Madewell vs. Abercrombie Jeans: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Madewell is known for its timeless, high-quality denim with a focus on sustainable materials and classic fits, commanding a higher price point. In contrast, Abercrombie & Fitch offers more affordable, trend-driven jeans with modern, youthful styles and frequent sales.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right pair of jeans for your style and budget.

Madewell: The Home of Timeless Denim

Madewell has built its reputation on creating the perfect pair of everyday jeans. The brand appeals to shoppers seeking high-quality, long-lasting basics that feel both modern and timeless. Their aesthetic is effortlessly cool and casual, focusing on versatile pieces that form the foundation of a wardrobe, prioritizing an excellent fit and eco-conscious production.

• Product mix: Primarily known for their extensive collection of denim, Madewell also offers casual tops, sweaters, dresses, shoes, and accessories designed with the same minimalist, versatile philosophy.
• Price point: Jeans typically fall in the $98 to $138 range. While not inexpensive, the price reflects the premium materials and durable construction.
• Quality: The brand is celebrated for its excellent craftsmanship. They use premium, often sustainable or recycled, fabrics with innovative stretch blends that hold their shape over time.
• Style & Aesthetic: Madewell's style is classic, understated, and built for longevity. They focus on clean washes, flattering cuts, and go-with-everything designs rather than chasing fast-fashion trends.
• Sizing/Fit: Renowned for inclusive and consistent sizing. Madewell offers a wide array of fits, including skinny, straight, flare, and high-rise styles, along with petite, tall, and extended sizes to ensure a precise fit.
• Sustainability: A core part of the brand's identity, Madewell emphasizes Fair Trade Certified production, sustainable cotton, and using recycled materials in its denim.
• Return policy: Offers free shipping and free returns, making it easy to order different sizes and styles to try at home risk-free.

Madewell is the source for premium, reliable, and eco-friendly denim that serves as a versatile anchor for any modern wardrobe.

Shop Madewell: madewell.com

Abercrombie & Fitch: The Go-To for Trendy Fits

After a significant rebrand, Abercrombie & Fitch has become a go-to for young adults seeking stylish, contemporary fashion at an accessible price. No longer defined by its past preppy aesthetic, the brand now offers inclusive, trend-forward collections. Its denim line, in particular, has gained massive popularity for delivering on-trend fits and washes without a hefty price tag.

• Product mix: While denim is a major focus, Abercrombie offers a full range of casual wear, including activewear, dresses, essentials, and outerwear that aligns with current trends.
• Price point: Jeans are generally positioned between $70 and $120, often available for less during their frequent storewide promotions.
• Quality: Abercrombie provides well-made jeans with durable fabrics and comfortable stretch technology. The focus is on providing modern styles and a good fit for the price.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall vibe is youthful, trendy, and often edgier than Madewell. Expect to find distressed details, bold washes, and contemporary silhouettes like the popular '90s straight leg and Curve Love fits.
• Sizing/Fit: A&F champions inclusive sizing with a wide range of sizes, short and long inseams, and its popular Curve Love line designed for shoppers with more room in the hip and thigh.
• Sales: Known for its compelling sales events. It’s common to find sitewide discounts, bundle deals, and clearance promotions throughout the year.

Abercrombie is the destination for anyone wanting to wear the latest denim trends with an accommodating fit at a budget-friendly price.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch: abercrombie.com

Madewell vs. Abercrombie Comparison

Price Comparison

Abercrombie is the clear winner on price. With jeans typically ranging from $70 to $120 before discounts, A&F positions itself as a more accessible option. Their frequent sales make it easy to score a new pair for well under $100. Madewell justifies its higher $98-$138 price tag with its focus on premium, sustainable materials and construction designed for longevity. While Madewell has sales, they are generally less frequent and not as steep as Abercrombie's promotions.

For budget-conscious shoppers who want to try new styles, Abercrombie offers better value. For those investing in a pair of jeans meant to last for years, Madewell's higher initial cost can be justified.

Quality & Materials

Madewell holds the edge in quality and materials. Their commitment to using premium fabrics, including recycled and organic cotton, results in denim that feels substantial and is built to last. Wearers often praise Madewell jeans for retaining their shape and integrity even after years of use.

Abercrombie uses quality materials that are durable and comfortable for their price point, but the primary focus is on achieving a fashionable fit and wash. While well-made, they may not have the same long-term durability or premium feel as Madewell's offerings.

Product Selection & Style

The style difference is a key differentiator. Madewell focuses on classic, timeless denim. Their washes are often clean and versatile, and their cuts - like the Perfect Vintage and Cali Demi-Boot - are designed to be flattering wardrobe foundations that won’t go out of style next season.

Abercrombie is all about the now. Their collection reflects the latest trends, with an emphasis on 90s-inspired straight legs, ultra high-rise designs, baggy fits, and bold washes with distressed details. If you're looking for the exact style you saw on social media, Abercrombie is more likely to have it.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands have made significant strides in inclusive sizing and excel in this area. Madewell offers consistent fits across its styles in petite, tall, and extended sizes, making them a reliable choice once you know your size.

Abercrombie brought inclusivity to the forefront with its wildly popular Curve Love fit, specifically designed to eliminate the waist gap for shoppers with a smaller waist and curvier hips and thighs. They also offer a comprehensive range of sizes and lengths, ensuring fashion-forward styles are accessible to more body types.

Sustainability & Ethics

For customers who prioritize environmentally friendly and ethical shopping, Madewell is the stronger choice. Sustainability is a central pillar of Madewell’s brand marketing and production, with clear initiatives like using Fair Trade Certified factories and recycled materials publicized on their website. They also have a popular denim recycling program.

Abercrombie has started to incorporate more sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials and ethical sourcing, but these efforts are not as foundational to its brand identity as they are for Madewell.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer great jeans, but they serve different shoppers with distinct priorities.

Choose Madewell if:

• You're investing in high-quality denim that you plan to wear for years.
• You prefer timeless, classic styles over fast-moving trends.
• Sustainability and ethical manufacturing are important factors in your decision.
• You want a reliably versatile pair of jeans that can easily be dressed up for work or down for the weekend.

Choose Abercrombie & Fitch if:

• You prioritize affordability and love scoring a great deal during sales.
• You want to wear the current jean trends and update your wardrobe frequently.
• You need a fit that accommodates a curvier frame, like the popular Curve Love line.
• Your style is youthful, modern, and makes a statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madewell or Abercrombie cheaper?

Abercrombie is significantly cheaper. Their jeans typically retail for $70 to $120 and are almost always available for less due to frequent promotions, while Madewell's premium jeans run from $98 to $138.

Which brand has better quality jeans?

Madewell is generally considered to have better quality due to its focus on premium, durable, and sustainable materials designed for longevity. Abercrombie jeans are well-made for their price, but they are more focused on trendiness than long-term wear.

What is the style difference between Madewell and Abercrombie jeans?

Madewell offers timeless, classic styles with clean washes perfect for building a lasting wardrobe. Abercrombie focuses on what's trending now, offering more youthful, statement styles with modern fits, distressed details, and bold washes.

How does sizing compare between Madewell and Abercrombie?

Both brands offer inclusive sizing with petite, tall, and extended ranges. Abercrombie is particularly famous for its Curve Love line, which is designed to fit a smaller waist-to-hip ratio, while Madewell is known for its consistent fit across its various classic styles.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Madewell has a stronger and more public commitment to sustainability. They actively use recycled and organic materials, operate in Fair Trade Certified factories, and have a popular denim recycling program.

Which brand's jeans are better for a professional setting?

Madewell jeans are generally better suited for professional or business-casual settings. Their commitment to classic cuts and clean, non-distressed dark washes makes them more versatile and appropriate for an office environment.

Do Abercrombie jeans go on sale often?

Yes, Abercrombie is well-known for its frequent sales. It is rare to have to pay full price for their jeans, with sitewide discounts and promotional events happening almost constantly.

What is the return policy for each brand?

Madewell offers free shipping and free returns, making it very convenient to shop online. Abercrombie offers a flexible return policy, but returns are not always free and may be subject to a fee depending on the method.