The 9 Very Best Women’s Plus-Size Jeans
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Over the past few years, more brands than ever have started offering extended sizing — but it’s still pretty common to see jean sizes stopping at a 32. When I look for jeans to include in our guides (likehigh-waisted jeansandmom jeans, for example), I always search for inclusive sizing but often see larger brands making only “standard” sizes. And even certain brands that sell “plus-size” jeans cut corners by working from the same patterns used for their straight sizes, with (often thin) designers not designing for curves, according to Virginia Sole-Smith, author of the newsletterBurnt Toast. Sole-Smith should know: She tried on over 60 pairs of plus-size jeans for a series called “Jeans Science.”
That’s all to say that I understand how hard it is to find a pair ofgoodjeans, let alone greatplus-sizejeans — but it’s not impossible, as evidenced by the pairs I heard about as I talked to stylish sources for this story. As I prepared to write this guide, I asked plus-size people — including writers, models, bloggers, designers, and influencers — along with a few stylists who work with clients of all shapes and sizes for their recommendations. Their favorites cover a range of styles, both from brands that specifically cater to plus-sizes (likeTorrid) and “straight-size” brands that offer plus-sizes (likeMadewell). And though I’m not plus-size myself, I’m working my way through trying out as many pairs on this list as I can, and taking note of details like construction and comfort. Here you’ll find the best of the best, and if you’re on the hunt for morejeans, we have guides to thebest mom jeansandbest high-waistedjeans as well.
Update on April 9, 2025:Added note about Wray closing up shop; updated prices and checked stock for all other products.
Whatwe’relookingfor
Size range
The jeans in this guide range from a size 14 to a size 40, with inseams from 24 inches (forpetites) to 33 inches (fortallfolks). But Sole-Smith suggests that you mostly ignore the numbers on the tag and instead focus on knowing themeasurementsof your hips, waist, and inseam. You’ll get the best fit by comparing your exact measurements to the individual size charts for the brands you’re shopping. This is especially important for more size-inclusive brands —Universal Standardcomes to mind — that use nontraditional sizing systems.
You should also pay attention to styles labeled “curvy,” says bloggerCasey Brown. They’re cut to save you from the dreaded waist gap, and they’re usually designed to accommodate bigger hips and butts without getting too big in the waist. (A tip if you’re shopping secondhand: Vintage Levi’s 550s and 560s are among the most curve-friendly styles, according to Emma Zack, founder ofShop Berriez, who learned about them from denim aficionado Shelby Anderson ofHouse of Tame.)
Stretch
Stretchis often assumed to be the best solution for plus-size bodies, “but I find it to be of limited use,” says Sole-Smith.Marie Denee, editor-in-chief ofThe Curvy Fashionista, agrees: “Be mindful of the percentage of elastic in your jeans, because that will determine the level of comfort, how they wear, and how they recover.” One to 2 percent stretch (which will be listed as elastane, spandex, or Lycra) should be enough. But in general, a plus-size jean will typically have more stretch than a non-plus-size jean. Sole-Smith likes to wear a pair for a full day, with the tags still on, to see how they hold their shape beyond the first try-on. “Often the jeans that feel best then are the most doomed,” she says. Every pair of jeans on this list is categorized as “non-stretchy” (100 percent cotton), “stretchy” (98 or 99 percent cotton), or “very stretchy” (97 percent cotton or less).
Rise
The length from the crotch to the waist is a jean’srisemeasurement. Most of the jeans on this list could be called high-waisted, with a rise of ten inches or more. A few pairs have a rise of more than 12 inches, for a super-high-rise.
Cut
Creative digital strategistSamantha O’Brochtatold me that more companies have recently started expanding their extended-size offerings beyond just skinny jeans, which was the most popular cut among those I talked to. Seeing a pair of good straight-legs on a plus-size model convinced O’Brochta to finally give the style a chance. I’ve included skinnies, wide-legs, and boot-cuts in this guide, for a real variety.
Price
There’s a bigdifference between $30 and $300 jeans, in terms of manufacturing and the level of craftsmanship you’re getting. But you don’t have to spend much to get a great pair of jeans. Each pair of jeans is designated as $ (under $100), $$ ($100 to $150), or $$$ (over $150), based on what was recommended to me.
Best plus-size jeans for women overall
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Sizes:14W–24W with a 29.5-inch inseam |Stretch:Stretchy |Rise:11.75 inches |Cut:Wide-leg |Price:$$
I hearMadewellmentioned nearly every time I speak with new sources for this guide. IllustratorTuesday Bassenputs it best: The company “is the champion of making jeans for different body shapes.” Unlike some other denim lines, Madewell offers not only a plus-specific size range of 14W-28W, they also make different cuts within that range. Importantly, most plus-size Madewell jeans feature the same amount of stretch (either zero or 1 to 2 percent) as the brand’s straight-size counterparts, which helps the pairs fit well and hold their shape. Just note: As with all extended sizes Madewell makes (tall, petite), stock of its plus-size pairs moves quickly.
ThePerfect Vintageis one of Madewell’s most popular cuts, both in straight- and plus-sizing. I’ve included it here in a wide-leg, which is reliably in stock in plus sizes (as the Strategist’s denim correspondent, I’m always keeping tabs on this). The style came recommended to me by stylistSamantha Brown, who says the silhouette is flattering across many different sizes, and stylistSahra Brandt, who puts clients in this style first when they’re searching for new jeans. “These have a great blend of cotton and elastane: 99 percent cotton and one percent elastane,” Brandt says. “It’s the right amount of stretch so that the jeans aren’t stretching out. You don’t feel like you’re stuck into them, either.” She’ll get a lot of texts out of the blue from clients saying, “The best thing I got during our shopping session was the jeans.”
Madewell also offers acurvy collectionfor those who are in between standard sizes and plus sizes (typically a size 32 and 33). Brand consultantSarah Chiwayabelieves these sizes are better for hourglass shapes, since they’re made with more room through the hips and thighs. And something to keep in mind, no matter which style you try: The company’s jeans can sometimes run big, so you might need to size down, according to Dacy Gillespie ofMindful Closet.
Best plus-size non-stretch jeans
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Sizes:25–40 with a 32-inch inseam |Stretch:Not stretchy |Rise:11.5 inches|Cut:Straight-leg |Price:$$$
It can be downright impossible to find plus-size jeanswithoutstretch in them. If you’re wondering where thebest non-stretch, plus-size jeansare, Strategist writerDominique Parisohas you covered: She tried on 17 pairs of jeans from some of the most size-inclusive lines recently, including Big Bud Press and Good American, all of which fit that description. The pair that actually blew her away was the Andy from Decade Studio.
Decade Studio calls the Andy “our most contoured pattern, perfect for those with a high waist-to-hip ratio.” They met practically all her criteria: 100 percent cotton, not too long or cropped, with a high-rise and a straight leg, and a button-fly closure. From the second she buttoned the jeans up, she knew the hunt was over. “After the first few wears, they started to break in beautifully, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to shape to my body over time,” she says. Pariso cuffs the hem (the jeans have a 32-inch inseam, which felt a little long on her five-foot-six frame). The denim has a 13.5-ounce weight (for comparison’s sake, theseWranglershave a 14.75 ounce weight and are considered heavyweight), so they feel sturdy. And, yes, the price is a bit steep, but Pariso says, “They feel like jeans I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
Best plus-size jeans for tall women
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Sizes:32–37with 28.5-, 30.5-, and 32.5-inch inseams |Stretch:Stretchy |Rise:11 inches |Cut:Straight-leg |Price:$
Gone are the days of Abercrombie feeling size-exclusionary. Part of the turnaround comes from offering denim in itsCurve Loveline (similar to Madewell’s curvy and plus-size cuts, this is a separate line from its “straight”-fit denim), which includes pairs that are designed to have no waist-gapping and to accommodate curves through the hips and thighs. The Curve Love line earned rave reviews from brand strategistRachel Richardson; Marcy Guevara-Prete, co-owner of consignment store thePlus Bus; and content creatorMarielle Elizabeth.
Richardson says that a big part of the appeal of Abercrombie’s jeans is the large range of inseam-length options, which are even harder to find when shopping for extended sizes. Though there are five to choose from — extra-short, short, regular, long, and extra-long — the extra-short is only available for sizes 23 to 29, and extra-long for sizes 25 to 32. Even so, the “regular inseam” of 30 inches will work for those who are taller, with the long coming in at almost 33 inches.
You might have seen Abercrombie’s Ultra High Rise ’90s Straight Jean in our guides to the best jeans forpetite womenandjeans for all sizes, and here I’ve included the Curve Love version. The jeans are available up to a size 37 in Abercrombie’s size chart, or the equivalent of a plus-size 24. The waist-to-hips-to-thighs ratio on the jeans makes all the difference, according to Elizabeth, a self-described “thick-thighed person.” She appreciates that the jeans fit both her waist and her hips, which have a ten-inch difference, without being tight through her legs. “If there’s one thing Abercrombie does well, it’s jeans,” adds Guevara-Prete, who praises the brand for understanding “how to accentuate curves.”
Best jeans for plus-size petite women
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Torrid Bombshell Skinny Jean
Sizes:10–30 with 25-, 27-, 29-, 31-, and 33-inch inseams |Stretch:Stretchy|Rise:None listed |Cut:Super-skinny leg|Price:$
Torrid’s Bombshell jeans are tried and true, well reviewed, and much recommended. The petite version comes in 25-inch (“extra-short”) for those who are under five-feet-four, and 27-inch (“short”) and 29-inch (“regular”) inseams for those who are between five-five and five-seven. (There are also 31- and 33-inch inseams for those who are over five-eight, which are featured in our story on best plus-sizejeans for tall women).
As someone who’s petite at about five-two, I know the extra-short and short inseams won’t have to be hemmed for most. I’m also naming these our best plus-size jeans for petites after hearing about them from plus-size influencers, including content creatorTinsaye Berhanu, who likes that the elasticized waist on the jeans doesn’t roll down. “They hug my curves, and cling where I need them to,” says content creatorNikki Apostolou. And because they feature a skinnier leg, they won’t bunch or sag at the ankles, according toMegababefounderKatie Sturino. You can also get the jeans in aflared version.
Best plus-size straight-leg jeans
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Sizes:10–30 with 28- (short), 30- (regular), and 32-inch (tall) inseams |Stretch:Stretchy |Rise:None listed|Cut:Straight-leg |Price:$
“I can always count on Torrid for having my size,” says copywriter and content strategistShammara Lawrence.Specifically, she recommends the High Rise Straight Elastic Waist Jean, which she says is one of the best pair of jeans she’s owned. It has a straight-legged fit that’s sometimes hard to come by in plus sizes, and while “you do need to give them some time to conform to your body,” Lawrence says, they were still “comfortable from the beginning.” The jeans “hug my curves, and unlike other plus-size styles I’ve tried, there isn’t a weird bulge in the crotch area when I wear it,” she adds. “Another plus is the elastic waist, which expands for those when you need a little bit more room to breathe.” The High Rise Straight is made from 99 percent cotton and 1 percent spandex and, like almost every style from Torrid, is available in 28-, 30-, and 32-inch inseams.
Best plus-size skinny jeans
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Sizes:14–40 with 24-, 27-, 30-, and 32-inch inseams |Stretch:Very stretchy |Rise:11 inches |Cut:Skinny |Price:$
Universal Standard is best known for offering a range of sizes that spans from a 00 to a 40, “making it most progress of any brand in the size-inclusive market,” says Gillespie. The brand has made appearances all throughout the Strategist archives — and not just in plus-size-specific stories.
The Seine is one of Universal Standard’s best-selling jeans, whichwe first wrote about back in 2019, when writerMaggie Fremontdescribed them as “jeans that make you feel good.” Five years later, the recommendation still stands. Petite-plus influencerNatalie Craigsays the Seine jeans are “some of the most comfortable and curve-loving jeans I have ever worn,” and after trying them myself over the past few months, I absolutely agree. These really are the platonic ideal of how you want skinny jeans to be. The jeans have a very fitted leg that highlights everywhere from my hips to my ankles but doesn’t make me feel glued in in the slightest. They snap back into shape well after wearing, too. Another big bonus: You can choose between a mid-rise and high-rise, along with 24-, 27-, 30-, and 32-inch inseams.
Best plus-size loose-cut jeans
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Wray Hester Jean
Sizes:14–28 with a 27-inch inseam | Stretch: Not stretchy or stretchy (depending on the wash |Rise:12.5 inches |Cut:Looser straight-leg |Price:$$
Wray offers an impressively wide sizing selection and, according to stylistAnsley Morgan, regularly works with plus-size creators (including Elizabeth), which has earned the brand a loyal following. The Hester jeans in particular — available in plus sizes 14 through 28, or the equivalent of 36- to 59-inch waistlines — were a favorite of multiple sources I spoke with for this story. “I’ve struggled for so long to find a looser-leg jean that isn’t skintight in my thigh and then baggy in my calves, and these are my holy grail find,” says Elizabeth. Pariso is also a fan, and was “very taken by their contrast orange stitching and nifty elastic waistline.” (The hidden elastic waistband can be adjusted with a button for a tighter or looser fit, which helps cinch it so there’s no back gapping.) The Hester is available in three washes with different amounts of stretch: “Sable” is 99 percent cotton and 1 percent Lycra, “millennium blue” is 70 percent cotton and 30 percentLyocell, and “’70s blue” is 100 percent cotton. Digital content creatorLydia Okello, who owns two pairs, sized up in one for something “extra baggy,” while the other is in her usual size. (The brand also says you can size up if you want them to sit lower on your hips.)
Editor’s note: Wray announced its closure is coming soon, though no official date has been announced yet. You can still shop on its site until then. Some sizes of the Hesters are sold out now, and I’ll be looking for another comparable alternative to them in the next update.
Best plus-size wide-leg jeans
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Sizes:14–40 with 26- and 30-inch inseams |Stretch:Stretchy |Rise:11 inches |Cut:Wide straight-leg |Price:$$
I haven’t had much luck on the hunt for wide-legs that don’t make me look like a clown — but the Baes from Universal Standard are the exception. The jeans are cut as a wider straight-leg, which means that instead of the triangular shape you get with traditional wide-legs, you get a wide-leg that isn’t too wide. The line of the silhouette even makes my legs look longer. Plus, these are some of the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever tried, feeling worn-in from the get-go. After putting on these jeans for the first time, I wore them for a week straight. If you need more convincing, there was one point when Strategist writerDominique Pariso(who worked on an earlier version of this guide) was wearing them at least twice a week a few years back. And you can choose betweencropped(26 inches) andnon-cropped(30 inches) inseams. Though the cropped is full-length on me, I don’t have to get the jeans hemmed — a small victory in itself.
Best plus-size boot-cut jeans
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Levi’s 315 Shaping Bootcut Women’s Jeans (Plus Size)
Sizes:14–26 with 30-, 32-, and 34-inch inseams |Stretch:Stretchy |Rise:11.25 inchesCut:Boot-cut leg |Price:$
Levi’s jeans are a favorite of modelsFelicity HaywardandYasmin Geurts. Geurts’s go-to style from the brand is the 315 — a boot-cut designed with curves in mind. She likes that the slight flare balances her curves, with wider back pockets that fan out to the side a little and make her butt look particularly great. The jeans will be mid- to high-rise depending on your shape, and are marked with an S, M, or L next to the sizes, which correspond to 30-, 32-, and 34-inch inseams, respectively.
Some more plus-size women’s jeans we’ve written about
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Our experts
•Nikki Apostolou, content creator
•Tuesday Bassen, illustrator
•Tinsaye Berhanu, petite-plus fashion influencer
•Liz Black, freelance writer
•Casey Brown, blogger behind Streets, Beats, and Eats
•Sarah Chiwaya, plus-size brand consultant
•Natalie Craig, petite-plus influencer
•Marie Denee, editor-in-chief ofThe Curvy Fashionista
•Marielle Elizabeth, content creator
•Yasmin Geurts, model
• Dacy Gillespie, stylist atMindful Closet
• Marcy Guevara-Prete, co-owner of consignment storethe Plus Bus
•Felicity Hayward, model
•Lydia Hudgens, photographer
•Shammara Lawrence, copywriter and content strategist
•Ansley Morgan, stylist
•Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
•Samantha O’Brochta, creative digital strategist
•Lydia Okello, digital content creator
•Rachel Richardson, brand strategist
•Jessica Rihal, yoga instructor
•Katie Sturino, founder ofMegababe
• Emma Zack, founder ofShop Berriez
Additional reporting byPriya RaoandDominique Pariso.
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