Founded by Levi Strauss in 1853, Levi’s introduced the world to a new trouser style specifically designed for workers—the riveted 501 jeans. The U.S. Trademark and Patent Office made the design official and issued a patent to Strauss in 1872, giving their stamp of approval on the first official blue jeans. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward 153 years, and the best Levi’s jeans remain strong today. A favorite among denim-loving editors (including Marie Claire editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike), it seems that every major model (Hailey! Kendall! Bella!) and everyone and anyone on the hunt for the best jeans adores this denim brand, which is one of the most revered on the market.
In addition to its illustrious backstory, what sets Levi’s apart from countless others is its ability to tune out fleeting denim trends. Instead, Levi’s champions one thing: high-quality denim that best serves its wearer. The brand has perfected hundreds of iterations of the classic five-pocket 501 styles, alongside various other silhouettes—from high-waisted denim to wide-leg jeans- in washes ranging from quintessential indigo to acid washes and crafted from durable twills and cotton blends.
Nikki Ogunnaike wearing one her many pairs of Levi’s jeans at Paris Fashion Week.
(Image credit: Future/Tyler Joe)
The timeless appeal of Levi’s best jeans lies in their enduring design, crafted to last for decades. Jill Guenza, Levi Strauss & Co.’s global VP of women’s design, offers three essential tips to help your denim stay with you forever.
“First, wash your jeans no more than once every ten wears,” recommends Guenza. “Second, avoid using a dryer, as it can damage the fabric; instead, hang your jeans to line-dry. Finally, wash your jeans in cold water to maintain their original color and prevent shrinkage.”
That said, there’s no harm in adding a new pair to your collection—especially when you’re confident it’s built to last. Whether you prefer the classic OG 501s or favor a looser, baggier fit, we’ve highlighted eight of the best Levi jeans available on the market.
The Best Levi’s Jeans at a Glance
Levi’s 501 Original
(Image credit: Levi’s)
Own and wear a slice of history with the first blue jean style, the 501. Developed by Levi Strauss in 1873, the most iconic denim to date continues to reinvent itself as the years go on. “The Levi’s 501 Original is our number one fan favorite—and for a good reason,” says Gueza. “They are iconic (and worn by icons), comfortable, super versatile, and work on a wide range of shapes and sizes.”
Levi’s 501s also happen to be a personal favorite across Team MC too: “I own a pair of vintage 501s and can wholeheartedly attest to their appeal,” shares Marie Claire‘s fashion e-commerce editor, Julia Marzovilla. “The straight-leg silhouette and 100-percent cotton fabrication offer a laidback, casual effect while the high-waist ensures the bottoms feel put-together and never sloppy.”
Levi’s
501® Original Fit Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
501® Original Cropped Women’s Jeans
Levi’s 501 ’90s
(Image credit: Levi’s)
A smidge wider and more mid-rise than the original, the 501 ’90s are a refreshed version that pulls influence from the throwback decade for a more relaxed style. They’re the vintage jeans you’ve always wanted, but don’t demand spending hours digging in a thrift store. That’s exactly what swayed Ogunnaike on the style: “I recently discovered these jeans at a Levi’s appointment and instantly fell in love,” the editor-in-chief says, crediting the denim as a staple component to her no-brainer outfit formulas. “Sizing-wise, “I’d recommend going a size up if you’re on the curvier side, since the fabric is rigid.”
Levi’s
501® ‘90s Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
501® ’90s Lightweight Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
501® ’90s Selvedge Women’s Jeans
Levi’s Ribcage Full Length
(Image credit: Levi’s)
Ribcage jeans are the highest of high-rise pants, designed to elongate the wearer’s silhouette and settle around the belly button. Levi’s full-length ribcage-style pairs measure 12 inches up and fit similarly to the 501 ’90s in that they have an uncomplicated, straight-leg fit. There’s a reason they’ve been a consistent favorite among Levi’s customers since debuting in 2019.
LEVI’S
Ribcage Full Length
LEVI’S
Ribcage Full Length
LEVI’S
Ribcage Full Length
Levi’s Wedgie Straight-Fit
(Image credit: Levi’s)
A straight-fit jean does exactly what it promises: hangs straight down your body—not too skinny, not too loose, but just right. Guenza says Levi’s Wedgie Straight is a top-seller because of its no-fuss straight silhouette and its added benefit of butt-boosting. “Let me start by saying that every girl should have a pair of the Wedgie,” she says. “Inspired by vintage Levi’s, the Wedgie has an authentic denim character that molds to your body, giving your backside a little lift.”
Levi’s
Wedgie Straight Fit Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
Wedgie Straight Fit Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
Wedgie Straight Fit Women’s Jeans
Levi’s Baggy Dad Women’s Jeans
(Image credit: Levi’s)
The 2020s have been a big era for baggy jeans. The loose, relaxed silhouette has been all over the fashion runways and celebrity street style—but Levi’s has been offering roomier pairs way before the trend took off, like its best-selling Baggy Dad jean. With a mid-rise fit and simple straight-ish leg, they’re big without dominating the wearer’s frame and tap into a too-cool-to-care ’90s-era edge.
Levi’s
Baggy High Waist Wide Leg Dad Jeans
Levi’s
Baggy Dad Pieced Jeans
Levi’s 720 High-Rise Super Skinny
(Image credit: Levi’s)
There’s been much debate over skinny jeans; do they belong in the 2025 fashion trend conversation, are they ‘cheugy,’ and why do they raise Gen Z’s hackles so much? However, Levi’s 720 High-Rise Super Skinny, one of the brand’s best-sellers, might settle some of the controversy—or at least mellow out the fiery discourse.
“Levi’s 720 High-Rise Super Skinny jeans are stretchy and comfortable. They wear similar to leggings but look like real jeans and show off curves in the best ways,” says Guenza. Made from a combination of cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, polyester, and elastane, 720s have plenty of stretch capabilities, but “what differentiates this style is that they’re reminiscent of vintage Levi’s.”
Levi’s
720 High Rise Super Skinny Women’s Jeans
Levi’s
Levi’s 720 High Rise Super Skinny
Levi’s
Levi’s 720 High Rise Super Skinny
Levi’s 312 Shaping Slim
(Image credit: Levi’s)
Another style to add to your jeans vocabulary is Levi’s slim-fit jeans, which offer support with shape-enhancing stretch panels. “The Levi’s 312 Shaping Slim jeans have a flattering slim leg made with an innovative tummy-slimming panel that subtly smooths the body,” says Guenza.
They’re one of Levi’s most reliable denim varieties and are designed to provide comfort all day long, as Marzovilla can attest. “When I want an easy wear but won’t allow myself to leave the house in sweatpants, I slip into my stretchy yet slimming pair of 312s,” she shares. “I style mine with ballet flats and a baggy turtleneck for a low-effort outfit that yields a high-impact look. I call it: ‘work smarter, not harder’ styling.”
Levi’s
Levi’s 312 Shaping Slim Fit Jean
Levi’s
Levi’s 312 Shaping Slim Fit Jean
Levi’s
312 Shaping Slim Women’s Jeans
Levi’s Wedgie Bootcut
Another cult favorite from Levi’s is their bootcut jeans, which have a mid-weight denim fabric with a slight stretch for comfort and slight flare at the hem. “The original bootcut jeans were created for cowboys looking for slim-fitting jeans that flared at the bottom to fit over their boots,” explains Guenza. “As the world soon discovered, the bootcut silhouette is extremely flattering to a wide range of body shapes. We’ve designed our Levi’s Bootcuts to be the perfect blend of authentically-textured, stretchy fabric with styling that references our original bootcut jeans from the ’70s,” she says.
Levi’s
Wedgie Bootcut Jeans
Meet the Denim Expert
Jill Guenza is the Global VP of Women’s Design at Levi Strauss & Co. She’s worked at the denim brand for 19 years in other positions, such as Senior Designer and Global Design Director.
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