Universal Standard Vs Torrid Plus Size Denim: Universal Standard vs. Torrid: Which Plus Size Denim Fits Better and Lasts Longer?
You have $98 to spend on one pair of plus size jeans. Do you buy the Torrid Bombshell Skinny that everyone on TikTok is wearing, or do you go with the Universal Standard Seine High-Rise that costs $98 but promises “fit freedom” for a full year?
I bought and wore six pairs from both brands over three months. Washed them. Dried them. Wore them on airplanes and to dinner. Here is what I found about fit consistency, fabric quality, and whether either brand actually delivers on its marketing promises.
Fit Consistency Across Sizes: Torrid vs. Universal Standard
The biggest complaint I hear from plus size shoppers is that the same size fits differently in different washes. I tested this directly.
Torrid Size Chart vs. Real Measurements
I ordered Torrid jeans in size 18 (their 18 fits a 44-inch hip according to their chart). I tested three styles: Bombshell Skinny ($64.50), Mid-Fit Bootcut ($69.50), and High-Rise Straight ($69.50). All three were tagged size 18.
- Bombshell Skinny: Actual waist 36 inches, hip 44 inches. Stretchy, fit true to chart.
- Mid-Fit Bootcut: Waist 37 inches, hip 45 inches. Slightly larger, but consistent across two washes.
- High-Rise Straight: Waist 35.5 inches, hip 43 inches. Tighter. This was the only pair I had to return.
Verdict: Torrid is mostly consistent, but the High-Rise Straight runs small by about half an inch. If you buy that style, size up one.
Universal Standard Size Chart vs. Real Measurements
I ordered Universal Standard jeans in size 18 (their 18 fits a 44-46 inch hip). I tested the Seine High-Rise Skinny ($98), Mira High-Rise Straight ($98), and Lyon High-Rise Wide Leg ($98). All tagged size 18.
- Seine High-Rise Skinny: Waist 36 inches, hip 45 inches. Spot-on to chart.
- Mira High-Rise Straight: Waist 36.5 inches, hip 45.5 inches. Slightly roomy, but consistent.
- Lyon High-Rise Wide Leg: Waist 36 inches, hip 46 inches. True to size.
Verdict: Universal Standard is more consistent across styles than Torrid. All three pairs fit within 0.5 inches of each other. No returns needed.
| Brand | Style | Tag Size | Actual Waist | Actual Hip | Fit vs. Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrid | Bombshell Skinny | 18 | 36″ | 44″ | True |
| Torrid | Mid-Fit Bootcut | 18 | 37″ | 45″ | True |
| Torrid | High-Rise Straight | 18 | 35.5″ | 43″ | Runs small |
| Universal Standard | Seine High-Rise Skinny | 18 | 36″ | 45″ | True |
| Universal Standard | Mira High-Rise Straight | 18 | 36.5″ | 45.5″ | True |
| Universal Standard | Lyon High-Rise Wide Leg | 18 | 36″ | 46″ | True |
Fabric Quality and Durability After 10 Washes
I washed each pair ten times on warm, dried on medium heat. Measured shrinkage, pilling, and color fade.
Torrid uses a cotton-polyester-spandex blend (typically 68% cotton, 28% polyester, 4% spandex). After ten washes, the Bombshell Skinny lost 3% of its length — about half an inch in the inseam. The color faded noticeably on the thighs. No pilling, but the fabric felt looser, less structured.
Universal Standard uses a heavier cotton blend (76% cotton, 22% polyester, 2% spandex in the Seine). After ten washes, shrinkage was under 1%. Color stayed close to original — slightly duller but not faded. The fabric held its structure. The waistband did not stretch out between wears.
Universal Standard denim is objectively heavier and more durable. The fabric weight is around 12 oz for Universal Standard vs. 10 oz for Torrid. You feel the difference when you hold them side by side.
What You Actually Pay: Price Per Wear Analysis
Torrid jeans cost $64.50 to $69.50. Universal Standard costs $98. That is a 40% price difference. But here is the math that matters.
I wore the Torrid Bombshell Skinny 22 times over three months. After that, the knees bagged out. The fabric lost shape. I would not wear them to a meeting. Cost per wear: $2.93.
I wore the Universal Standard Seine High-Rise Skinny 28 times over the same period. Still looked sharp. No bagging. Cost per wear: $3.50.
If the Universal Standard pair lasts 18 months (conservative estimate based on fabric weight), that is 168 wears at $0.58 per wear. The Torrid pair, if it lasts 9 months, is 84 wears at $0.77 per wear.
Universal Standard is cheaper per wear if you keep them past 6 months. Torrid wins on upfront cost. If you rotate jeans heavily and want lower initial spend, Torrid makes sense. If you want one pair that lasts, Universal Standard is the better investment.
Common Mistakes When Buying Plus Size Denim Online
I made these mistakes so you do not have to.
Mistake 1: Ignoring rise measurements. Torrid lists rise as “high rise” but does not always give the exact number. Universal Standard lists rise in inches. The Seine has a 10.5-inch rise. The Torrid Bombshell has a 9-inch rise. If you need tummy coverage, check the actual measurement, not the marketing term.
Mistake 2: Assuming stretch means forgiveness. Both brands use stretch denim. But high-stretch denim (Torrid’s Bombshell has 4% spandex) stretches out during the day. Low-stretch denim (Universal Standard’s 2% spandex) holds shape. If you want jeans that do not sag by lunch, less stretch is better.
Mistake 3: Not checking inseam length. Torrid offers Short, Average, and Tall. Universal Standard offers inseams from 25 to 34 inches. I am 5’8″ and need a 30-inch inseam. Torrid’s Average is 30 inches — perfect. Universal Standard’s 30-inch inseam was actually 30.5 inches after washing. Check the post-wash length.
Mistake 4: Trusting return policies blindly. Torrid accepts returns within 60 days. Universal Standard offers a 30-day return window but also has the Fit Liberty program — you can exchange for a different size up to one year after purchase if your size changes. That is valuable if your weight fluctuates.
When to Buy Torrid Instead of Universal Standard
Torrid is the better choice in three specific situations.
If you want trendy cuts at lower risk. Torrid releases new styles every few weeks. You can try a trend (like the current barrel-leg jean) for $65 instead of $98. If you hate it, less money lost.
If you need extended sizes beyond standard plus. Torrid goes up to size 30 (62-inch hip). Universal Standard goes to size 40 (68-inch hip). But Torrid’s size 26 and up are easier to find in stores. Universal Standard is online-only.
If you prefer very stretchy, soft denim. Torrid’s Bombshell fabric is noticeably softer and stretchier than Universal Standard’s. If you hate stiff denim, Torrid wins. Just know it will stretch out faster.
Do NOT buy Torrid if you need consistent fit across multiple washes, or if you want jeans that look professional after six months. Universal Standard holds up better.
Final Comparison: Universal Standard vs. Torrid for Plus Size Denim
Here is the short version.
- Fit consistency: Universal Standard wins. All three styles fit within 0.5 inches of each other. Torrid’s High-Rise Straight runs small.
- Fabric quality: Universal Standard wins. Heavier cotton (12 oz vs. 10 oz), less shrinkage, less color fade after ten washes.
- Upfront cost: Torrid wins. $64.50 vs. $98.
- Cost per wear: Universal Standard wins if kept past 6 months ($0.58 vs. $0.77 per wear).
- Style variety: Torrid wins. More cuts, more frequent releases.
- Size range: Tie. Universal Standard goes to size 40, Torrid to size 30. Both cover most plus size bodies.
My pick: If you want one pair of jeans that will look good for two years, buy the Universal Standard Seine High-Rise Skinny ($98). If you want three different pairs for the same price and rotate them, buy Torrid’s Bombshell Skinny ($64.50) and two other styles.
Neither brand is perfect. Torrid’s fabric stretches out faster than I would like. Universal Standard’s higher price stings upfront. But for fit and long-term quality, Universal Standard is the better buy for most people.
