This is Neems, the company that creates custom denim pants

2022-04-18T23:01:14.126Z

The jeans are handmade to order so there is no risk of overproduction and returns are donated or recycled.

Pants are right up there with swimsuits on the list of least nice things to buy thanks to wildly inconsistent sizing between brands and limited options for anyone who doesn't fit the so-called "standard" body type.

That's why a new direct-to-consumer denim company wants to eliminate these kinds of problems entirely.

Neems makes high-quality denim pants that are custom designed for your body, without the need to go to the tailor.

All you do is choose your jean style online, submit your measurements, and voila!

Jeans made specifically for you will be delivered to your door within two weeks.

Neems jeans not only promise a better fit;

They're also better for the planet, thanks to being made from 100% recycled materials.

Because the jeans are handmade to order, there's also no risk of overproduction, and returns are donated or recycled.

As a woman with a human body, I've struggled my whole life to find a pair of pants that fit properly.

Intrigued by the promise of jeans that didn't have a gap in the waist but also didn't threaten to cut off circulation to my thighs, I decided to put Neems to the test.

How Neems works

Made-to-measure jeans require more work up front than traditional purchases, but Neems makes the process pretty easy.

After deciding on the style, weight, and color you want (more on that below), I took nine different waist and leg measurements.

It's not as daunting as it sounds: short videos on the page walk you through each step, and Neems will even mail you a free tape measure if you need one.

Neems Denim Styles

Neems denim comes in four colors so far: classic blue, deep indigo, white and black.

Women can choose from four silhouettes (or grab one of each): straight, skinny, wide-leg and

mom jeans

(each $189; neemsjeans.com).

Men, meanwhile, can choose between slim or straight fits (each $189; neemsjeans.com).

Order with Neems

For the sake of comparison, I ordered two very different styles from Neems: light blue

mom jeans

in 13-ounce denim and comfort stretch indigo skinnies.

After I entered my measurements and placed my order, the company quickly reached out to ask about any preferences beyond measurements, like how big I wanted the back pockets and how many inches above my ankles I wanted the jeans to fall.

Neems customer service, we must point out here, is impeccable;

the company responded quickly and helpfully to all my questions.

With my decisions made (standard pockets, 2 inches above the ankle), my order was shipped by hand at the company's Los Angeles factory.

First impressions

When

mom jeans

first came out, they looked cool—so cool, in fact, that I wanted to pretend I didn't have to stop breathing to wear them.

Unfortunately, it appears that I had pulled the tape measure too tightly around my waist in my initial measurements.

I emailed Neems to describe the areas that felt too tight;

They responded within a day and got another pair in production almost immediately.

This updated pair arrived in about two weeks and was perfect.

Despite having no plans to leave my apartment, I wore them for a full week, and was totally blown away.

They also washed beautifully (although I avoided the dryer), with no weird fraying or warping.

They are my new favorite pants for sure, and I hope Neems starts offering the style in more shades and fabrics.

The

skinnies

, which I had ordered after my initial pair with my updated measurements, fit great right out of the box.

They hug my body without highlighting cellulite and are so comfortable I wouldn't mind wearing them while working from home.

The lighter fabric loosened substantially more than the

mom jeans

over the course of the day, but that wasn't surprising given that it's

stretch denim

However, the fit, rich indigo color, and comfort of the pajamas made me a fan.

Some things to improve

At $189 for pants, Neems jeans aren't cheap denim.

But given the quality of the materials, the company's commitment to sustainability, and the fact that you may never have to set foot in a horribly lit dressing room again, they're a worthy investment.

Neems prices are on par with luxury denim brands like Agolde and Citizens of Humanity.

Also, keep in mind that you will not have to pay for any changes.

The other downside of Neems jeans is that they require some patience.

Getting custom pants will always take longer than ordering a ready-made pair from a site like Shopbop, and things get even more complicated if you have to send your jeans back for adjustments.

That said, having an American factory (as opposed to one overseas) gives Neems some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry, and it's well worth the wait.