A completely unsolicited review of the new Gap Long & Lean jeans because they made me squeal in the dressing room

I know I know. You're going - "What is this "REVIEW" of products? This is NOT a review blog.  I come here for the vagina jokes. And the whining. And to bitch at her for bitching about her in-laws."

I want my free will to read this stinkin' blog back!

But if you've had a baby and you're not Giselle "I'm a droid" Bundchen then you know about that point in time when you are ready to bravely venture out of your yoga pants and "See, I just worked out okay not really but I thought about it sort of" ensemble and  attempt to put on jeans.

And if you've had more than one kid, then you even make sure that they're a good two sizes up to not cause you emotional distress.

Well, I had reached that point a few weeks ago and relunctantly purchased a pair of Gap curvy jeans in a couple sizes up, because yeah, I'm curvy. Still. And a couple sizes up. Still. And while they fit, they were still a little low, and tight, and muffin-toppish.

But they weren't yoga pants and so I was feeling somewhat human.

Then I got this brilliant idea to do Cool Mom Tech videos for Best Buy only to remember that I'm two months post partum and I just returned to the land of clothes that can't double as pajamas.

And I have one pair of jeans that sort of fit. If I don't bend down and wear a really tight nursing tank.

So, I emailed the folks at Brand About Town who work with the Gap and asked them if they'd be so kind to loan me some clothes for the shoot, all of which I'd be happy to return.

And they said "Sure, we'd be happy to, and you can keep them!"

Whoa.

And that is how I met the new Long & Lean jeans.

Now, I'm a long time fan of Long & Lean jeans (I seriously own like 4 pairs in various sizes) because usually, or at least every two years or so, I'm long and lean. They fit me well, although I have always wished that they would make them with a bit more stretch and a better rise.

So as I was trying on all the clothes without a bra, I might add because I always wear nursing tanks and forgot that I might need to wear a bra, I picked up the jeans, slid them on, and zipped them up right over my pooch and muffin top quite comfortably and said "WHOA WHAT ARE THESE?"

And she said "These are the new Long & Lean jeans" followed by "Those 10s look too big you should try an 8" and then I squealed.

I know it's vanity sizing. WHATEVER.

The point is that they have changed the design and the fabric. They're thicker, with more stretch, and the rise goes right under the belly button to cover the muffin top. And the back is higher so you're not showing your crack every single time you bend down to pick up your kid.

Seriously, they are genius.

Now I get that you don't want to spend super duper money on jeans that you will *hopefully* not be wearing for too much longer, but I am in the camp that says sometimes if you can, you need to do that for your own emotional well being. For those three weeks, three months, or hell, three years that it takes you to drop that baby weight, a good pair of jeans can really make a huge difference.

(And hi. There are some freaky awesome sales happening which means I might just have to get another pair!).

So thank you to the Gap for making me feel like a million bucks. It's amazing what a good pair of jeans can do.

So Gap outfitted me for my shoot but didn't ask me or require me or bother me to write anything at all. I just did it because I was sooooo ridiculously excited about the jeans that I had to share.

Comments

[Kim]

I ordered these immediately after reading this review as I've been long searching for great jeans after my daughter was born. LOVE them!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you :-) My butt hasn't looked this good since my early 20's!

[kpriss]

yay! for normal looking just-gave-birth-to-at-least-one-kid-women! There's something fishy about Gisele's story - how she didn't feel pain while giving birth (hello?! is she some kind of droid or what?) and how she was back on the cover of Vogue in just six months? or so after giving birth. I mean - what the F?

I loooove Gap jeans! My favorite, faithful pair of Gap jeans still fits me (though it doesn't help with the muffin top) and I feel like a normal human being again. Sort of. So yeah, Gap jeans are totally on my alley!

[Heather]

Sounds like heaven! I used to love those jeans, but they kept changing the cut of their jeans, so I will admit I left their brand. But that's OK, my new brand keeps changing theirs too. Why do they have to muck with what works? I'll have to check these out.

[Karen (SubMommy)]

I am a long-time devoted fan of Gap Long & Leans and when they revamped their jeans here a few years ago, I've basically not been back in a Gap, because the L & L's went away.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. L&L's were my first "I'm kinda human again" jeans after Boy Child and I've been missing them desperately.

And for us short girls - ANKLE length, people.

[Amberly]

I love the Levi Perfectly Slimming 512 (straight leg and boot cut). They go up to the belly button and look great on me. However, the same pants (same size) didn't look the same on my sister so to each her own. Just an idea if the GAP brand doesn't look great.

[amanda]

If they made you squeal, I'm going to check them out.

Also, I swear I'm coming back theshreadheads in January, but for now I several dozen cookies to make and two dozen cinnamon rolls on deck.

[The Muskrat]

This is how I feel about most of my cock rings.

[Kristen]

Amanda - Shoes are tough! I used to be a crazy shoe person but it's incredibly hard to find cute, comfortable shoes.

I tend to wear a lot of boots...

[Amanda]

Thank you! I will read any review on jeans and shoes. Is it just me, or is it hard to find them that are cute, comfortable, and function well? I've been looking for decent jeans since Old Navy changed all their sizing and f'ed them up. It's been about 4 years or more.

[Mom101]

Ha. You said Vagina and Gap in the same paragraph.

Can't wait to see your google searches for this post.

[Jen Barron]

I am neither long nor lean...hello two pregnancies in under 2 years...one with twins, but I would love to find a pair or two of jeans that cover and hide all that needs hidden and covered. Your squeal might just get in to the mall...after the holiday shopping has subsided. Thanks for the recommendation.

[themoira]

While you look totally fab in the video, I couldn't help but notice you weren't wearing the jeans!

[Amelia Sprout]

My FAVORITE jeans. I even own two pairs in maternity type because they make me so happy. My main goal in running and losing weight was to fit in to Gap jeans, and they were a great way to come back to the land of normal stores. I can't wait until I am back there again, in like two years...