If you’ve been seeing Levi’s Ribcage jeans everywhere from Amazon to Instagram, you’re definitely not alone. They seem to pop up everywhere, and for good reason. But if you’re wondering whether they’re actually worth it and if they’ll work for your body type or style, I’ve got you.
I bought my first pair of Levi’s Ribcage jeans over 4 years ago, and they quickly became one of my most worn pairs of jeans. They have a flattering high rise, a slim straight fit through the hips and thighs, and a classic look that feels easy to style.
In this Levi’s jeans review, I’ll share who I think they’re best for, who may want to skip them, and whether they’re truly worth adding to your closet.
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Fit and Sizing
First up, let’s chat sizing because I really do think that Levi’s fit is one the biggest things people want to know in any Levi’s jeans review.
For reference, I’m 5’3” and weigh around 115 pounds. I’m typically a size 24/25 depending on the jeans, where they sit on my waist, and how much stretch they have.
When I got my first pair of Levi’s about 5 years ago I was closer to 110lbs and wore a size 24. Now that I’m about 115lbs I wear a size 25. Since these jeans have a bit of stretch to them, I recommend getting your true size since they will stretch out a tiny bit.
After a few wears, they quickly molded to my body and fit like a glove. They relaxed just enough without ever feeling stretched out, which is exactly what you want in a good pair of jeans.
If you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down for a snug fit at first since they do mold to your body over time.
Let’s chat about the actual fit.
How these fit on you will depend mostly on your body type and personal preference. They have a super high rise with an 11-12″ rise (for reference average high rise jeans are a 10″), which means they sit well above your natural waist and comfortably past your belly button. They’re called a ribcage style for a reason.
I personally love a high waisted jean and never wear low rise jeans anymore. I find that it helps smooth and hold in my tummy area and just gives me more confidence overall.
I had my sister try them on, and she’s not a big fan of the super high waist since she has a short torso with super long legs, so she didn’t love these as much as I did. If you already love high rise jeans, I really think you’ll like these.
This pair also has a slight stretch thanks to the 1% elastane. In practical terms, that gives them just enough give to feel comfortable and mold to your body after a few wears without becoming completely stretched out.
We all know the story of buying the perfect jeans only to have them lose their shape six months later. Thankfully, these have the perfect amount of stretch without ruining the fit.
They come in a variety of cuts and inseams as well – ankle straight, bell bottom, full-length, bootcut/flare and wide leg. I own all of these different styles and all of them have the same style of waist (sitting very high, the highest rise of any Levi jean there is).
How Ribcage Compares to Other Levi’s Styles
If you’re trying to decide whether the Ribcage style is the right fit for you, here’s a quick comparison to some other popular Levi’s styles from my fit guide.
- Ribcage – Super high rise that sits above the natural waist and past the belly button. Fitted through the waist, hips, and thighs with a true straight leg. Best if you love a held-in yet comfy, flattering fit and want a classic straight silhouette.
- Levi’s 501 – More of a classic, vintage-feel jean with a structured fit and less of that super high rise feel. These tend to feel more rigid and relaxed compared to Ribcage.
- Wedgie – Snug through the waist and hips with a straight leg, but with a slightly more sculpted, lifted fit through the back. Great if you want something flattering and curve-enhancing with a vintage vibe.
- Loose / Baggy Styles – Much more relaxed and comfy through the hips and legs with an overall roomier feel. These are ideal if you want comfort and a more casual, trend-forward look rather than a fitted waist and hip silhouette.
Personally, if you love a high-rise jean that feels polished and flattering, Ribcage is still my favorite.
Fabric and Long-Term Wear
One of my favorite things about these Levi’s Ribcage jeans is that they truly hold their shape well over time.
The majority of the ribcage jeans I own have the 1% elastane, so they have enough stretch to feel comfortable and mold to your body after a few wears, but not so much that they lose their shape. In my experience, they soften slightly with wear without becoming overly loose.
Keep in mind that there are 100% cotton versions and those have zero stretch. Like NONE. I find them to be much more uncomfortable than the ones with 1% elastane.
As far as long-term wear goes, this fabric blend tends to hold up well at the knees without major bagging, especially compared to jeans with a higher stretch percentage.
Most Levi’s jeans are pre-shrunk, so they generally should not shrink much with normal washing. Levi’s specifically notes that to minimize any shrinkage, washing in cold water and line drying is best. I personally dry all mine since I hate the feeling of jeans that haven’t been put through the dryer and haven’t noticed any shrinking.
If you’re choosing between Levi’s Premium vs regular, the biggest difference is usually in the fabric feel and finish rather than the overall cut. Some Premium versions may use slightly different denim blends or washes, which can make them feel a little softer, more rigid, or fit slightly differently depending on the pair.
That said, I would still expect the overall Ribcage fit and silhouette to stay consistent and have noticed that with both my premium and regular styles.
Washes and Color Options
One thing I love about Levi’s ribcage straight ankle jeans is the fact that they come in a variety of washes and styles. I own them in countless colors (dark blue, light blue, grey, black, distressed, and more).
They also come in white, light blue, black and more! There’s distressed options too if you like that.
Out of the few that I own, I personally reach for the classic dark wash the most simply because it feels the most versatile in my closet. It’s easy to dress up with a blazer or sweater but also works perfectly with a basic tee and sneakers for everyday outfits.
That said, I really love the dark gray wash too, especially in fall and winter. It feels a little more polished and is a great option when I want something that isn’t traditional blue denim.
My Honest Review
Honestly, I can say that I love these jeans. I find myself reaching for them over and over again both in winter months and in summer. The higher raise makes it super cute to wear with a crop top and not show off too much skin which I love.
As far as outfit ideas, you can easily pair them with a white tee and booties for a casual fall look or throw on a tank and sneakers for a summer look or even an oversized sweater tucked into the front for winter.
I am someone who has no problem spending more money on a pair of good quality jeans (even designer jeans) because I know that they last so to find jeans that are all around or under $100 is a win!
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Won’t stretch out
- Washes well (I wash mine often and they hold their form and color perfectly!)
- Versatile
- Flattering
Cons
- Incredibly high waited – if you don’t like high waisted jeans you won’t like these.
- Button fly (some people strongly dislike button fly)
- Stiffer at first wear (especially the 100% cotton version)
Where to Find Levi’s Ribcage Jeans
Be sure to check the fabric makeup before buying! If it is 100% cotton, remember that those will be more fitted with minimal stretch and to possibly size up one in those. You can find Levi’s at these retailers:
- Amazon (I bought both mine here – my dark grey are the premium style and my dark blue are the regular)
- Free People
- Levi’s Store
- Nordstrom
Overall, I would say if you like high waisted jeans, you need to try these! They’re super flattering, incredibly comfortable and worth every penny.