Madewell has five jean short cuts in rotation at any given time. Two of them are genuinely great, two are fine, and one is the pair people keep returning — let me tell you which is which.
Madewell jean shorts have a reputation that outpaces the honest quality assessment. The Perfect Vintage Short is a cult favorite for legitimate reasons; the rest of the line is more mixed than the brand’s customer loyalty suggests. After owning four different Madewell shorts cuts across three summers, here is what actually earned its place in my rotation and what got returned. For the full denim shorts map, Brand Guides. For brand comparisons, Gap Denim Shorts is the closest adjacent review.
The Perfect Vintage Short — worth the hype
5-inch inseam, sits at a true high rise (10.75 inches measured), slight taper through the thigh, minimal distressing in the clean washes. The denim is 12 oz cotton with 1% elastane — substantial enough to hold shape, just enough stretch to be comfortable. This is the pair Madewell is genuinely good at.
The fit runs true to size at the waist. Through the hip and thigh, they run slightly slim — if you have athletic thighs or a curvier hip-to-waist ratio, check the Curvy Perfect Vintage version, which is drafted with more hip room. My standard measurement is a 27 waist; I wear Madewell 27 in Perfect Vintage and they fit as intended.
After three summers of weekly wear, my original pair has held up through 40+ washes with minimal fading and no blown seams. The denim has softened but not lost structure. This is the pair that earned the cult status.
The Curvy Perfect Vintage Short — the underrated version
Same cut, different draft. Extra room through the hip and thigh, same waist fit. If the Perfect Vintage feels tight at the hip or pulls across the back pockets, the Curvy version is the fix. Madewell has been inconsistent about how prominently they feature this cut, but it is often the better choice for bodies that do not sit neatly in standard proportions.
Sizing: also true to size at the waist. Do not size up assuming “curvy” means bigger throughout — the waist is drafted the same, and sizing up makes the shorts slide off.
The High-Rise Mid-Length Short — the office-adjacent pick
6.5-inch inseam, cleaner cut than the Perfect Vintage, slightly more substantial denim. This is the Madewell cut that reads closest to dressy — useful for summer work environments or for anyone who prefers length. Runs true to size. Mid Thigh Jean Shorts and Mid Rise Denim Shorts cover related length ranges.
The critique: the fit is less distinctive than the Perfect Vintage. It does the job but does not stand out against comparable midrange brands. If I had to choose between a Madewell Mid-Length and a Gap 90s Original Short at the Mid-Length price point, I would give the Gap a slight edge on denim weight.
The Baggy Jean Short — the disappointment
Madewell’s attempt at the current baggy silhouette is the weakest cut in the line. The denim is notably lighter than the Perfect Vintage (roughly 9 oz, by my feel), the rise is shorter than the listing suggests, and the fit runs bigger than true size through the waist. I returned mine within a week.
If you want baggy Madewell-adjacent denim shorts, the brand’s Balloon Short is the better execution of the same idea — more deliberate volume, cleaner waistband, better denim. But for the true baggy silhouette, Levi’s ’94 Baggy Short does the job better at a lower price. Loose Jean Shorts covers the baggy category more fully.
The Denim Short (the basic) — skip it
Madewell’s most basic short — often just labeled “Denim Short” in the seasonal lineup — is the forgettable one. Mid rise, 4-inch inseam, lightweight denim, aggressive stretch. It fits fine but does not earn the Madewell price point. At $60+, you should be getting the Perfect Vintage fabric quality; this one reads closer to a $35 Gap short without the Gap price.
The washes worth buying
Madewell’s strongest washes are the clean mid-blues (Lundale, Carston) and the solid black (Berkeley Black). These hold color best, photograph best, and read most current.
Skip the distressed washes (any with “distressed” or “destructed” in the name). Madewell’s distressing style leans whiskery and dated; the clean washes age better and style more flexibly.
The browns (Cedar, Espresso) are a legitimate alternative wash worth owning. Brown Denim Shorts covers the brown denim category specifically.
Sizing notes across the line
Madewell sizes its shorts consistently across cuts — a 27 Perfect Vintage fits the same as a 27 High-Rise Mid-Length at the waist. This is more unusual than it sounds. Most brands have inconsistent sizing across their own product line, so Madewell’s consistency is a genuine advantage.
Where the sizes diverge: the Curvy lines add room through the hip and thigh without changing the waist; the Baggy and Balloon lines run big throughout and should be sized down by one. Standard Perfect Vintage and Mid-Length run true.
What I would buy again vs what I would skip
Buy again: Perfect Vintage Short, Curvy Perfect Vintage, High-Rise Mid-Length. Madewell Perfect Vintage Short on Amazon for current stock across cuts.
Skip: the Baggy Short (underdeveloped), the Basic Denim Short (overpriced for what you get), any distressed wash.
The honest negative: Madewell runs sales infrequently compared to Gap or Old Navy, so the full-price spend is notable. If you are testing whether a Madewell short is for you, the outlet and sale cycle is worth watching — their Labor Day and end-of-summer sales typically see 30 to 40% off on denim.
The verdict
Madewell jean shorts are worth buying selectively. The Perfect Vintage Short genuinely earns the reputation — well-drafted, substantial denim, a cut that flatters across body types. The Curvy version is the underrated alternative for different proportions. The High-Rise Mid-Length is the longer-inseam win. Everything else in the line is skippable; Madewell’s baggy and basic cuts do not hold up against comparable brands at similar or lower price points. Buy the Perfect Vintage in a clean wash, pay the Madewell price once, and you have a pair of denim shorts that will outlast three summers of weekly rotation. That is the whole pitch, and it is accurate.
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FAQ
Is the Madewell Perfect Vintage Short worth the price?
Yes. The denim is substantial (12 oz), the cut is universally flattering, and the pair holds up through 40+ washes with minimal fading. This is the Madewell cut that earns its cult status.
Do Madewell jean shorts run true to size?
Yes at the waist, across most cuts. The thigh and hip can run slim on standard cuts — if that is an issue, check the Curvy versions, which add room through the hip without changing the waist.
What is the best Madewell denim short for curvy body types?
The Curvy Perfect Vintage Short. Same waist fit as standard Perfect Vintage with additional room through the hip and thigh. Most universally flattering Madewell cut for curvier proportions.
Are Madewell baggy jean shorts good?
The standard Baggy Short is the weakest cut in the line — lighter denim, shorter rise, inconsistent sizing. For a baggy silhouette, Levi’s ’94 Baggy Short is a better buy.
How often do Madewell jean shorts go on sale?
Major sales twice a year (Labor Day, end-of-summer), typically 30 to 40% off. Outlet locations stock previous season cuts year-round at reduced prices.
