These Madewell Jeans Are the Perfect Travel Pants

When it comes to packing, there are a few key things I like to keep in mind: how much space each item takes up in my suitcase, how many possible outfits I can build with each piece, and whether each garment is comfortable and adaptable enough to all of the activities and adventures I want to embark on. 

As I stared into my carry-on, deciding what to pack for my 10-day trip through Edinburgh and London, I knew I had to make some tough calls. I’m an avid shopper, so I had to be strategic by leaving space in my luggage for all my new purchases. To stick to a capsule wardrobe, I only packed two versatile and comfortable travel pants options — and they just so happened to be the same pair of Madewell Curvy Kick Out Crop Jeans in different washes. 

Madewell Curvy Kick Out Crop Jeans in Lenoir Wash

Shockingly, I never found myself wishing I had packed any sweatpants or leggings throughout my entire trip. This is saying a lot, for I’m someone who, immediately upon coming home, changes into their coziest pajamas before doing anything else. Part of what makes these mid-rise Madewell jeans so comfortable is that they are engineered for people with an hourglass shape. The narrow waist of these curvy-style jeans, which has a contoured band that makes you feel secure, moves with your body and leaves room for your hips and thighs. The kick-out flare cut of the jeans offers a modern silhouette that shows off your fabulous footwear. The jeans come in standard, petite, and tall fits, with sizing ranging from 23 to 34.

I experienced typical U.K. weather on my travels — that is, cold, windy, and rainy. However, my legs stayed warm thanks to my new favorite pair of jeans. Whether it was during one of my days scouring Edinburgh boutiques for the perfect leather trench coat or going out dancing in London’s Soho neighborhood, I never regretted my outfit decisions. Visually, the jeans were adaptable to different environments. I could easily throw on a cozy sweater to grab a pint at a pub or opt for a nicer blouse for a 5-star dining experience, and never once felt out of place. 

They’re also easy to spot-clean if needed. After a spontaneous decision to go hiking in Scotland to see the famous wild Highland cows, I spent less than five minutes in the hotel bathroom afterward dabbing mud off of the hem and they came out looking as good as new. My average steps per day was close to 20,000, but you would never know that by looking at the jeans. They kept their shape the entire time, allowing me to get a lot of use out of them. In fact, the same pair I wore on the five-hour train journey was in tip-top shape to wear to a cocktail hour event that same night, and I didn’t have to worry once that they would look frumpy.

Madewell Curvy Kick Out Crop Jeans in Black Rinse Wash

Many jeans made with a stretch-like material tend to lose their shape through prolonged wear. Sometimes even washing and drying them won’t make them snap back to their original form. However, the Curvy Kick Out Crop Jeans are made with the brand’s “premium vintage-y stretch Isko denim” that stays hugging your figure throughout the day and doesn’t incur wrinkles when shoved into a seemingly more and more crowded suitcase. Other travel pants I usually rely on — like a pair of drawstring linen pants or spandex leggings — quickly become dingy, wrinkled, and dare I say, can sometimes even smell after days of wear without access to laundry. These jeans kept me feeling fresh while I breathed in that clean Scottish Highland air.

Everyone’s capsule wardrobe is different, but a reliable pair of travel pants is a staple that any closet can benefit from. Give the Madewell Curvy Kick Out Crop Jeans a try before you head out on your next trip, or keep reading to explore five additional comfy styles below that will accompany you as you make new priceless memories.

More Travel Pants to Shop:  

Madewell The Harlow Wide-leg Pants

Everlane The Dream Trousers

Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide-leg Pants

Sidefeel Wide-leg Corduroy Pants

Dokotoo Wide-leg Cargo Pants

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