought the Curve Love jeans with high cotton content, stop putting them in the dryer. The heat destroys the tiny amount of elastane that gives them their shape.
- Wash them inside out in cold water.
- Use a gentle detergent.
- Hang them to dry.
- If they feel a bit stiff after air-drying, toss them in the dryer on "air fluff" (no heat) for five minutes with a dryer ball. They’ll soften right up.
Doing this ensures the "Curve Love" shape stays intact. If you blast them with high heat, the fibers will eventually snap, and you’ll lose that perfect waist-to-hip ratio.
The Verdict: Are they worth the hype?
Honestly? Yes.
It’s rare that a brand successfully pivots its entire identity and actually delivers a product that solves a legitimate problem for a massive demographic. For years, people with curves were told they just couldn't wear certain styles. "Straight leg jeans aren't for you." "You have to wear skinny jeans with stretch."
The Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love jeans proved that was a lie. It wasn't the body type that was the problem; it was the pattern.
Whether you’re looking for the 90s Straight, the Ultra High Rise, or a classic Bootcut, the Curve Love line offers a level of comfort and confidence that’s hard to find at the mall. You no longer have to choose between a waistband that digs into your stomach or a pair of jeans that falls off your hips.
Actionable Steps for your next purchase:
- Measure your "delta": Measure your natural waist (the smallest part) and the widest part of your hips. If the difference is 10 inches or more, Curve Love is definitely for you.
- Check the fabric composition: Look for 99% cotton if you want the vintage look, or 2% plus elastane if you want a "jegging" feel.
- Don't ignore the inseam: Check the size chart for the specific inseam lengths before you buy; Abercrombie's "Short" is truly short, which is a godsend for anyone under 5'4".
- Watch for the "Great Denim Sale": Abercrombie runs 20-30% off sales almost every other month. Never pay full price unless you absolutely need them tomorrow.