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17 Jeans for Women That Are Actually Worth Buying

Best Jeans for Women
Best Jeans for Women

Streetstyleshooters/Getty

Best Overall

instyle - 88 Available at Everlane

Most Comfortable

instyle - 64 Available at Nordstrom

Best Value

instyle - 50 Available at American Eagle

Best Splurge

instyle - 180 Available at Revolve

Best Skinny

instyle - 119 Available at Nordstrom

Best High-Waisted

instyle - 40 Available at Amazon

Best Crop

instyle - 75 Available at Nordstrom

Best Boyfriend

instyle - 45 Available at Old Navy

Best Mom

instyle - 128 Available at Madewell

Best Distressed

instyle - 45 Available at American Eagle

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. On This Page

    • Our Picks

    • What to Keep in Mind

    • Your Questions, Answered

It's safe to say that denim is a closet must-have. And with so many jeans on the market, it can be a little intimidating shopping for the perfect pair. You want them to look good and feel good and fit within your budget. But even with those parameters, the options are endless.

That's where we come in. To save you countless hours, we spoke to celebrity stylists and researched the best jeans for women based on fabric quality, size range, style, and fit. Included are a variety of styles, ranging from skinny, cropped, straight, boyfriend, and beyond — so you can buy one, two, or three of your favorite styles.

Ahead, the best jeans for women you'll want to wear all of the time.

Our Picks

Best Overall: Everlane The Original Cheeky Jeans

What We Love: The brand's signature 'Happy Pockets' are strategically placed for a lifted look on your backside.
What We Don't Love: The sizing can be inconsistent.

Although there aren't many denim styles that are universally flattering on various body shapes and types, stylists agree that Everlane reigns in the denim game. ​​The brand's Original Cheeky Jeans are super high rise to elongate the legs while the raised back hook seam lifts and tightens your backside. The back pockets — which the brand calls Happy Pockets — are placed higher and closer together for a bouncy, lifted look. The Japanese denim has just a touch of stretch, so you still get that rigid denim feel without any sagging. Available in ankle and regular lengths as well as a curvy fit, everyone can find their favorite cheeky jean.

Size Range: 23-35 | Rise: High | Materials: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Elastane

Everlane The Original Cheeky Jeans
Everlane The Original Cheeky Jeans

Most Comfortable: Wit & Wisdom Jeggings

What We Love: You get the look of jeans without any possible discomfort.
What We Don't Love: The thinner fabric can wear down faster.

When you can find a jean that is cute, well-fitting, and comfortable, you've hit a winner. These soft and stretchy jeggings look like traditional denim, but feel like you're wearing leggings. They have light whiskering and fading to look like real jeans. Coming in petite sizes, you don't have to worry about these skinny jeans bunching at your ankles. With their tight fit, they are perfect for tucking into boots.

Pair with: Lug-soled boots from Nordstrom let you tackle winter weather in style.

Size Range: 00-18 | Rise: Mid | Materials: 54% cotton, 27% rayon, 17% polyester, 2% spandex

Jeans
Jeans

Best Value: AE Stretch Mom Jeans

What We Love: These classic mom jeans come in extensive sizes at an affordable price.
What We Don't Love: They are a bit baggier than some mom jeans.

They're stretchy, they hold their shape, and they look good on nearly every body type. And since these jeans are available in sizes 000 to 20 and short, regular, long, and extra-long length, there's a jean for everyone. And at an amazing price, there's so much to love about these pants. The combination of their relaxed silhouette and high-rise waist makes them comfortable and supportive without feeling slouchy.

Size Range: 000-20 | Rise: High | Materials: 73% Cotton, 10% Modal, 9% Recycled Polyester, 7% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane

jeans
jeans

Best Splurge: Mother The Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans

What We Love: The comfortable fabric, stylish washes, and curve-hugging fit make these jeans worth the price.
What We Don't Love: The ankle length can be too short on some.

There's a reason both Meghan Markle and Jennifer Lopez both swear by the brand. These cropped flare jeans are perfect for both summer and winter and will show off whatever shoes you are wearing that season. The stretchy fabric is really soft and curve hugging, making these stylish jeans surprisingly comfortable. Coming in bold prints and colors, these jeans will never feel boring.

Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: High | Materials: 92.5% Cotton, 5% Polyester, 2.5% Elastane

Jeans
Jeans

Best Skinny: Good American Good Legs Ankle Skinny Jeans

What We Love: These skinny jeans sculpt your body with tummy control and a no gap waistband.
What We Don't Love: They run small.

Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Graham, and Kelly Rowland are all obsessed with Good American jeans, and for good reason. Designed by Khloe Kardashian, the jeans are made to enhance all body types and sizes. The Good Legs style is a skinny sculpting jean with extra stretch and a flat tummy tech. No matter if you're curvy up top and slim on the bottom or vice versa, you won't experience any gapping in the waistband. They are slim-fitting all the way to the ankle, and women say they look just as great on petite shapes as they do on curvy, plus the style comes in a short and long inseam in addition to regular.

Pair With: Black patent stilettos from ASOS elevate simple skinnies.

Size Range: 00-24 | Rise: High | Materials: 93% Cotton, 5% Polyester, 2% Elastane

jeans
jeans

Best High-Waisted: Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

What We Love: Levi's highest high rise is beloved by celebrities for its leg-elongating fit.
What We Don't Love: The 12-inch inseam may swallow up petite frames.

All of Hollywood's It Girls, from Addison Rae to Hailey Bieber, are fans of these high-waisted jeans from Levi's. As the brand's highest rise, the jeans in fact hit you at the ribcage, creating the illusion of extremely long legs and snatching you at the waist. The low-stretch fabric looks and feels like genuine vintage denim. Coming in several washes and two lengths, finding your perfect pair online is so much easier than scouring thrift shops for the ideal vintage Levi's.

Size Range: 23-32 waist, 27 or 29 length | Rise: High | Materials: 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane

Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

Best Crop: Topshop Raw Hem Crop Straight Leg Jeans

What We Love: The cropped leg goes with all footwear and gradually frays for a lived-in look.
What We Don't Love: They run small.

There's so much to love about cropped jeans. You can wear them no matter the time of year, and they pair perfectly with basically any shoe (sandals, boots, you name it). The best part about a cropped style is that you won't have to worry about annoying bagging or gathering when you want to wear them with boots. Reviewers rave about the fit of Topshop's Raw Hem Crop Straight Leg Jeans, praising their ability to successfully feel form-fitting without being restrictive. The raw hem gradually frays overtime for a custom, lived-in look. We appreciate that the style comes in long, petite, and regular sizing but just note that some recommend sizing up from your normal denim size since they're not designed to stretch.

Size Range: 24-36 | Rise: High | Materials: 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane

jeans
jeans

Best Boyfriend: Old Navy Mid-Rise Boyfriend Straight Jeans

What We Love: These boyfriend jeans are cute and extremely comfy.
What We Don't Love: They run big.

Boyfriend jeans are comfy and casual, and you'll find many women in the reviews of Old Navy's selection of boyfriend jeans echoing those praises. These mid-rise boyfriend jeans have a contoured waistband and are designed with a comfortable stretch that allows them to flatter a variety of body types, not to mention that they come in tall and petite sizes. The stylish whiskering, fading, and rips provide a vintage, lived-in feel.

Size Range: 00-30 | Rise: Mid | Materials: 93% Cotton, 6% Recycled Cotton, 1% Spandex

jeans
jeans

Best Mom: Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean

What We Love: The fitted leg makes mom jeans sexy, rather than frumpy.
What We Don't Love: They run small in the hips.

This "perfect" throwback style from Madewell is vintage, cool, and chic. It's fitted through the hip and thigh and tapered at the bottom with a raw edge. As a denim expert, Madewell offers the style in petite and tall sizes as well. Like the brand says, these are "mom jeans"...if your mom was a '90s supermodel.

Size Range: 23-37 | Rise: High | Materials: 99% Cotton, 1% Spandex

Jeans
Jeans

Best Distressed: AE Stretch Ripped Crossover Highest Waist Mom Jeans

What We Love: Perfectly placed rips and a crossover waistband gives these jeans an artistic edge.
What We Don't Love: They run small and only come in one wash.

There's such a wide range of distressed denim. You can buy a pair with one rip or another that's ripped from hip to ankle. We like this design from American Eagle because it has just the right amount of rips. The slim leg and high rise keeps the design from looking too sloppy. The asymmetrical crossover waistband is an unexpected detail that makes the style unique and trendy. The jeans are also made sustainably to reduce water and plastic. You'll look good and feel good wearing them.

Size Range: 000X short-20 long | Rise: High | Materials: 80% Cotton, 10% Modal, 9% Polyester, 1% Elastane

AE Stretch Ripped Crossover Highest Waist Mom Jeans
AE Stretch Ripped Crossover Highest Waist Mom Jeans

Best Straight: Everlane Way-High Jeans

What We Love: Look effortlessly cool in these straight leg jeans that lift your booty and come in unique washes.
What We Don't Love: The jeans have inconsistent sizing.

Straight jeans bring out our inner cool girl, and Everlane's '90s-inspired style doesn't disappoint. One of our editors fell in love at first sight with the way they lift her booty and don't create a gap in the back waistband when sitting down. Design details like the raw hem and the crease down the middle are effortlessly stylish. Fans of colored jeans will also love how this style comes in fun shades like lilac, burnt orange, and green. The real question is how many washes will you choose?

Size Range: 23-35 | Rise: High | Materials: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Elastane

jeans
jeans

Best Wide-Leg: BDG The A-Wide Jean

What We Love: The wide legs and solid neutral colors make a bold statement.
What We Don't Love: The very wide legs are not for the timid.

These wide-leg jeans are like a hybrid between trousers and denim. Its vintage-inspired silhouette adds a retro flair while delivering a comfortable fit that offers support and stretch. In addition to a classic blue and black wash, you can choose between white, tan, and gray shades.

Size Range: 24-34 | Rise: High | Materials: 99% Cotton, 1% Spandex

BDG The A-Wide Jean
BDG The A-Wide Jean

Best Plus-Size: Universal Standard Seine Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans

What We Love: These stretchy skinnies range from sizes 00 to 40.
What We Don't Love: They run large.

Unfortunately a rarity in the mainstream denim world, Universal Standard offers jeans up to size 40 in both regular and tall lengths. The Seine mid-Rise Skinny Jeans are one of the most-reviewed pairs on the site, and numerous shoppers say they're obsessed. The fabric is made to be super stretchy and the elegant fit and washes go with just about every outfit.

Size Range: 00-40 | Rise: Mid | Materials: 73% Cotton, 23% Polyester, 4% Elastane

Jeans
Jeans

Best for Petites: Good American Good Petite Straight

What We Love: From the rise to the knee placement, these jeans are made for shorter frames.
What We Don't Love: You may not be the same size in petite jeans vs regular, so be sure to check the size chart.

Making jeans for petite figures isn't as simple as shortening the length — it's about adjusting all the proportions. Good American has done their due diligence with the Good Petite Straight. The brand brought up the knee, lowered the rise, and hemmed the leg at just the right length for those 5'4" and under. The high stretch fabric has built in recovery to give you more wears between washes and preserve the pants original shape. Plus, they are made from recycled materials. Win-win.

Size Range: 00-24 | Rise: Mid | Materials: 66% Cotton, 21% Polyester, 10.5% Viscose, 2.5% Elastane

Good American Good Petite Straight
Good American Good Petite Straight

Best Tall: Gap High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans

What We Love: These jeans come in tall inseams and have stomach slimming pockets.
What We Don't Love: They run small.

The opposite problem goes for tall gals. Yes, cropped jeans are super chic, but they may not be the everyday look you're going for. Most of Gap's denim options are available in long sizes and the brand has even extended its offerings with tall sizes. With the High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans, the style's body-contouring design molds to your shape for a personalized-feeling fit. For added support, its high-rise waistband and strategically placed front pockets work together to hold you in and smooth.

Size Range: 24-35 | Rise: High | Materials: 87% Cotton, 7% Recycled Cotton, 5% Recycled Polyester, 1% Elastane

jeans
jeans

Best Maternity: Old Navy Maternity Rollover-Panel Skinny 360° Stretch Cut-Off Jeans

What We Love: With a rollover panel, these jeans will fit you throughout your entire pregnancy.
What We Don't Love: The jeans may not be long enough for tall figures, even in tall sizes.

These maternity jeans from Old Navy are designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. The smooth jersey panel can be rolled up and down as your belly grows. The recycled denim is extra stretchy yet durable, so you can move around all you want without any fears of rips. The jeans come in short, long, and regular sizes for all mothers-to-be.

Size Range: 0-20 | Materials: 58% Cotton, 31% Recycled Polyester, 6% Recycled Cotton, 3% Rayon, 2% Spandex

Old Navy Maternity Rollover-Panel Skinny 360° Stretch Cut-Off Jeans
Old Navy Maternity Rollover-Panel Skinny 360° Stretch Cut-Off Jeans

Best Low-Rise: American Eagle Low-Rise Skater Jean

What We Love: These low-rise, baggy jeans show off just the right amount of skin.
What We Don't Love: They run long, so consider purchasing the short sizes.

Whether you want to believe it or not, low-rise jeans are coming back, partly thanks to celebrities like Addison Rae and Dua Lipa. To ease back into the trend, we recommend this pair from American Eagle. The wide leg keeps these jeans feeling modern, unlike the skin-tight versions from the early 2000s. Despite the slouchy fit, reviewers say the jeans still hug the butt very well. They are just as low rise jeans should be; casually sexy. It's no wonder Rae is a fan of American Eagle jeans, once telling InStyle, "They've always had such a good fit, and are super comfortable while still being really cute."

Size Range: 000 short-20 long | Rise: Low | Materials: 100% Cotton

American Eagle Low-Rise Skater Jean
American Eagle Low-Rise Skater Jean

What to Keep in Mind

Rise

Both ends of the jean rise spectrum have their shares of pros and cons. High-rise jeans are beloved for their ability to highlight the smallest part of your waist as well as create the illusion of long legs. They go great with crop tops and can even convert a bralette into a blouse. However, they can be tricky to style with longer tops and sweaters, especially if you can't easily tuck the top into the jeans. And some folks just aren't a fan of the look and feel of a pant that goes above their belly buttons.

Low-rise jeans are slowly making a comeback after what feels like a decade of being canceled, and celebrities are here for it. "I love a low-rise moment, and everyone is going to realize that low-rise jeans are superior in the near future," Rae once told InStyle. Rae recommends pairing a tank top with a low rise pair to show a some skin while celebrity stylist Karla Welch suggests pairing them with sneakers. As for the low-rise jeans themselves, Welch says "the baggier, the better."

If you can't decide between the two extremes, a mid-rise jean is a good compromise. You won't feel like you are drowning in a high-rise or baring it all in a low- rise. Plus, a mid-rise goes with just about any top.

Wash

It's smart to have jeans in different washes to go with different occasions and seasons. Dark wash jeans tend to look more sophisticated, so they can be easily dressed up for the office or for a date night. They also tend to be more slimming, so it's no surprise that black jeans are models' go-to for their off-duty uniform.

If you like to wear jeans in warmer weather, having a few light wash pairs is a must. They give off a casual, laid back vibe that's perfect for vacations and weekend plans. White jeans are the quintessential summer denim, but there are plenty of ways to style them all year long. And like the mid rise, a medium wash jean is the perfect in between shade that can be worn regardless of season and occasion.

Fabric Content

Not all denim is created equal, and when it comes to its make up, there seems to be two camps — those who want some stretch and those who want no stretch at all. If you prefer the look and feel of rigid denim, go for styles made from 100 percent cotton. Overtime, these jeans will stretch out to your body, achieving that customized fit you often find in thrifted jeans worn by previous owners.

If the thought of breaking in your jeans does not sound fun, go for blends that have a little bit of spandex or elastane. They will be comfy on the spot, and offer stretch and recovery throughout the day. Paige Adams-Geller, co-founder and creative director of Paige Denim, once told InStyle that jeans made from mixed materials are better at holding you in and retaining their shape.

Your Questions, Answered

How do I find the right fit while shopping online?

Finding jeans that fit right is hard enough in person — shopping online is a whole different feat. To make it easier, Welch says it's important to look at the inseam, rise, and model's measurements. The inseam tells you the length of the jeans from the base of the zipper to the leg opening. The rise is the distance from the waist band to the crotch seam. In other words, the inseam tells you where the jeans will hit your legs while the rise tells you how high they will go up your torso.

To conceptualize these numbers, many sites list the height of the model and the size they are wearing. Based on how the pants fall on the model, you can decide what size to choose and if you should consider a short or long version.

How do I take care of jeans to make them last?

Once you find the perfect pair of jeans, you want them to last forever, right? The secret to extending their life is not to wash them too often. In fact, Levi's recommends that you only wash denim every 10 wears at most.

When you do wash your jeans, follow these rules: "Wash jeans inside out, then hang them up to dry," says Adams-Geller. "If you don't like the crispy texture that results from air-drying, throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes on the tumble setting. It's not hot, so it won't blow out the Lycra and cause stretching." To prevent the color from fading, especially black jeans, always use cold water and the gentle cycle.

How do I dress jeans up or down?

These days, jeans are as acceptable in the boardroom as on the beach. For more casual outfits, Welch suggests going with distressed styles and pairing them with sneakers. To dress up a pair, switch to heels or sandals and add a belt.

The top you wear immediately changes the formality of an outfit. Nothing says casual more than a simple tee paired with jeans. For a night out, consider tucking in a bodysuit or corset with some jeans. Throwing on a blazer or leather jacket can instantly elevate the look too.