If you’ve spent any time trying to build a wardrobe of truly great basics, you’ve likely come across AYR.

Short for “All Year Round,” AYR has carved out a niche for itself with elevated essentials designed to be worn on repeat. They make the kind of pieces that quietly become the backbone of your wardrobe.

And as someone who is very particular about denim (fit! wash! comfort!), I was curious to see if the brand lived up to the hype and I’ve been incorporating their jeans into my wardrobe for the last few years.

After testing several of their most popular styles including The Secret Sauce, The Bud, The YaYa, The Legend and The Getup I put together this post to share my thoughts and show the styles on.

In this post I’m sharing my honest thoughts on fit, sizing, comfort and whether they’re actually worth the investment.

About AYR Denim

AYR launched with a focus on seasonless dressing so the line is all about pieces that aren’t trend-driven but instead designed to work hard in your wardrobe year-round. I’m a fan of their tees and button downs in addition to their denim and I am obsessed with the knit trouser The High Hopes (size L) – especially for travel days.

Related: What to Wear on a Long Flight

Their denim offering reflects an ethos of wearabability so you’ll find styles that offer:

• Classic silhouettes
• Minimal distressing
• High-quality fabric blends
• A focus on fit and longevity over trends

For reference, I am 5’5″. I usually wear a 28 or 29 in most denim brands. I’ll speak more to sizing in each of the styles below.

You may also enjoy The Wardrobe Staples I Always Reach For.

My Honest AYR Denim Review

I tested five of AYR’s most talked-about styles. Here are my thoughts. 

The Bud Jeans Review

Fit: High-rise, straight leg
Vibe: Classic, polished, everyday denim

The Bud is probably the most “classic” pair of the bunch and I find myself reaching for them often. I have quite a light wash that I like for Spring and I’d definitely consider getting another wash of these. 

The Bud are a true straight-leg silhouette that feels modern without trying too hard. The rise is comfortably high (but not extreme), and the leg opening is clean and unfussy.

What I loved:

• Structured but not stiff
• Holds its shape throughout the day
• Easy to dress up or down

What to note:

• Minimal stretch, so sizing matters
• If you’re between sizes, I’d consider sizing up
• Not available in loads of washes unfortunately

I have these in a size 29S.

AYR The Chaser

Fit: Relaxed, cropped and tapered
Vibe: Cool, relaxed, borrowed-from-the-boys denim

The Chaser is a more relaxed silhouette with a fitted waist that eases up through the leg before tapering toward the ankle. I really like the slightly boyish shape of these and think they offer something different from the other AYR denim styles I own.

They’re made from Japanese denim with just a touch of stretch, so they still have the structure I prefer in my denim but are comfortable to wear. I’ve owned them for only a few months and they’ve already become a go-to pair. 

What I loved:

• Relaxed without feeling overly slouchy
• Fitted through the waist with more room through the leg
• Offered in multiple inseam lengths
• A nice alternative to a classic straight-leg jean

What to note:

• AYR notes that this denim may shrink a bit in length after its first wash, so keep that in mind when selecting your inseam
• The tapered, cropped silhouette gives these a more casual feel than styles like The Bud or The Legend

I have these in the Like It wash in a size 29S.

The YaYa Jeans Review

Fit: Relaxed, straight leg
Vibe: Casual, slightly undone

These are the jeans I’d reach for on travel days or when I want something that feels less structured but still put-together. The raw hem in the wash I picked give them a casual feel. 

What I loved:

• Comfortable, lived-in feel
• Crop makes them perfect with flats or sneakers

What to note:

• A bit on the stretchy side for my preference

I have these in a size 29S.

The Legend Jeans Review

Fit: Slim, slightly tapered
Vibe: Polished, everyday essential

The Legend is AYR’s take on a modern slim jean — not quite skinny, not quite straight and I adore these jeans. They make my 5’5″ legs look long and they are particularly chic with sneakers. 

If you still like a more fitted silhouette, this style fills that gap nicely. They feel 90s in the best way.

What I loved:

• Flattering, streamlined fit
• Make legs look long!!
• Feel timeless rather than dated

What to note:

• More fitted through the leg than current wide-leg trends
• Best for those who still enjoy a slimmer profile
• Quite high waisted so you’ll be quite snatched – size accordingly! 

I own these in a size 29S. 

The Secret Sauce Jeans Review

Fit: High-rise, loose straight leg
Vibe: Effortless, flattering, everyday cool

The Secret Sauce is one of AYR’s most beloved styles. They’re fitted through the waist and hips but fall into a relaxed, loose straight leg that feels modern without veering overly wide. It’s that sweet spot between structured and easy that makes them incredibly wearable and they were designed to be universally flattering. 

What I loved:

• Flattering through the waist and hips with a more relaxed leg
• Offered in multiple inseam lengths, which makes a noticeable difference in fit
• Available in a variety of washes

What to note:

• Slight give with wear so choose your size carefully
• More relaxed than a true straight leg, so expect a looser silhouette

I got these in a size 28S and should have done a 29. They are a bit too tight on me given the stretch in the material. I’ll likely sell my 28s and repurchase in a larger size as I did like the style overall. 

The Getup Jeans Review

Fit: Mid-to-high rise, relaxed straight leg
Vibe: Utility-inspired, laid-back, slightly tomboy

The Getup is AYR’s more relaxed, workwear-inspired silhouette with a slight bow leg. These feel intentionally easy. Slouchy, more casual and less “polished denim,” but still very much in line with AYR’s elevated approach to basics.

What I loved:

• Relaxed fit that still feels flattering through the waist
• A great alternative when you want a break from more structured styles

What to note:

• Less tailored than styles like The Bud or The Legend
• Definitely a more casual jean – they feel a bit trendy to me

I have these in a size 29 and likely could have done a 28 as I found them to run bigger, looser than all my other AYR denim.

AYR Denim Sizing & Fit Notes

Across the board, I found AYR denim to run a bit small, but with a few nuances:

• Most styles have minimal stretch, so don’t expect them to “give” significantly and therefore I recommend sizing up for more comfortable fits.
• If you’re between sizes, sizing up is definitely the safer choice.
• The rise tends to be consistently high which I appreciate.

If you tend to prefer very soft, ultra-stretch denim, this brand may feel more structured than what you’re used to. I personally prefer more structured denim as I think it’s more flattering on and holds up better to more wear.

Is AYR Denim Worth It?

The quality and fit on these jeans make them feel worth the price point in my opinion.

They strike that balance I’m always looking for:

• Elevated but not fussy
• Comfortable but still polished
• Classic but not boring

If you’re building a wardrobe of pieces that work harder (and smarter), AYR denim is absolutely worth considering.

My personal favorites? The Bud for everyday wear and The Legend for making my legs look long and working with a variety of shoe styles.

FAQs About AYR Denim

Is AYR denim good quality?

Yes, I’ve found the fabric feels durable and well-made. My pairs have held up to lots of wash and wear. I also like that they are made in the USA – in Los Angeles.

Does AYR denim stretch out?

I haven’t found that to be the case for the most part. Most styles hold their shape well throughout the day. I think this is because they don’t have a huge amount of stretch in their fabric which is my preference for my favorite denim. 

Are AYR jeans worth the price?

If you prioritize fit, versatility and cost-per-wear, I’d recommend the brand.

Which AYR jeans are most popular?

The Secret Sauce and The Legend are two of the brand’s most talked-about styles.

. . .

Have you tried AYR denim? I’d love to hear what your favorite pairs are! Next up I want to try The LaLa jeans.

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