In a world where fashion trends come and go at a lightening speed, there is one article of clothing that stands the test of time: denim. The most indispensable piece one can have in their closet, jeans are timeless, can be dressed up or down in a gazillion different ways, and not to mention, with the right pair, can make your frame look like a million bucks. They are without a doubt the secret weapon of any women’s wardrobe.
But knowing which brand to shop is equally as important as finding the perfect fit for your body. There are great jeans, and then there are exceptional jeans—and if you ask our editors, the brands listed below make can make a world of difference. Whether you’re looking for a wide-leg style, prefer stretch jeans over rigid, or you’re feeling brave enough to take the more divisive denim trends as of late for a spin (we’re looking at you barrel leg jeans), here are the best jean brands for every preference and style.
Mother Denim
Loved by celebrities, royals, and several T&C staffers—including digital director Caroline Hallemann and senior news editor Emily Burack—the Los Angeles-based brand offers a wide array of silhouettes in several washes, colors, and rigidity levels. “I’ve never found jeans that fit me better than Mother Denim,” says Burack. “I own multiple styles from the brand—including my beloved Hustler Roller Sneak jeans, a pair that convinced me that wide leg jeans are a trend that’s here to stay.”
Mother Denim The Hustler Roller Sneak
Mother Denim The Tomcat Ankle
Mother Denim The Full Pipe Flood Jeans
Mother Denim The Hustler Ankle Jeans
Citizens of Humanity
Ask any fashion editor about some of their go-to denim brands, they’ll probably mention Citizens of Humanity high up on the list. Every single pair follows a rigorous 50-step design process and goes through 40 artisans before being hand-inspected, so you can rest assured you’re buying damn-good jeans.
“I don’t think I ever fully loved a denim brand before becoming a Citizens of Humanity convert,” says fashion & luxury commerce editor Jaimie Potters. “When it comes to brands offering flattering silhouettes and timeless washes, they consistently just get everything right. I especially love their barrel-leg offerings, with the Miro jeans being my all-time favorite style and their dramatic horseshoes being a close second.”
Citizens of Humanity Ayla Baggy
Citizens of Humanity Annina High Rise Wide Leg 30″
Citizens of Humanity Miro High Waist Barrel Jeans
Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Jeans
B Sides
For that vintage-y vibe we all look for in jeans, B Sides is your best bet. Founded by longtime friends and fashion industry veterans Claire Lampert and Stacy Daily, the denim brand is best known for its cool yet timeless silhouettes sourced from family-owned mills in Georgia and North Carolina. T&C digital lifestyle director Roxanne Adamiyatt has long been B Sides devotee and describes the styles as “really unique.” She also notes the “denim holds up really well over time” and doesn’t fade after washing.
B Sides Lasso High-Rise Barrel-Leg Jeans
B Sides Elissa High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
B Sides Plein Relaxed Straight Jean Tile White
B Sides Marcel Mid-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Rùadh
If you follow fashion influencers on social media, odds are you’ve seen one or two of them recently wearing a pair from this denim newcomer. Scotland born Jac Cameron is the creative brains behind this New York-based IYKYK brand, which drops its jeans in small batches and thoughtfully creates every design with sustainability in mind. Shoppers can snap up a pair of their own on Moda Operandi, where Rùadh recently launched its spring and fall collections.
Rùadh The Kerr Stretch Ultra-High Straight-Leg Jeans
Rùadh The Quinn Rigid High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Rùadh The Archer Rigid High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Rùadh The Rhone Rigid High-Rise Curved Jeans $520
Still Here
Since its inception in 2018, New York-based Still Here has been specializing in buy-now-wear-forever denim meant to be ripped faded, patched, and handed down. I’m a big fan of the brand and love how it brings vintage-inspired jeans into the 21st century with experimental flair (think: cut-out details and draw-string waist). The Cowgirl, featuring a cool bow-leg effect and diamond cut-out details, is my latest obsession: the material has the ideal level of rigidity, the fit is flattering, and I just love how the cut-out details add visual interest.
Still Here Childhood
Now 54% Off
DL1961
“DL1961 has steadily become one of my favorite denim brands—Anne Hathaway being a fan may have something to do with it,” says fashion & luxury commerce editor Sarah Maberry. “They focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing while still tapping into current trends, and the quality and fit never disappoints. Might I add that they make great basic tees to go with.” Shop some of our favorites below.
DL1961 Halle Straight Leg High Rise Instasculpt Jeans
DL1961 Hepburn Wide Leg High Rise 32″ Jeans
DL1961 Patti High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
DL1961 Taylor Barrel Ultra High Rise 31″ Jeans
Rag & Bone
For those who prefer their jeans stretchy over rigid, rag & bone makes some of the most comfortable pairs around. Their Miramar denim sweatpants, one of the brand’s best-sellers, are so realistic-looking no one will ever bat an eyelid. I always get compliments when I wear them out—and just imagine the look on peoples’ faces when I tell them I am actually wearing sweatpants. Other fan-favorites include the Featherweight, which is oh-so-soft and lightweight, and Flexi, which offers next-level waist accentuation.
rag & bone Miramar Terry Wide-Leg Pant
rag & bone Epic Hadley Wide-Leg Jean
rag & bone Flexi Harlow Straight Jean
rag & bone Featherweight Wide-Leg Sofie Jean
Frame
There isn’t a Frame pair our editors have tried and haven’t loved. All the jeans are crafted of high-quality cotton, come in every style and silhouette imaginable, and made to last the test of time. Whether you’re looking for an on-trend barrel leg or cuffed pair, a classic straight leg pair, or haven’t been able to give up skinny jeans yet (no judgement here), you can bet your bottom dollar the Los Angeles-based label has the perfect fit for you.
Frame Le Slim Palazzo Long
Frame The Ruler High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Frame Le High Waist Flare Jeans
Now 62% Off
Agolde
Retro-inspired, rigid jeans with a modern twist is what Agolde excels at most. Some icons include the non-stretch Pinch Waist jeans seen below, which feature a flattering high-rise waist and straight leg inseam, and the Criss Cross boyfriend jeans, which have garnered a cult following for their asymmetrical button fly closure.
Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight
Agolde Fran Low Slung Loose Straight Leg Jeans
Agolde Luna Piece High Waist Raw Hem Barrel Jeans
Celine
Kendrick Lamar may have put Celine’s bootcut jeans back on the map during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, but the designer’s denim has long been a fan-favorite for fashion lovers. Every pair is made in Japan—where denim has had a reputation for being the best in the world—with the finest materials and dyes. You can’t go wrong with our top picks below, but I’m particularly partial to the Kitty, a high-waist, straight leg pair enhanced by triumph hardware along the waistband.
Celine Dylan Flared Jeans
Sophie Dweck is the Associate Shopping Editor for Town & Country, where she covers all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle, shares her expertise on the most worthwhile luxury products, tests and writes in-depth reviews on the very best essentials worth investing in, as well breaking news about the latest launches, and of course, reports on the biggest sales and deals to shop no matter the day. Some of her favorite items to date are Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial cardigan, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, and ZIIP’s microcurrent device. When Sophie isn’t testing state-of-the art beauty tech or breaking down TikTok aesthetics, she loves indulging in BonBon sweets (Sorbisars, for the win!) and finding the next trend before it goes viral.
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