Our Favorite Jean Brands for Every Size, Style and Budget

The original jean brand that was once loved by gold miners and is now a favorite of Beyoncé, Levi's has been around since the 1870s and is just as — if not more — popular today as it was then. With a wide range of sizes including plus and petite, standard inseam lengths between 28 and 34 and more than 100 different styles choose from, Levi's is a go-to denim destination.

Levi's most well-known pair is the 501, which is the brand's initial, steadfast style. They're a straight-leg jean with a mid-rise and a traditional button fly and are available in a slew of washes and finishes. You can opt for a more structured 100% cotton pair or a low-stretch pair with just a bit of elastane for flex and comfort.

I've been wearing Levi's for more than 15 years and personally love a rigid jean, so I sport the no-stretch fabrication. Even without the stretch fiber, I still find them to be comfortable, and I love the chic look of the straight leg with an ankle-length hem. Plus, they feel even better with each wear and wash, as they "break in" and start to mold to my natural shape.

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A quality pair of jeans doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and Old Navy gets it. All of the brand's denim is priced at $60 and under, and Old Navy is consistently offering steep sales, regularly bringing the prices down into the $20–$30 range. And Old Navy offers a wide assortment of sizes and inseam lengths, catering to petite, plus and tall shoppers.

I spent a good chunk of my college years working at Old Navy's flagship store helping customers find just the right pair of denim, so I know a thing or two about the brand's jeans. While the jeans aren't the highest-end styles on the market, the brand is quick to jump in on the latest trends, so they're stylish, and every pair of denim I've bought from the brand has lasted for years of regular use.

This particular pair is made with a blend of cotton and Tencel for a soft, lived-in feel and nice drape, but some of the brand's jeans incorporate a bit of spandex for added stretch. With an extra high rise, this style also emphasizes the waistline, and the width of the leg is universally flattering.

Madewell is synonymous with jeans, and many Madewell customers are loyal, shopping exclusively for their denim from the brand. That in itself says something about the quality and comfort of its jeans. The brand offers dozens of styles including its fan-favorite skinny Stovepipe jeans, straight legged styles and of course, plenty of current wide-leg options.

Most of the brand's jeans have a higher rise and are a standard inseam length that's slightly longer than average. Madewell jeans are primarily cotton but typically made with a small percentage of stretch fiber, which means they move with you and offer more flex than a 100% cotton pair. I and some other GH analysts and editors have found the added stretch to impact the fit and recommend sizing down for a more secure feel. The brand sometimes indicates if a pair runs snug or loose and offers its own size recommendations, so be sure to check out the size guide and use your measurements when shopping.

Madewell's straight jeans are some of the best out there. This pair has a classic look with just a bit of a tapered cut towards the ankle and is a favorite of GH editors, including one who said, "I have three pairs of this style in my closet currently." She added, "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."

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If you prefer looser-cut, slouchy denim, it's worth your time to check out Abercrombie's selection of jeans. Not only does the brand offer entire collections of baggy, loose and relaxed denim, even its traditional straight styles have more ease built into the thighs and legs for a comfier feel.

Designed to fit bodies of different shapes and sizes, the majority of the jeans are available in a whopping five inseam lengths (from extra short to extra long) and in Curve Love sizing, which offers some extra room built into the hips and thighs to prevent the dreaded gaping at the waist.

In our office, this pair of jeans has become the unofficial uniform — worn by everyone from our top editors to our analysts. They're the perfect way to ease into to the low-rise, baggy trend because they still sit a little higher on the hip than other low-rise styles, and the jeans aren't so loose that they drown your shape. Some GH staffers say the brand's jeans run a little large and recommend sizing down for a better fit.

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Chances are you've seen one of Gap's iconic denim commercials with catchy music and lots of dancing, and in all seriousness, that might be how you react when you try on a pair of Gap's jeans, too. The brand has achieved a near-perfect balance of affordability and quality with its denim, with most of its pairs priced under $100, and they're regularly on sale for even less.

Whether you want something timeless like a pair of straight jeans or are considering trying barrel jeans for the first time, Gap has such a wide selection of denim to meet every shopper's taste. The brand carries several different inseam lengths to accommodate a variety of body types, as well as petite and tall styles. I'm nearly six feet tall and have never had an issue finding jeans that are long enough when shopping at Gap, but they're also a favorite of our petite staffers at GH.

This pair is a classic straight style with a high rise (at 11 inches, it's not the highest rise), and it's made with a blend of natural, synthetic and stretch fibers for a very flexible, comfortable fit. I've found that most of Gap's clothing and bottoms run a little large, so I typically size down in everything from the brand for a better fit, but it's always best to review the size chart before you buy to make sure you're picking the best size for your specific measurements.

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Our best overall plus-size denim brand, Good American has prioritized size inclusivity since its launch. The brand, led by Khloé Kardashian, not only carries jeans designed to fit bodies ranging from size 00 to 32 but also uses plus-size models in its product images, so shoppers aren't left guessing what the jeans will look like on their own bodies.

Good American jeans are incredibly stretchy and comfortable, molding to your natural shape instead of feeling restrictive. The Good American denim I own is nearly as comfy as my lounge clothes, and I don't mind wearing them while sitting around the house, but they still look great dressed up for a night out or paired with a blouse for a day in the office.

A contributing writer at GH shared, "I’ve been wearing Good American jeans for about six years, from skinny jeans to relaxed fits — I've loved them all and recommend the brand to all of my curvy friends. My weight has fluctuated over the years, but I can always count on Good American to fit. I don’t have to think about it and I know they’ll look good." She added that this particular pair actually looks relaxed and loose on her, unlike some relaxed styles in plus sizes from other brands.

For some shoppers, including myself, there's no such thing as too high-waisted, and Everlane understands. While low-rise jeans may be all the rage, high-waisted styles look chic, feel secure and are perfect for when you want to tuck in your top. The brand's high-waisted styles are actually high, with rises over 12 inches, meaning on most bodies, they extend up to and even over the belly button.

Everlane's jeans hold up beautifully wear after wear and wash after wash. I've been wearing some of my favorite styles from the brand for six years, and they're just as comfy and beautiful today as they were when I first purchased them. The brand is committed to sustainability and uses regenerative and organic cottons when producing its jeans. The denim is structured but not overly stiff, and many of the styles incorporate some stretch fiber for comfort.

One of my favorite things about Everlane's denim is the variety of washes. The jeans, including this style, come in traditional colors that don't fade as much as other brands I've worn. The way-high jean has a slightly tapered cut and a shorter inseam length, so they hit right above my ankle, but I think the little peek of skin pairs perfectly with lower-cut shoes like kitten heels, flats and loafers. And because the waist is so high, the shorter inseam length actually doesn't create the appearance of shorter legs.

One of the more expensive denim brands in our selection, Agolde is a high-end brand with luxe, structured designs. With Agolde, what you see is what you get. The jeans are only available in one inseam length and have a more limited size range than other brands, so you unfortunately won't find denim catering to petite, plus or tall shoppers.

Most of the brand's jeans are made of 100% cotton without any stretch or give, giving them an elevated look. But if you're looking for something more lived-in and relaxed, the brand indicates which pairs incorporate stretch fiber in the style name. The stretch pairs also tend to use some Tencel lyocell, which offers nice drape and a smoother feel.

One GH analyst who wears Agolde denim says the brand's jeans have a "more formal vibe" than others she has worn. This pair effortlessly incorporates the wide-leg denim craze into a staple piece. The legs may be wide, but the denim is more rigid, the waist is high and the cuffs are upturned.

A pair of flare denim doesn't have to have the costume-y look of 1970s bellbottoms. Instead, it can be a little subtler and more demure like the ones carried by Hudson. Hudson offers a collection of flare denim, along with wide leg and bootcut styles, that all have a sophisticated look.

Hudson's jeans use a higher percentage of stretch fiber than other brands, so they're forgiving and comfortable, but the impeccable tailoring and design means they still look structured, not saggy. According to GH editors and analysts who have worn denim from the brand, the high-waisted styles don't dig in and move with you, thanks to the flexible material.

The Holly flare jeans are fitted throughout the hips and thighs and flare slightly below the knee, which is the perfect style for sporting over a pair of boots. They're on the longer side with an inseam of 34 inches, which is even longer than most brands' "tall" inseam length. This means they may not be the best option for petite shoppers, or you may want to consider having them hemmed. Some of Hudson's other styles are shorter in length, so be sure to check out the product details before buying to ensure they'll work for your shape.

Started as a brand with a sustainable mission, Reformation incorporates organic and recycled materials into many of its pieces, including its assortment of denim. The brand may be known for its cute dresses and tops, but the jeans are Reformation's hidden gem. They're just so cool.

While you can dress up or down any pair of jeans, Reformation's jeans are seriously stylish and look especially great when mixed with workwear for the office, like a blazer or button up blouse. Most of the brand's jeans, including this pair, have a longer inseam, so they're not ideal for shorter shoppers and may require a pair of heels or some tailoring to keep them from dragging on the floor.

I've personally found Reformation's clothing, including its bottoms and denim, to run tight compared to other brands. I always size up when I'm shopping at Reformation, and the brand recommends the same if you're looking for a more relaxed fit. This pair doesn't use stretch fibers, but the material is a blend of cotton and Tencel for a comfy feel.

A go-to denim brand that many GH analysts and editors including myself have been donning since middle school, American Eagle carries a wide variety of styles appealing to shoppers of all ages. There's nothing wrong with sticking to what you know when it comes to jean shopping.

There are so many styles to choose from, but one thing that AE does especially well is distressed denim. Whether you want something edgy that's riddled with holes like this featured pair or you're looking for something with just a few small tears, American Eagle has a variety of different ripped styles. I've had issues in the past with ripped denim really fraying and stretching out over time, but American Eagle's jeans have held up well for me, maintaining their shape and style.

When describing this pair, one GH tester shared that the jeans are "so comfortable," adding, "I've even worn these on a few flights!" A contributing writer said, "I found them to be flattering," but mentioned that she needed to have the jeans hemmed because they were too long for her petite frame.

Jeans are always swinging from one extreme to another, and with wide-leg styles trending, it only makes sense for different variations of the look to trickle into fashion: Exhibit A — the barrel jean. Designed with a straight inseam and curved leg, barrel jeans have a billowy, rounded style. They add fullness and volume in an unexpected way.

Free People is a go-to destination for loose, flowy styles, so it only makes sense that the brand has its own impressive selection of barrel jeans. This pair comes in a whopping 18 different washes and has a slouchy fit with a mid-rise waistline. You can also choose between short, regular and long inseams, but the availability is dependent on the wash.

A GH staffer who owns these jeans says she's always receiving compliments on them and is planning to stock up on more colors. The denim is made with a blend of cotton and lyocell for a light and soft feel and nice drape. Instead of looking stiff and structured, these jeans are very relaxed. Some online reviewers recommend sizing down because the jeans are so oversized in the hips.