The Staple Denim Work Jean Since 1947: Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean Review

From the beginning, Wrangler’s goal was to create the world’s best five-pocket jeans. The women’s 14MWZ Cowboy Cut jeans have the same seven iconic features paying homage to the inaugural pair: the rope logo button, deep watch pocket, seven belt loops, flat rivets, downward facing seams, a logo patch, and the “W” stitch on the back pockets. 

Wrangler knows how to make work jeans. Professional cowboys have endorsed them from the start. The Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jeans are no different. The heavyweight denim makes these jeans durable for ranch work, while the broken twill makes them comfortable. I never have to worry about the quality of jeans when purchasing from Wrangler. 

Working as a ranch manager means I burn through work pants like they’re going out of style, and lesser materials than denim tend to wilt before their time. Long days in the saddle require a burly weave, and if they fit you, the Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jeans may well work their way into becoming family hand-me-downs.

In short: The Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit jeans are quality thick work pants that will last. My only concern is navigating the fit. They are a vintage fit, which Wrangler deems “a narrow waist, a snug seat, and a slim thigh” which is pretty much how they fit. Unfortunately, when I ordered my size, the waist fit, but the rest were quite baggy. If possible, these are worth trying on before buying.

To see the rest of our recommendations when it comes to workwear, check out GearJunkie’s Best Work Pants for Women Buyer’s Guide.

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean

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Specifications

• Material: Cotton
• Inseam: 30, 32, 34, 36, 38
• Size: 00-15

Pros

• Wide range of sizes and inseams
• Durable
• Classic look

Cons

• Updated sizes run small

Constance Mahoney

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean: Review

Growing up on a ranch in Montana, my cowboy dad only wore Wranglers. He had his work Wranglers and Sunday Wranglers. He bought his first pair of shorts on a family vacation to Hawaii when his Wranglers finally got too hot, but he kept his cowboy boots on. Thankfully, as a teenager, I thought it was funny and not mortifying.

Needless to say, Wranglers were a staple growing up. I grew up on that same ranch, and like my dad, Wranglers were our uniform. Our Wranglers usually made their way from the oldest kid to the youngest over a span of several years. Sure, there may have been some stains and worn spots, but the fact that the pants could reach kid number three (me) and still be useful is pretty impressive in and of itself.

Fast-forward to today, and I still love a solid, reliable work jean. I am a ranch manager and need pants that protect my legs without holding me back. Whether I’m fencing, haying, or handling horses, I’m looking for something that is comfortable, durable, and that works with me, not against me.

First Impressions in the Wranglers

After testing the Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit at my regular nontraditional job as a ranch manager in Colorado for a few months, I recently brought them to my family’s farm in Montana. It was spring, which means there are a lot of projects that need to be done. I wore them while fencing and hanging out with the neighbor’s Highlander cows.

I specifically wore them for fencing as the density of the denim made me feel confident that the barbed wire wouldn’t poke through. They kept my legs safe from all the pokes that could have been. The thickness and the durability are of the caliber you’d expect from a Wrangler; the only issue I had was the fit.

Durable Denim and Practical Pockets

The Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit jeans check off almost all the boxes. They are thick and soft. They are made with 15.25-ounce broken-twill heavyweight non-stretch denim. They are on the upper end of the denim weight scale, which sits right around 16 ounces per square yard.

The thickness helps keep the denim durable and long-lasting. My legs not only feel protected, but they are protected in these jeans, and these pants don’t feel heavy. I don’t have to worry about tears or wearing holes in these, at least not for a long time.

Pocket lovers rejoice! There are no faux pockets here! The super-high-rise waist allows for extra-large, practical pockets that are big enough actually to hold items. Two pockets on the rear, two hip pockets, and one change pocket inside the right pocket. These pants are not a mobile tool belt — like the Dovetail Britt Utility Pants — but they have enough pockets to get the job done.

Break a Horse, Not Your Pants

Just because they are thick doesn’t mean they are uncomfortable. The broken twill design is what makes the jeans soft. They are not rough or stiff like other work pants. I didn’t have to break these in at all. They were ready to go and comfortable from the first time I put them on.

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Room for Improvement: The Fit

Now, onto the fit. These jeans have multiple sizing options, ranging from 00 to 15, and inseams from 30 to 38. Unfortunately, they don’t have any short options, but those with longer legs will be covered. These super-high-rise pants are made for women with a narrow waist, which I do not have, so I was already a little nervous about the fit.

When I looked at the sizing chart, I was between sizes. I called Wrangler, and its customer service was really helpful. The brand recently updated its numeric sizing on these pants to match its other jeans, and the team knew exactly what I was talking about. Because of the narrow waist, they recommended matching my waist size and inseam size first, so that’s what I did.

Surprisingly, they fit on my waist fine, and even the super-high-rise wasn’t an issue for my short torso. A win! But the legs were too baggy; they were not slim at all. To be honest, I felt like I was wearing my mom’s jeans from the ’90s, which is a style on its own, but I was hoping these would be more slim-fitting.

If I had sized down, the waist wouldn’t have fit, but the legs may have. It’s a common hardship in buying women’s jeans. And in reading reviews, it seems I’m not the only one trying to figure out the sizing; it was the primary concern I saw. If possible, I highly suggest trying these on before purchasing.

The Super-High Waist — Bye-Bye, Backside Gaps!

The waist was comfortable, and the super high rise meant I never had to worry about them sliding down when bending over. Having a looser leg meant I could move around with freedom and little restriction. They might be slightly too restrictive if they were a true slim fit.

I was able to cut and stack multiple cords of firewood without pulling up my pants. I also didn’t get a single scratch on my leg. The heavyweight denim protected my legs while moving logs. The fabric didn’t tear or show any signs of stress. 

The jeans don’t offer any stretch, which also makes them retain their shape between washing. And, the butt doesn’t sag, and the waist won’t loosen. As a bonus, there isn’t that break-in period that so many other work pants have.

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean: Conclusion

Despite the sizing issues, I found these jeans to be in my regular rotation of work pants. They are thick, comfortable, and ready to go right away. The quality is true to the original goal of creating the best five-pocket jeans.

The slim cut wasn’t in the cards for my body shape. However, if you are long and lean, these pants might fit you as they were designed. 

Workwear can be pretty particular, and little else in our closets sees as much demand. While these pants aren’t do-it-all options festooned with pockets and hammer loops, they make up for it in honest-to-goodness durability. Denim wears out over the years, not months, and when the work doesn’t end, there’s little time to run into town for a second pair.

For a jill-of-all-trades work pant, look to the Dovetail Britt Utility Pants — my dream work pants — but if they fit, the Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jeans offer a harder-wearing cut for vaqueras.

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