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15 Best Skinny Jeans of 2024 for All Body Types

You won't want to retire these pairs any time soon.

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best skinny jeans for women of 2024

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Regardless of what Gen Z has to say, skinny jeans still have a spot in my closet. While I love a good wide-leg or flare, there's something about the snug fit of the best skinny jeans that continues to draw me in. The stretchy denim fabric of most pairs mold effortlessly to the body's contours, making styling options highly versatile whether you're dressing for a more casual or formal occasion. And contrary to reports of the cut being out of style: Skinny jeans were spotted on the runways of brands like Miu Miu at Paris Fashion week this fall.

No matter the style you reach for, though, I think denim shopping is akin to bathing suit shopping. It's so individualized, because there are so many different brands, fits, rises, washes and styles out there. To find the best skinny jeans for all body types, from short women to those that are tall and curvy, I worked with Good Housekeeping Institute Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine who has conducted denim testing on all types of styles. I also tapped other Good Housekeeping editors, as well as professional stylists and fashion influencers to find out which skinny jeans they wear and love. Below, the best skinny jeans you definitely won't want to retire any time soon.

1
Best Overall

Levi's 501 Skinny Jeans

On Sale
501 Skinny Jeans
Now 21% Off
Credit: Levi's

Levi's is one of the most storied denim brands out there, and this is arguably their most well-known and steadfast style. It won praise from multiple editors, as well as stylist Catherine Bibeau. The cut isn't your average skinny, but the slightlier roomier ankle jibes with what's most "in style" at the moment.

It also makes for a more comfortable, casual fit that's ideal for daily wear. "I love the chic look of the straight leg with an ankle-length hem, said Constantine. "Plus, they feel even better with each wear and wash, as they break in and start to mold to my natural shape."

Size range: 24–33 | Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Colors: 8

RELATED: The Best Jeans for Women

2
Best Value

Universal Thread Women's High-Rise Skinny Jeans

Women's High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Now 45% Off
Credit: Target

We've evaluated other styles from Universal Thread and found them to be both stylish and well made, especially considering the price point. This particular pair, which is available in two washes, also comes in extended sizing, including short, regular and long to help you get a better fit. And, if you like something so stretchy it almost feels like second skin, you'll love this pair, which is made of a blend of cotton, polyester and spandex.

Size range: 00–17 | Material: 54% cotton, 24% recycled polyester, 20% recycled cotton, 2% spandex | Colors: 2

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3
Best High Rise

LC Lauren Conrad High Rise 5-Pocket Skinny Jeans

High Rise 5-Pocket Skinny Jeans
Now 20% Off
Credit: Kohls

LC Lauren Conrad makes another great overall value, particularly if you're on the hunt for something that comes in extended sizes. While the brand doesn't offer options above size 18, they do have short, regular and long options.

GH editor Trish Clasen Marsanico is a big fan of the traditional five-pocket design. "I bought my first pair of these jeans five years ago and have never looked back," she said. "I love the fit and comfort of the high-waisted skinny jeans — they're just tight enough without making you feel too squished in or claustrophobic."

Size range: 0–18 | Material: Cotton, recycled polyester, rayon, Lycra| Colors: 3

4
Best That Keep Their Shape

Madewell 10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans

10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Now 38% Off
Credit: Madewell

Popular for offering petite, plus and tall sizing, Madewell makes some of our favorite jeans — including these skinnys. The high-rise jeans have some structure, thanks to the combo of cotton, polyester and elastane. Because of the elastane, the jeans should stretch to accommodate whatever comes your way but still feel secure.

We also like that the leg opening is a little wider — 10 inches as opposed to the more common 7 inches — so they're easier to get on and off.

Size range: 23–33 | Material: 85% cotton, 13% recycled polyester, 2% elastane | Colors: 2

RELATED: How to Wash Jeans the Right Way

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5
Best Tall

GAP Mid Rise True Skinny Jeans

Mid Rise True Skinny Jeans
Now 61% Off
Credit: GAP

We've said it before, but it bears repeating: GAP has established a near-perfect balance of affordability and quality, especially when it comes to denim. This pair comes in extended sizing, including petite, regular and tall. You can also select your inseam — short, regular or long — for a better fit all around.

Constantine said GAP's clothing tends to run a little large, so she typically sizes down, but we recommend you review the size chart before adding to cart.

Size range: 24–35 | Material: 81% cotton, 4% elasterrell, 2% elastane, 13% recycled cotton | Colors: 3

6
Best Plus Size

Good American Always Fit Good Waist Skinny Jeans

Always Fit Good Waist Skinny Jeans
Credit: Good American

The sizing on these skinny jeans is very unique — the brand says one jean size fits a range of four traditional sizes and that's how they are labeled (i.e. 00 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 to 18 plus, 20 to 24 plus and 28 to 32 plus). A contributing writer at GH shared how much she appreciated the forgiving nature of these pants. "My weight has fluctuated over the years, but I can always count on Good American to fit," adding that she recommends the brand to all of her curvy friends.

Size range: 00-4 – 28-32 plus | Material: 81.5% cotton, 5% recycled cotton, 4.5% elasterel-P, 5% recycled polyester, 4% elastane | Colors: 2

RELATED: Best Plus-Size Jeans

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7
Best Petite

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jean

High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jean
Credit: Abercrombie & Fitch

Editors and stylists both praise Abercrombie's jeans, but point to this top-selling style as the brand's best skinny. "I have always been a fan of Abercrombie & Fitch jeans, because they fit me really well and hold up well over time," said GH editor Lynzee Marmor. "Their "short' length is perfect for someone 5'0" like me — the high rise hits right at my waist for a snatched look."

Marmor appreciated the stretch in this pair too. "As someone with a thicker waist and smaller hips, the stretchiness of this denim is very flattering and comfortably accommodates your curvier bits while still allowing you to breathe and sit down."

Size range: 23–37 | Material: 93% cotton, 6% polyester, 1% elastane | Colors: 3

8
Best for Skinny Legs

Old Navy High-Waisted Rockstar Super-Skinny Jeans

High-Waisted Rockstar Super-Skinny Jeans
Now 36% Off
Credit: Old Navy

Old Navy offers another excellent value in their high-waisted Rockstar jeans. Like sister brand GAP, the brand makes these pants in extended sizes, including petite, regular and tall, in addition to three inseam options.

I've owned multiple pairs of these jeans over the years. I liked the regular wash so much that I got a distressed pair, plus purchased the maternity version when I was pregnant. Though very fitted, they offer ample stretch and women with skinny legs will appreciate the very fitted ankles.

Size range: 00–30 | Material: 80% cotton, 13% recycled polyester | Colors: 5

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9
Best Jegging

American Eagle AE Next Level Low-Rise Jegging

AE Next Level Low-Rise Jegging
Now 37% Off
Credit: American Eagle

Though they're so stretchy they could almost pass for leggings, wearers said these skinny jeans won't lose their shape or sag. "American Eagle jeans have always fit me really well and they last for years," said Marmor, who names this low-rise pair as a flattering option for shorter women — particularly anyone with a short torso. "Their 'short' length is perfect for someone 5'0" like me," she said. "The waistband hits at a flattering place on your hips and the fading on the thighs and creases over the front pockets hit where they're supposed to on my legs."

Size range: 000–20 | Material: 71% cotton, 26% recycled polyester, 3% elastane

RELATED: Best Petite Jeans for Women

10
Best Designer

Mother The Looker Ankle Fray

The Looker Ankle Fray
Now 30% Off
Credit: Mother

Bibeau pointed to Mother's skinny jeans as a designer pick that's worth the splurge. "These skinny jeans are great because of their durability, and you can never go wrong with a classic denim wash," she said. "I like the higher-waisted look, as it offers more coverage and support, which can be flattering and comfortable, especially during movement." We like the 10-inch leg opening too, which is on the higher side of average (most skinny jeans have leg openings between 7 and 10 inches).

Size range: 23–34 | Material: 95% cotton, 3% polyester, 2% polyurethane | Colors: 1

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11
Best Extended Sizing

Universal Standard Seine Mid Rise Skinny Jeans

Seine Mid Rise Skinny Jeans
Credit: Universal Standard

Testers said these snug skinny jeans are nearly as smooth and stretchy as their favorite leggings. And, despite the skin-tight cotton blend design, we love how size-inclusive this pick is. The style has 22 different sizing options, two different rises (mid and high) and two different inseams (27 and 32 inches).

The brand recommends going down a size for a better fit, but during evaluations, we found the sizing was inconsistent between colors. It's best to double check your measurements against the size chart.

Size range: 00–40 | Material: 73% cotton, 23% polyester, 4% elastane | Colors: 6

12
Best Organic

Everlane The Way-High Skinny Jean

The Way-High Skinny Jean
Credit: Everlane

Everlane is another brand that's performed very well in our jeans tests. The denim is durable and holds up to 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," said Constantine.

We found the denim structured enough to hold its shape, but appreciated the inclusion of stretch fibers that allows the fabric to move with you. We also like that the brand is committed to sustainability and uses regenerative and organic cottons when manufacturing its jeans.

Size range: 23–35 | Material: 55% organic cotton, 25% viscose, 18% recycled polyester, 2% elastane | Colors: 5

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13
Best Stretchy

Hudson Collin Mid-Rise Skinny Ankle Jean

Collin Mid-Rise Skinny Ankle Jean
Credit: Hudson

These Hudson jeans have a high percentage of stretch fiber — 7% as opposed to the more consistent 2%. This makes them ultra-stretchy and comfortable. They don't look like jeggings, though, thanks to design details and tailoring that add structure.

GH editors and analysts who have worn the brand's denim, said the high-waisted styles — like this one — don't dig in but rather move with you. Note that the 30-inch inseam may be a bit short on taller women.

Size range: 26–34 | Material: 93% cotton, 6% elastomultiester, 1% elastane | Colors: 11

14
Best Shaping

Spanx Ankle Skinny Jeans

Ankle Skinny Jeans
Credit: Spanx

You can leave your shapewear in your drawer because these skinny jeans are constructed with Spanx's signature shaping technology for a smoother look. They fit a little bit small and can be hard to pull on, but once you get them on, they really do fit like a glove. These were my go-to jeans in the postpartum period when I wanted to look put-together but still feel relatively comfortable.

There aren't any zippers, buttons or hip pockets to add bulk, but plenty of tailoring to ensure they still look like jeans. The black did fade a little bit more than I'd like over time, but overall I found this to be a solid pair of jeans, especially if you want to reap the benefits of shaping technology.

Size range: XS–3X | Material: 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% Lycra elastane | Colors: 2

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15
Best on Amazon

Levi's 711 Skinny Jeans

On Sale
711 Skinny Jeans
Now 41% Off
Credit: Levi's

We love Levi's so much that the brand pops up on our list twice. This skinny jean has a lot of structure and a little bit of stretch for that element of comfort. It has an ultra-slim cut that's designed to hug curves and smaller leg openings that are great for skinny legs. I have a pair of these, and I love the way they hug my hips and thighs, but they still have pockets that are actually functional. They're durable too — I've washed these jeans more times than I can count with minimal signs of wear.

Size range: 20-40 | Material: 60% cotton, 23% viscose, 16% polyester, 1% elastane| Colors: 30

What to look for when shopping for the best skinny jeans

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Material: Denim is generally made of cotton, but not all jeans are 100% cotton. Many skinny jeans are made with a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers like polyester, elastane or spandex for more stretch and flexibility and a more comfortable fit despite the snug-fitting cut.

Rise: Jeans typically come in a low, mid, or high rise. High-rise jeans generally fall at — or slightly above — the belly button. Mid-rise sits just below the belly button and low-rise should fall about 2 inches below the belly button. But keep in mind: Everyone's body is different so, despite the label, each brand and style may fit differently on your body.

Inseam: The inseam of jeans refers to the length from your crotch to the hem on the inside seam. Getting this right is key to nailing the look, especially if you're particularly tall or petite. To find out your ideal inseam, check out our guide on how to measure yourself.

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Brigitt Earley is a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience. She has extensive experience reviewing consumer products of all kinds, including clothing like denim. For this round-up, she thoroughly researched the market, worked with textiles experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute and polled professional stylists to compile this list of the best skinny jeans for women.

Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She has a background in apparel and was a fashion history lecturer prior to working at Good Housekeeping, making her one of the Institute's style experts. She has tested and written about all kinds of apparel, including all kinds of denim. To curate this list, Constantine used her categorical expertise, personal experience and recommendations from GH testers, editors and analysts.

Headshot of Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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best skinny jeans for women of 2024
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