"It didn’t take me long after having my first baby to realize how significantly my day-to-day fashion needs changed in both expected and unexpected ways. Expected: more flat shoes. Unexpected: having a strong desire to feel pulled together whenever I leave the house. In the past, I didn’t think twice about running errands in a pair of black leggings. But once baby arrived and brought a classic dose of newborn chaos with him, I looked for any way to increase feelings of composure. Loving my outfit while being dressed comfortably and practically became a necessity. This is when I turned to DONNI for help. More specifically, the DONNI Rib Kick Flare pants.
a brand new HP printer and ink delivery for as low as $6.99 a month? yes, please.
After months of seeing DONNI all over my For You page, I started researching the brand. Which then, of course, led to a steady stream of smartly-targeted Instagram ads. I could see I liked the look of many of the brand’s pants. But the ads that sold me were the ones that highlighted just how perfect these pants are for moms. DONNI founder Alyssa Wasko shared on Instagram that, “My friends go pick up their kids at preschool and say they show up and four other women are also wearing these pants.”
While my baby won’t be heading to school anytime soon, that story sold me. At $184, these pants are an investment. Full disclosure: They were only $164 when I ordered them a few weeks ago. I also saved an additional 10 percent by signing up for the brand’s email newsletter. That being said, the fact that these pants serve me well now (pediatrician appointments, errands, and mommy and me classes) and will also be a wardrobe workhorse in the future (school drop-offs, play dates, and sports games) has made them well worth the investment. I’m already plotting to buy these pants in a few colors. Keep reading for a detailed DONNI pants review to see if this mom-friendly brand is right for you.
About DONNI
DONNI makes all of their pieces in Los Angeles. Their business operations, fabric milling and sourcing, and construction all happen in the city of Angels. The brand aims to create clothing that will stand the test of time and that can suit a wide variety of women. “We create clothing for the every day and for every woman, no matter the stage of life,” the brand website said. “We take a multigenerational approach to each collection, with the intention that our clothing will be passed on for generations to come.”
DONNI The Rib Kick Flare Pants Review
It’s easy to see why the Rib Kick Flare is DONNI’s best-selling style. This fitted ribbed pant with a classic kick flare, cropped length, and pintuck detail on the front and back promises comfort and style in one neat package. The brand describes these pants as being high-rise with a close fit (which feels accurate). You can grab them in classic black or navy to replace your go-to leggings. But there are 10 colors to choose from, so you could also turn your attention to a trendy hue like butter yellow or tomato red if you’re feeling adventurous.
This review of the pants from one helpful shopper echoed everything I felt when searching for pants postpartum. “I’m a new mom and was looking for pants that I could wear out and about that were more elevated than leggings but jeans feel too daunting still!” I am happy to report this reviewer nailed these pants on the head. They are the ideal mom pants.
DONNI Rib Kick Flare Pants Fit
I prefer to shop smaller brands whenever possible. But I know it can be stressful to order from a brand before you know how their pieces fit you. Because you won’t find DONNI at your local mall or department store, I recommend diving into the many reviews of these pants. This way, you can see if you can find one from another shopper with a similar body type to yours to feel more confident about sizing.
The pants come in sizes XXS to XXL. I found the pants to be true to size but with some flexibility. The brand (and many commenters) suggest taking a bigger size if you are between sizes. Because the waistline and fabric throughout the pants are so stretchy, I don’t think going up a size would hurt me. But I’m also happy with the fit my standard size offers.
When it comes to length, you need to be tall if you want a cropped look as advertised. While the pants don’t come up short on my 5’3″ frame, they aren’t dragging on the ground, which saved this busy mom a trip to the tailor. Someone taller can enjoy the cropped effect without worrying about their pants being too short. Ready for some good news for tall gals? The brand recently shared they have a tall version of the Rib Kick Flare pants coming soon.
The fabric content and care instructions
After working in the fashion industry for over a decade, I tend to get technical when shopping. First things first—I always go straight to the fabric and care instructions. These pants are made with a blend of 47.5 percent cotton, 47.5 percent modal, and 5 percent Spandex. So I felt confident these pants would do what I needed them to do: be flexible and comfortable.
I knew I had to be careful when it came to color choice. My toxic trait is wanting to wear head-to-toe white or cream at all times. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about getting the cream pair of these pants. But after seeing the care instructions, I went for a safer color. The brand advises you not to spot-treat these pants at all. Which means my secret weapon against stains is fruitless with these pants. I’ll be introducing my baby to solid foods in the next few months, so for the time being, navy seemed like the much safer option.
How to Style The DONNI Rib Kick Flare Pants
When it comes to wearability, my pants are getting plenty of wear. The knit fabric is cool enough to wear in the summer but will be substantial enough to wear all fall and winter (at least for this California resident). They feel remarkably like wearing the yoga pants of my youth (AKA flared leggings, if you aren’t a millennial). But they look like real pants. They are comfortable, easy to move in, and versatile. After a month of wear, I found I almost always reach for these pants first when heading out for the day. I have no doubt I will get my cost per wear down substantially in the next year alone.
The fun part is that these pants are easy to style. I like a multifunctional piece that I can play with. And it doesn’t seem to matter what the occasion is, these pants work. Here are some examples of how I’ve been styling these pants lately and how I plan to continue to incorporate them into my wardrobe:
- With a white tee and flats for a pediatrician appointment
- With an oversized button-down and strappy sandals for brunch
- With a simple tank and slicked-back hair when running errands
- With a coordinating navy top and kitten heels for date night
- With an oversized sweater and sneakers at the airport
Are the DONNI pants worth it?
The pants are very high-quality, flattering, and easy to pair with a lot of the pieces I already own. They help fill a niche wardrobe need I’m running into more and more as a mom. I don’t want to be overdressed, but I want to feel polished. My verdict is these pants are very worth it.
“The pants are very high-quality, flattering, and easy to pair with a lot of the pieces I already own. They help fill a niche wardrobe need I’m running into more and more as a mom.”
My only regret is not discovering DONNI sooner. I only purchased one piece of maternity clothing to try to avoid waste. DONNI could have saved the day, thanks to the “bump-friendly” section of their website. While the brand doesn’t carry maternity clothes, they point out which pants and tops can be comfortably and chicly worn with a baby bump. Those same styles would work fantastically if you struggled with bloating before showing like I did. Or if you don’t want to rush back into rigid clothes post-birth.
DONNI Items I’m Trying Next
I foresee adding a lot of DONNI pieces to my wardrobe over the next few years. The brand’s clothing feels very mom-friendly, but anyone at any stage of life can appreciate their clothing. Proof of concept: After talking through my plans to try and review the DONNI pants with another writer friend (who is child-free), she promptly ordered the Linen Crop Stripe Pant. Spoiler alert—they were a huge hit.
What else is on my DONNI wish list? A coordinating tank to match my Rib Kick Flare pants for an effortless matching set and a timeless pair of linen pants are up next. Over time, I hope to collect more of the brand’s quality knits, easy pants, and relaxed-fit button-downs. I’m hoping the brand will restock their beloved cardigan in my size in time for my October birthday (hopefully, my husband is reading this) so I can properly lean into sweater weather.
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The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Jacqueline DeMarco, Contributing Writer
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer based in Southern California who graduated from the University of California Irvine with a degree in Literary Journalism. She has written on a wide range of topics including finance, travel, and wellness for publications such as The Everygirl, Coveteur, Girlboss, and Apartment Therapy. When not whipping up articles, she works with consumer brands like Gorjana, Voluspa, Underclub, The Well, and St. John to help tell their brand stories.