This year I have become a HUGE fan of the denim offerings from Melissa McCarthy's Seven7 brand.  Back in March, I purchased my first item from the brand - a pair of boyfriend capris.  I reviewed them on the blog and found I could have sized down in the boyfriend silhouette.  Still, I loved the feel of them and didn't wait too long to snatch up a pair of dark wash shorts during a Lane Bryant sale.  I have worn those all summer long!  I was so smitten with the Bermuda shorts, I ended up grabbing more pairs of shorts and moved on to collecting some jeans from the brand during big sales.

In today's post, I'm reviewing the various denim items I have from the brand and giving you a comparison of each.  Some differ in style and length, as well as wash.  I always find it hard to know what any particular item from the Melissa McCarthy line will look like on a body because the website photos are usually just the item by itself, either on a mannequin or flat.  I hope this post helps you see the potential of the items and brand.  I really look forward to trying out other apparel items and styles soon!






Up first is my selection of shorts.  It was only three years ago that I started wearing shorts again, my first time since middle school.  I even shocked myself with my purchases of five pairs of shorts this year.  While I purchased the white ones for a craft project in which I will dye them, I was really excited about trying various inseam lengths and washes.  Most of these shorts are still available in various sizes.  I would really encourage you to check out the Melissa McCarthy Seven7 website because they always have 30% off sale prices, but occasionally will go as high as 40% off (for Memorial Day/Labor Day/etc.).  I have included what I paid for each item to give you an idea of the amazing savings.  Y'all know I love a good deal!!



Roll-Cuff Denim Bermuda Short in Dark Wash
(Bought via Lane Bryant; Regular $69, I bought them for $41.  Available in size 28 for $49.99 at Lane Bryant; Also available on the Melissa McCarthy Website as the Bermuda Cuffed Frayed Short in Gordon in sizes 14, 16, 24, and 28 for $48.30, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
This was my first pair of MM shorts.  You can read my initial review here.  They are the most like my beloved Lane Bryant Genius Fit Bermuda short, which I love and have almost worn out.  I bought these to take the place of those.  Compared to the LB short, these are thicker and have a softer feel.  I have to wear them multiple times before they get just slightly stretched out, typically in the hemline area.  I am wearing a size 24 and find they fit true to size.  They are extremely comfortable.  The Lane Bryant MM shorts have a 10" inseam cuffed, 12" uncuffed.  The Gordon color from the MM site has a 9" inseam.  So the ones in this photo are 10".  They also feature the "slimming silhouette system", which is part of all the MM pieces I have.  This is basically thin spandex panels on the inside tummy area that help hold you in a bit.  They aren't tight or uncomfortable.  I really don't even notice them.  I do think they help to smooth out my lower tummy roll just a bit.  These are my absolute favorite shorts.



Bermuda Cuffed Frayed Short in Jasper
(Regular $69, I bought them for $34; Still available in sizes 14 and 16 for $48.30, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
Much like the previous pair but distressed, these dark wash Bermuda shorts have some faded whiskering and frayed parts along the edges.  It is more subtle than a lot of distressed shorts, so it isn't too crazy.  And I love the dark wash.  Most of the distressed shorts I have seen this year have been lighter in color.  Again, I am wearing a size 24 and find they fit true to size.  These are an inch shorter than the previous pair, with a 9" inseam.  I was wondering what a difference the extra inch would make, but I still felt pretty comfortable and confident in these.  I'm not the biggest fan of my legs, particularly my thighs, so they aren't a part I am always comfortable showing off.  Still, the 9" inseam didn't feel too short.  These also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".



"M" Pocket Short in Desire
(Regular $69, I purchased them for $14; Still available in size 26 for $20.70, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
I bought this pair to try an even shorter inseam.  These are 7.5" cuffed.  I figured if they were too short for my comfort, I could just wear them around the house.  $14 was a pretty sweet deal!  To my surprise, I didn't feel too uncomfortable in this shorter inseam.  I still think they look good.  I am wearing a size 24 and find they fit true to size.  As always, they are totally comfortable and have a soft cotton denim feel to them.  The color Desire is a dark wash with faded whiskering and some bleach-flecked spots.  I am not a fan of the bleach-flecked look because I think it looks like something a bit more vulgar than bleach, but I honestly didn't think I would want to wear these out of the house anyway because of the shorter length.  I could always uncuff them if I wanted them to be longer, and the bleach stains aren't incredibly noticeable.  What do y'all think about this bleach-spotted trend?  These also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".  Ooooh, I just thought maybe I could dab all the bleach spots with glitter paint or rhinestones for a "Hailey" remix.


Mini "M" Pocket Short in Vacation
(Regular $79, I bought them for $15.  No longer available online)
Because I already owned shorts with a 10" inseam, I didn't think the 12" would make that much of a difference.  Boy, was I wrong.  These shorts have a 12" inseam and seemed so weird and long when I put them on.  I had a lot of anxiety about the way they looked initially because I just wasn't used to this longer look.  I liked the lighter wash and distressing, but it took some time to like the length.  I think they look best with a longer top to balance things out a bit.  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit true to size.  Compared to the previous shorts, these are a little bit thinner and very stretchy.  They feel soft and are very comfortable, but I do feel like they stretch out just a little more. (which isn't an issue with the previous pairs)  These also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".  You can see my initial review here.



Rolled Bermuda Short in Blanca White
(Regular $74, I purchased them for $15; Still available in sizes 16 through 24 for $18.50, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
These white shorts have a 12.5" inseam.  I bought them for a craft project to do with a friend in which they will be dyed.  I am no fan of white bottoms ever since I had a pair of white jeans in middle school.  Between inadvertently sitting on some chocolate and having my period while I was wearing them, I vowed never again!  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit true to size.  They don't look as bad as I thought they would, considering they are white.  The denim is a bit thinner and more stretchy then the dark wash shorts so I think that, combined with the color, shows off my lumpiness a bit more.  Still, they are super comfy and do also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".





Next category: Jeans.  I've tried on some MM Seven7 boot cut jeans at Lane Bryant before.  They made my ass and thighs look AMAZING, but they were about six inches too long for me.  I couldn't justify paying $98 for jeans I was going to have to hem.  So now, I focus on the skinny jeans and capris because those are not too long for my liking.  After being able to look at the inseam lengths on the website, straight leg styles are also okay for me at 30".  Slim Boot Cut is sort of doable at 32" inches.  Flares are the worst at 33"+.  While four out of five of these styles are pencil jeans, they are not all made the same.



Embellished "M" Pencil Jean in Highland
(Regular $89, I bought them for $15.98;  Still available in sizes 16 through 24 for $17.80, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
The Highland wash looks a bit more grey on the website, but these are darker wash around the edges with fading on the thighs and more pronounced whiskering.  I'm not a huge fan of the faded thighs and I don't like super obvious whiskering, so I am on the fence about the look of these.  Most of my tops are longer, so it at least covers one of the issues.  I liked the minimal distressing and feel like they fit really well.  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit true to size.  The Pencil Jeans do seem to have a more fitted and tapered leg than a skinny jean even, so they are more of a jegging fit.  I am sure I will like this particular pair better with tall boots.  They are very comfortable, soft and stretchy, and do have the "Slimming Silhouette System" and a 28" inseam.



"M" Embellished Pencil Jean in Nantucket
(Regular $89, I bought these for $15.98; Still available in sizes 14 through 26 for $22.25, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
The Nantucket wash is a little bit lighter, but still a soft, muted blue.  It has a bit of distressing on the legs and back pockets, with a frayed hem at the ankle.  I think the fading looks a little better on these, but maybe it is because there isn't as much of a contrast in color as the previous pair.  A 28" inseam means they stop right at my ankle.  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit pretty well.  They were a little more fitted in the thigh, so there is a little bit of a gap in the crotch area where they didn't quite go over my thigh.  Was it user error?  Maybe.  It was a long ass day when I was doing the photos for these last posts, so maybe I didn't pull them up enough.  As with the others, the fabric is soft to the touch and nicely stretchy.  These also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".



Rolled Skinny Jean in Surplus
(Regular $98, I bought these for $22;  Still available in sizes 14 and 16 through 26 for $29.40, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
I am also wearing this pair in a 24 and find they fit true to size.  These are one of my favorites!  I like the slightly darker wash and distressing placement.  They aren't extremely faded, so I like the look of them more.  Cuffed, they have a 26" inseam.  I can easily throw on some slip-on sneakers and a tee for my typical casual look.  The fabric is soft and stretchy, with the "Slimming Silhouette System" as well.



Dark Wash Skinny Jean
(Bought via Lane Bryant;  Regular $98, I bought them for $45;  Available at Lane Bryant in sizes 14 through 28 for $98)
These skinnies were bought via Lane Bryant and have a 30" inseam.  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit true to size.  They are extremely comfortable and one of the best fitting pairs of skinny jeans I have tried.  I do really prefer the fit and quality of the Melissa McCarthy line over most other skinny jeans, or jeans in general.  My other favorite skinnies are my Lane Bryant Genius Fit and Ava and Viv distressed pair from Target (On clearance for $10.48!!!).  The whiskering on these is very very minimal and very subtle.  "Slimming Silhouette System" included.




Rhinestone Leg Pencil Jean in Guardian
(Regular $118, I bought them for $15.98;  Still available in sizes 14 through 24 for $35.40, plus extra 30% off applied at checkout)
Last up are these black pencil jeans with black and gold studs down the side.  I am wearing a 24 and find they fit true to size.  They are soft and stretchy, but the fabric is a little different because they have a slightly larger percentage of polyester in them.  Still very soft and comfortable.  I love my black Lane Bryant skinny jeans, so I was excited to find this studded pair.  And that deal!!  $16 for a $118 pair of jeans!  Woohoo!!  They also have the "Slimming Silhouette System".