:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-jeans-for-round-tummies-ins-tout-updated-ef990259380f48eabf7242d6ab1cd4cc.jpg "The 10 Best Jeans for Women With Round Tummies of 2025")
After years of designers only offering constricting, limited sizing, or worse, over-correcting with gaping waistlines that hang open in the back, they finally had a collective epiphany about what makes the best jeans for round tummies.
“The art lies in selecting silhouettes that celebrate your shape,” says plus-sized stylist Michaela Leitz, who suggests opting for high-waisted fits and stretchy cotton and elastane materials. She also recommends looking for “thoughtful details like a contoured waistband, which hugs your curves for the perfect fit, or a gusseted crotch that amplifies freedom of movement.” Whether you’ve got mom jeans in mind or an elegant pair of black denim, finding a pair that fits properly and feels comfortable can be challenging. We tapped three sought-after fashion experts to share their top picks, including how to style them best.
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Why We Love It: Good American holds a special place in Leitz’s heart, and ours too, especially its range of compression jeans, which feature a smoothing tummy panel in the front rise to sculpt silhouettes into marblesque masterpieces. “Their straight cut is like a love letter to most body shapes,” she says, adding that “Its commitment to size inclusivity, offering sizes from 00 to 32 speaks volumes about the brand’s dedication to catering to every body.”
Who It’s For: The light compression fit is made for shoppers who want their jeans to hold their midsections securely without the tummy-squeezing feeling. Though the straight-cut style offers a more relaxed silhouette, so you can move freely in the stretchy jeans, it still looks structured and streamlines your figure to lengthen the appearance of your legs.
Size: 00–32 | Inseam: 27.5 inches | Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane
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Why We Love It: We’re convinced these Old Navy Wide-Leg Jeans have just the right amount of relaxed, slightly baggy appeal without looking too sloppy or decade-defying—particularly since the medium wash adds a more contemporary touch. We also appreciate the holes’ upper-thigh placement that won’t stretch into a crater-sized circumference when one bends at the knees.
Who It’s For: This ultra-wide leg perfectly balances curvy silhouettes. The jeans also feature a roomier fit in the hip area, and they reach one inch higher than your traditional high-rise jeans, perfect for wearing the teeniest crop tops with confidence.
Size: 00–30 | Inseam: 29 (petite), 31 (standard), 35 (tall) inches | Material: Cotton, spandex
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Why We Love It: We’re sold on these light-wash jeans’ lived-in look. The high rise and straight-leg design elongates the body. You can make the most of the cropped fit by wearing them with (and showing off) your favorite heels.
Who It’s For: We’d recommend these jeans to someone who appreciates when their pants have a little stretch. Luckily, the mostly cotton construction has plenty of mobility in the waist and hip area so that you won’t relegate them to standing jeans only. However, the 27-inch inseam may lend it a too-cropped fit for taller folks.
Size: 24–33 | Inseam: 27 inches | Material: Cotton, spandex
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Why We Love It: This Madewell style hugs midsections snugly and slightly flares at the bottom, balancing curvy silhouettes for a super flattering fit. “With these Madewell jeans, it’s as if the brand whispered a secret acknowledgment to those yearning for a longer rise, roomier hips, and thighs, confirming that style need not be compromised for fit,” says Leitz. A flare cut, even the mild one here, can be tricky (the style tends to look awkward with certain shoes, like ankle-height booties). We appreciate its versatile design details. For instance, its cropped cut shows off various footwear, while the mid-rise fit pairs well with any length of top. Plus, its universal dark wash elevates the look, matching everything from your closet.
Who It’s For: If you like your jeans with a little stretch, you’ll appreciate the cotton fabric that’s easy to move in but retains its structure, so you’re not swimming in baggy fabric after one wear.
Size: 23–33 | Inseam: 25.5 (petite), 27.5 (standard and plus), 30.5 (tall) inches | Material: Cotton, Lycra
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Why We Love It: Lane Bryant has prioritized curvy women since its inception in 1904. This style features reinforced high-rise fabric panels, which eliminate the look of any pouch without digging into the skin. It’s a favorite of veteran fashion stylist Susan Moses, “They’re comfortable, figure flattering, and timeless,” she says.
Who It’s For: For anyone between sizes or struggling to find the right length, know that these jeans come in four inseams and a very inclusive size range. Plus, each pair is made partly from recycled plastic so that you can feel a little better about your purchase.
Size: 12–28 | Inseam: 28 (petite), 29 (short), 31 (standard), 34 (long) inches | Material: Cotton, polyester, rayon, spandex
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Why We Love It: The Curve Love collection from Abercrombie is beloved by all body types for its extended sizing, including five inseam options ranging from extra short to extra long. It exploded on social media when buyers felt they could get everything on their jeans wish list from one place. We love these high-rise mom jeans, which hold tummies in with enough suction.
Who It’s For: Petite shoppers who struggle to wear high-waisted jeans will appreciate a style specifically made for them. The extra short and short sizing options have petite-friendly inseams and a high-rise that won’t cut into shorter torsos.
Additionally, you’ll have some extra wiggle room thanks to an additional 2 inches in the waist (a boon for those with wider hips!).
Size: 23–37 | Inseam: 23.5 (extra short), 25.5 (short), 27.25 (regular), 29.5 (long), 30 (extra long) inches | Material: Cotton, elastane
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Why We Love It: “The evolution of Spanx from shapewear to sportswear has been amazing,” says Moses. Hidden smoothing technology flattens tummies without constricting them. You won’t find any buttons or zippers on these pants, either. Instead, you can shimmy them on thanks to its stretch design, making them feel like your favorite seamless leggings rather than jeans. “Spanx has never disappointed regarding support and shaping, but now they can add style to that list,” adds Moses.
Who It’s For: Spanx jeans have a lot of fans, from women over 50 to InStyle editors. With all the benefits of shapewear and the jeans look, Spanx stretch denim delivers a body-hugging fit without sacrificing comfort.
Size: XS–XXXL | Inseam: 32 (petite), 34 (standard), 37 (tall) inches | Material: Cotton, polyester, Lycra
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Why We Love It: We don’t plan on doing any heavy lifting in these carpenter pants. (Though we could in the sturdy denim material ) Instead, we’ll rely on the red stitching and eye-catching large pockets to tzjuzh our basic wardrobe staples. Although rigid denim may seem intimidating if you’re accustomed to stretchier fabrics, plus-size influencer Jamie Hamilton says, “I prefer a two percent stretch or less because denim looks and feels better when it doesn’t stretch out.” She adds that heavier denim generally appears higher-end regardless of price point.
Who It’s For: Between the ultrahigh rise and a framing-favor straight-leg silhouette, we are convinced everyone needs a pair. Plus, the elastic waist in the back stretches and recovers to provide extra space where you might most need it.
Size: XXS–XL | Inseam: 25 (petite), 29 (standard) inches | Material: Cotton
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Why We Love It: Mom jeans have never fully fallen out of favor, even given the sway that low-rise, high-hugger waistlines have on today’s trends. Why? No one can deny the ample favors that the vintage silhouette does for all figures. The Everlane Way-High Jeans complement curves with two fabric layers around the waistline, smoothing the area. Additionally, it’s a super booty-flattering pair that isn’t overzealous in its wedgie fit.
Who It’s For: If you’ve hesitated to try mom jeans before, we like this design because it incorporates everything we love about the ‘90s style with smart contemporary touches. They’re not so trendy that, say, you couldn’t wear the dark Indigo or black wash to work with a blazer and comfy heels, and the overall vibe is effortlessly chic.
Size: 23–35 | Inseam: 27.5 inches | Material: Cotton
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Why We Love It: Skinny jeans don’t have to mean skintight. Universal Standard factors all our favorite aspects of this silhouette hugging style, such as a snug, slimming fit. Still, it relies on elastane, a more forgiving material, to prevent the pants from feeling like a wetsuit. It’s also offered in four washes, though the black wash is particularly versatile and sleek, and its tighter fit gives it the illusion of a high-end trouser.
Who It’s For: Trust us, skinny jeans are still current. Sneaky design details like surprisingly deep pockets and hidden stretch fabric make these the most practical pair, yet still fashionable, of jeans you’ll own. It may take a few wears to break in the fabric, and then they’ll be yours forever.
Size: 00–40 | Inseam: 27 (standard), 32 (long) inches | Material: Cotton, polyester, rayon, elastane
What to Keep in Mind
- Silhouette: Jeans with ankle-length hemlines may help to elongate your form and can de-emphasize wider areas. “Opting for straight-leg or boot-cut jeans can also add an element of balance to the overall look, elongating the legs in a subtle, understated way,” Leitz says.
- Stretch: The best quality denim most often isn’t stretchy, but it shouldn’t feel restrictive, either. Hamilton recommends squatting and sitting in your jeans to ensure their denim fabric is nonrestrictive on the thighs, hips, and belly. If you prefer fabric with more give, though, Leitz suggests looking for a blend of cotton and elastane. “It’s a magical mix that offers the best of both worlds—the softness and breathability of cotton, combined with the slight stretch of elastane for an unparalleled ease of movement.”
- Wash: Don’t shy away from experimenting with how different washes can enhance your natural shape. For instance, “Darker washes tend to offer a sleek, streamlined appearance, which can be extremely flattering,” says Leitz. “However, lighter washes have their charm, especially when styled creatively with contrasting tops or footwear to draw the eye vertically, enhancing the illusion of height and creating a harmonious blend of comfort and style.”
Your Questions Answered
What kind of jeans are good for a round stomach?
Before picking out your jeans, make a mental checklist in your head. “The most important details to look for in jeans if you have a round tummy is the zipper length and the structure of the denim fabric,” advises Georgia-based stylist McKenzie Crouch. “Zipper length plays a big role in how your jeans fit and look.”
For the best fit, your zipper should cover about three-quarters of the front of your jeans. “Shorter zippers can create bunching in the crotch area and give the appearance of camel toe,” explains Crouch. As for structure, try to look for fabrics that don’t contain a lot of stretch; otherwise, it will draw attention to your tummy area. Additionally, Leitz says, “High-waisted pieces are the unsung heroes here, cinching at the smallest part of your waist and crafting an elongated silhouette.”
What are the best jeans for my body type?
Honestly, it all comes down to trial and error and your style goals. “If it’s physical comfort—I encourage folks to try on different rises and levels of stretch,” says Hamilton. For instance, I have a long torso with tall, wide hips, so I prefer a higher rise to go over my hips so my denim stays in place; however, many of my apple-shaped friends prefer mid-rise.”
Why Shop With Us
Irene Richardson is a fashion and beauty writer for InStyle. For this story, she tapped the experts below.
- Jamie Hamilton is a plus-size fashion influencer and product designer.
- Michaela Leitz is a size-inclusive luxury stylist.
- McKenzie Crouch is a fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant.
- Susan Moses is a fashion stylist whose clients have included Queen Latifah and Britney Spears. She’s also the author of the book The Art of Dressing Curves.
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