Denim styles are constantly evolving, but the best jeans for women have some features in common: They fit real women’s bodies extremely well, are comfortable to wear for hours and easily mix and match with other items in your wardrobe, whether for day or night. After extensive research, Levi’s is our top pick overall, as this iconic brand offers over 170 different styles and uses high-quality fabric that maintains its shape over time. Everlane, Madewell and AG Jeans are other popular brands that we highly recommend.
We researched the best women’s jeans for different body types, fashion looks and budgets.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
According to personal stylist Meg Gallagher, there’s no shortage of great styles to experiment with. “The last few years were dominated by the skinny jean,” she says. “But now styles have moved to straight legs, wide legs, flares and more.” To narrow down our list of winners, we spoke to fashion stylists from coast to coast to get their insight into which jeans they highly recommend, having worked with hundreds of clients with different body types. We also evaluated each brand’s range of styles, fits and washes, since everyone’s preferences differ slightly. Ahead, the best jeans for women that blend style and comfort.
Waist sizes: 23 to 34 | Inseam length: 26 to 30 inches | Material: 99% cotton, 1% Lycra
Levi’s knows a thing or two about denim—they invented the original blue jean in 1873, after all. The classic all-American brand offers more than 170 styles of jeans, from the straight-leg 501s to the high-rise Wedgies. Levi’s also emphasizes size inclusivity and ethically made garments, which makes this brand our top pick for reasonably priced, great-fitting denim.
Waist sizes: 23 to 35 | Inseam length: 25.5 to 29.5 inches | Material: 98% organic cotton, 2% elastane
Everlane’s mission of Radical Transparency—creating high-quality, ethically made clothing while being honest about production costs—is key to all of their designs and their jeans have a long track record of being highly-rated, comfortable and flattering on many body types. You can shop by styles like skinny, wide, and curvy, and their fair prices (no jeans cost more than $148) and organic materials make Everlane a solid affordable pick.
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Waist sizes: 23 to 33 | Inseam length: 27 to 33 inches | Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane
Madewell is known for its high-quality denim, perfectly worn-in washes and great fits: The jeans are stretch-proof so you never have to deal with saggy waistbands again. Their selection of high-waisted styles is especially extensive—the highest rise goes up to 11.5 inches, which keeps you comfily tucked in. There’s also a six-question fit quiz that can point you in the right direction if you need extra styling support.
NYDJ specializes in smoothing, flattering denim styles. All of their jeans feature patented “Lift Tuck” designs, which supports and controls the midsection with a built-in criss-cross panel. The Marilyn is one of their bestselling jeans—it comes in petite to plus sizes and has a 9.75 mid rise that’s comfortable (not constricting) for all-day wear.
Waist sizes: 0 to 26 | Inseam length: 32 to 37 inches | Material: 93% cotton, 5% polypropylene, 2% Lycra
Spanx’s line of jeans incorporates the brand’s signature core-shaping technology with premium stretch denim for figure-flattering comfort. Just one of the five cuts available, the bestselling 1970s-inspired Flare Jeans provide high-rise coverage and are fitted through the hip and thigh to accentuate your natural curves. You can choose from four different colorways and a petite, regular or tall inseam. Keep in mind these jeans run long, so if you plan to wear them with flats or heels under 4 inches, you may want to consider one of the shorter inseam options.
This bestselling mid-rise, straight leg jean by Good American is beloved by reviewers for its comfy fit and stretch that allows for movement. “This brand is known for the gap-proof waistband,” says Gallagher. “They also have a whole new compression denim line.”
Cropped styles hit at the ankle for a lengthening look that’s great year-round, whether your pair with flats or ankle boots. AG is one of the best denim brands for this silhouette, since they offer a wide range of cropped options, and many pairs, like the Mari, lift with a bit of stretch, too. AG has shifted their focus to sustainability recently, using 65% less water and chemicals than traditional denim production processes, to cut down on waste in the industry.
Waist sizes: 00 to 40 | Inseam length: 27 to 29.5 inches | Material: 73% cotton, 23% polyester, 4% elastane
Universal Standard is the world’s most inclusive fashion brand, offering every denim style in sizes 00 to 40. Their Universal fit model is built off the average woman’s size, which is 18, and the jeans are engineered with the right amount of stretch for comfort. Experts highly recommend the Seine Mid-Rise Skinny as a versatile choice for day or night. Also great: If your size ever changes, the brand will replace your jeans with a new pair, at your new size, for free.
Waist sizes: 23 to 32 | Inseam length: 23.5 to 33.5 inches | Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane
J.Crew is all about modern–classic denim, and their petite denim styles emphasize this design ethos. The brand offers more than 50 petite-sized jeans in chic, of-the-moment fits like wide-leg and demi-boot, with inseams that start at 23.5 inches. That means you can experiment with bolder looks without having to take a trip to the tailor.
Founded in 2008, DL1961 is known for their innovative use of recycled fibers, earth-friendly dyes and laser technology. Thanks for their closed-loop manufacturing process, the brand transforms recycled old denim and post-consumer waste into soft, durable and stylish jeans that will last for years. DL1961 is particularly great for skinny jeans—they have 20 styes to choose from, all made from sustainable fabrics with built-in sculpting features.
Waist sizes: 23 to 32 | Inseam length: 29 to 34 inches | Material: 100% cotton
Parke was founded in 2022 with a focus on wearable basics that are extremely comfortable, elevated and stylish. The denim is made from 100% cotton, which moves with you but maintains its structure over time. Because the brand is relatively new, there aren’t as many styles to choose from, but the Classic Straight Jeans have a versatile design that can be easily dressed up or down.
Wide leg styles can be tricky to fit—too much fullness can often overwhelm your frame—so you really need designs with the right proportions. Frame is consistently top rated by experts for high-quality denim in bolder silhouettes that fit the body extremely well. Their high-waisted, ‘70s-inspired wide leg styles are subtly tailored—the Le Palazzo hits at the ankle—for a flattering effect.
Free People has a wide range of flare and bootcut jeans, which are on-trend and don’t veer too retro, thanks to the chic high-waists and modern washes. This particular style has exaggerated seams and an exposed button fly, adding visual interest. Many of the jeans have a longer inseam, so keep that in mind.
Israeli-American fashion designer Nili Lotan’s namesake brand is synonymous with timeless design and chic silhouettes. “This jean is perfect for returning to the office,” says Gallagher. “Pair these with a blazer for the business casual look, and wear them with a heeled boot for the longest-looking legs ever.” For other styling options, tuck in your top, or wear this jean with a body suit, tank, camisole or a shorter, fitted-at-the-waist sweater, Gallagher recommends.
One of the buzziest names in denim today, Los Angeles-made Mother Denim—launched in 2010—has one of the widest style and fit selections around. “These jeans are a good way to dip your toe into straight leg while still being in your comfort zone,” says New York-based luxury personal stylist Michelle McCool.
“This high-rise pair looks good on just about everyone, and these have a bit of stretch but keep their shape well,” says personal stylist Marjorie Striebel with Ready To Where. “They work well with booties, flats or sneakers, and they go with everything so you don’t have to overthink it.”
Premium denim brand Agolde was originally founded in 1989 and relaunched in 2014, quickly becoming a favorite with denim-heads, particularly for its vintage aesthetic. This style has a high rise and subtle flare that feels wearable while still making a statement.
“This is my go-to jean for moving clients out of a skinny and into a straighter leg,” says Gallagher. “It’s got a high rise, has lots of stretch, looks good with all different types of shoe silhouettes and it comes in a myriad of washes from light blue to mid blue to black.” Bear in mind that due to the extra stretch in this jean, you can usually size down.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of clothing stories, including roundups of the best linen pants for women and best work pants for women.
Molly Calhoun, the co-author of this piece, is a beauty and fashion writer with 15 years of experience. Some of her work includes the best linen pants for women and the best black pants for women.
Katherine Louie, the co-author of this piece, is a lifestyle editor with over seven years of experience covering fashion and lifestyle topics. She is a denim enthusiast and owns jeans from Levi’s, Everlane, Madewell, J.Crew, Reformation, Mother, Agolde and Parke.
This article was overseen by deputy editor (and in-house style expert) Kari Molvar, who holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion and has covered women’s fashion for over a decade.
We gathered key insight and guidance from three personal stylists: Meg Gallagher, Michelle McCool and Marjorie Striebel.
This article is regularly refreshed to ensure all our product selections remain relevant. Commerce editor Katherine Louie last updated this story in May 2025. She revised the frequently asked questions and re-evaluated the top picks.
How We Chose The Best Jeans For Women
To find the best jeans for women, we considered several factors: material, comfort, size range, fit and price.
Our fashion editorial team focused on top-rated brands and retailers known for flattering denim, such as Levi’s, Everlane, Madewell and more.
We read through hundreds of customer reviews for standout product traits and essential details and only featured brands with straightforward return and exchange policies, should you need to make any returns or exchanges.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writers and meticulous vetting by our fashion editorial team.
What To Consider When Shopping For Women’s Jeans
There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best jeans for women. Here’s what to look for.
Style
Regardless of the most popular styles, choose something that makes you feel comfortable and is flattering for your body type. To gauge what works best for you, try a few styles to see what suits you. Also, look for online retailers with generous return policies to avoid extra fees and headaches if you need to return anything.
Fit
First, a great pair of jeans should fit well and feel comfortable, regardless of style. Not everyone’s body fits into preset shapes, such as hourglass, round or triangle, either—many people are often somewhere in between. The benefit of the wide variety of denim fits available right now is that there’s something for every build and body type.
For petite frames: You don’t necessarily need a petite jean if you have a petite build. “A cropped ankle jean works well too,” says Striebel, because of the shorter length. “Flares are also great because they elongate the leg and can be worn with clogs or block-heeled boots for comfort.”
For curvy frames: “A straight fit is really flattering,” says Striebel. “A crop to show off the ankle is good. High-rise jeans also flatter curves because they can show off your hips and waist, and they look great with shorter or boxier tops.”
For narrow frames: Go for a straight leg or relaxed straight style with more of a 90s look, according to Striebel. “Flare or wide-leg jeans work well for straight-hip builds,” Striebel says, adding they visually create shape.
Rise
Typically, a mid-rise jean is eight or nine inches, and a high rise is approximately nine or ten inches. “If you’re shorter or are short-waisted, a mid-rise will be more flattering,” says McCool. “In general, a higher-waist jean makes legs look longer.” For wider-leg styles, McCool emphasizes that you need to be sure the waist is fitted so it defines your shape.
Length
Right now, styles range from cropped inseams to oversized denim that puddles slightly at your shoes. It may sound obvious, but when purchasing jeans, keep your height in mind and pay attention to inseam lengths for different pairs. Also, shoe choices impact how the length and silhouette of the jeans appear on you. A flared jean looks very different with flat sneakers versus a heeled boot. Lastly, when it comes to the length, remember that you can always get jeans tailored.
Wash
All varieties of washes are “in” right now, so you don’t need to feel restricted to certain shades. “Very faded washed-out blue still trends for a casual look,” says Gallagher. “Many styles are still in the washed mid-blue, washed black and solid black tones, and cream denim is the fashion color for this fall.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All the brands we feature in this guide offer high-quality denim in a wide range of styles, washes and prices. In particular, we recommend Levi’s, Everlane, Madewell, AG Jeans and Agolde.
The most flattering jeans depend on your body type and personal style—no particular pair works for everyone. However, as a general rule, high-waisted denim gives the illusion of longer legs and dark denim also has a slimming appearance.
Again, no one style works for all women, but high-waisted options can conceal the tummy area and elongate your legs. A straight leg or slight flare at the bottom can balance out the hips, and darker washes (without distressing) have an elegant and slimming effect.
