The Best Women’s Jeans

Our testers had mixed opinions about most of the jeans we tried—this is reality, not the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. But the Levi’s Premium Wedgie Straight Fit Women’s Jeans were an across-the-board hit. They’re stylish, comfortable, and flattering on lots of different bodies. Plus, they’re refreshingly affordable.

They’re current but not trendy. Our panelists gave the Wedgie jeans the highest scores for style of all the jeans we tested. They have a high rise (10.875 inches on standard sizes), a close fit through the hip, and a bit more ease through the thigh. The leg tapers subtly to an ankle that’s slim but not tight.

You can dress up the Wedgie pair’s contemporary shape with a heel or dress it down with a sneaker. “These make you feel confident that you’re participating in the current jeans landscape, without chasing trends,” noted one tester. “They’d be equally stylish whether you’re 25 or 75.”

They fit a variety of shapes. The Wedgie pair’s closer-fitting waist and relaxed thigh work well on different bodies. A size 28, straighter-hipped tester appreciated that these jeans gave her more of an hourglass shape without skimping on comfort. Our curvy-hipped, size 32 panelist, who typically struggles with jeans gapping at the waist, awarded them a perfect score for fit, saying, “I wasn’t tugging to keep them in place.”

They’re booty-flattering. The Wedgie name is no accident: According to Levi’s, it designed these jeans to “lift and flatter your backside.” The close-fitting crotch seam does indeed give you a bit of a derriere-defining wedgie, and the back pockets are angled inward toward the waist. “It creates that perfect, upside-down heart look to your butt,” said one panelist.

They come in three inseams. You can choose a 26-, 28-, or 30-inch inseam, so lots of people can find their desired length; we think the Wedgie pair looks best hitting at the ankle. (The 26-inch and 30-inch options were deemed “perfect” by our 5-foot-2 and 6-foot-0 panelists, respectively.) But plus sizes come in the 26-inch inseam only, which is unfortunate; our 5-foot-10 tester tried a size 16W and said the length was “like something Oliver Twist might wear.”

The denim is sturdy, with a touch of stretch. The 99% cotton 1% elastane blend is structured, but it has enough give to fit comfortably on the first wear. “These move nicely walking or sitting, and don’t feel stiff or put up a fight,” said one panelist. (Note: The Wedgie pair also comes in several 100% cotton washes, which have no stretch.)

They’re a bargain. For around $100, the Wedgie jean over-delivers. The stitching is even, and the button fly—which is sturdier and easier to replace than a zipper—functions smoothly. One tester told us that she has owned a pair of Wedgie jeans for around six years: “If that isn’t a testament to their quality in the age of fast fashion, I don’t know what is!”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• In plus sizes, the Wedgie pair comes in limited wash options and only a 26-inch inseam.
• Button flies require dexterity.

Fit need-to-knows

• Testers with more defined waists found these jeans true-to-size; otherwise, consider sizing up.

Specs

• Material: 99% cotton 1% elastane; also available in 100% cotton
• Sizes: 23 to 34; plus sizes 14W to 26W
• Inseams: 26, 28, or 30 inches (standard sizes); 26 inches (plus sizes)
• Rise: 10.875 inches (standard sizes); 13 inches (plus sizes)

At around $250, AYR’s The LaLa is expensive—and yet, four out of five of our testers said they’d happily pay full price for this pair. Here’s why: These jeans are effortlessly chic and ultra-flattering, and they have a soft, lived-in feel. “The second I put them on, I knew these would be going into heavy rotation,” said one panelist.

The cut fits and flatters. These jeans made me feel, in a word, snatched. They scored the highest marks for fit from our testers, tied with the Levi’s Wedgie pair. The rise is high—10.75 inches on the “High Five” wash we tried—and they hug the hips and thighs, and then they finish with an easy, straight cut from knee to ankle. Intended to graze the top of the foot, The LaLa comes in two inseam lengths: short (28 inches) and regular (30 inches).

The waist of these jeans sits just above the belly button and dips into a subtle, visually cinching V. Spin around, and you’ll see that the yoke (the V-shaped section at the back) is cut unusually deep to enhance a curvier backside—or create the illusion of one.

They have a laid-back look. The LaLa pair lends a chic, relaxed vibe to any outfit. “This was the pair I took on the road with me for a two-week trip,” said one panelist. “They go with everything.” Still, another tester—also a fan—pointed out that these jeans read as more casual: “These are not paint-the-town-red jeans.”

Their fabric is luxe. Uniquely among our picks, this pair is made from a blend of 59% cotton, 40% Lyocell—a more sustainable rayon known for softness, strength, and breathability—and 1% elastane. (The fabric content can vary by wash.) All our panelists were struck by its quality and comfort. “It feels really high-end, broken-in, and soft,” remarked one tester. Another, who typically prefers rigid denim, told us: “I’m shocked by how much I like this fabric—the stretch works here.”

Compared with our other picks, The LaLa’s denim is lighter and drapier. “It has a super-appealing weight,” noted a tester. “Not too thick, not too thin.”

They’re exceptionally well made. The stitching is neat and closely spaced, the seams lie flat, and the bar tacks (dense zigzag stitches that reinforce high-stress areas) are the best we found on any pair. The YKK zipper locks securely, and peek-a-boo rivets (which reveal a subtle touch of denim) add to the vintage-style aesthetic.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• They’re expensive.
• The largest waist size is 34.

Fit need-to-knows

• These jeans run true-to-size; size up if you want a slouchier look, size down for a more tailored appearance.

Specs

• Material: 59% cotton 40% Lyocell 1% elastane; fabric composition may vary by wash
• Sizes: 23 to 34
• Inseams: 28 or 30 inches
• Rise: 10.75 inches; rise may vary by wash

Of all the ’90s-style jeans we tried, the Gap ’90s Straight Jeans—long, slim, and stick straight—felt most faithful to that era. Testers were pleasantly surprised by their well-engineered, body-conscious fit, especially considering their modest price. “I haven’t worn Gap jeans since the actual ’90s,” marveled one. “Now I will.”

They’re slim and curve-hugging. The high, 11-inch rise hits at the natural waist; the jeans stay snug around the butt and thighs and then go into an elongating, full-length straight leg. Their shape is similar to that of Levi’s 501s, but with a closer fit throughout. One curvier-hipped panelist, size 30, said that “these are some of the only jeans that didn’t give me significant waist gapping in the back.”

They come in three full-length inseams. The three lengths—short (29 inches), regular (30.5 inches), and long (32.5 inches)—are meant to fall past the ankle. The short was still too long on our 5-foot-2 tester. At 5-foot-6, I thought the regular was just right, and our 5-foot-10 tester also liked the regular, which hit around her ankle. Our 6-foot-0 panelist got the long version and said, “These are actually a little too long, which never happens!”

They’re made from a flexible denim blend. With a mix of 88% cotton, 11% polyester, and 1% elastane, the ’90s Straight Jeans are thin and flexible, with a slightly rough though not unpleasant texture. They feel snug when you first put them on, but they relax with wear. “After a few hours, they got more comfortable,” confirmed one tester. (Not to worry: They don’t get baggy or lose their shape.)

They’re a bargain. With a list price of about $80, the ’90s Straight Jeans are the least expensive of our picks—and they often go on sale for 30% to 40% off. Granted, they’re not as well-made as our other recommendations: Their fabric is thinner, their stitching isn’t as closely spaced, and they don’t have bar tacks reinforcing the hips. But in style and construction, they easily outshine other budget jeans and many pricier pairs, too.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The shortest inseam (29 inches) may still be too long for people who wear petite sizes.
• The largest waist size is 35.
• These jeans aren’t as high quality as our other picks.

Fit need-to-knows

• These jeans run true-to-size.

Specs

• Material: 88% cotton 11% polyester 1% elastane
• Sizes: 24 to 35
• Inseams: 29, 30.5, or 32.5 inches
• Rise: 11 inches

If you’re straight-leg curious but still love the figure-hugging stretch of skinny jeans, give the Paige Cindy pair a whirl. These jeans are snug and flattering on top but have a wider leg opening. Their premium denim is outrageously soft and comfy, and they come in a wide range of sizes as well as plus sizes. Yes, you can find many far less-expensive pairs out there—but in our experience, cheap stretch denim tends to be both unflattering and flimsy.

They’re skinny on the top, straight on the bottom. The Cindy pair clings to your curves through the 10.5-inch rise (on standard sizes), hip, and thigh, and then it relaxes past the knee into an (ideally) ankle-length straight leg. “I like the formfitting top with a wider ankle—I can wear them with a boxy top without looking sloppy,” remarked one tester.

The fabric is oh-so-comfy. Testers flipped for the Cindy pair’s 93% cotton 5% polyester 2% spandex blend. “These are the dreamiest! They have a brushed, almost velvety texture,” exclaimed one panelist. Another quipped: “Who even wears jeans at home, lounging on the sofa? Me, in these, apparently.”

The quality is on point. At around $220, these jeans are pricey. But good stretchy jeans are worth paying up for. The cheap, poorly made stretch denim on other pairs that we tested felt insubstantial (think jeggings) and quickly lost its shape, whereas the Cindy’s material had a pleasant weight and structure. Plus, these jeans are well constructed, with even stitching, a properly locking Talon zipper, and attractive detailing at the pockets. Concluded one tester: “These are some nice-ass jeans.” (Note, however, that stretchier jeans—even fancy ones—stretch out more than less stretchy jeans over time and even between washes.)

They fit beautifully on lots of bodies. Testers of varying sizes praised the Cindy pair’s fit; of course, much of that is owed to their stretchiness. “They’ll continue to fit well even if your weight fluctuates a bit,” noted one tester. Our petite, curvy tester (5-foot-3, size 32) said, “I didn’t feel like I was squeezing into these, or like there was much gapping.”

If you’re between sizes, we recommend ordering the smaller size, as a snugger fit in stretch denim is more butt-lifting.

They’re the most size-inclusive of our picks. The Cindy pair comes in lots of sizes, with plus sizes up to 26W (a rarity, especially among premium denim brands). These jeans are also available in four inseam lengths: 24, 26, 28, or 30 inches, although many washes are available only in the 28-inch length. Paige has maternity sizes, too.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• They’re expensive.
• In their style and cut, they feel less timeless than our other picks.
• Stretchier denim tends to stretch out and is sensitive to heat from the dryer.

Fit need-to-knows

• These jeans run slightly large. If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing down.

Specs

• Material: 93% cotton 5% polyester 2% spandex
• Sizes: waist sizes 23 to 34; plus sizes 16W to 26W; maternity
• Inseams: 24, 26, 28, or 30 inches
• Rise: 10.5 inches (standard sizes); 13.375 inches (plus sizes)

Jeans made of 100% cotton—without a hint of stretch—are the most authentic and long-lasting. Of all the rigid denim jeans we tested, the Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight pair was our panel’s undisputed favorite. It reads like a cool boyfriend jean that has been tailored with a cinched-in waist (think off-duty-model vibes). And though the fabric has a satisfying heft, these jeans feel broken-in from day one.

They’re cool. The 90’s Pinch Waist pair has a distinctive silhouette. The waist is nipped in and sits extra high: The 12.75-inch rise hit even our 6-foot-0 tester an inch or so above the belly button. And the wider cut of the leg looks cool and unforced. “They’re just slouchy enough,” raved a panelist.

Despite the roomier leg, this pair is cut narrow through the hips, which some curvier-hipped testers found constricting.

Even without any stretch, they feel good. Unlike our other picks, these jeans have no elastane. But whereas some rigid denim requires a lengthy break-in period, the 90’s Pinch Waist pair feels pleasantly worn-in immediately—and will further soften with wear.

Not everyone loved the stretch-free fabric. “The denim is on the heavier side, and stiff enough that I didn’t have full range of motion,” complained one tester. “It was tough to get a leg over my bike.”

They come in just one inseam length. With a 29.5 inch inseam, the 90’s Pinch Waist pair is intended to be a full-length style; it’s our only pick to offer just one inseam.

On my 5-foot-6 frame, these jeans grazed the top of my foot. For our 6-foot-0 tester, they landed just above the ankle. “The length works shockingly well,” she reported. “It looks intentional, and I can wear them year-round with different shoes.” If you’re petite, you might find them too long, though hemming is an option.

They’re made to last. The 90’s Pinch Waist jeans “feel expensive and durable,” said a panelist, with hems, seams, and bar tacks that are neat and sturdy. They have a button fly, which is longer-lasting than a zipper. Joked one tester: “These buttons are doing the work to hold me in.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• They’re pricey.
• The non-stretch denim can feel constricting, particularly on curvier hips, though it breaks in.
• They don’t come in plus sizes, and they have only one inseam option.
• Button flies require dexterity.

Fit need-to-knows

• These jeans run true-to-size; curvier testers found the fit around the hips snug.

Specs

• Material: 100% organic cotton
• Sizes: 23 to 34
• Inseam: 29.5 inches
• Rise: 12.75 inches

Since debuting in 1873, 501s have been synonymous with jeans. They’re so foundational, in fact, that some folks—including a number of our test panelists—may have taken them for granted. But the Levi’s Premium 501 Original Fit Women’s Jeans have endured for a reason: Comfy, classic, flattering, and affordable, the 501 jeans look just as cool today as they did on Marilyn Monroe in the ’60s and Cindy Crawford in the ’90s.

They’ll never go out of style. No matter the silhouette-du-jour, the 501s are always in. They have a navel-grazing, 10.75-inch rise (on standard sizes), with a close fit at the waist and a full-length straight leg that’s neither too loose nor too tight. “Compared to the [Levi’s] Wedgie, they’re longer and slimmer, making them feel more retro and less ‘now’—which equates to staying power,” commented one tester.

They’re built to flatter. The 501 jeans do various favors with their fit. Remarked our 5-foot-10, size 33 tester: “They’re snug at the hip and waist—and they look damn good.” The legs are visually elongating, while the rear construction lifts and enhances your tush with a deep yoke (the V-shaped back panel) and pockets that are placed high on the butt and angled inward.

They come in lots of sizes, though finding the right one can be tricky. These jeans come in standard sizes and plus sizes up to 24W. Notably, our testing panel was all over the place when it came to fit. Two curvier panelists, sizes 18W and 32, went down one size from their usual, while two others, both size 27, sized up to 28.

They’re long, with three inseam options. The 501 jeans are available with 28-, 30-, and 32-inch inseams. Our 5-foot-2 tester had to cuff the 30-inch version by about 5 inches (the shorter inseam was out of stock). On me, at 5-foot-6, the 30-inch jeans hit the top of my foot. Our 6-foot-0 tester described the 32-inch pair as “just about perfect.”

The denim feels comfortable and durable. These jeans are made from a sturdy blend of 99% cotton and 1% elastane. It’s the same fabric composition as in the Levi’s Wedgie pair, yet the 501s seem a little heavier and less stretchy. That “wouldn’t ordinarily be an equation for comfort,” said one panelist, “but these are comfy, even though I haven’t broken them in yet.” (They also come in several 100% cotton washes, which have no stretch and a slightly different fit and feel.)

They feel like a steal. The 501 jeans are well constructed, with thick thread, even stitching, and a durable button fly. Five of our six testers agreed that they would pay full price for the 501s. Said one panelist, “I’ve wasted a lot of money over the years on unflattering, overpriced jeans, when the answer has been right under my nose the whole time—for less than $100.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Even the shortest inseam (28 inches) is pretty long, and that version is often out of stock.
• Finding your just-right size can take some experimentation.
• Button flies require dexterity.
• The front pockets are long, adding bulk in front.

Fit need-to-knows

• In our tests, sizing feedback was inconsistent, but overall our curvier testers preferred to size down, while straighter-hipped testers sized up.

Specs

• Material: 99% cotton 1% elastane; also available in 100% cotton
• Sizes: 23 to 34; plus sizes 14W to 24W
• Inseams: 28, 30, 32 inches
• Rise: 10.75 inches (standard sizes); 13 inches (plus sizes)

While researching this guide, I consulted Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at The New York Times, and stylist and TV personality Stacy London for advice on choosing jeans that would stand the test of time and flatter different bodies. To learn more about denim, I spoke with Preeti Arya, PhD, an assistant professor of textile development and marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. I also surveyed 33 Wirecutter staffers about their jeans preferences.

There are more women’s jeans than we could ever possibly test. To narrow the field, and to allow for true comparisons, we focused on just one style: the straight-leg.

As the name implies, straight-leg jeans are cut straight from the knee down.

We further homed in on jeans with a mid- to high rise—9 inches or higher—and minimal or no distressing. The jeans also had to be mainstay, perennially available styles that came in at least one blue denim wash.

I selected 43 pairs to test myself (5-foot-6, size 27). The 10 most promising styles advanced to testing by a panel of six Wirecutter staffers ranging in height from 5-foot-2 to 6-foot-0 and in jeans sizes from 24 to 20W. The testers wore each pair for at least one full day, often many more. Not every panelist could test all pairs, due to size availability.

Throughout, we focused on the following attributes:

• Fit: We sought out jeans that would fit a range of bodies. All our picks are available in waist sizes from at least 24 to 34; three come in plus sizes. Most are offered in multiple inseams.
• Style and cut: Straight-leg jeans should feel both current and classic, and they should flatter a variety of shapes.
• Fabric: All the jeans in this guide are denim, a cotton twill with warps (lengthwise yarns) that are dyed indigo and wefts (horizontal yarns) that are undyed. Since some people love jeans with stretch while others hate it, we included both types. Regardless of the material’s content, the fabrics had to be appealing to touch and wear.
• Comfort: Our panelists rated the comfort of each pair, noting what it was like to wear the jeans seated and in action.
• Quality and construction: We looked for even stitching, sturdy bar tacks (the dense zigzag stitches that reinforce belt loops and other high-stress areas), and quality buttons, rivets, and zippers. We also considered how fabrics stood up to regular wear and laundering.
• Value: We tested jeans ranging from $25 to $300. More expensive pairs had to justify their price.

If you want an easier fit: The Madewell Perfect Vintage Straight Jean has a high (11.25-inch) rise and a fit that’s close in the waist and butt but more relaxed through the leg. We love that this style—a favorite of stylist Stacy London, one of our experts for this guide—comes in so many sizes (plus, curvy, curvy plus, petite, and tall.) The fabric, which consists of 99% cotton and 1% elastane, has a nice heft but can wear out quickly; I’ve owned several pairs, and all have developed holes in the knees and pockets in under a year. And after just a few washes, the material starts to pucker—a telltale sign that the elastane is quiet-quitting on you.

If you want a stretchy, inexpensive pair: The Gap High Rise Cheeky Straight Jeans are cute and comfortable, with 2% elastane stretch, and they’re even cheaper than the Gap ’90s Straight Jeans pair. They come in five inseam lengths, from 25.5 to 32 inches. We didn’t find them terribly “cheeky”—they lack the butt-lifting magic of Levi’s Wedgie, Levi’s 501, and AYR’s The LaLa—and they tend to lose their shape and get a little baggy in the seat by day’s end. But the material feels substantial, and we liked the button fly and the high, 11-inch rise.

If you want premium stretch jeans with a mid-rise: AYR’s The Pop is similar to the Paige Cindy pair, with a body-hugging fit up top and through the thigh plus a straight leg. The Pop’s 9.875-inch rise is about an inch shorter than that of the Cindy pair, though, and it’s available in 25-, 27-, and 29-inch inseams (but alas, no plus sizes—it tops out at size 34). The bar tacks are sturdy, the finishes are excellent, and the denim is resiliently stretchy and substantial—we just preferred the decadent softness of the Cindy pair’s fabric.

Under $100

As promised, the TikTok-famous Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean made my tush look great. (It also comes in a “Curve Love” fit.) But these jeans were pouchy and unflattering in front, and the wash looked cheap.

The Good American Good Legs Straight Jeans and the Jen 7 High Rise Slim Straight Jeans were ultra-stretchy and thin—more like lightweight jeggings than jeans.

Oddly, the H&M Straight Regular Jeans had excess fabric at the inner thigh.

Though cute, the baggy ankle-length Levi’s Premium Ribcage Straight Ankle Women’s Jeans aren’t as classic as Levi’s 501s or as versatile as the Wedgie pair.

The 8.75-inch rise on the Lucky Brand Mid Rise Sweet Straight jeans felt too early-aughts for our taste.

The Old Navy High-Waisted OG Straight Jeans are typically priced around $50 and come in sizes from US 00 to 30. But the long, low back pockets were unflattering, and the flimsy zipper jammed.

Our panelists despised the Uniqlo Stretch Slim Straight Jeans, which felt like a weirdly baggy skinny jean. This pair also ran very large.

The Warp + Weft Ase High Rise Straight pair fit nicely, but the fabric felt thin and flimsy.

$100 to $200

The cut of the Agolde 90’s Mid Rise Straight pair is comfy and relaxed—it’s just not as elongating and waist-cinching as the Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist design.

The Cos Symmetry Jeans ran notably small, and the zipper wouldn’t stay up.

The relaxed-fit Ética Tyler Vintage Straight jeans felt cheap, with thin denim and a jangly button.

Everlane’s The Way-High Jean offers great quality and also comes in a Curvy Way-High version. Alas, the loose fit in the seat and thigh made my butt look long and featureless.

The dirty-looking fade of the Lucky Brand High Rise Zoe Straight jeans was unappealing.

The Madewell Stovepipe Jeans were so stretchy that they were bagging out in the seat after just a few hours.

With uneven stitching and a zipper that didn’t lock properly, the Mott & Bow Slim Boyfriend Ridge Jeans felt cheap and flimsy.

The Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight jeans lifted and flattered my tush. But the stretch style didn’t have good elastic recovery, and the button fly on the rigid version was hard to use.

The top button on the Sézane Brut Sexy jeans popped off during testing.

The Universal Standard Etta High Rise Straight Leg Jeans pair goes up to sizes US 40 (7X) and runs extremely large. It had a sticky zipper and loose threads; testers also disliked the “frumpy” cut and dark blue denim wash.

$200 to $300

The lightweight AG Saige High-Rise Straight Leg Denim pair didn’t feel premium enough, and the button was difficult to use.

Though the well-constructed Citizens of Humanity Charlotte High Rise Straight jean was a personal favorite of mine, the other panelists weren’t fans. Most testers complained that the zero-stretch style felt too tight in the thigh or gapped at the waist.

The DL1961 Patti Straight High Rise Vintage jeans look similar to AYR’s The LaLa pair, but the material is thinner and not as soft.

The Mother High Waisted Hiker Hover pair was pouchy in the front, and we found that it wasn’t high-quality enough for the price. Meanwhile, the Mother Mid Rise Dazzler Ankle—a stretchy pair cut similarly to the Paige Cindy—failed to dazzle, with its glitchy zipper, itchy tag, and insubstantial fabric.

The saggy, booty-flattening backsides of the Paige Stella Straight and the Rag & Bone Harlow Full Length Straight both served up dreaded cases of pancake butt.

The Re/Done High Rise Loose pair has a cool, relaxed fit and a longer, 32-inch inseam. But the hips were overly balloony, and the button fly was tricky.

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.