The best women's jeans of 2024, according to shopping editors

August 2024 · 18 minute read
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While trends tend to entertain the masses for a short while, jeans are here to stay — especially as the turn of a new decade has consistently proven it.

And, while there certainly isn’t a shortage of brands offering denim bottoms that’ll accentuate everything you want them to, selecting the perfect pair can be a challenging feat at times. To help you in the search, our shopping editors have rounded up the best jeans for women, including the pairs we own and swear by.

From Abercrombie to Levi’s to Lee and Good American, we’ve found the perfect fit for everybody. And, of course, there are lots of good finds on Amazon, too!

Our top picks, at a glance:

If you’re skeptical about blind buying the perfect pair for yourself online, we’ve got you covered. Skip down to our FAQ with Tanya Gold, member of Lee global design. She has all the 411 on the best styles of jeans for women, and what to look for when shopping.

Any way you slice ’em — from TikTok-famous mom jeans to the seamless high-waisted — the best places to buy jeans offer an array of cuts that’ll meet your preferred style, wash and budget. (Related: best men’s jeans).

Pros

Cons

Everybody knows the jeans from Lee, and this pair are sure to be a favorite if you like a classic look. They’re relaxed but not too relaxed, giving them a worn-in but tailored shape that works well with tees or a cami and blazer. Design-wise, there’s a lot to be impressed with. Made from a cotton-poly blend, the back pockets are higher on the bum, giving the area a lifted appearance. One happy reviewer said they were the “best jeans” she’s ever worn, while another said they were the only denim that fit her “perfectly, each and every time.”

Size options: 4-18

Best for Curvy Women: AE Dream Super High-Waisted Jegging

Pros

Cons

This pair of jeans are a favorite of one of our Commerce Writer’s at Decider and we can’t blame her. Between their four-way stretch and curve hugging design, they have an almost magical way of accentuating one’s attributes while distracting from areas we may want to visually minimize. Still not convinced? Here’s what Angela Tricarico had to say about them”

“As a short girl (5’1”) who also happens to be plus size, shopping for jeans is hard, and when I find something I like, I cling to it,” she says. “That’s what happened with American Eagle’s Super High-Waisted Jeggings, which I’ve been buying and wearing since at least 2019, maybe even longer. The short length is perfect for my height, hitting right at my ankle. They’re tight where they’re supposed to be and never loose in the calf the way I’ve found some can be when you start shopping plus size. Most importantly, they’re comfortable enough to spend all day in, from commuting, to working, to nights out.”

Size options: 000 short -20 long

Best Bootcut: Democracy Women’s Ab Solution Itty Bitty Boot

Pros:

Cons:

If you’re a fan of Wit & Wisdom denim, you need to check out its sister company Democracy. Its absolution line has strategically placed panels to give a more streamlined look, while the pockets are designed to make your rear look tighter and higher. This specific pair is a favorite of more than 4,000 shoppers on Amazon, one declaring them her “favorite jeans,” while another wrote that they “fit like a glove.” And because of how they’re made, they work regardless if you’re apple shaped, pear shaped or something in between.

Size options: 2-16

Pros

Cons

Fading and whisking combined with a heavier weight denim make these AGOLDE jeans a must for anyone who yearns for the 90s return. They look good with everything: heels, boots, dare we say even Birkenstocks? “Love all AGOLDE — the pinch waist style specifically is super flattering,” says Commerce Writer Miska Salemann. “And with an 18.5 inseam, they hit perfectly for anyone under 5’5. I’d say that these jeans are on the stiffer side (less stretch), which I really like but it’s not for everyone!”

Size options: 23-34

Pros:

Cons:

Regardless if you’re tall, petite or somewhere in the middle, you’re bound to find your perfect fit with these A&F jeans. They sit at the natural waist, have built-in stretch and come in 14 different washes. Unlike skinny jeans, they offer more room in the bum and thigh area, and the streamlined silhouette makes them polished enough for work. According to several happy Abercrombie customers, they fit true to size and as one reviewer put it, are the “perfect jeans.” Also, our former Senior Commerce Writer, Sophie Cannon, loves them.

“I personally loved the ultra high-rise fit, coming up over my belly button and slimming everything from the waist down, she said in her review of the denim. “The fabric is one of the stiffer ones, made from A&F Vintage Stretch Denim that I personally love, since my biggest pet peeve is when jeans are too flimsy and show every line and roll on my body.”

Size options: 23-37

Pros

Cons

Regardless of your height or size, there’s a good chance these A&F jeans will become a weekly staple. Hundreds of women love their fit, including Meaghan Roche, our Senior Commerce Manager.

“I own multiple washes of Abercrombie’s Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean because they are the perfect everyday jeans,” she says. “They’re made with quality vintage denim, plus have enough stretch to be comfortable without compromising or losing their shape. The straight style is flattering on most body types and they’re versatile enough wear with anything from sneakers to Uggs to heels.” She also recommends not to sleep on Abercrombie’s Curve Love collection.” Trust us, we won’t!

Size options: 24-37

Pros:

Cons:

We salute Good American for its body-inclusive sizing, as well as for its wide variety of denim. For ladies sizes 15 plus and up, we highly recommend the Good Legs Straight Light Compression Jeans. They’re made with mainly common, but also have an abundance of stretch (about 8%), so you can walk, sit and bend without having to adjust a thing. True to the brand’s signature design, they have a gap-proof waist, too, and can be dressed up with a heel or dressed down with a pair of Doc Martin dupes.

Size options: 00-32 plus

Pros

“My favorite jeans in the world, ever are the Yves Saint Laurent v-waist high rise jeans,” says Commerce Writer Kendall Cornish. “They’re immaculately designed, a worn-in kind of comfortable, and high enough quality for me to wear every day without them changing shape. They’re the ultimate investment.”

The size 27 has a 36 inseam, making this a great option for those who have extra long gams. The also feature a five button fly, and we love the way the V-waist cut emphasizes the smallest part of the waist. Personally, we’d pair with a bodysuit and high heel boots, but we could see these working for a variety of looks as well.

Size options: 24-29

Pros

Cons

Every woman needs at least one pair (two, if we’re being honest) of jeans that work for the office but easily transitions for play. Our pick is the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Women’s Jeans. They sit at the waist, have a tailored look but have just a smidge of wiggle room for comfort. We like wearing them with boots and a tucked in baggy sweater. However, they also work with a blouse or T-shirt and blazer. More than 5,000 happy customers on Amazon have them a five star rating.

Size options: 23-31

Pros:

Cons:

These jeans feel like something we pulled from our big sister’s closet! They fall at the natural waist, are slouchy like a pair of boyfriend jeans and have an authentically distressed look. We also love how the back pockets are designed to make your bum look a little perkier! Soft and durable, our Commerce Updates Editor Holly J Coley says she wears her several times per week.

“I’ve literally been obsessed with these jeans ever since I slipped them on. They’re relaxed without being too baggy, and don’t take a long time to break in. I find that a lot of the denim of today is sort of lightweight and flimsy feeling, but not these! They’re durable, still show my shape without being clingy and look really good with a cropped sweater. If I’m not at the office, there’s a good chance I’m wearing them.”

Size options: 8-16

Pros:

We love that wide legs are finally back in style, especially when they have contouring abilities. These Spanx jeans feature a hidden core technology that smooths the midsection and lifts the butt. They’re also soft, offer high-rise coverage and are in a pull-on style.

Size options: XS to 3X

Pros:

Cons:

If comfort is king of your closet, we highly recommend going with the jeans from NYDJ. They’re stretchy, stylish and offer lots of flexibility. The Marilyn Straight Jeans is one of our favorites. They’re designed to elongate the body, so you can even skip the heels if you want. Slimming panels and a criss-cross design enhance curves, while the buttery materials feels almost as good as sweats.

Sizing options: 00-18

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If you like anything with a vintage bohemian aesthetic, you’re probably already a fan of Free People. They make gorgeous clothing for the free spirit and these corduroy jeans are no exception. We love how subtle the flare is and the way they sit high on the waist. They don’t have any back pocks, which we’re not a fan of. However, we’re willing to overlook, especially since these jeans that work great for taller ladies come in nine colors, including scarlet and an icy grey called love stone. “I’ve always had a hard time finding flare jeans that are long enough for me,” says one happy reviewer who’s 5-feet 11 inches. “I finally found them! They actually touch the floor when I wear them.”

Size options: 24-33

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Is there a more class jean brand than Levi’s. We’re not sure, but our Updates Editor loves its 311 Shaping Skinny Jeans. “I know a lot of people are happy that skinny jeans are no longer trending like they were before, but I still think everyone needs a pair or two in their closet,” she says. “These have been one of my mine. I’ve worn them while cleaning, out with friends, on long walks — almost everywhere. I’ve had them for more than a year and they’ve still maintained their shape and haven’t frayed or anything. Personally, I wouldn’t call them ‘shaping’ since they’re not as flexible as some of the other pieces of denim I own. However, they definitely mold to the body.”

Size options: 24-34

Pros:

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If you came of age wearing Dickies and other brand’s of cargos, you may like these. We mean, what’s not to like? Exaggerated pockets with flaps, a relaxed fit — basically, a design made to be cool and chillaxed in. Made of 100% cotton and available in three different washes, you’ll have to break them in but who cares? Small price to pay for a soon-to-be favorite pair of denim.

Size options: 22-32

Pros:

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Some of the best jeans for women can be on the pricier side but not these! Coming in at under $30, the Women’s Curvy Totally Shaping Straight Jeans are a total bargain and worth having more than one pair of. Don’t believe us? Ask the 15,000 plus happy Amazon customers that gave a five star rating. Many praise the denim for being comfortable, not too light or heavy and offering ample stretch. They’re available in five classic colors, including two different shades of black. “I love these jeans,” one reviewer declared on Amazon. “The size range is great (always nice to be able to order longs) and they fit just right.”

Size options: 2-20

Pros:

Cons:

For lazy days when you’re not in the mood for something tight, go for a relaxed boyfriend jean. We like this pair Rag & Bone. Slightly slouchy, they offer the perfect amount of movement without going into baggy jeans territory. Wear with a tucked in tee and your favorite sneakers on your days off. For the office, go with a sweater or a blouse and blazer. “Love these jeans,” said one reviewer who purchased the jeans on Neiman Marcus. “Great relaxed fit, looks great with booties [or] stilettos. More than I usually spend on jeans but worth it!”

Size options: 24-34

Pros:

Cons:

Just because you’re pregs doesn’t mean you can’t stay stylish. According to one reviewer on Walmart, these maternity jeans are “very flattering, [affordable] and cute!”

Along with being comfortable, they feature a built-in belly band and lots of stretch in the legs. We’re not crazy about the distressed ankles — not always a great look for work. However, we’d be happy to rock these running errands or catching up with friends.

Sizing options: 0-22

Pros

Not feeling any of your LBDs? Grab a pair of black jeans instead. This pair from Madewell comes in petite, plus, standard, as well as tall. Their wide-legs makes them as comfortable as dress slacks, and they look good with chunky loafers, boots or some funky mules. Want to see them in another color? You can! Heathcote Wash and Caronia Wash to be exact, and both are available at Madewell.

Size options: 23-33

Pros:

Cons:

Our Social Media Senior Manager Julia Remillard loves the jeans from Universal Threads, because “they’re good quality but affordable,” and we agree with her! These skinny jeans aren’t as icy white as some may like, but they’re still attention grabbers! Made from a blend of cotton, recycled polyester and 4% spandex, they go with a variety of tops and look good with sneakers, heels or knee-high boots. “Love these,” said one happy Target customer. ” And they do not shrink when you wash or dry them. Stretchy and good for curves and tucks everything in as well.”

Sizing options: 00-17

Pros:

Cons:

We like all the flare jeans from Anthropologie. However, if we had to pick just one pair to spend our days in, we’d go with the Frame Le High Easy High-Rise Flare Jeans. The flares are a smidge wider than others and we like that vintage-inspired drama! Also, Frame makes some of the best designer jeans for women, so you know we have to add these to our cart. They have slight distressing in the front, are soft and look fantastic with a heel, wedge or even a block heeled boot.

Size options: 23-34

Pros:

Cons:

Levi’s is one of the most iconic denim brands around and you may feel iconic slipping into a pair of the 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans. The offer a sleek silhouette and come in 11 different styles. Regardless of what people say, we still like a skinny jean for the office, especially when paired with comfortable but chic work heels. They also make a dressier date night look in comparison to those of the relaxed variety.

Size options: 24 short -33 long

Pros:

Cons:

Whether you wore them in the ’70s or ’90s, flares are back again. We like this pair from Paige. A flared bottom with a high rise style is generally flattering and we love that these come in such a deep black color. If you want to lean into the vintage look, add platform heels and your favorite band T-shirt. Of course, these look good with almost anything, so don’t be scared to opt for a blazer instead or a slouchy sweater.

Size options: 23-34

Pros:

Cons:

If you love Spanx leggings and shapewear, you have to try their jeans. This flared pair, for example, has a hidden core shaping design to flatten the tummy, creating a more streamlined look. There’s also some lifting in the butt area and lots of stretch all around. This pull-on style is beyond easy to wear and looks amazing with a sweater, tee-shirt or a spaghetti strapped cami.

Size options: XS-3X

Pros:

Cons:

For days when you don’t have much going on but still want to look cute, slip on a pair of these. They don’t have lots of elastane, but they are slouchy enough to be flexible. Armed with a classic five pocket style and part of GAP’s water conserving Washwell program, they’re a terrific fit for lazy Sundays.

Size options: 24-35

FAQ

What type of jeans are best for women?

Straight jeans and bootcut are timeless styles,” says Gold.

“For a universal option, look for a classic or regular fitting jean in a mid rise with a straight leg or bootcut. These styles sit at the waist, hug the hips and then skim the thighs. Both leg openings also offer lots of options to pair with shoes from ballet flats to sneakers to boots. A slim straight is particularly flattering, especially if you are hesitant to ditch your skinny jeans for a fuller leg.”

If you’re looking for a good straight leg jean to add to your wardrobe, consider the Women’s Straight Leg Jeans ($44, $27.99). It has more than 1,000 reviews, is available in misses, petite, as well as tall, and sit at the natural waist, skimming the body to show its natural silhouette.

For those seeking bootcut jeans, go with Democracy Women’s Ab Solution Itty Bitty Boot ($50). They’re built with slimming panels to give a more streamlined look. They also have some stretch and come in an assortment of washes.

What should a person look for when shopping for jeans online?

Know your measurements — especially waist, hip and inseam,” Gold advises. “Most brands — like Lee — have size charts where you can compare your measurements to their sizing.

Look how the jean fits the model and what size she is wearing. Consider how you want the jean to fit and what makes you feel confident; more fitted [or] looser, and the amount of stretch and/or synthetic fibers in the fabric. Do you want a 100% cotton or something that has more stretch in it? Many brands will show the percentage of cotton and other materials in product descriptions. Also, read the product reviews online.”

How do I figure out my inseam?

“The inseam tells you the length of the jean,” Gold explains. “That’s helpful as it enables you to envision it on you. Does the jean stop above or at the ankle, at your arch of the foot or on the floor?”

Consider the footwear you’ll be wearing with a pair of jeans is another thing that Gold suggest. It will impact the inseam to go for.

“As a general rule, 29” inseam is considered ankle length jean on average height consumers,” explains Gold. “A tailor can help with all of your measurements. Or, find your favorite pair of jeans and use a tape measure to measure the inside seam from the crotch to the hem.”

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