Abercrombie & Fitch vs Levi's: which jean to buy, and when
Both land in the mid tier: the Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love 90s Relaxed Jean (women's) at $90, the Levi's 501 Original Jeans (men's) at $98, $8 apart. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| Abercrombie & Fitch | Levi's | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 | $98 |
| Material | Cotton/elastane blend, ~12oz, with 1–2% elastane. | 100% cotton, ~12.5oz Cone Mills-style denim (Cone Mills closed in 2017; current 501s use comparable-spec cloth from other mills). |
| Fit | 90s relaxed straight, mid-rise; Curve Love adds room through hip and thigh. True to size at the waist; inseam runs long. | Straight through thigh and calf, mid-rise — sits low by modern standards. True to size at the waist; rigid cotton, so buy the waist you want. |
| Quality | Solid mid-tier. Good stitching and hardware; the curve-specific pattern work is the standout, the fabric is ordinary. | Honest construction: chain-stitched hem, reinforced stress points, copper rivets. Back-pocket linings wear through first per long-term owners. |
| Best for | Curvier hip-to-waist ratios that gap in standard cuts, and anyone after a roomy modern straight. | Anyone who wants one honest pair of straight-leg jeans they can wear for years without thinking about. |
| Care | Cold wash and tumble low or hang dry; hot drying shortens the already-variable inseam. | Wash inside-out cold and air dry to protect the fit and indigo; the most-loved 501s are washed rarely. |
Abercrombie's Curve Love 90s Relaxed ($90) is a women's cotton/elastane straight built around hip-to-waist fit; Levi's 501 Original ($98) is a men's 100% cotton rigid straight with heritage construction. The $8 gap buys chain-stitched hems, reinforced stress points and copper rivets versus curve-specific pattern work and a touch of stretch.
- The case for Abercrombie & Fitch
- Curve Love hip room, fixes waistband gap, 1-2% elastane stretch, mid-rise relaxed straight, women's curve fit
- The case for Levi's
- 100% cotton ~12.5oz, chain-stitched hem, copper rivets, reinforced stress points, proven for years
VerdictThe pick
For $8 more the 501 buys honest heritage construction and a track record owners say makes them rebuy across years. Choose the Curve Love if you need curve-specific fit and waistband-gap relief, which the rigid 501 can't offer. Pay up for the 501 if you want one durable, no-stretch straight you can wear for years and the curve pattern isn't solving a problem for you. They're cut for different shoppers, so fit need should outrank the small price difference.
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