Citizens of Humanity Marcelle
A Very Modern Staple
If there is one trend in the last year+ that I have fallen prey to, it’s a barrel leg pant. I simply cannot get enough; I have owned and sold several pairs mentioned in this post but the Marcelles are, probably, the most stalwart of the collection. They feel like a very modern take on a classic “army pant.”
Citizens of Humanity makes the Marcelles in a whopping 14 colorways though I think the “Surplus” (army green), “Incognito” (green camo) and “Pashmina” (white) are the most popular.1 I bought the Surplus/Army Green and it really plays as a neutral-adjacent color.
The pants are RAVED about in chats and it took me a while to pull the trigger on purchasing them after I bought/resold a pair of Nili Lotan Shon pants.2 I was finally sold because (as I mentioned) I love the barrel leg but the Marcelle shape is much more neutral than the Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe jean or even the Shon pants.
The warning with these pants is that the sizing on them is (all caps) WONKY. I waiver between a size 26 and size 27 but after reading reviews on different websites I knew I needed to size down. I ended up buying a size 25 (1-2 sizes down from my normal) and they fit like a dream.
Interestingly, they are described as being “low slung” pants so perhaps that is where the sizing differential comes in play. But even the modeled photos have the pants worn at natural waist.
My biggest compliant is that the pants wrinkle throughout the day which means I either have to (a) deal with the wrinkles on future wears (b) iron between wears. The fabric is soft if not a bit thin. I have only owned them in the summer so I can’t speak to how they will feel in the Colorado winter.
I also own the Le Bon Shoppe Arc pants (shown below as an alternative) AND the Everlane Way High Curve Jeans. The Arc pants are a heavy denim that holds their (gorgeous) shape but are an elastic waist so you can’t wear a belt with them. The Everlane Way High denim also get cat whiskers when worn through the day but have a great shape at an even better price.
Now that I’ve spoiled the fun of the alternatives, I present to you 4 other barrel shaped pants that could compete with the Marcelles. BUT if my collection was laid out in a line, I’d still choose the Marcelles every time.
A reader, Jessica, as the Velvet Brylie jeans and she says “I am 5’ 116-120lbs and 27-29” waist - the size 4 fits perfectly. I did have to get about 4” hemmed but that didn’t affect the way it hangs. The pants do wrinkle quite a bit but it doesn’t look bad and overall I have heard these are better than the Shons fit wise for petites, so I’m pretty happy with them!”3
I’d love a review of any of the above pants or the sought after Citizens of Humanity Ayla jeans.
Submit a review for One Star Reviews here:
unscientific assumption here
I bought a colorway that I wasn’t crazy about so someone who has worn their pair more please report to us!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the feedback!
This is the review I’ve been looking for! The Marcelle pants look SO good on you. Very tempted to get a pair (if I can find them!) and it’s helpful to know you sized down.
I have the velvet brylies! I would submit a review but it’s asking me for my Google QR code which I…don’t have. I am 5’ 116-120lbs and 27-29” waist - the size 4 fits perfectly. I did have to get about 4” hemmed but that didn’t affect the way it hangs. The pants do wrinkle quite a bit but it doesn’t look bad and overall I have heard these are better than the Shons fit wise for petites, so I’m pretty happy with them!