Abercrombie Curve Love vs. Regular Shorts: What's the difference?
The core difference between Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love shorts and their Regular fit is all about proportion. Curve Love is specifically designed with an extra 2 inches of room through the hip and thigh and a more cinched-in waist to eliminate the dreaded “waist gap,” making it ideal for anyone with a smaller waist relative to their curvier hips. The Regular fit, by contrast, has a standard, straighter cut from the waist to the hip.
Here’s everything you need to know to find the perfect pair of shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch for your body type.
Abercrombie & Fitch Regular Shorts
The Regular fit from Abercrombie represents the brand's classic cut, designed for a shopper with standard proportions where the waist and hip measurements are more aligned. This is the traditional straight-cut style of shorts you would expect from most brands, offering a consistent silhouette from top to bottom without extra tailoring for curves.
- What it is: A standard-fit pair of shorts with a straighter cut from the waist through the hips and thighs.
- Key features: Tailored for straight or athletic body types, comes in a huge variety of styles and washes, and offers a classic look.
- Price: $30 - $50
- Materials/Construction: Often made from high-quality denim with varying levels of stretch, from rigid 100% cotton to comfort stretch blends.
- Sizing/Fit: Follows standard numeric sizing (00 to 20/24). This fit notoriously causes a gap at the back of the waistband for those with curvier figures where the hips require a larger size than the waist.
- Pros: Timeless and versatile styles. Great option for those with straighter, more "ruler" or athletic body frames. Wide range of different inseams and designs are available.
- Cons: Highly prone to creating a waist gap on curvier bodies. Can feel uncomfortably tight in the hips and thighs if your waist-to-hip ratio is small. Fit can be restrictive for movement if you have muscular thighs.
This is the ideal option for anyone with a straighter body type whose waist and hip measurements are relatively proportioned.
Shop this product: abercrombie.com/shop/us/womens-shorts
Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Shorts
The groundbreaking Curve Love fit was designed specifically to solve the biggest frustration for curvy shoppers: the waist gap. These shorts provide an additional 2 inches of room specifically in the hip and thigh area while keeping the waistband true-to-size, creating a perfectly contoured fit for hourglass and pear-shaped figures.
- What it is: A specialized fit designed to hug the waist and accommodate fuller hips and thighs, eliminating gapping at the back.
- Key features: An additional 2 inches through the hips and thighs. A tailored waist that prevents gapping. Designed to accentuate a smaller waist and celebrate curves.
- Price: $35 - $55
- Materials/Construction: Generally incorporates more elastane or stretch fabrics to comfortably mold to and support curves while maintaining shape and structure.
- Sizing/Fit: Available in the same size range as the Regular fit, but the proportions are entirely different. Stick with your typical numerical size, the fit is adjusted for proportion, not for a larger size overall.
- Pros: Effectively eliminates the waist gap. Extremely comfortable for those with wider hips or larger thighs. Flatters curvy figures by highlighting the waist. Provides more room for sitting and moving without restriction.
- Cons: May feel baggy or create fabric bunching in the hip area if you have a straighter figure. Not ideal for those whose waist and hip measurements are more aligned.
Perfect for an hourglass or pear-shaped figure, or anyone who constantly finds that shorts fitting their thighs are too loose on their waist.
Shop this product: abercrombie.com/shop/us/curve-love
Abercrombie Regular vs. Curve Love Shorts Comparison
Fit & Sizing
The fit is where these two lines differ most dramatically. Curve Love is not a different sizing system - it’s a different proportion. A size 28 in regular shorts and a size 28 in Curve Love shorts will have the same waist measurement. The key difference is that the Curve Love version offers an additional 2 inches of circumference through the hips and thighs. This creates a much better ratio for individuals whose hips are significantly wider than their waists.
Conversely, the Regular fit offers a standard grading between the waist and hips. For someone with a straighter silhouette, this means a consistent, comfortable fit. For someone with curves, it often means choosing a size large enough for their hips, resulting in that annoying gap of extra fabric at the back of the waistband.
Style & Aesthetics
Aesthetically, both lines offer the same trendy and timeless styles Abercrombie is known for. You can find high-rise mom shorts, cheeky cuts, vintage-inspired high-rise shorts, and dad shorts in both Regular and Curve Love fits. The look and washes are identical across both lines.
The difference in appearance comes down to how each fit sits on the body. The Curve Love silhouette will appear more cinched and tailored on a curvy figure, highlighting the waist. The Regular fit offers a classic, straight silhouette that works perfectly for bodies without a pronounced waist-to-hip difference.
Materials & Comfort
Both fits use high-quality denim and other materials that feel soft and durable. However, you'll often find that Curve Love styles incorporate a bit more stretch (elastane or spandex). This added flexibility helps the shorts comfortably hug and accommodate curves without feeling restrictive, making them particularly comfortable for sitting down or moving around.
The Regular fit is available in everything from rigid, vintage-inspired 100% cotton to flexible stretch blends. The comfort here depends entirely on matching the right body type to the intended cut. For a straighter figure, the Regular fit will be just as comfortable.
Price & Value
There is virtually no price difference between Abercrombie's Regular and Curve Love shorts. They are priced based on the style, wash, and level of distress - not the fit. A high-rise pair of mom shorts will generally cost the same whether you choose the Regular or Curve Love version.
The value in a pair of Curve Love shorts comes from the specialized fit that feels custom-tailored, saving you both the frustration of a poor shopping experience and the potential cost of having a tailor take in the waist. The value in the Regular fit is its classic construction for those who don’t require special accommodations for curves.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, choosing between these two well-designed lines comes down entirely to your body shape and fit preferences.
Choose Regular Shorts if:
- Your waist, hip, and thigh measurements are relatively proportional.
- You have what is often described as a straight, ruler, or athletic body type.
- When shorts fit your hips, they generally also fit your waist well.
- You have never experienced a significant "waist gap" issue with jeans or shorts.
Choose Curve Love Shorts if:
- You constantly struggle with shorts that fit your hips and thighs but have a large gap at the back of the waist.
- You have a smaller waist in proportion to your hips (e.g., an hourglass or pear shape).
- You want a fit that accentuates your waist while providing comfortable room for your hips and thighs.
- You have muscular thighs and find that regular-cut shorts feel too restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Abercrombie Curve Love and Regular fit shorts?
The main difference is the proportion. The Curve Love fit is designed with an extra 2 inches of room through the hip and thigh area while keeping the waist true to size, which eliminates waist gapping for curvier figures. The Regular fit has a traditional, straighter cut from the waist to the thigh.
Should I size up or down in Curve Love shorts?
You should stick to your true numerical size. Curve Love is designed to fit your waist measurement perfectly - it just adds more room in the hips and thighs. Sizing down might make the waist too tight, while sizing up would defeat the purpose of the snatched-waist design.
Can I wear Curve Love if I’m not "curvy"?
You can, but the fit will likely not be ideal. If you have a straighter figure without a significant difference between your waist and hip measurements, the extra 2 inches in the hip area of the Curve Love style may cause unflattering bunching or look baggy.
Do Curve Love shorts have more stretch?
Often, yes. While not always the case, many Curve Love styles incorporate slightly more elastane or stretch fabrics to help them better contour to curves and offer greater comfort and ease of movement.
Is the waist gap issue really solved with Curve Love?
Yes. Eliminating the waist gap is the primary reason this fit was created, and it’s been widely praised by customers and reviewers for doing exactly that. The tailored waistband is designed to sit flush against your back.
Are the same short styles (e.g., Mom Shorts, Dad Shorts) available in both fits?
Yes. Abercrombie has done an excellent job of offering its most popular shorts styles, cuts, washes, and inseam lengths in both Regular and Curve Love fits, ensuring everyone can access the same trends.
What is the price difference between Regular and Curve Love shorts?
There is no price difference. Both fits for a given style are typically priced identically.