The Jeans Our Editors Buy Themselves

J.Crew’s Slim-Wide Jean has the distinction of beingthe only pair of jeans I didn’t return in nearly a year. Last year’sJeans Monthdid change my relationship with jeans — for the better. I know what I want from my jeans, and I know what I don’t want from my jeans now. Not only does the Slim-Wide Jean fit (as someone who experiences waist-gapping, this feels like a small miracle), but I feelgoodin these jeans. I don’t have to pull them higher to my waist or suck in my midsection when I’m wearing them, as I have done with bad jeans. Plus they do what they need to do in all the right places. I find wide-legs to be overwhelming a lot of the time (I have short legs), but these aren’t.

Barrel-leg jeans are generally flattering on me, but these aren’t too dramatic of a shape, which I like. Sometimes that style can skew extra-baggy in weird places, but these are very streamlined — my favorite in the category I’ve tried so far. They’re no-stretch, which is how I like them, but they still wear comfortably. I especially love the wash, which is described as blue-black — and it really does read that way. It’s a fun take on a darker-colored jean. There’s also the subtle detail of the double seam going up the side, a small design choice that makes them feel a bit different. I did have to buy them standard instead of petite, which meant getting them hemmed just a bit.

I bought these during Everlane’s sale earlier this month after I was in desperate need of a new pair of black jeans. They’ve quickly become my new favorite pair. I’m four-foot-11, and the 26.5-inch inseam hits perfectly at my ankles. They also have just a bit of stretch, making them super comfortable. I’m worried the super-sale is a sign they’ll be phased out soon, so I will be buying a few more pairs soon.

This is my favorite pair of jeans lately. I’ve had them for about a year, and they wash and wear great. (They do bag out a little in between washes though.) They are lightweight, comfortable denim. The cut — wide-leg and a high-rise waist — is very flattering and makes my waist appear smaller. Because they’re voluminous, I like to pair them with a fitted top tucked in. They run big (this brand in general), so I sized down.

It’s been just around a year since I boughtthe Citizen of Humanity Aylasafter long lusting over them. I got lucky enough to stumble upon them in the perfect mid-wash at an Other People’s Clothing last spring for a fraction of the price and in great condition. They’re now one of two pairs of jeans I wear nearly every day of the week — the other pair being the same style inwhite. From the slightly too-long inseam to the baggy but not barrel wide-leg fit, the Aylas have seen me through all four seasons. They make me feel more put-together than I do in my slimmer pairs despite a markedly more relaxed feel. They’re mid-rise but can be slung lower, with a true-denim heft that comes from their 100 percent regenerative cotton makeup. I prefer my denim to be rigid with a button fly, which these have, so that over time, the pair better molds to your body. The Aylas have done so wonderfully while still maintaining their shape and ability to look good with nearly everything in my closet. While I should probably stop stepping on the hem, they’ve only begun to lightly fray in a patinated-but-not-worn kind of way. My pair looks closest to the Chaya wash. Be warned: These jeans run large, and I’d definitely recommend sizing down one or two sizes depending on your desired fit. For reference: I’m usually a solid 2/4/27 and sized down to a 25 in the white Aylas for a slimmer feel than my blue-wash pair, which, at a 26, provide a more roomy fit.

At some point in the last year I realized that all my vintage 501s felt too short for this current jeans moment. I’ve collected dozens of them, but nothing felt right, so I’ve been slowly acquiring longer-inseam jeans. I went to theConsistency Projectlast fall and bought a pair of 505s, a style I hadn’t considered before. They have a slightly higher rise and slightly roomier hips, and this pair had a 31-inch inseam. (I’m five-foot-11.) I took those same measurements and found a second similar pair of 505s on eBay for about $60.

Another longer pair I’m wearing is this straight-leg style fromJeanerica. They’re my longest pair, with a 34-inch inseam, but aren’t quite drag-on-the-floor long. The denim is a little soft and a bit thinner than Levi’s. I took my regular size in these.

I also got carpenter jeans fromImogene + Willie. They’re made with USA-grown cotton, have a sturdy feel, and a 33-inch inseam. The brand seems to generally offer longer inseams — writer and painter Julia Felsenthal told me itsEdiestyle comes with a 34-inch inseam.

I originally got these last year and started wearing them so often that I bought a second pair. I’ve also had multiple friends buy them after seeing mine. I am five-foot-two and wear the petite length. Both of my pairs are a size 27, but my original pair is the “regular” fit, and my second one is the “curvy” fit — my waist-to-hip ratio is kind of right on the cusp for the point where a lot of brands’ tip you into their curvy category, so sometimes those cuts work better for me, and sometimes they don’t. In these, I like the feel of the regular fit better, because they actually sit slightly lower on me, but the curvy ones are definitely more fitted at my waist, so they look a little more sleek and polished and hold me in a little more. Curvy for formal affairs, regular for comfort, I guess!

I’ve been liking these as a wide-but-not-too-wide style that also doesn’t have any curve to the cut like the barrels do. My particular challenge is that a lot of wide-leg jeans are just too much, and a lot of straight-leg jeans that look perfectly straight on tall, skinny models are snugger than I want on my thighs, knees, calves. Also, because I am five-foot-two, it’s nice that American Eagle’s jeans come in five different lengths. These have looseness without too much volume. I specifically chose the “stridgid” style that is mostly cotton with one percent Elastane for stretch, but there’s also astretchier option that comes in more washes. I’ve tried that one too and it’s very comfortable but, ultimately, I think I’m just more of a rigid denim person now.

These have easily become one of my most worn jeans. I have them in the petite size, and they are the perfect inseam length, hitting right above my ankles. The rise is much lower than my usual high-rise jeans (they hit right at my belly button), but I find them to be just as flattering and much more comfortable. They’re also a little baggy but have enough structure to work as either a casual or dressed up jean. So far, they’ve held up wonderfully after many wears and washes as they still look good as new.

I’ve had these jeans for about a year now, and they’ve quickly become my go-to. There was a point when I was wearing them twice weekly in the fall and winter, and they’ve held up really well. The 28-inch inseam hits right at my ankles, so I can wear them with flats, sneakers, or heeled boots without issue. They’re on the lighter side, which I prefer as someone living in a warmer area, and they have the tiniest amount of stretch so that they never feel stuffy. These are maybe the only jeans I own that I could wear all day completely comfortably (aside from my very elastic Frame Jetset jeans). The sizing is a bit odd since it comes in XXS to XL rather than numbered sizing, but the size guide on the brand’s site is pretty accurate.

As I already own a couple pairs oflaid-back boys’ jeans, I was looking more for statement denim withdramaandglamour, and that’s exactly what these elephantine bell-bottoms had in spades. I went to try them on in-store, and Judi Rosen herself, after eyeing me up and down, suggested the size 25; after copious shimmying and a few judiciously-timed jumps, they zipped. When I stepped out from behind the curtain, everyone in the store told me Ihadto buy them, and I was inclined to agree. My butt felt cradled and contoured by the stiff Japanese cotton, brass waist buckle, and vertical seams running down the legs. The silhouette was similar to that of a mermaid gown: tightly and sleekly sheathed, before erupting into an exuberant flare. The only occasion I wouldn’t wear these to would be a seven-course tasting menu. I’ve noticed that whenever I wear them, I stand taller and glide rather than walk, compliments trailing in my wake like a cloud of perfume.

[Editor’s note: Kitty’s black-wash pair is no longer available, but the style is still available inkhakiandsalmon.]

Never did I ever think jeans from Edikted would be one of my favorite pairs — yet here we are. In the couple of months since Edikted sent me a black-washed pair, I’ve since repurchased them in a very true-blue denim wash. My hips are about 36 inches, so the medium size sits solidly at my hip bones (though they can be pulled higher if I so desire). They’re some of the most substantial under-$100 jeans I own and haven’t bled in the wash. I’m five-foot-three, so the petite length hits an inch or two below my ankles — right where I like them. If the brand makes a white pair, I’ll definitely add them to my collection. (Hint, hint.)

For last year’sJeans Month,I tried on all the jeans at Abercrombieand came out of the fitting room with only one pair: the Low Rise Ultra Loose jeans. I got them in a 25 in the brand’s Curve Love fit, which adds two extra inches to the waist and thighs to limit waist gaps. With that extra fabric, I can adjust the jeans to be low-rise or mid-rise depending on my outfit and comfort level. Down the leg, the jeans have a straight yet baggy look that feels baggy in that cool teen kind of way without feeling sloppy, too long, or uncomfortable.

I’ve had these jeans for a little over two years, and they’ve held up well (not the case for the very-cute Dana Mom Jeans I bought from Lucy & Yak, which genuinely fell apart). I’ve bought a few different pairs of pants from the brand, partially because I already loved its overalls and partially because I had seen it recommended as a brand that fit curvier body types well. These are my favorite so far because they fit me well, and I think the style looks good on me. I’d say they run true to size — mine are a U.K. 14, which is equivalent to my usual U.S. size 10. They don’t have the dreaded waist gap but also aren’t super tight on my thighs, which is the usual difficulty I have with buying jeans. I also like that the jeans are 100 percent cotton, but they aren’t overly stiff. They feel like proper jeans, but are pretty comfortable. While I do like the cropped style, I would also love to have this exact pair of jeans with a full-length leg, because the crop doesn’t work with every outfit. The front pockets are also very deep!

Thesejeans are cropped on me (I am five-foot-seven) and barrel-legged but not in an exaggerated way. They work well for casual and professional outfits. The material has what I would consider the upper limit of acceptable stretch at 98 percent cotton and 2 percent elastane. This means they are flexible and comfortable to sit in but still look and feel sturdy even after many many times in the wash. (I don’t put them in the dryer though.) I find they fit true to size but are not tight, which is a plus because I can fit Uniqlo Heattech under them without feeling claustrophobic.

I’ve been wearing the sameAritzia Denim Forumand vintage Levi’s 550s (I think) from theConsistency Projectalmost every day all winter long. So a few weekends ago I stopped at Blok Hill, one of my favorite shops in Park Slope, and picked up this pair of wide-leg Ren jeans from Agolde. They are dressier than my current go-to pairs and fit me tighter in the waist and hips as well. They are also made of medium weight 100 percent cotton and have zero distressing, something I have been looking for more and more. All of these qualities add up to a perfect spring refresh jean that I plan to wear with sandals or my summer clogs from Bryr, which are similar tothesebut navy blue. I haven’t had them long enough to know how they will age, but after much discussion with the shopkeeper, and after trying on several sizes, I ended up buying a size down from my regular size so that even if they stretch out a bit, they will still look polished.

Since buying my first pair around five years ago, I have talked at length about my love for these jeans to just about anyone who will listen. I have three pairs — indigo, green, and beige color block — none of which are available to buy on the Rudy Jude website at the moment. But you can find pairs for resale onPoshmark,eBay, and in theFacebook BST group. They have an incredibly loyal following and are beloved for their comfortable fit, wide size range, and high quality Japanese selvedge denim with zero stretch. I wear a size three, which translates to a 29/30 inch waist. They are slightly cropped on me so I am planning to buy a new pair soon with a longer custom inseam, something the brand started offering about two years ago.

[Editor’s note: The preorder window for a pair of Utility Jeans is closed for now. CheckRudy Jude’s production update pagefor when it’ll be open again.]

I’ve worn these jeans several times with a simple long-sleeved T-shirt and people have still complimented my “outfit” — I think that says it all. I am absolutely loath to recommend such expensive jeans, but the fact is that these are the most flattering jeans I’ve ever owned. And for what it’s worth, I have tried other comparably pricey denim on before (Toteme, etc.) and found them to be lacking in comparison. The denim is soft and really thick. This particular wash has a hint of brown in it that looks very 2000s — in a good way. They’re true to size with no waist gap, which is something I really struggle with, and they don’t stretch out. There’s a stiffness that you just put up with because it creates such a perfect silhouette. They have very fun back pockets, too, but it does feel risky slipping your phone into them as they’re sort of sideways. They were my first ever Eckhaus purchase after admiring the brand from afar for many lean, low-income New York City years, and worth every penny … although I did wait for a sale. They were worth the price and look good with everything. And people are always obsessed with the tilted butt pockets.

OurCBK guideinspired me to purchasethese Levi’s 517sfrom Etsy. I don’t dress in a particularly CBK way (actually, I think most people look drab in head-to-toe neutrals – sorry!), but I’ve been wearing cowboy boots everywhere lately and wanted bootcut jeans to match. I already owned a few pieces of vintage denim (including some ’90s 501s fromDesert Vintageand thisamazing storein Paris), so I was confident in my measurements before purchasing. This most recent pair fit perfectly. They’re 100 percent cotton and mid-rise, tapering outward without looking flared. I’m really pleased, especially as they were so cheap.

[Editor’s note: If you want to buy a new pair, they are available in men’s sizing fromLevi’s here.]

I’ve had these jeans since October, so five months now, and they are close to the only pair I wear anymore. I like them so much I just used the Friends & Family 40 percent off sale to get another wash. They’ve held up super well. They look and feel the same as when I got them. I don’t wash my jeans a ton but I’ve washed these a few times and it hasn’t changed how they look or feel or fit at all. They haven’t stretched out, either, which is maybe because I sized up and because they were already a loose jean, but after tons of wear, they still strike the perfect balance of being loose but not too loose, fitted but not at all uncomfortable. I got the petite inseam because I’m five-foot-two, and they were the perfect length. But as I wrotepreviously, I sized up so they’d be loose on my thighs, hips, and butt and had the waist taken in a tad. They’re thick and rigid but soft.

I bought my first pair of Levi’s Ribcage Ankle jeans in the colorWell Worn Blackback in 2021, and I’ve purchased probably one pair per year since then (always on sale!). I like the minimal stretch because I can wear them every day for a week without the butt and legs getting all baggy. They look almost identical to the day I bought them, except for the waist, which is my one complaint: It gets pretty crumpled both after washing and wearing, though I’m not sure you can tell just by looking at them. I’m a size 30, and it fits true to size. One odd thing: If you buy these from Levi’s, all of them are 99 percent cotton, 1 percent Lycra. I purchased a pair during a Prime Day (inMedium Indigo Worn In) without realizing that Amazon stocks much stretchier versions of the Ribcages; those are 85 percent cotton, 14 percent polyester, and 1 percent elastane. The fit is the same, but the material is a bit thinner and, as I said, stretchier than my other Ribcages. I like both equally, but the stretchier version is much more comfortable to wear right out of the dryer, while the normal ones require a little breaking in. (And if you want to learn more about the difference between regular Levi’s and Amazon Levi’s, you can check outmy colleague Erin Schwartz’s investigation.)

I’ve only had these for about a month, but I’ve been wearing them at least twice a week since I bought them. They are a dark wash with a gray, almost silvery (but not metallic) undertone, which makes them feel put-together in a way that other pairs I own don’t. I love the fit: They’re a true mid-rise and have a long inseam, probably about 32 inches, which I appreciate as someone who’s five-foot-eight. They also have the perfect amount of stretch — enough to be comfortable, but not so much that they look jegging-esque. Because of the stretch, I sized up by one size to avoid cling, and that was absolutely the right move.

I also really love these, which I bought in a dark, almost black shade of blue probably three years ago. They were (and I think still are?) the most expensive pair of jeans I owned at the time, but my calculus was that I wanted one pair that was stretchy but wouldn’t stretch out, exceedingly flattering, and kind of sexy in a 2003 bootcut way. These are exactly those and honestly, worth every penny.

Last month, I started testing these jeans, and I’ve seriously worn them every other day since they arrived. They have a flattering high-rise and the fit is tight through the hips and then loosens (and lengthens) through the legs. Made with two percent spandex, these have wonderful give and flexibility, and they have stretched slightly with each wear. The brand says that when you wash them, they will shrink back to the original size and that has been my experience so far. Loup’s denim is definitely meant to eliminate the annoying waist gap — they claim to accommodate up to two inches beyond their listed waist measurement — and my Carmen jeans nicely hug my tush and provide a comfortable held-in feeling. They offer pretty inclusive sizing from XXS to 4XL, but you’ll need to consult their sizing chart: I usually wear a size 25/26, which converts to an XS. My Carmen jeans fit perfectly, though I probably could have taken a S for a baggier fit.

Rag & Bone’s Miramar collection is truly extraordinary. As you may rememberfrom my review, they look like jeans but feel like sweatpants thanks to the soft cotton-terry fabric. More recently, I bought this pair — which has a real button-and-zipper closure and deep front pockets — and it’s become my favorite pair of jeans. The high-rise is a bit higher than my other pair, but it’s perfect for wearing with a cropped tank or bodysuit. The wide-leg also drapes wonderfully whether I’m wearing sneakers or heeled boots. I wear them nonstop: I’ve traveled in them, and I regularly lounge around the house in these super-comfortable sweatpant-jeans. The price might seem a bit high, but these are truly worth it.