The Best Jeans for Women of 2024, According to Style Experts
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I love wearing jeans, but I hate shopping for them. You never know exactly how each pair is going to fit until you try them on. It can be frustrating to be one size with one brand and an entirely different size with another. Generally, jeans have two important sizing factors to note: waist and inseam.
Most jeans are sold based on waist size and the inseam, while some jeans offer multiple inseam options. It can be helpful to know both your waist and inseam measurements to get an idea of your sizing. Fit does vary by brand, so we still recommend trying on a variety of sizes and styles from different brands to find your perfect pair.
With so many different brands, fits, rises, washes and styles, I set out to find the best jeans on the market. As a fiber scientist in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I have tested all types of jeans, including designer pairs and affordable buys. I partnered with other Good Housekeeping editors to find the best styles for not only my body type (I'm usually a size 29, inseam 34 in jeans!), but jeans for women of all shapes and sizes.
Levi's Ribcage Wide Leg Women's Jeans
Wide leg jeans are in and this is the ultimate pair. Levi's has been making best-selling jeans since 1873. With vintage pairs going for more than new styles, Levi's jeans have stood the test of time. Multiple editors recommended this brand's jeans because of their long-lasting materials and flattering silhouettes. This ultra-high rise pair has a wide-leg fit that's not baggy for a chic look that'll take you from the office to drinks.
Materials: 100% cotton (some colors have different fiber content) | Sizes: 23–34 | Inseams: 30", 32" and 34" | Colors: 9
RELATED: The Best Wide Leg Jeans
TESTER NOTES: "These jeans are my go-to pair. I’m tall with a long torso, so the ribcage waistline is the perfect high-waisted style for me. While most higher rise jeans have a button fly, these have a zipper, which makes taking them off and putting them on so much easier. They run a little large, so my pair doesn’t sit right at my waistline — I would consider sizing down for a snug, secure fit. I wear these jeans with everything from a white tee to a sequined blouse and love how they flare over a pair of platform heels or boots." — Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping Institute home and apparel reviews analyst
Target Universal Thread Women's Mid-rise 90's Baggy Jeans
These jeans prove that cotton denim doesn't need to break the bank. At under $40, these Target jeans are an excellent value. They're made with 100% cotton for a sturdy, structured look. Target's Universal Thread denim line offers a variety of different cuts, including straight, skinny and flare. Because they have no added elastane, they lack stretch compared to other featured styles.
Materials: 100% cotton | Sizes: 00–30 | Inseams: Short, Regular and Tall | Colors: 4
TESTER NOTES: " I always struggle to find a pair of jeans that hugs my curves right without being too tight, too loose or just has a weird look. I love styling these gray high-rise jeans with a T-shirt for an edgy and chic look! They are so comfortable and versatile!" — Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping Institute contributing dietitian
Madewell jeans were recommended by nearly every editor I spoke with. They're popular for offering petite, plus and tall sizing for the majority of their jeans. These straight-leg jeans are perfectly versatile: Dress them up for work or style them down for casual wear. I'm also a big fan of the brand's Flea Market Jeans for a 70s-style look that makes my legs look long.
Materials: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23–33 and plus sizes 14W–28W | Inseams: Petite, Regular and Tall | Colors: 3
TESTER NOTES: "I have three pairs of this style in my closet currently. I am obsessed with this straight leg that doesn’t hug your thighs but isn’t completely baggy either. I find the style is very versatile for dressing up at the office or for rolling up the cuffs if you want a more casual look. While it’s pretty high-waisted (as are most Madewell jeans even if they say they are mid-rise in my opinion), I find them very comfortable. They can get a little stiff after you wash them, but as you wear the jeans, they loosen up." — Elizabeth Berry, Good Housekeeping Institute updates editor
It's true, my coworker below, Jac, did influence me to get a pair of these jeans and I am sure glad I did. I opted for tall sizing and found this to be one of the few low-rise jeans to actually fit low-rise on me. The loose fit is incredibly flattering with both snug T-shirts or oversized tops. This pair is available with five different inseam lengths, so whether you're below 5 feet or over 6 feet, these jeans are designed to fit.
Materials: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23–37 | Inseams: Extra Short, Short, Regular, Tall and Extra Tall | Colors: 28
TESTER NOTES: "Low-rise and baggy, these jeans have become a mainstay in my wardrobe. They are easy to style with white tees, ballet flats, sneakers — you name it. I've even influenced at least three of my co-workers to buy a pair. I find them incredibly comfortable too, because they sit on my hips perfectly. It's worth noting (and this is the case for all of Abercrombie's bottoms for me) that I had to size down one full size and opt for the short even though I'm 5'4. Once I found the right size, they fit great!" — Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping Institute commerce editor
Gap jeans consistently perform well in our tests and we love their affordable price point. This pair of low-stretch jeans has just a bit of added elastane for a more comfortable fit that's still structured. The ultra high-rise fit hits above the belly button to highlight the waistline and offer more coverage. This popular pair has nearly 900 online reviews with many reviewers who said this is their go-to pair.
Materials: 94% cotton, 5% recycled cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 24–35 | Inseams: Short, Regular and Tall | Colors: 11
TESTER NOTES: "These wide-leg jeans are extremely comfortable. I always wear these jeans with a fitted T-shirt or crop top because the waistband is high and that outfit combination creates an hourglass silhouette. I will say that the waistband loosened over time and I need to wear these jeans with a belt now, so you're better off sizing down (especially if you're between sizes)." — Isabella Cavallo, Good Housekeeping Institute assistant commerce editor
AE Dreamy Drape Stretch Super High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Jean
Multiple editors told us that they reach for this American Eagle style over their other denim because it's the most comfortable jean in their wardrobes. Since this pair is made with lyocell, polyester and elastane, they have a silkier, stretchier texture compared to 100% cotton denim. It also makes them lighter weight.
Materials: 59% cotton, 20% recycled cotton, 18% lyocell, 2% polyester, 1% elastane | Sizes: 000–20 | Inseams: Short, Regular and Tall | Colors: 6
TESTER NOTES: "They looked so big and so wide when I picked them up…I was nervous. But I put them on, buttoned them and was so pleasantly surprised! Despite needing to have them hemmed (I'm only 5'2"), for once, I found them to be flattering! And I even liked the stripe down the side. I think it made my legs look longer! I decided to post them on Instagram to get feedback from my followers (which I do when I'm questioning my fashion choices), and so many people commented on how much they liked them. I was sold!" — Amy Schlinger, contributing fitness writer
Universal Standard Seine Mid Rise Skinny Jeans
Swap your leggings for a pair of snug skinny jeans. This style from Universal Standard is size-inclusive with 22 different sizing options. It's made with a cotton blend for excellent stretch, so it's comfortable whether you're standing up or sitting down. It's available in mid- or high-rise and the brand recommends going down a size for a better fit.
When the Textiles Lab tested this style for our round-up of the best petite jeans, we found that the sizing was inconsistent between colors.
Materials: 73% cotton, 23% polyester, 4% elastane | Sizes: 00–40 with mid and high rise | Inseams: 27" and 32" | Colors: 5
RELATED: The Best Skinny Jeans
TESTER NOTES: While wide-leg jeans may be all the rage these days, a good pair of skinny jeans is still a wardrobe staple. These Universal Standard jeans are the only skinny jeans left in my closet because of their comfortable feel and flattering fit. They are super stretchy and move with me. I do wish they had longer inseams as these are almost too short on me.
Free People We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
Embrace a unique, trendy look with these popular barrel jeans from Free People. They have a mid-rise fit and wide legs that taper at the ankle for a cut that's relaxed yet surprisingly flattering. The cotton-and-lyocell blend fabric gives this pair a smoother feel, but they don't have any elastane, so they're still structured. The brand recommends ordering your regular size for a traditional fit or to size up for a baggier look.
Materials: 57% cotton, 43% lyocell | Sizes: 24–33 | Inseams: Short Regular and Tall | Colors: 16
TESTER NOTES: "I saw a photo of a woman wearing what I later learned were called 'barrel-leg' jeans and knew instantly that they'd be almost universally flattering. They are baggy but they also do this thing where they are rounded on the outer thigh down to your ankle so they kind of make you slightly bow legged, which has a really cool effect. I am tall so they end a few inches above my ankle, and big chunky shoes look good, as do flats. I wear them constantly and am debating buying other colors. I always get so many compliments." — Stephanie Dolgoff, Good Housekeeping health newsroom director
For ultimate coverage, opt for high-rise jeans like this pair from Everlane with an over 12-inch high-rise fit. The material is stretchy enough to not feel constricting. The snug waistband accentuates your waist, but the brand recommends sizing up if you prefer a looser fit. We appreciate that this pick uses organic cotton for a more sustainable buy.
Materials: 98% regenerative cotton, 2% elastane | Sizes: 23–35 | Inseams: 25.5", 27.5" and 29.5" | Colors: 8
TESTER NOTES: "They’re a classic style that I know isn’t a passing trend — a wardrobe staple! The blue is the perfect French-girl shade and looks great dressed up or down. I love to pair them with a classic button-up, a tee or an oversized sweater, and they look amazing with both flats and a chunky sneaker. The jeans have held up to years and years of regular wear and washing without any holes, major stains or noticeable shrinkage. The 29.5” inseam is still a little short on me as someone who’s 6 feet tall, but the ankle crop is chic." — Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping Institute home and apparel reviews analyst
Trendsetters love Aritzia's elevated take on wardrobe staples. The relaxed wide-leg fit of these jeans is on-trend while also sporting a classic look. This pair has a zipper fly and traditional denim five-pocket detailing. The cotton is grown and harvested using regenerative agriculture methods for a more sustainable textile. Denim Forum offers lots of cutting edge denim pieces like a maxi skirt and cargo pants.
Materials: 82% cotton, 18% lyocell | Sizes: 23–32 | Inseam: 32" | Colors: 3
TESTER NOTES: "I am someone that doesn’t really have a lot of shape and these jeans give me shape in a flattering way. I like that they have no rips in them and deep pockets in the front. I love wearing them with kitten heels to work or even going out. They are SO comfortable and run true to size." — Alexandra Kahn, Good Housekeeping Institute editorial intern
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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