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We tried Lee's new $50 UltraLux denim — find out if it rivals expensive jeans
The premium fabric has loads of stretch, but is that a good thing? Here's what our editors have to say.
Denim snobs will say you have to spend $100 or more to get a really good pair of jeans. You know — the kind that fit just right, don't stretch and sag throughout the day, and hold up wash after wash. But as nice as all that sounds, how many of us have that kind of cash lying around to spend on one pair of pants?
Here's the conundrum: Jeans are a wardrobe essential for most of us. Whether for a casual day in the office or a weekend out and about with the family, denim is a reliable go-to. So, what's a gal to do when she needs good jeans, but doesn't want to spend a pretty penny on them? Turn to the experts over at Lee, of course. The brand has been making durable, stylish denim since 1889 — yes, for real — so they know a thing or two about craftsmanship, fit and value.
Lee recently introduced UltraLux, a premium fabric designed to comfortably move and stretch with you. The aim: to offer the same higher quality as pricier pairs, but for a fraction of the cost. Intrigued by the prospect of champagne jeans on a beer budget, we tried 'em on for size. Keep reading for our thoughts.
Amanda Rickert
"I'll start by saying these jeans are really quite comfortable, and the wash is by far my favorite part — it's so pretty. That said, I really wish they truly looked like a straight cut on me. The jeans fit well through the thighs but stayed tight through the knees and calves and didn't start delivering on the straight cut until below that. Unfortunately, that's a common reality of the cut for larger sizes and curvy bodies. To me, they fit more like skinny jeans with a little slouch at the bottom.
If you're feeling iffy on any of your measurements, I would size up in these jeans. They run slightly small in my opinion. I went with the size that matches my waist, knowing the fabric should stretch for my hips, but they felt a bit tight everywhere. The stretch on the fabric certainly delivered, so it was more of a hug in terms of tightness rather than a squeeze; not unpleasant standing up, but certainly noticeable sitting down.
While I didn't personally find these extremely flattering, I did get some compliments, and they were fairly comfortable and certainly weren't unflattering. They're not shapewear by any means, but the snug fabric did a good job balancing comfort and looks as promised. I'm perhaps being a little hard on the jeans since I was hoping for a straight cut to finally deliver the look I see on the models, but I feel comfortable adding these jeans to my rotation as a pair of skinny jeans with a little give on the bottom. They look great with a tucked-in shirt or sweater (yes, I still do the millennial tuck; no I will not stop) and I love the way they look with a flannel or fun jacket. A benefit of the cut was that it fit well over some ankle boots I was wearing, which I think made my legs look longer." — Amanda Rickert, Senior Operations Analyst
The soft, stretchy material is definitely a highlight of these jeans, but so are all the size and color options. Shoppers can choose from four washes in sizes 2-18. Even better, these jeans are available in three inseams, so tall and petite people can find their ideal fit too.
Nicole Sforza
"These jeans are really interesting! They're so inexpensive that I had low expectations. I know they were designed to feel premium and move, bend and stretch with you, and they actually do ... kind of. Some premium jeans are pretty amazing in how they contour. I wouldn't say these are at the level of Mother, Frame or AG, but they really hug my body in a good way. When I pull them up, they feel like they're not going to fit, but then the waist is stretchy, so you can then pull them over your hips and feel sucked in a bit! Which is kind of a dream in my book. Another highlight? I wore these a lot — maybe 15 times — and didn't notice sagginess.
I got the black and they're a true deep black — not faded. I could definitely wear them with flip-flops or sneakers, but then also with heels. One downside of the black, though? They're a bit of a fur magnet. I have a cat and did notice some fur on the legs, so that's something to keep in mind if you have pets." — Nicole Sforza, Executive Editor
Black jeans are always a good idea. Not only are they slimming, but they can easily double as dressier pants if you pair them with heels or ankle boots and a blazer.
Like Nicole, shoppers who've purchased this style are pleased with them. "These flex motion jeans are just the best for me," one customer said. Another added: "Perfect fit and great color and style."
Carrie McCabe
"My first reaction to the jeans was how soft they felt; I could definitely sense the stretch even before I put them on. The waistband was also a stretchy one, which is helpful since I am in my early second trimester — these had a nice give that will help them function as a great transition piece before I graduate to all-maternity pants, all the time.
They were incredibly comfortable when on, and the softness and stretch was apparent when walking around and sitting down. They felt true to size, as they were a little bigger than my normal size, which would usually be a 14 ... but I'm currently a little bigger than my normal size, so a 16 was perfect! The only thing I noticed was that the legs tended to bunch a little during wear, so I would pull on the cuffs a bit to smooth them out (like for these photos). Due to their versatile look and dark color, I think these jeans would go with just about anything, and they can be easily dressed up or down depending on your top, shoes and accessories." — Carrie McCabe, Senior Deals Writer
This bestselling Lee style is available in sizes 16W-30W. Fans appreciate the stretch, which contributes to a flattering fit, and the eight color options.
In fact, several shoppers say they've purchased multiple pairs. "I love these jeans. I bought two more pairs because I so liked the original pair I have," one reviewer gushed.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
