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Denim Review: J Brand Houlihan Skinny Ankle Zip Cargo Pants in Vintage Olive wash
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Denim Review: J Brand Houlihan Skinny Ankle Zip Cargo Pants in Vintage Olive wash
I never expected to fall completely in love with these J Brand Houlihan Cargo Pants in Vintage Olive! I just got them last week and I have worn them lots already. I had never been a fan of cargo pants since I didn’t really class them as feminine but after seeing these pants on lots of celebs it really changed my mind. I haven’t seen them look bad on anyone yet and so many celebrities are a fan of them! They have really taken the fashion world by storm.
These Houlihan cargo pants are made of Japanese Twill so they are super soft! I had no idea they would be so stretchy and soft against the skin though, I assumed they would be quite rigid and more stiff since they were a cargo pant but I was completely wrong! They are the most comfiest pants I have ever tried and they are extremely stretchy, I love that about them. The fit is also perfect, it’s so feminine and pretty, they are really slim down the legs and even though they only have flaps for the back pockets they are suprisingly flattering on the butt.
I love the way they have long ankle zips just like a skinny jean, it’s nice they still keep that element as it’s unusual on a cargo pant. The leg pocket placement is also perfect, I love the positioning of them, they are just in the right place to keep your legs looking slim. they also have moto style stitching on the knees as you can see and I think that makes them look really good. The colour as well is so pretty, it’s like a dusty khaki green and it matches almost everything. These pants come in 5 other colours as well as this Vintage Olive shade. I really want to buy them in grey and black! I can see myself living in these Houlihan pants for a while. I find they beat my motto of not being feminine because they are super skinny and they look really really good with heels.
So I’m really loving J Brand’s take on the cargo pants and I honestly can’t wait to try more! The cargo pants seem to be a huge trend right now and I really like it! These are just too beautiful to pass up and if you don’t think they will be very flattering or comfy then you are very mistaken, they are gorgeous!
Overall Opinion
I absolutely, 100%, recommend these J Brand Houlihan Cargo Pants! They are the most softest pants I have ever tried and they are so comfy because of how stretchy they are. They are also incredibly flattering and feminine if you pair them with heels or wedges and a pretty top. You definitely wont be disappointed buying these! Buy these cargo pants at Boutique to You.
Click here to read more denim reviews.
Laid Down Photos
Modeled Photos
Images courtesy of Lorna/DenimBlog (not to be copied or used by others) and jeans courtesy of J Brand.
[...] To read a review on these pants, please click here. [...]
Lorna~
Very cute outfit! I’m still debating these as I am not sure what my legs would look like in them (I’m normally a 28/29). Did you have to size up in them? You look great in the Houlihan cargos!
~ Renae
I stuck with my normal J Brand size but I could definitely take a 27 I think, they run true to size but really stretchy
It depends how you want to wear them, I could size down 1 for a tight fit but if I want them a bit looser I stuck with my true to size size 
They really are great!
These pics make me think of only one song . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8KKbm5bunQ
Run and get them because the stores can’t keep them in stock!!!
Lol that made me laugh Liza
Singer 22 has listings with 2 different shades of Vintage Olive wash. Is there more than one vintage olive color? I just ordered them, and I’m hoping it’s the right color.
I was only aware of the one Vintage Olive wash. I just had a look and they only list one in the menu to order from, I think it varies with the lighting, in some lighting they look light green and in others they look darker
i still think these are really cool, ever since i saw gwen stefani in them. if only the inseam was a bit longer i would be more willing to try them out. i do think these look better on the looser side. they fit you perfectly lorna and great review.
Thanks Jonathan! Yeah the inseam is pretty short, maybe some other brands will have longer ones
I really like these. Not to sound crass, but the butt fits a lot better on these than a lot of cargo pants I see girls wearing.
Oooooo!! Did you buy these or did J Brand give them to you? I love these. They look great on you.
Those are absolutely gorgeous on you Lorna. And the last pic is really stunning…
they really have a gr8 fit,n u changed my view on cargo pants ,thanks for reviewin them
super fab! good job
Yeah…right now I am eyeing the olive green JET cargos that will be coming out in late July
Thanks for the compliments everyone
[...] You can read my review on the J Brand Houlihan Cargo Pants here. [...]
They DID give them too you! Lucky girl!
great review, thanks.
I have one question. I am wearing 26 J brand pencil leg and I ordered this cargo in Olive green size 26 too.
I found some reviews about the size about this pants that recommend to take 1 or 2 size bigger, is it true?
I am living in Berlin and I don´t want to return and reorder…
Hi Nina, I took my true to size so you should be fine. I think people suggest taking a size bigger so they can wear them baggy. I like to wear mine tighter
You should be fine if you want to wear them tighter. Plus they are super stretchy 
thank you for your quick msg. I hope they are super stretchy…
They really are! I think you will like them
Send us a picture on our Twitter when you get them!
[...] to You for $230 or buy these pants in 7 other colours at Singer22 for $230. You can also read my review of the Houlihan pants by clicking here and you can enter our J Brand Houlihan pant contest with National Jean Company by clicking here. We [...]
I got these in my true size as well and really like the fit but do you notice when you sit down that the front of the crotch has a lot of excess material? i find there is so much that i am wondering if i should have gone a size down but think it is just how the pockets are cut.
I think it’s the fabric, since it’s not denim or a really thin fabric it will bunch up, I don’t think it will make a difference if you size down though, it’s the way they are
thanks for the reply. I wasn’t sure if it was the size so it is reassuring to know that is just how they are.
You are welcome
I’m sure they look great on you!
[...] We got to talk to J Brand about their brand new Houlihan Skinny Cargo pants. They have really taken over the denim world and they are selling out everywhere. We spoke to J Brand about why they designed the pant, its popularity, which wash is their favourite and more! Carry on reading below to find out more about the Houlihan pants. You can read a review of these pants here. [...]
[...] We got to talk to J Brand about their brand new Houlihan Skinny Cargo pants. They have really taken over the denim world and they are selling out everywhere. We spoke to J Brand about why they designed the pant, its popularity, which wash is their favourite and more! Carry on reading below to find out more about the Houlihan pants. You can read a review of these pants here. [...]
[...] Zelda Williams, Sara Paxton and Tyler Shields attend the launch of the “Prince of Persia” video game, presented by Ubisoft and Break Media at Sky Bar in West Hollywood, California. Sara Paxton wore a pair of J Brand “Houlihan” skinny cargo pants in vintage olive while attending a video game launch party. She is just so cute, isn’t she?! Buy these pants at Boutique to You for $230 and you can read Lorna’s review of these Houlihan cargo pants by clicking here. [...]
Hello, Lorna, you really look great with J Brand “Houlihan” skinny cargo pants in vintage olive !! I have been considering to purchase it but I am not 100% sure which size I need to take….. just in order to avoid any extra difficulties of size exchange, extra work due to customs caused by size exchange, etc… as I am living in Europe and would like to purchase it in US. Mostly I wear size 25 in almost all jeans brands ( AG, True Religion, Paper, current etc… ) and it fits snug on me. But sometimes I need to take 26 in case the jeans run smaller ( like J-brand lovestory 22″ bell, some styles of 7 all. m. ).
Now I am not 100% sure which size I need to take…. as some people say it runs smaller, the style is quite slim, tight and recommend to size up and some say it is true to size. I am 159cm tall and around 52kg weight and I wear normaly US2 or bottom size 25/26. I wish to have a suitable size like you are wearing ( on your pictures )!! I like “snug ” fit but I do not like ” too tight “. Could you please advice me which size you recommend? I think this pants looks good if people wears just size even I heard it looks good if it is a bit roomy and there are some lint… Thank you so much for your feedback and honest advice!
Hi Jucca
Thank you for the compliment! I would say get a 26 if that is your J Brand size, a 28 is my J Brand size and these fit perfectly. They are quite slim but my waist to leg ratio is a bit different to most peoples, I have a wider waist and thinner legs so I often find most jeans to be baggy in the leg area if it fits the waist but these fit my legs and my waist so I think it is safe to say they are quite slim. I would go with your larger jean size as I think these look better fitted or slightly loose, they don’t look so good tight
Hello, Lorna,
thank you so much for your kind, honest and fast feedback and advice!
After receiving your advice, I am almost going to take size 26, but let me explain a bit more for making sure
I have only 1 x J Brand Jeans and this only one jeans from J Brand is Lovestory Bell Bottom which runs 1 size smaller than usual Jeans size. Normally I wear 25 in almost all jeans brands, that is why I took J Brand Lovestory Bell Bottom in size 26 at that time as it runs 1 size smaller! Therefore unfortunately I do not know which J Brand size is a perfect fit for me generally ( standard ). I wish to wear like you on your pictures or like Rachel Bilson on picture – not too skinny fit like leggings but nice fitted and not baggy, just wish to have comfortable fit. I just afraid that size 26 will be later a bit baggy after wearing few times caused by streching out. Are you still recommending me to go for taking size 26 instead of 25? So sorry for asking you again but I highly appreciate your kind help and advice!!
Hi Jucca,
I understand your concern! Don’t worry about asking too many questions. I’ve never tried the lovestory jeans so I can’t say based on how they fit. I do find I am a 27 in a lot of brands and a 28 in J Brand generally. These Houlihan pants are very stretchy and they do stretch out a bit. I have size 27 and 28 in these pants and they both fit but the 27 is quite tight and I prefer the fit of the 28 which I am modeling in the review. I think it’s a tough choice and I wouldn’t want to advise you the wrong size. In my personal opinion I do think they look better a littler looser or fitted, I don’t think they look as good really tight. So many people say they run 1 size small though, even J Brand themselves say they run 1 size small so maybe that might help you
Dear Lorna,
thank you so much for your very honest and detailed advice!!!
You help my decision so much ! I will go for purchasing 26 instead of 25.
Wishing you a good evening!
I really hope they work out for you Jucca
Let me know!
[...] Pants? I love wearing mine with wedges and tank tops! You can read my review of these cargo pants by clicking here. I really love them! Buy these pants at Singer22 for $230 or you can buy these pants at Boutique to [...]
It’s great to see people put effort into their blogs, nicely written
@ Jucca
I have the same ‘sizes-problem’. I really want this houlihan cargo pants and i think i’m going to need a size 26. My lovestory bell bottom from J Brand is also a 26 which fits perfectly. Now I really have doubts about the Adriano Goldschmied Ex-boyfriend. I saw you usually wear a size 25 also from AG. Do you have the Ex-boyfriend? if so, what size do you wear? I don’t know which one I should order. I don’t want them to be to lose, but also not to tight.
@ Lorna
I saw your review about the AG Ex-boyfriend whick btw looks great on you.
What size do you recommend? I’ve been told that this jeans run a little bit bigger than normal. I don’t want them to be tight (like a legging) and I don’t want them to be to big eather. I normally were a size 26, sometimes a 25. (7 for all mankind a 26)
Hope that one of you could help me. Thanks
Hi Sandra
I sized down 1 size in the AG Ex Boyfriend jeans from my normal AG size and I took 1 size down from my 7 For All Mankind size 
Hi, Sandra,
Unfortunately I do not have AG Ex-boyfriend and I can not tell you about the sizing…. but I own a Current?Elliott Boyfriend and my normal size ( most brands ) is 25 or 26 ( in case jeans run smaller… ) and I bought and own size 24 ( it means 1 size down ) and fit great! I hope it could be helpful for you
Cheers, Jucca
hello, I usually wear 26. but I don’t have J brand jean.
“houlihan” my first purchase to J brand.
I have read all reply. but I still concern about my size. 26 or 27
I don’t want too tight. I want to snug (?) like jessica alba fit.
please, help me-
(sorry, I’m japanese so I can’t english very well.)
Hi Iori
What size are you in most jeans? Do you have other premium denim?
hi : )
thankyou for reply-
actually thesedays I didn’t purchase premium denim.
years ago, hudson jean wear 26 size.
sorry
but
I wear most size 26. : )
help help -
Hi
I’m around a 27 in Hudson and I took a 28 in the Houlihan’s so maybe you would be good with a 27?
hi
I’m around a 26 in black orchid & siwy but I don’t have J brand jean. I want to know what size for me in the Houlihan 
Black Orchid seem to run a little bigger, as do Siwy so I would suggest a 27
You could probably do a 26 if you want them quite tight though 
thank you for reply
i´ve bought size 28 last wk. but today i just changes the size down to 27 cause after i worn them just 1 hr. pass they very stretchy then look to lose on me, Anyway with 28 it more comfort but in 27 look better. So still not sure which is right size for me?? (but J brand staff they all prefer 27 on me….)